Resource Type

Oral History Interview with Harold Buell, September 30, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harold Buell, September 30, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Buell. While attending college in Iowa, Buell took advantage of the Civilian Pilot Training program and earned a pilot's license in 1940. He volunteered for the Navy and went to flight school at Pensacola, Florida, where he earned his wings and a commission in November, 1941. He was assigned to go aboard the USS Yorktown (CV-5) as a member of Scouting Squadron 5 (VS-5) and arrived in time for the Battle of the Coral Sea. His squadron suffered enough damage to be removed from the Yorktown prior to the Battle of Midway. Buell was assigned to the USS Saratoga (CV-3) and flew search and rescue missions from her during the Battle of Midway. After that battle, Buell was transferred to yet another carrier, the USS Enterprise (CV-6), prior to the invasion of Guadalcanal. While flying off the Enterprise, Buell and ten other pilots had to land on Guadalcanal at Henderson Field. They and their dive bombers then became members of the Cactus Air Force. Buell describes the living conditions on Guadalcanal as opposed to those aboard an aircraft carrier. His group finally got off Guadalcanal and returned …
Date: September 30, 2000
Creator: Buell, Harold
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pete Craig, July 10, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Pete Craig, July 10, 2002

Interview with Pete Craig, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II from Houston, Texas. Craig describes his time as a Private 1st Class in the Infantry, as well as his experiences in basic training and the places he visited throughout the United States. Included at the end of the transcript is a written summarization by the interviewer, Colby Burmaster, which was provided with the two audiotapes of the interview.
Date: April 26, 2003
Creator: Burmaster, Colby & Craig, Pete
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pete Craig, July 10, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Pete Craig, July 10, 2002

Interview with Pete Craig, a veteran of the U.S. Army who served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II from Houston, Texas. Craig describes his time as a Private 1st Class in the Infantry, as well as his experiences in basic training and the places he visited throughout the United States.
Date: July 10, 2002
Creator: Burmaster, Colby & Craig, Pete
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Donaldson, April 14, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Donaldson, April 14, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.
Date: April 14, 2009
Creator: Donaldson, Albert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Donaldson, April 14, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Donaldson, April 14, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Donaldson. Donaldson talks about how the Great Depression affected his family. He joined the Navy in 1944 and provides details of his training. He traveled aboard the USS Buckingham (APA-141). They traveled to Pearl Harbor, which he describes along with his responsibilities with work parties unloading and reloading ships. He assisted with trading out old ammunition for new ammunition. He was transferred to the John Rodgers Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked on the Martin Mars seaplanes, repairing and test flying them. He also flew C-54s and the J-3 Piper Cub and shares his experiences. He spent the remainder of his Navy career in Hawaii and was discharged in August of 1946 and joined the reserves. While in the service he made storekeeper 3rd class. In the 1950s he was commissioned into the Air Force.
Date: April 14, 2009
Creator: Donaldson, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History