Transcript of an oral interview with Doug Aitken. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Aitken was nineteen and in college in California. He remained in college, earned his degree and was commissioned an ensign upon finishing school in 1944. He then went to radar school and trained for a position in the combat information center (CIC) of a destroyer. He soon reported aboard the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) in San Diego and headed for the Pacific. Soon, the Hadley was escorting other ships to Okinawa fo rthe invasion. Once there, the Hadley went on picket duty north of Okinawa on the lookout for kamikazes. Aitken describes a day in which the Hadley and other destroyers on picket station #15 off Okinawa were attacked by approximately 150 kamikazes in less than two hours. His battle station was inside the CIC. He also describes the Hadley being struck by three kamikazes and the crew abandoning ship. The Hadley was taken under tow to Kerama Retto for repairs, where she tied up alongside the USS Aaron Ward (DM-34), which had also been struck by numerous kamikazes. After repairs, the Hadley was towed to San Francisco. The war ended while she was …

Transcript of an oral interview with Doug Aitken. When the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred, Aitken was nineteen and in college in California. He remained in college, earned his degree and was commissioned an ensign upon finishing school in 1944. He then went to radar school and trained for a position in the combat information center (CIC) of a destroyer. He soon reported aboard the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774) in San Diego and headed for the Pacific. Soon, the Hadley was escorting other ships to Okinawa fo rthe invasion. Once there, the Hadley went on picket duty north of Okinawa on the lookout for kamikazes. Aitken describes a day in which the Hadley and other destroyers on picket station #15 off Okinawa were attacked by approximately 150 kamikazes in less than two hours. His battle station was inside the CIC. He also describes the Hadley being struck by three kamikazes and the crew abandoning ship. The Hadley was taken under tow to Kerama Retto for repairs, where she tied up alongside the USS Aaron Ward (DM-34), which had also been struck by numerous kamikazes. After repairs, the Hadley was towed to San Francisco. The war ended while she was …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Barden. Barden joined the Navy in 1942, and was called to active duty in July of 1943. He was assigned to the Navy V-12 program, graduating around March of 1944. He then completed Midshipman’s School in June, and was commissioned in the Naval Reserve. After finishing amphibious boat training in December, he was assigned to the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28). They participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He recalls Ernie Pyle riding in his landing craft to the beach at Okinawa. After the war ended, they became part of the Magic Carpet Fleet, making voyages from the west coast to the Philippines and the Far East, carrying occupation troops west-bound, and returning servicemen east-bound. Barden was discharged in August of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ken Barden. Barden joined the Navy in 1942, and was called to active duty in July of 1943. He was assigned to the Navy V-12 program, graduating around March of 1944. He then completed Midshipman’s School in June, and was commissioned in the Naval Reserve. After finishing amphibious boat training in December, he was assigned to the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28). They participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He recalls Ernie Pyle riding in his landing craft to the beach at Okinawa. After the war ended, they became part of the Magic Carpet Fleet, making voyages from the west coast to the Philippines and the Far East, carrying occupation troops west-bound, and returning servicemen east-bound. Barden was discharged in August of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anne Noreen Bauer. She was born on 30 July 1915 in Monterey, Indiana. After graduation from high school she attended St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana, where she received her nurse's training. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, she joined the Army Nurse Corps, was commissioned and reported to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in August 1942. She was sent to California where she embarked on the USS West Point (AP-23). She recalls the ship hitting a whale during the transit. Eventually, she arrived at a hospital in Calcutta, India where she was assigned as supervisor in charge of surgery and head nurse of the Intensive Care Unit. She describes her experiences during her 18 months in Calcutta, including the Japanese bombings. Next she was sent to Kandy, Ceylon which was under the command of Lord Louis Mountbatten, where she was stationed for a year as head nurse of the ward. She recalls being invited to Mountbatten's quarters for dinner and engaging him in a conversation where he recounted that he "knew all about Mishawaka, Indiana," her birthplace. She recalls that the Women's Army Corps had just been formed and she …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anne Noreen Bauer. She was born on 30 July 1915 in Monterey, Indiana. After graduation from high school she attended St. Joseph Hospital in Mishawaka, Indiana, where she received her nurse's training. Shortly after Pearl Harbor, she joined the Army Nurse Corps, was commissioned and reported to Ft. Benjamin Harrison, Indiana in August 1942. She was sent to California where she embarked on the USS West Point (AP-23). She recalls the ship hitting a whale during the transit. Eventually, she arrived at a hospital in Calcutta, India where she was assigned as supervisor in charge of surgery and head nurse of the Intensive Care Unit. She describes her experiences during her 18 months in Calcutta, including the Japanese bombings. Next she was sent to Kandy, Ceylon which was under the command of Lord Louis Mountbatten, where she was stationed for a year as head nurse of the ward. She recalls being invited to Mountbatten's quarters for dinner and engaging him in a conversation where he recounted that he "knew all about Mishawaka, Indiana," her birthplace. She recalls that the Women's Army Corps had just been formed and she …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Beck. Beck joined the Army in November of 1939. He was stationed at Hickam Field on Oahu beginning September of 1941. He served as an aircraft radio operator. He traveled to the Del Monte Airfield in Mindanao, Philippines where he completed radio repair work and was assigned the 81st Division Communication Chief. In May of 1942 they, along with native Filipinos, were captured by the Japanese and held at Camp Keithley. Beck shares his grim experiences with his captors, including executions and exhaustive marches. He was imprisoned at Bilibid for 19 months, where he contracted a neuromuscular disease. In June of 1944 he was sent to Cabanatuan and liberated by the US Army Rangers. After extensive medical treatment he was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Beck. Beck joined the Army in November of 1939. He was stationed at Hickam Field on Oahu beginning September of 1941. He served as an aircraft radio operator. He traveled to the Del Monte Airfield in Mindanao, Philippines where he completed radio repair work and was assigned the 81st Division Communication Chief. In May of 1942 they, along with native Filipinos, were captured by the Japanese and held at Camp Keithley. Beck shares his grim experiences with his captors, including executions and exhaustive marches. He was imprisoned at Bilibid for 19 months, where he contracted a neuromuscular disease. In June of 1944 he was sent to Cabanatuan and liberated by the US Army Rangers. After extensive medical treatment he was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Binkley. Binkley joined the Navy Seabees in July of 1943. He served as a Seaman 2nd Class. He served with the 581st Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU). They were commissioned at Port Hueneme, California in January of 1944 with personnel from the 123rd Battalion. They shipped out 13 March and traveled to Pearl Harbor. Their unit took over all maintenance and minor construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot. Binkley worked in a number of areas including construction, electrical work, censoring the mail and other postal work. He shares his living and working experiences on the island. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Binkley. Binkley joined the Navy Seabees in July of 1943. He served as a Seaman 2nd Class. He served with the 581st Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU). They were commissioned at Port Hueneme, California in January of 1944 with personnel from the 123rd Battalion. They shipped out 13 March and traveled to Pearl Harbor. Their unit took over all maintenance and minor construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot. Binkley worked in a number of areas including construction, electrical work, censoring the mail and other postal work. He shares his living and working experiences on the island. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Bishop. Bishop studied at Syracuse University beginning in 1935 but entered the labor force in 1937 due to financial hardship. In 1940 he joined the New York Army National Guard and was mobilized to Salinas, California, with the 27th Infantry Division, 108th Infantry Regiment. After becoming a staff sergeant, he decided to transfer to the Army Air Corps, where he attended school to become a second lieutenant and bombardier. In October 1942 he was assigned as an AT-11 instructor with the Army Air Forces in California, under strict orders to destroy his Sperry bombsight gyroscopes if needed, rather than surrender it to the enemy. In 1943, having trained 1,000 men, he began navigation school before joining a B-25 training outfit as a bombardier navigator and nose gunner. After the war, he was discharged into the reserves and was called to active duty in Korea with a B-29 crew before retiring as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Bishop. Bishop studied at Syracuse University beginning in 1935 but entered the labor force in 1937 due to financial hardship. In 1940 he joined the New York Army National Guard and was mobilized to Salinas, California, with the 27th Infantry Division, 108th Infantry Regiment. After becoming a staff sergeant, he decided to transfer to the Army Air Corps, where he attended school to become a second lieutenant and bombardier. In October 1942 he was assigned as an AT-11 instructor with the Army Air Forces in California, under strict orders to destroy his Sperry bombsight gyroscopes if needed, rather than surrender it to the enemy. In 1943, having trained 1,000 men, he began navigation school before joining a B-25 training outfit as a bombardier navigator and nose gunner. After the war, he was discharged into the reserves and was called to active duty in Korea with a B-29 crew before retiring as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Bond. Bond was drafted and entered the Navy in 1942. Upon completion of boot camp at Samson Naval Training Base in New York, he was assigned to the USS Cebu (ARG-6), which was in the Baltimore ship yard. He went to Pearl Harbor and describes the destruction he observed. Aboard the Cebu, Bond proceeded to Manus Island. While at anchorage there, the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded and severely damaged the USS Mindanao (ARG-3), which was moored alongside. Five of the crewmen aboard the Cebu where killed by the blast. The ship then went to Leyte Gulf remaining there for seven months before proceeding to Okinawa where the crew weathered a typhoon. Bond recalls going to Japan before returning to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Bond. Bond was drafted and entered the Navy in 1942. Upon completion of boot camp at Samson Naval Training Base in New York, he was assigned to the USS Cebu (ARG-6), which was in the Baltimore ship yard. He went to Pearl Harbor and describes the destruction he observed. Aboard the Cebu, Bond proceeded to Manus Island. While at anchorage there, the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) exploded and severely damaged the USS Mindanao (ARG-3), which was moored alongside. Five of the crewmen aboard the Cebu where killed by the blast. The ship then went to Leyte Gulf remaining there for seven months before proceeding to Okinawa where the crew weathered a typhoon. Bond recalls going to Japan before returning to the United States.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert B. Bradley. Bradley begins by speaking of his childhood days growing up in Washington, DC. While attending the University of Maryland, Bradley enlisted in the Army in October, 1942. After Bradley finished training as a medic, he was assigned to Company E, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He went to England in February, 1944. He arrived at Omaha Beach one day after the invasion. Bradley moved forward with the infantry until he was captured by a unit of German Armored Infantry in August, 1944. He was placed in Stalag 3-C. In April, 1945, Bradley and others were liberated by the Russians, who put them on a train for odessa where they boarded a ship back to England.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert B. Bradley. Bradley begins by speaking of his childhood days growing up in Washington, DC. While attending the University of Maryland, Bradley enlisted in the Army in October, 1942. After Bradley finished training as a medic, he was assigned to Company E, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He went to England in February, 1944. He arrived at Omaha Beach one day after the invasion. Bradley moved forward with the infantry until he was captured by a unit of German Armored Infantry in August, 1944. He was placed in Stalag 3-C. In April, 1945, Bradley and others were liberated by the Russians, who put them on a train for odessa where they boarded a ship back to England.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Bragg. Bragg joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained as a spotter pilot for the field artillery. He also completed radio mechanic school. He was sent to England and joined the 482nd Bomb Group. He served with a ground radar unit called Mickey and Minnie, directing planes to their targets for bombing. He provides some details of his work with the unit. In July of 1944 he traveled to Belgium and then Germany. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Bragg. Bragg joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained as a spotter pilot for the field artillery. He also completed radio mechanic school. He was sent to England and joined the 482nd Bomb Group. He served with a ground radar unit called Mickey and Minnie, directing planes to their targets for bombing. He provides some details of his work with the unit. In July of 1944 he traveled to Belgium and then Germany. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Brewer. Brewer joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Gunnery School and Radio School. In mid-1944, Brewer was assigned to Patrol Squadron 47 (VP-47) and later deployed to Hawaii. Beginning in spring of 1945, he served as an Aviation Radioman-Gunner aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29). The task force conducted a series of raids to support the invasion of Okinawa. They participated in the Battle of the East China Sea, and conducted numerous bombing runs on airfields and factories in Japan. He returned to the US in September of 1945 and was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Brewer. Brewer joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Gunnery School and Radio School. In mid-1944, Brewer was assigned to Patrol Squadron 47 (VP-47) and later deployed to Hawaii. Beginning in spring of 1945, he served as an Aviation Radioman-Gunner aboard USS Bataan (CVL-29). The task force conducted a series of raids to support the invasion of Okinawa. They participated in the Battle of the East China Sea, and conducted numerous bombing runs on airfields and factories in Japan. He returned to the US in September of 1945 and was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy in September 1939. He was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30) and became an electrician’s mate. Brooks describes several Japanese air attacks including one that killed most of his damage-control party. He describes the battles of the Java Sea and Sunda Strait. Brooks discusses abandoning ship and seeing her sink. He describes his capture, seeing the Lost Battalion arrive at the prison camp, and the conditions on board a hell ship. Brooks details the conditions he endured while building a railroad including the poor diet, diseases, and cruel treatment. He also describes the techniques and equipment used to build the railroad. Brooks details his liberation and return to the US. He remained in the Navy until August 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Brooks. Brooks joined the Navy in September 1939. He was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30) and became an electrician’s mate. Brooks describes several Japanese air attacks including one that killed most of his damage-control party. He describes the battles of the Java Sea and Sunda Strait. Brooks discusses abandoning ship and seeing her sink. He describes his capture, seeing the Lost Battalion arrive at the prison camp, and the conditions on board a hell ship. Brooks details the conditions he endured while building a railroad including the poor diet, diseases, and cruel treatment. He also describes the techniques and equipment used to build the railroad. Brooks details his liberation and return to the US. He remained in the Navy until August 1948.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Brushwein. Brushwein graduated from North Dakota State University ion 1939 and accepted his commission in the Army through the ROTC. When he was with the Third Infantry Division, he was a battalion adjutant working for Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Eisenhower. In 1940, he went to Hawaii and joined the 25th Infantry Division. He describes his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After more training in Hawaii, he embarked for Guadalcanal in January 1943. Brushwein provides many details of the activities of the 25th ID on Guadalcanal. Brushwein even drank beer at the officer’s club on Tulagi with John F. Kennedy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harold Brushwein. Brushwein graduated from North Dakota State University ion 1939 and accepted his commission in the Army through the ROTC. When he was with the Third Infantry Division, he was a battalion adjutant working for Lieutenant Colonel Dwight Eisenhower. In 1940, he went to Hawaii and joined the 25th Infantry Division. He describes his experiences during the attack on Pearl Harbor. After more training in Hawaii, he embarked for Guadalcanal in January 1943. Brushwein provides many details of the activities of the 25th ID on Guadalcanal. Brushwein even drank beer at the officer’s club on Tulagi with John F. Kennedy.