Interview with Floyd R. Thomas, a serviceman in the U. S. Army during World War II. He discusses his childhood and education at Peacock Military Academy. He then joined the army and spent time in Okinawa during and after the war. He recalls being a surgical technician and working with Japanese civilians after the surrender, meeting his wife, and working for saw mills as a salesman and a pilot. He remembers stealing pineapples on Hawaii and getting diarrhea, being treated for jungle rot, selling old Japanese army blankets to civilians, and shipping silk bolts and sabers back home.

Transcript of an oral interview with Floyd Thomas. He begins by discussing his childhood and attending Peacock Military Academy, then joining the Army and his experiences on Okinawa during and after the war. He discusses being a surgical technician and working with Japanese civilians after the surrender. He also talks about meeting his wife after the war, working for saw mills as a salesman and a pilot. He ancedotes about stealing pineapples on Hawaii and getting diarrhea, being treated for jungle rot, selling old Japanese army blankets to civilians, and shipping silk bolts and sabers back home.

Transcript of an oral interview with Floyd Thomas. He begins by discussing his childhood and attending Peacock Military Academy, then joining the Army and his experiences on Okinawa during and after the war. He discusses being a surgical technician and working with Japanese civilians after the surrender. He also talks about meeting his wife after the war, working for saw mills as a salesman and a pilot. He ancedotes about stealing pineapples on Hawaii and getting diarrhea, being treated for jungle rot, selling old Japanese army blankets to civilians, and shipping silk bolts and sabers back home.

Interview with Floyd R. Thomas of El Paso, Texas, who is a veteran of the United States Armed Forces during World War II. In the interview, Mr. Thomas recalls memories from before the war as well as his time in the military, including his training in Oregon and Hawaii, attacks on Okinawa, and various battle scenes.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Brewer. Brewer joined the Marines on 1 July 1942. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Marines began accepting African-Americans for training. Due to concerns of racial problems the Marines built a training camp, Montford Point, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where Brewer trained. He was assigned to the 51st Defense Battalion, fire control section, working with 91mm antiaircraft guns. In 1943 his battalion was sent to a base in the Ellice Islands, now Tuvalu, for 6 months. Brewer was sent back to the U.S. to attend Purdue University, under the Navy’s V-12 education program, to study Civil Engineering. Once the war ended, he opted to take a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserves, go on inactive duty and complete his degree at Purdue. He followed up with a master’s degree in the same field. He was called back to active duty when the Korean War began and completed Officer Training in Quantico, Virginia. He was assigned to be in command of an Antiaircraft Artillery Unit at Camp Pendleton. He was the first African-American colonel in the Marine Corps. He retired in 1973 as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Herbert Brewer. Brewer joined the Marines on 1 July 1942. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Marines began accepting African-Americans for training. Due to concerns of racial problems the Marines built a training camp, Montford Point, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where Brewer trained. He was assigned to the 51st Defense Battalion, fire control section, working with 91mm antiaircraft guns. In 1943 his battalion was sent to a base in the Ellice Islands, now Tuvalu, for 6 months. Brewer was sent back to the U.S. to attend Purdue University, under the Navy’s V-12 education program, to study Civil Engineering. Once the war ended, he opted to take a commission as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserves, go on inactive duty and complete his degree at Purdue. He followed up with a master’s degree in the same field. He was called back to active duty when the Korean War began and completed Officer Training in Quantico, Virginia. He was assigned to be in command of an Antiaircraft Artillery Unit at Camp Pendleton. He was the first African-American colonel in the Marine Corps. He retired in 1973 as …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bud Nardecchia. After turning 18 years old in 1943, he voluntarily joined the Marine Corps and was sent to boot camp in San Diego, California. He was sent to Guam in 1944. He discusses sailing to Iwo Jima, going ashore on an LST (Landing Ship, Tank), and his experiences on the island. After returning to Guam, he was sent to northern China where he spent nine months. He includes an anecdote about experiencing a typhoon while on board a ship returning to San Diego, California. He also recounts his memory of learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was discharged from the Marines in San Diego, California.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bud Nardecchia. After turning 18 years old in 1943, he voluntarily joined the Marine Corps and was sent to boot camp in San Diego, California. He was sent to Guam in 1944. He discusses sailing to Iwo Jima, going ashore on an LST (Landing Ship, Tank), and his experiences on the island. After returning to Guam, he was sent to northern China where he spent nine months. He includes an anecdote about experiencing a typhoon while on board a ship returning to San Diego, California. He also recounts his memory of learning about the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was discharged from the Marines in San Diego, California.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Major General Carey Randall. Randall was born in Gloster, Mississippi, 15 November 1912. Entering Louisiana State University In 1930 he participated in ROTC and in 1935 accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Upon acceptance, he was sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for additional training. Afterwards, he was assigned to the shipyard at Bremerton, Washington as platoon leader in one of the guardhouses. In 1937 he was sent to Shanghai, China and assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment. Leaving China in 1939, he was assigned as an aid to the commanding general at Quantico, Virginia. In early 1941 Randall received orders to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) as senior marine officer. He recalls 7 December 1941, when he was on temporary shore duty when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Going aboard the Enterprise he served as the anti-aircraft control officer and participated in the battle of Midway. He then received orders to report to San Diego to help organize the 9th Marine Battalion. In January 1943 the unit left California and went to New Zealand where they continued their training. They went to Guadalcanal and assisted in mop-up …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Major General Carey Randall. Randall was born in Gloster, Mississippi, 15 November 1912. Entering Louisiana State University In 1930 he participated in ROTC and in 1935 accepted a commission in the United States Marine Corps. Upon acceptance, he was sent to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for additional training. Afterwards, he was assigned to the shipyard at Bremerton, Washington as platoon leader in one of the guardhouses. In 1937 he was sent to Shanghai, China and assigned to the 4th Marine Regiment. Leaving China in 1939, he was assigned as an aid to the commanding general at Quantico, Virginia. In early 1941 Randall received orders to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) as senior marine officer. He recalls 7 December 1941, when he was on temporary shore duty when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Going aboard the Enterprise he served as the anti-aircraft control officer and participated in the battle of Midway. He then received orders to report to San Diego to help organize the 9th Marine Battalion. In January 1943 the unit left California and went to New Zealand where they continued their training. They went to Guadalcanal and assisted in mop-up …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh managed to enlist in the Marine Corps when he was 15 years old by getting a stranger to sign the parental release documents. After training, he was in Australia demonstrating the Marines Corps' new tale of organization when it was discovered he was only 15 years old. He was returned to the US, but some friendly Marines arranged for him to get a new birthdate and new serial number, thus allowing him to stay in the Marines because he did not want to go home. He was in the assaults at Saipan and Guam, as well as Iwo Jima. He had occupation duty in China and Japan before returning to the US to be a drill instructor. Cavanaugh also served in the Korean War until he was wounded and medically discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Cavanaugh. Cavanaugh managed to enlist in the Marine Corps when he was 15 years old by getting a stranger to sign the parental release documents. After training, he was in Australia demonstrating the Marines Corps' new tale of organization when it was discovered he was only 15 years old. He was returned to the US, but some friendly Marines arranged for him to get a new birthdate and new serial number, thus allowing him to stay in the Marines because he did not want to go home. He was in the assaults at Saipan and Guam, as well as Iwo Jima. He had occupation duty in China and Japan before returning to the US to be a drill instructor. Cavanaugh also served in the Korean War until he was wounded and medically discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Watson. Watson joined the Marine Corps in 1943, and went to San Diego for boot camp training, then to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, then to Camp Pendleton. He trained as an engineer. From Pendleton he was shipped to Eniwetok, then to Guam. He landed on Iwo Jima on the second day of the battle, and remained for thirty days. He recalls the flares coming in over him and how deafening the 105s could be. He went to Sasebo, Japan with the occupation forces for about six months and his job was to supply water. He also went to Nagasaki. He was in the service a total of 3 years and was discharged in San Francisco before going to college to earn a degree in Education.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Watson. Watson joined the Marine Corps in 1943, and went to San Diego for boot camp training, then to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, then to Camp Pendleton. He trained as an engineer. From Pendleton he was shipped to Eniwetok, then to Guam. He landed on Iwo Jima on the second day of the battle, and remained for thirty days. He recalls the flares coming in over him and how deafening the 105s could be. He went to Sasebo, Japan with the occupation forces for about six months and his job was to supply water. He also went to Nagasaki. He was in the service a total of 3 years and was discharged in San Francisco before going to college to earn a degree in Education.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps in December, 1941. He trained in San Diego and shipped overseas in October, 1942 to Guadalcanal where he was attached to a base services unit, which assisted the Seabees and Army engineers in construction projects. He also was in the invasion of Guam, where he was wounded and evacuated. Once he returned to his unit, Ahr got very sick and missed the invasion of Iwo Jima. Shortly afterwards, he was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Ahr. Ahr joined the Marine Corps in December, 1941. He trained in San Diego and shipped overseas in October, 1942 to Guadalcanal where he was attached to a base services unit, which assisted the Seabees and Army engineers in construction projects. He also was in the invasion of Guam, where he was wounded and evacuated. Once he returned to his unit, Ahr got very sick and missed the invasion of Iwo Jima. Shortly afterwards, he was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Johnson. Johnson joined the Navy in January, 1944 and went to San Diego for boot camp. From there, he went to the University of Kansas to electrician's school. He finally joined the USS Chester (CA-27) at Ulithi 31 October 1944 as an electrician's mate. Soon after, the Chester went to Iwo Jima to bombard the island prior to the invasion. Right as the invasion began, Chester collided with another ship and lost a screw. She was returned to Mare Island for repairs and updates. Toward the end of June, she returned to duty and made it to Okinawa for the end of the action there. Johnson separated the Navy in 1946 and returned to Hondo, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Johnson. Johnson joined the Navy in January, 1944 and went to San Diego for boot camp. From there, he went to the University of Kansas to electrician's school. He finally joined the USS Chester (CA-27) at Ulithi 31 October 1944 as an electrician's mate. Soon after, the Chester went to Iwo Jima to bombard the island prior to the invasion. Right as the invasion began, Chester collided with another ship and lost a screw. She was returned to Mare Island for repairs and updates. Toward the end of June, she returned to duty and made it to Okinawa for the end of the action there. Johnson separated the Navy in 1946 and returned to Hondo, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Curtis McGowen. McGowen enlisted in the Marine Corps in January, 1944. When finished with basic training, McGowen went to field telephone school. McGowen landed in the fifth wave at Iwo Jima and set up communications between shore and ships. He spotted for naval gunfire with his communications team. When the battle ended, he headed back to Hawaii and was there when the war ended. He then went to Guam to set up telephone communications on the island before leaving for the US. He was discharged in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Curtis McGowen. McGowen enlisted in the Marine Corps in January, 1944. When finished with basic training, McGowen went to field telephone school. McGowen landed in the fifth wave at Iwo Jima and set up communications between shore and ships. He spotted for naval gunfire with his communications team. When the battle ended, he headed back to Hawaii and was there when the war ended. He then went to Guam to set up telephone communications on the island before leaving for the US. He was discharged in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Evan Aron Roberts. Roberts was born in November 1933, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve at the Naval Air Station in Dallas in 1951. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and was stationed at South Camp Fuji, near Gotemba, Japan. In early 1953, he was deployed to Iwo Jima to clean up unexploded ordinances and other hazards on the island around Mount Suribachi, and participate in training maneuvers. Roberts’ job was to review and log the remains of Japanese fortifications in caves and holes, including food items, ammunition, and cases of rifles, pistols and medical supplies. After review, the items were left, and the caves and holes were detonated and closed up. Roberts also worked in Okinawa and with Task Force 77 off the coast of China. He returned to the US and received his discharge as a corporal in 1955.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Evan Aron Roberts. Roberts was born in November 1933, and joined the Marine Corps Reserve at the Naval Air Station in Dallas in 1951. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division, and was stationed at South Camp Fuji, near Gotemba, Japan. In early 1953, he was deployed to Iwo Jima to clean up unexploded ordinances and other hazards on the island around Mount Suribachi, and participate in training maneuvers. Roberts’ job was to review and log the remains of Japanese fortifications in caves and holes, including food items, ammunition, and cases of rifles, pistols and medical supplies. After review, the items were left, and the caves and holes were detonated and closed up. Roberts also worked in Okinawa and with Task Force 77 off the coast of China. He returned to the US and received his discharge as a corporal in 1955.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gene F. Dauer. Dauer joined the Marine Corps and trained at San Diego. While on leave after training, he missed returning in time to join his original unit and shipped out later to Hawaii. Eventually, he landed at Iwo Jima on D+4 four days after the initial assault. His duty on Iwo Jima included driving ambulances and working in the field hospital ward. He was on Hilo when the war ended and describes a tsunami on that island after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gene F. Dauer. Dauer joined the Marine Corps and trained at San Diego. While on leave after training, he missed returning in time to join his original unit and shipped out later to Hawaii. Eventually, he landed at Iwo Jima on D+4 four days after the initial assault. His duty on Iwo Jima included driving ambulances and working in the field hospital ward. He was on Hilo when the war ended and describes a tsunami on that island after the war.