The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Lamb. Lamb participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. He joined the Navy around 1940. In April of 1941 he traveled to California for basic training and Ordnance School. He joined Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) and traveled aboard the USS Ramapo (AO-12) to the Philippines. On 6 December 1941, they stopped over at Pearl Harbor. Lamb was on the island when the Japanese attacked the next day. He remained on Ford Island until December of 1942, assisting with debris clean up. He served as Ordnanceman aboard an unnamed, in the South Pacific, transporting airplanes and supplies.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Lamb. Lamb participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. He joined the Navy around 1940. In April of 1941 he traveled to California for basic training and Ordnance School. He joined Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) and traveled aboard the USS Ramapo (AO-12) to the Philippines. On 6 December 1941, they stopped over at Pearl Harbor. Lamb was on the island when the Japanese attacked the next day. He remained on Ford Island until December of 1942, assisting with debris clean up. He served as Ordnanceman aboard an unnamed, in the South Pacific, transporting airplanes and supplies.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Blair. Blair joined the Merchant Marine in 1943. After training, he was assigned to the MV Pigeon Point, a sea going tug stationed on the West Coast. Blair worked in the engine room and made a few trips across the Pacific while aboard: one to Hawaii and another to New Guinea. After returning, he switched ships to the MV Saint Simon and made it to the Philippines during the invasion in 1944-45. Blair shares several anecdotes about being aboard ship and going ashore. He returned to the US in spring, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Blair. Blair joined the Merchant Marine in 1943. After training, he was assigned to the MV Pigeon Point, a sea going tug stationed on the West Coast. Blair worked in the engine room and made a few trips across the Pacific while aboard: one to Hawaii and another to New Guinea. After returning, he switched ships to the MV Saint Simon and made it to the Philippines during the invasion in 1944-45. Blair shares several anecdotes about being aboard ship and going ashore. He returned to the US in spring, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max P. Shambaugh. Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana 16 June 1922, Shambaugh joined the US Army Air Corps in February, 1941. After completing basic training at Keesler Field, Mississippi he was accepted into pilot training. He went to Dickerson College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania for preliminary training. He was then sent to Albany, Georgia where he began basic flight training under the leadership of civilian instructors. He tells of the various bases where he took training and of the type of aircraft he flew. Upon graduating from twin engine school at Columbus, Mississippi he received his wings, was commissioned a second lieutenant and sent to Columbus, Ohio for transition training in a B-17. Completing the advanced training he went to Lincoln, Nebraska to pick up a new B-17 and the assigned crew. They went to Pyote, Texas for crew training. In July 1944 they went by ship to Brighton, England where they were assigned to the 91st Bomb Group, 323nd Bomb Squadron. Shambaugh flew thirty-five before he was shot down. Encountering heavy flak and with the plane damaged, the crew, of which seven were wounded, bailed out. He crash …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max P. Shambaugh. Born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana 16 June 1922, Shambaugh joined the US Army Air Corps in February, 1941. After completing basic training at Keesler Field, Mississippi he was accepted into pilot training. He went to Dickerson College at Carlisle, Pennsylvania for preliminary training. He was then sent to Albany, Georgia where he began basic flight training under the leadership of civilian instructors. He tells of the various bases where he took training and of the type of aircraft he flew. Upon graduating from twin engine school at Columbus, Mississippi he received his wings, was commissioned a second lieutenant and sent to Columbus, Ohio for transition training in a B-17. Completing the advanced training he went to Lincoln, Nebraska to pick up a new B-17 and the assigned crew. They went to Pyote, Texas for crew training. In July 1944 they went by ship to Brighton, England where they were assigned to the 91st Bomb Group, 323nd Bomb Squadron. Shambaugh flew thirty-five before he was shot down. Encountering heavy flak and with the plane damaged, the crew, of which seven were wounded, bailed out. He crash …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John McKillican. McKillican was born in Burbank, California. Quitting high school, he worked at a ranch until he joined the Navy at seventeen years old. He was sent to Farragut, Idaho for eight weeks of boot training followed by sixteen weeks at the Navy Signal School at San Diego. He then reported to Oceanside, California where he joined a ten man communication team assigned to the 5th Marine Division. After three months of simulated landings along the California coast the team was sent to Hawaii where they trained with the Marines. In December 1944 the unit boarded the USS Rutland (APA-192), bound for Iwo Jima. He graphically describes landing on Red Beach 1 with the Marines amid the Japanese artillery and mortar fire as death and destruction unfolded around him. McKillican’s unit set up a ship-to-shore communication center in a captured enemy pill box. After eight days ashore the unit went aboard ship and proceeded to Espiritu Santo for R & R. Soon thereafter, the unit proceeded to Okinawa. While there, Japan surrendered. He tells of the ship being in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Peace …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John McKillican. McKillican was born in Burbank, California. Quitting high school, he worked at a ranch until he joined the Navy at seventeen years old. He was sent to Farragut, Idaho for eight weeks of boot training followed by sixteen weeks at the Navy Signal School at San Diego. He then reported to Oceanside, California where he joined a ten man communication team assigned to the 5th Marine Division. After three months of simulated landings along the California coast the team was sent to Hawaii where they trained with the Marines. In December 1944 the unit boarded the USS Rutland (APA-192), bound for Iwo Jima. He graphically describes landing on Red Beach 1 with the Marines amid the Japanese artillery and mortar fire as death and destruction unfolded around him. McKillican’s unit set up a ship-to-shore communication center in a captured enemy pill box. After eight days ashore the unit went aboard ship and proceeded to Espiritu Santo for R & R. Soon thereafter, the unit proceeded to Okinawa. While there, Japan surrendered. He tells of the ship being in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Peace …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Erwin Schilling. Schilling joined the Navy in 1939 with only an eighth-grade education, his family having been too poor to provide him transportation to the nearest high school. Upon completion of basic training in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Twiggs (DD-127), on escort duty in the Atlantic. The water was particularly rough in the wintertime, and Schilling remembers the ship rolling 56 degrees. After about a year, he was reassigned to the USS Sturtevant (DD-240), which later sank off of Florida. While he was in a lifeboat, he saw enginemen covered in oil waiting in vain for rescue. Schilling was transferred to the USS Buchanan (DD-484) as a gunner’s mate. He was slightly sounded in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Schilling was sent to gunnery school in Washington, D.C., and finished his Navy career aboard the USS Idaho (BB-42). He had no duties to perform at that time and enjoyed live music on deck each afternoon. He returned home and was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Erwin Schilling. Schilling joined the Navy in 1939 with only an eighth-grade education, his family having been too poor to provide him transportation to the nearest high school. Upon completion of basic training in San Diego, he was assigned to the USS Twiggs (DD-127), on escort duty in the Atlantic. The water was particularly rough in the wintertime, and Schilling remembers the ship rolling 56 degrees. After about a year, he was reassigned to the USS Sturtevant (DD-240), which later sank off of Florida. While he was in a lifeboat, he saw enginemen covered in oil waiting in vain for rescue. Schilling was transferred to the USS Buchanan (DD-484) as a gunner’s mate. He was slightly sounded in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Schilling was sent to gunnery school in Washington, D.C., and finished his Navy career aboard the USS Idaho (BB-42). He had no duties to perform at that time and enjoyed live music on deck each afternoon. He returned home and was discharged in October 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Hargesheimer. Hargesheimer joined the Army Air Forces in March of 1941. He completed flight training in March of 1942 and served as a pilot aboard an F-5, a modified P-38. He was assigned to the 8th Photo Squadron, 5th Air Force. He traveled to Australia and New Guinea. His plane had three cameras used for mapping at 20,000 feet, covering a 40-mile-wide strip. He provides some details of the cameras and techniques used in mapping. On his 49th, and final, photo reconnaissance mission in June of 1943 Hargesheimer’s plane was shot down by the Japanese over Papua New Guinea. He parachuted to safety and survived in the jungle for 31 days. He was rescued, and hidden from the Japanese, by the Nakanai tribe in the village of Eaea. In February of 1944 he was rescued by the submarine USS Gato (SS-212). He was discharged in 1946. Hargesheimer later became a philanthropist, helping the village that hid him from the Japanese.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Fred Hargesheimer. Hargesheimer joined the Army Air Forces in March of 1941. He completed flight training in March of 1942 and served as a pilot aboard an F-5, a modified P-38. He was assigned to the 8th Photo Squadron, 5th Air Force. He traveled to Australia and New Guinea. His plane had three cameras used for mapping at 20,000 feet, covering a 40-mile-wide strip. He provides some details of the cameras and techniques used in mapping. On his 49th, and final, photo reconnaissance mission in June of 1943 Hargesheimer’s plane was shot down by the Japanese over Papua New Guinea. He parachuted to safety and survived in the jungle for 31 days. He was rescued, and hidden from the Japanese, by the Nakanai tribe in the village of Eaea. In February of 1944 he was rescued by the submarine USS Gato (SS-212). He was discharged in 1946. Hargesheimer later became a philanthropist, helping the village that hid him from the Japanese.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Scholes. Scholes joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 program in 1943, graduating with the rank of ensign from the Midshipman's School at Northwestern University in Chicago. Scholes trained in ordnance at the Washington Naval Gun Factory and Jacksonville Naval Air Station. He was assigned to the Aviation Construction Ordinance Repair Navy unit, ACORN-52, in Guam. The unit occupied the Japanese Naval Base at Truk Atoll, in the Pacific. They built an airstrip and repaired an airplane base once belonging to the Japanese. He served in the Navy for three years and was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Scholes. Scholes joined the U.S. Navy’s V-12 program in 1943, graduating with the rank of ensign from the Midshipman's School at Northwestern University in Chicago. Scholes trained in ordnance at the Washington Naval Gun Factory and Jacksonville Naval Air Station. He was assigned to the Aviation Construction Ordinance Repair Navy unit, ACORN-52, in Guam. The unit occupied the Japanese Naval Base at Truk Atoll, in the Pacific. They built an airstrip and repaired an airplane base once belonging to the Japanese. He served in the Navy for three years and was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lois Kerimis. Kerimis graduated from Rawlins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1938, at 21 years old, with a Bachelors in Foreign Languages. She and her family were moved by the YMCA to Honolulu, where she taught at the Punahou Academy and her father was the Activities Director of the Army and Navy YMCA. She shares experiences of their life living and touring the island before the war, where her family fed and cared for homesick enlisted men and officers. They were living in Honolulu when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred 7 December 1941. She provides vivid details of this day, including witnessing a bomb dropping in the empty lot across from her home and lights out in the evening. Because Kerimis was fluent in four languages, including German, she was drafted by the Naval Intelligence on 8 December 1941. She served as a civilian employee, working with a Dictaphone interpreting phone calls in German between the Japanese and Germans. Kerimis left Hawaii in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lois Kerimis. Kerimis graduated from Rawlins College in Winter Park, Florida in 1938, at 21 years old, with a Bachelors in Foreign Languages. She and her family were moved by the YMCA to Honolulu, where she taught at the Punahou Academy and her father was the Activities Director of the Army and Navy YMCA. She shares experiences of their life living and touring the island before the war, where her family fed and cared for homesick enlisted men and officers. They were living in Honolulu when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred 7 December 1941. She provides vivid details of this day, including witnessing a bomb dropping in the empty lot across from her home and lights out in the evening. Because Kerimis was fluent in four languages, including German, she was drafted by the Naval Intelligence on 8 December 1941. She served as a civilian employee, working with a Dictaphone interpreting phone calls in German between the Japanese and Germans. Kerimis left Hawaii in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Cox. Cox was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on 26 November 1932. Upon graduating from high school in 1950 he joined the US Air Force. He recalls, as a child, hearing a broadcast telling of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and how the war affected a youngster living in a small town during that time. He relates his experiences in participating in scrap iron and grease collections for war time purposes and purchasing War Bond Stamps. Cox alludes to the effects of government enforced rationing on various commodities during this time.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Cox. Cox was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on 26 November 1932. Upon graduating from high school in 1950 he joined the US Air Force. He recalls, as a child, hearing a broadcast telling of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and how the war affected a youngster living in a small town during that time. He relates his experiences in participating in scrap iron and grease collections for war time purposes and purchasing War Bond Stamps. Cox alludes to the effects of government enforced rationing on various commodities during this time.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Austin. Austin joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943 as an Aviation Cadet. He graduated as a pilot in March of 1944 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He went on to train as a B-17 co-pilot. He provides details of his flight training. Austin was assigned to the 335th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force stationed in England. He completed 35 missions from November of 1944 through April of 1945. Austin describes some of their missions over Cologne, Hanover, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Brunswick. He was discharged around November of 1945. Upon returning home he joined the Air Force Reserve and National Guard.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Austin. Austin joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943 as an Aviation Cadet. He graduated as a pilot in March of 1944 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. He went on to train as a B-17 co-pilot. He provides details of his flight training. Austin was assigned to the 335th Bomb Squadron, 95th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force stationed in England. He completed 35 missions from November of 1944 through April of 1945. Austin describes some of their missions over Cologne, Hanover, Hamburg, Berlin, Dusseldorf and Brunswick. He was discharged around November of 1945. Upon returning home he joined the Air Force Reserve and National Guard.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Thomas Earp. Earp was born in Baltimore 15 November 1923. He joined the Marines and went to Camp Pendleton where he had boot training. He then went to Camp Goettge on New Caledonia and was assigned to the 1st Raider Regiment. In January 1944 he went to Guadalcanal where he had additional combat training before transferring into the 4th Marine Regiment. He was then assigned to the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade. Earp’s unit served as a reserve force during the invasion of Saipan. On 21 July 1944 he participated in the invasion of Guam. He recalls waiting on deck for a Higgins boat and seeing piles of body parts taken on board. His landing craft hung up on a coral reef and the troops had to wade ashore in high water under fire. On his first night on the island, they endured a banzai charge. As the battle moved inland he was assigned to the 53rd Construction Battalion and they began building bridges and roads. They also constructed landing strips for B-29s as well as a headquarters building for Admiral Chester Nimitz. Earp departed Guam November 1945 and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Thomas Earp. Earp was born in Baltimore 15 November 1923. He joined the Marines and went to Camp Pendleton where he had boot training. He then went to Camp Goettge on New Caledonia and was assigned to the 1st Raider Regiment. In January 1944 he went to Guadalcanal where he had additional combat training before transferring into the 4th Marine Regiment. He was then assigned to the 1st Marine Provisional Brigade. Earp’s unit served as a reserve force during the invasion of Saipan. On 21 July 1944 he participated in the invasion of Guam. He recalls waiting on deck for a Higgins boat and seeing piles of body parts taken on board. His landing craft hung up on a coral reef and the troops had to wade ashore in high water under fire. On his first night on the island, they endured a banzai charge. As the battle moved inland he was assigned to the 53rd Construction Battalion and they began building bridges and roads. They also constructed landing strips for B-29s as well as a headquarters building for Admiral Chester Nimitz. Earp departed Guam November 1945 and …