Transcript of an oral interview with Herman Billnitzer. Mr Billnitzer was a Pharmacist Mate in the Navy and spent most of his time as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division, landing on Guadalcanal in October 1942. He describes the conditions on Guadalcanal as well as the conditions of the sailors that were rescued from ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound. Near the end of the year, the 1st Marine Division was relieved by the Army and went to Australia for about eight months. From there, they were shipped to New Guinea, Milne Bay, where they stayed for about three months. Then, they landed on New Britain. Billnitzer gives a gripping description of the front line fighting on New Britain including the counterattacks by the Japanese; very revealing of what went on there. After New Britain, he was shipped back to the base hospital at Cape Gloucester and then to Pavuvu (Russell Islands) before he came back to the States for rest and rehabilitation in 1944; after over 20 months in the South Pacific. Billnitzer was sent to the naval hospital at Corpus Christi and then to the west coast for training at San Bruno, California. He went to Sasebo, …

Transcript of an oral interview with Herman Billnitzer. Mr Billnitzer was a Pharmacist Mate in the Navy and spent most of his time as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division, landing on Guadalcanal in October 1942. He describes the conditions on Guadalcanal as well as the conditions of the sailors that were rescued from ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound. Near the end of the year, the 1st Marine Division was relieved by the Army and went to Australia for about eight months. From there, they were shipped to New Guinea, Milne Bay, where they stayed for about three months. Then, they landed on New Britain. Billnitzer gives a gripping description of the front line fighting on New Britain including the counterattacks by the Japanese; very revealing of what went on there. After New Britain, he was shipped back to the base hospital at Cape Gloucester and then to Pavuvu (Russell Islands) before he came back to the States for rest and rehabilitation in 1944; after over 20 months in the South Pacific. Billnitzer was sent to the naval hospital at Corpus Christi and then to the west coast for training at San Bruno, California. He went to Sasebo, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Borchers. Borchers joined the Army in September 1944 and received training at Camp Hood and Fort Ord. His first combat duty was in the Luzon campaign, where he was stationed in the mountains north of Manila. There he was assigned to the 112th Cavalry Regiment. His platoon devised an alarm system out of barbed wire and tin cans to alert them to Japanese infiltration. They fired 15,000 rounds when a water buffalo stumbled into it. After the battle, Borchers was stricken with hepatitis and never was in action again. He arrived in Tokyo Bay on 1 September 1945 and camped at the Tateyama Air Base with a view of the surrender. He was part of the occupation forces and describes what he saw on his travels through Japan, including the rubble of Chiba. He joined the 649th Ordnance Ammunition Company, dumping ammunition, vehicles, and aircraft into the water near Shoshi. Borchers returned home and was discharged in November 1946 as a first sergeant, whereupon he joined the Naval Reserves and entered medical school. He resigned his commission in 1953.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Borchers. Borchers joined the Army in September 1944 and received training at Camp Hood and Fort Ord. His first combat duty was in the Luzon campaign, where he was stationed in the mountains north of Manila. There he was assigned to the 112th Cavalry Regiment. His platoon devised an alarm system out of barbed wire and tin cans to alert them to Japanese infiltration. They fired 15,000 rounds when a water buffalo stumbled into it. After the battle, Borchers was stricken with hepatitis and never was in action again. He arrived in Tokyo Bay on 1 September 1945 and camped at the Tateyama Air Base with a view of the surrender. He was part of the occupation forces and describes what he saw on his travels through Japan, including the rubble of Chiba. He joined the 649th Ordnance Ammunition Company, dumping ammunition, vehicles, and aircraft into the water near Shoshi. Borchers returned home and was discharged in November 1946 as a first sergeant, whereupon he joined the Naval Reserves and entered medical school. He resigned his commission in 1953.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcia Howe Bratusek and Marcile Howe Harrison. Twins Bratusek and Harrison grew up in San Antonio, Texas and participated in the local committee called the National Defense Recreation and Service Committee of San Antonio (similar to the USO). Born in 1932, they were nine in 1941 and 13 in 1945. They took dance lessons and their mother made them costumes. Their costumes were bought in Mexico. They took classes from Bertha Almaguer. During the war, they performed dances for military men as frequently as three nights a week. They performed at different bases and mention Dodge Field near Fort Sam Houston. They also had three brothers in the military. They had their pictures in National Geographic magazine. They also visited the military hospitals.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcia Howe Bratusek and Marcile Howe Harrison. Twins Bratusek and Harrison grew up in San Antonio, Texas and participated in the local committee called the National Defense Recreation and Service Committee of San Antonio (similar to the USO). Born in 1932, they were nine in 1941 and 13 in 1945. They took dance lessons and their mother made them costumes. Their costumes were bought in Mexico. They took classes from Bertha Almaguer. During the war, they performed dances for military men as frequently as three nights a week. They performed at different bases and mention Dodge Field near Fort Sam Houston. They also had three brothers in the military. They had their pictures in National Geographic magazine. They also visited the military hospitals.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edgar Damour. Damour joined the Navy in September of 1939. His first assignment was aboard USS Chester (CA-27) traveling with the British in the Caribbean and the Atlantic. He volunteered for submarine service. Damour served as Radioman aboard USS S-35. From early 1942 through late 1943, they completed war patrols in the defense of the Aleutian Islands. Damour was then assigned to USS Pargo (SS-264). Their base was located at Pearl Harbor, and they completed war patrols to the Philippines and the Sea of Japan. He was discharged in October of 1945, though re-entered and served until his retirement in 1959.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edgar Damour. Damour joined the Navy in September of 1939. His first assignment was aboard USS Chester (CA-27) traveling with the British in the Caribbean and the Atlantic. He volunteered for submarine service. Damour served as Radioman aboard USS S-35. From early 1942 through late 1943, they completed war patrols in the defense of the Aleutian Islands. Damour was then assigned to USS Pargo (SS-264). Their base was located at Pearl Harbor, and they completed war patrols to the Philippines and the Sea of Japan. He was discharged in October of 1945, though re-entered and served until his retirement in 1959.

Transcript of an oral interview with Commander Douglas C. Davis. Davis joined the Navy in 1939 after having learned to fly as a civilian. He went through naval flight training at Pensacola, Florida and earned his wings in September, 1940. Upon completion of training, he reported to Pearl Harbor, his first duty station, in December 1940, where he was assigned to BP-22. Davis describes alot of his activities at Pearl Harbor prior to the outbreak of war. These included advance base operations, search and rescue, mapping operations and standard patrols. Davis shares anecdotes about his activities during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Davis's unit was assigned to dutyin the Southwest Pacific. He describes being attacked by Japanese planes while arriving in New Guinea. On 3 June 1942, Davis landed on Midway Island prior to the Japanese attack there. He was assigned to attack the Japanese flotilla headed for Midway from PBY armed with a torpedo. Davis describes his attack on the Japanese ships. Davis finished his time in the service at a post in one of the Navy bureaus in Washington, DC. He retired from the Navy in 1967.

Transcript of an oral interview with Commander Douglas C. Davis. Davis joined the Navy in 1939 after having learned to fly as a civilian. He went through naval flight training at Pensacola, Florida and earned his wings in September, 1940. Upon completion of training, he reported to Pearl Harbor, his first duty station, in December 1940, where he was assigned to BP-22. Davis describes alot of his activities at Pearl Harbor prior to the outbreak of war. These included advance base operations, search and rescue, mapping operations and standard patrols. Davis shares anecdotes about his activities during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Davis's unit was assigned to dutyin the Southwest Pacific. He describes being attacked by Japanese planes while arriving in New Guinea. On 3 June 1942, Davis landed on Midway Island prior to the Japanese attack there. He was assigned to attack the Japanese flotilla headed for Midway from PBY armed with a torpedo. Davis describes his attack on the Japanese ships. Davis finished his time in the service at a post in one of the Navy bureaus in Washington, DC. He retired from the Navy in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wendell W. Fenn. Born in 1922, he enlisted in the Regular Army in June 1940. He was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his unit received one hundred motorcycles, he volunteered to take over the Motor Pool. He subsequently trained in the use of the cryptographic machine and was assigned to the Division Headquarters. He quickly advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant. He attended Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He describes social refinement training after receiving his commission. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne, 327th Glider Infantry and sent to England. He shares an anecdote about using glider boxes for living quarters. He describes his glider training as well as his additional duties as a Military Police Officer. He talks about landing in a glider in Normandy immediately prior to the D-Day invasion. He describes the capture of Sainte-Mère-Église. He shares an anecdote about flying an American flag there. He returned to England via Omaha Beach. He speaks of the grave registration unit located there. He describes participating in Operation Market Garden. In November 1944, he was evacuated to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wendell W. Fenn. Born in 1922, he enlisted in the Regular Army in June 1940. He was assigned to the 1st Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After his unit received one hundred motorcycles, he volunteered to take over the Motor Pool. He subsequently trained in the use of the cryptographic machine and was assigned to the Division Headquarters. He quickly advanced to the rank of Master Sergeant. He attended Officers’ Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He describes social refinement training after receiving his commission. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne, 327th Glider Infantry and sent to England. He shares an anecdote about using glider boxes for living quarters. He describes his glider training as well as his additional duties as a Military Police Officer. He talks about landing in a glider in Normandy immediately prior to the D-Day invasion. He describes the capture of Sainte-Mère-Église. He shares an anecdote about flying an American flag there. He returned to England via Omaha Beach. He speaks of the grave registration unit located there. He describes participating in Operation Market Garden. In November 1944, he was evacuated to …

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Flocke. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also ancedotes about food, rations and living conditions on the islands.

Transcript of an oral interview with Al Flocke. He discusses his flight training and being the radio operator on a B-24 bomber which did raids on Guam, Turk, Iwo Jima and other islands. He also ancedotes about food, rations and living conditions on the islands.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mal Garcia. Garcia joined the Navy in 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to USS Argonne (AG-31) where he served as a radioman striker. During the attack on Pearl Harbor he assumed duty as coxswain of a whaleboat, transporting injured survivors to the dock. He also helped to rescue men trapped inside USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Garcia gives details of radio communication protocol, including codes and frequencies that were used. He was assigned to the radio station at Honolulu Bay when he received a battery of contact reports, which turned out to be the beginning of the Battle of Midway. He was then reassigned to USS Constant (AM-86) and conducted shore patrol in the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, and New Hebrides. The Constant also escorted 12 LCTs loaded with Marines to Bougainville. After a Japanese bomber damaged a radio tower on the Treasury Islands, Garcia sent the shore station’s messages out from his ship. At Kula Gulf the Constant had a close encounter with three Japanese destroyers. While escorting a ship to New Zealand, Garcia briefly communicated with a Japanese radioman masquerading as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mal Garcia. Garcia joined the Navy in 1941 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to USS Argonne (AG-31) where he served as a radioman striker. During the attack on Pearl Harbor he assumed duty as coxswain of a whaleboat, transporting injured survivors to the dock. He also helped to rescue men trapped inside USS Oklahoma (BB-37). Garcia gives details of radio communication protocol, including codes and frequencies that were used. He was assigned to the radio station at Honolulu Bay when he received a battery of contact reports, which turned out to be the beginning of the Battle of Midway. He was then reassigned to USS Constant (AM-86) and conducted shore patrol in the Solomon Islands, the Russell Islands, and New Hebrides. The Constant also escorted 12 LCTs loaded with Marines to Bougainville. After a Japanese bomber damaged a radio tower on the Treasury Islands, Garcia sent the shore station’s messages out from his ship. At Kula Gulf the Constant had a close encounter with three Japanese destroyers. While escorting a ship to New Zealand, Garcia briefly communicated with a Japanese radioman masquerading as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Willis Gathright. Gathright was born on 3 December 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. Upon being drafted in June 1943 he went to eight weeks of boot training at the US Naval Training Station in San Diego. This was followed by twelve weeks of sonar training at the West Coast Sound School at Point Loma, California. He describes how a sonar unit works. After graduating from the sonar school and receiving gunnery training at in Algiers, Louisiana, Gathright was assigned to Patrol Craft Escort 849. On 18 June 1944, the ship arrived at Brisbane, Australia where Army radio equipment was placed on board manned by a crew of ten Army soldiers. Gathright recalls the ship being part of the fleet during the invasion of Leyte acting as the radio relay between the USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2) and General McArthur’s headquarters in Australia. After participating in the invasion of Lingayen Gulf at Luzon, the ship remained in Manila until February 1945 when they were ordered to Morotai, where they joined the Australian Fleet for the invasion of Tarakan, Borneo on 1 May 1945. Gathright describes the ship …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Willis Gathright. Gathright was born on 3 December 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. Upon being drafted in June 1943 he went to eight weeks of boot training at the US Naval Training Station in San Diego. This was followed by twelve weeks of sonar training at the West Coast Sound School at Point Loma, California. He describes how a sonar unit works. After graduating from the sonar school and receiving gunnery training at in Algiers, Louisiana, Gathright was assigned to Patrol Craft Escort 849. On 18 June 1944, the ship arrived at Brisbane, Australia where Army radio equipment was placed on board manned by a crew of ten Army soldiers. Gathright recalls the ship being part of the fleet during the invasion of Leyte acting as the radio relay between the USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2) and General McArthur’s headquarters in Australia. After participating in the invasion of Lingayen Gulf at Luzon, the ship remained in Manila until February 1945 when they were ordered to Morotai, where they joined the Australian Fleet for the invasion of Tarakan, Borneo on 1 May 1945. Gathright describes the ship …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Harrell. Harrell grew up in Kentucky and joined the Marine Corps in 1943. Once he finished training, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis in 1944. His first encounter was in the Carolina Islands. He then went to Eniwetok Islands, Kwajalein Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The next battle was the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Then the ship went on to Peleliu until the island was secured, and onto Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The ship protected other ships as well as invasion troops during the battles. At Okinawa, the ship was damaged by a kamikaze plane and went back to the United States for repairs. He discusses the kamikaze culture and his experience at a forty-millimeter gun when the kamikaze hit the USS Indianapolis. At the point, while in the United States, the ship was chosen to take the atomic bomb parts to Tinian. At San Francisco, he describes the acquiring of the atomic bomb materials without the knowledge of the Captain of the ship or the soldiers. Next, he describes the bombing of the USS Indianapolis and the aftermath. Harrell witnessed other soldiers drink salt water, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Harrell. Harrell grew up in Kentucky and joined the Marine Corps in 1943. Once he finished training, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis in 1944. His first encounter was in the Carolina Islands. He then went to Eniwetok Islands, Kwajalein Islands, Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. The next battle was the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot. Then the ship went on to Peleliu until the island was secured, and onto Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The ship protected other ships as well as invasion troops during the battles. At Okinawa, the ship was damaged by a kamikaze plane and went back to the United States for repairs. He discusses the kamikaze culture and his experience at a forty-millimeter gun when the kamikaze hit the USS Indianapolis. At the point, while in the United States, the ship was chosen to take the atomic bomb parts to Tinian. At San Francisco, he describes the acquiring of the atomic bomb materials without the knowledge of the Captain of the ship or the soldiers. Next, he describes the bombing of the USS Indianapolis and the aftermath. Harrell witnessed other soldiers drink salt water, …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henry Hauschild. Hauschild joined the Army in January 1942 and received basic training at Fort Ringgold. He received chemical warfare training in Maryland. Upon completion, he became an instructor on how to survive phosgene and tear gas attacks. At Mitchel Field he trained P-47 pilots in creating smoke screens. While in Delaware as a chief chemical warfare officer, he was ordered to administer a surprise tear gas attack on the barracks at dawn. He was against the idea, because of the likelihood of chaos and potential injuries. He reluctantly followed orders, and fortunately no one was injured.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henry Hauschild. Hauschild joined the Army in January 1942 and received basic training at Fort Ringgold. He received chemical warfare training in Maryland. Upon completion, he became an instructor on how to survive phosgene and tear gas attacks. At Mitchel Field he trained P-47 pilots in creating smoke screens. While in Delaware as a chief chemical warfare officer, he was ordered to administer a surprise tear gas attack on the barracks at dawn. He was against the idea, because of the likelihood of chaos and potential injuries. He reluctantly followed orders, and fortunately no one was injured.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert M. Howe. Howe grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1942. During training, he married his high school sweetheart. He shipped out in July 1942 and went to Guadalcanal. He was then involved in the battle of Espiritu Santo. Next, at the battle of Guadalcanal, Howe witnessed the sinking of the USS Atlanta and the USS San Francisco. He also the USS Juneau blow up. In the Battle of Kula Gulf, the USS Helena (CL-50) was sunk. Howe was unable to get to a life raft and was in the water for six or seven hours in a life jacket before he was picked up by an American destroyer. He developed ashthma and was shipped back to the U.S. where he received a medical discharge in December 1943. He watched Japanese airplanes dive bomb an Australian cruiser. He describes playing baseball and swimming off the side of the ship.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert M. Howe. Howe grew up in Texas and joined the Navy in 1942. During training, he married his high school sweetheart. He shipped out in July 1942 and went to Guadalcanal. He was then involved in the battle of Espiritu Santo. Next, at the battle of Guadalcanal, Howe witnessed the sinking of the USS Atlanta and the USS San Francisco. He also the USS Juneau blow up. In the Battle of Kula Gulf, the USS Helena (CL-50) was sunk. Howe was unable to get to a life raft and was in the water for six or seven hours in a life jacket before he was picked up by an American destroyer. He developed ashthma and was shipped back to the U.S. where he received a medical discharge in December 1943. He watched Japanese airplanes dive bomb an Australian cruiser. He describes playing baseball and swimming off the side of the ship.