The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Sims. Sims was born in Sanger, Texas on 15 August 1921. He quit school and joined the US Marine Corps in September 1940. After completing boot training at Camp Pendleton, California he was sent to Iceland. After eight months, he returned to San Diego. Soon after his arrival he was among fourteen Marines selected for duty on American Samoa. After sixteen months, they were sent to Pearl Harbor for four months of training. As Sims had contracted elephantiasis while in Samoa, he was put into a hospital in San Francisco. Upon recovering he was sent to the Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas where he performed guard duty for four months. He went to Guam for a short time, was involved in limited action on Eniwetok and was sent to China following the surrender of Japan. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Paine. When Paine joined the Army in September, 1942, he went into the 955th Engineering Topographic Company. His unit drew maps of islands based on aerial photographs from the Solomons to the Philippines that were used by the other service branches. In 1945, his unit moved to Manila while the city was still being cleared of Japanese, but they were not making maps anymore. They instead performed regular engineering tasks: setting up radio towers, clearing roads, etc. When he arrived in the Philippines, Paine was glad to return to some form civilization. He comments on the damage done in Manila.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard R. Brandenburge. In January 1942 he transferred into the Army Air Force and began basic training at Shepherd Field and finished at Foster Field, graduating in February 1944. He received his wings and commission. He went to California and flew P38s, P39s, P40s and P51s. He loaded the P51s onto a small carrier in Pearl Harbor and moved to Tinian Island in March 1945. After Iwo Jima was secured they flew there to serve as escorts between the islands in their P51s. He discusses his experiences with Japanese bonsai raids, flying missions over Japan, escorting B29s, shooting at Japanese fighters and unfortunate casualties of planes and crew. His first mission as escort began April 1945, and he completed 26 missions overall. After he was discharged he had to stay in the reserves and completed a tour in the Korean War. He joined the reserves unit in San Antonio at Kelly Air Force Base, flying transports: C-46s, C-119s and C-124s.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Hugh Story. Story finished college and immediately went into the Navy to train as an officer at the Midshipman School at Columbia University in January 1943. He volunteered for submarine duty and was assigned to USS Bluegill (SS-242). They started war patrols off New Guinea in April 1944. Story was aboard for 5 out of 6 war patrols and provides details about each: attacking ships with torpedoes and enduring depth charge attacks. When the war ended Story was in Chicago. He remained in the Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Walter Loyd. Loyd joined the Navy after finishing high school in 1941. He trained at San Diego until he was assigned to the boilers in the main engine room aboard the USS Neosho (AO-23). Loyd was aboard the Neosho at Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Loyd's battle station was on the deck near the bow of the ship, so he got a good look at the action around the harbor. In February 1942, Loyd swapped duties with a man at Hickam Field and got off the Neosho. His new assignment was degaussing ships. Also while in Hawaii, he served aboard the USS Skenandoa (YT-336), an ocean going tugboat. In early 1944, Loyd was assigned to the USS Springfield (CL-66). He was aboard her when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Victor Liptrap. Liptrap was drafted into the Army and after basic training, volunteered for paratrooper training. Once overseas in New Guinea, Liptrap was assigned to the 711th Ordnance Company in the 11th Airborne Division. He travelled with this unit to Leyte in October, 1944. There, he joined the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment as a replacement. He remained with the unit during the Luzon invasion. From there, he went to Yokohama for occupation duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marvin Fields. Fields joined the Navy in July 1942 and trained at Great Lakes. He went to diesel engine school and was then assigned to the engine room aboard USS LST-306. He shares several anecdotes about being in North Africa after the invasion. He shares two encounters with Sam Donahue, the bandleader. His LST was at Sicily when several air transports were shot down. He also shares anecdotes from landing at Salerno. Fields also was aboard USS LST-306 during the Normandy invasion and made over 50 trips across the English Channel delivering supplies to Omaha Beach. He stayed with the 306 for the duration of his time in the Navy and was discharged in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earnest Cochran. Cochran joined the Navy in May, 1940. When he finished boot training, he was sent to North Island Naval Air Station outside San Diego and trained further as an aviation machinist. He moved to Pearl Harbor with Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) in August, 1941. Cochran was on Ford Island when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Cochran left Hawaii for a school in Chicago in 1943. Then he moved to New Caledonia to serve in Utility Squadron 9 (VJ-9).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Dotson. Dotson joined the Navy at 18 when he finished high school in 1943. He trained at Great Lakes Naval Training Center outside Chicago. From there, he went to Maryland to train in the Navy's Amphibious Forces. Upon completing training, Dotson joined the crew of a brand new Landing Craft, Infantry (USS LCI-471) and headed throught the Panama Canal for the Pacific. Initially, he served as a helmsman while his LCI carried underwater demolition teams (UDT) in support for the invasion of Guam. During the campaign for Guam, USS LCI-471 served as a Japanese prisoner-of-war clearing station. About 100 Japanese POWs came on and off USS LCI-471. After assembling at Ulithi, Dotson sailed with the invasion force to Iwo Jima. USS LCI-471 continued to operate supporting he UDTs prior to the invasion. The Japanese fired on and hit USS LCI-471, causing some damage and killing 11 crewmen. When the UDT completed their tasks prior to the invasion, USS LCI-471 continued on station as a support vessel ferrying supplies to shore, escorting members of the press, and making smoke screens for the fleet. After the battle, Dotson went …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George L. Craig. In 1943, when he was 18, he signed up for service in the Marine Corps in Richmond, Virginia. He had basic training at Parris island, South Carolina. After that, Craig went to Quantico, Virginia to Field Artillery School where he trained as a surveyor. Then, he had more training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, before heading to Camp Pendleton, California where he joined the Fifth Marine Division. From there, he went to Hawaii for more advanced training at Camp Tarawa. Then, Craig speaks about landing at and fighting on Iwo Jima. He also talks about occupation duty at Sasebo, Japan when the war ended. Craig returnded home and attended the University of Maryland on the GI Bill and went into public education in Winchester, Virginia until he retired in 1985.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Blanchard. Blanchard joined the Navy in February, 1943. His first assignment after boot camp was in an office at the Norfolk (Virginia) Naval Air Station. In early 1945, Blanchard reported aboard USS Franklin (CV-13). Blanchard was aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) when she was hit by Japanese bombs. He was below decks during the attack, suffered from smoke inhalation and was eventually transferred to USS Santa Fe (CL-60). Blanchard returned to the Franklin at Ulithi and went with it to Brooklyn. He was discharged in February 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John V. Wilson. He volunteered for service in the Marine Corps at Tyler, Texas in January, 1942. He went to San Diego for basic training, then earned his wings as a paratrooper by completing parachute school. At Bougainville, Wilson joined the 1st Parachute Battalion. He was there 30 days before being relieved by the Army. The 1st Parachute Battalion was soon disbanded and Wilson was then assigned to the newly formed Fifth Marine Division at Hawaii. He was assigned to a machine gun squad in the Third Platoon, H Company, Third Battalion, 26th Marines, Fifth Marine Division and sailed for Iwo Jima in December, 1944. He landed about four o'clock in the afternoon on D-Day at Iwo Jima, 19 February 1945. Wilson shares several anecdotes about the fighting on Iwo Jima and describes in some detail the gruesome nature of the combat there. Wilson ended up having his arm broken in a blast. He was evacuated to Guam, then Oahu and was in the hospital still when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Taylor. Taylor joined the Navy in 1942 and trained at Great Lakes as an electrician. He was assigned to USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) and was aboard when the kamikazes hit her. He was assigned to a damage control unit on the flight deck and was fighting fires from the first kamikaze strike when the second kamikaze struck. He was rescued from the water by a neighbor from back home who as a crewmember of USS Edmonds (DE-406). Taylor was injured badly and returned to a hospital in the US. Taylor stayed in the Navy and earned a commission.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Buckner. Buckner volunteered for service in the Marines Corps in 1943. When he finished basic training, he attended field music school before being assigned to the Fifth Marine Division, 26th Marines. After extensive training, Buckner's unit landed at Iwo Jima in the afternoon of D-day. He was only one of 16 original members of his company to survive the battle. After the war, Buckner went on to occupy Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with R.C. Hyde. Hyde joined the Marine Corps in Lubbock, Texas in June, 1944 and was trained in San Diego. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He landed with the fifth wave and was wounded in action on the 33rd day. He was transported by air to Guam to recover. Afterwards, he landed at Sasebo, Japan for occupation duty. He had enough points to return home in March, 1946. During the conversation, Hyde relates several experiences he had while fighting on Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Billie Campbell. Campbell was born on 10 June 1926 in Oklahoma. He joined the Navy in 1944 and served as a signalman aboard USS Calvert (APA-32) and USS Montour (APA-101). He tells of crossing the equator and undergoing the King Neptune ritual. He recalls arriving at Manus Island and observing the aftermath of the USS Mount Hood (AE-11) explosion. He describes ships being hit by Japanese planes and observing the American flag-raising on Mount Suribachi. He also tells of seeing American dead being buried in trenches near the beaches on Iwo Jima.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Marcel Bisson. Bisson joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and after training was assigned as a replacement to the 5th Marine Division just prior to invading Iwo Jima. On the twelfth day, Bisson was wounded and evacuated. After some stays in hospitals, he was medically discharged in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Monte Guidry. He enlisted in the Navy after high school and went to boot camp in San Diego. He qualified for radio school and was sent to Texas A&M. From there, he was assigned to the attack cargo ship, the USS Libra (AKA-12). He continues with anecdotes about being aboard ship: seasickness, radio room work, practical jokes, etc. He participated in the Luzon landing and had a brief leave in Manila in 1944. Then he went on to Iwo Jima and tells more personal stories. His ship was present in Tokyo Bay for the surrender and he had leave later in Hokkaido where he mingled with some local Japanese. He then relates a few more anecdotes about being aboard ship before concluding.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Acencion Fernandez. Fernandez, a Texas farm boy born in 1924, was drafted when he was 18 years old. He was based in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was assigned to the USS LCI-80 where he served as a loader on a 40-inch gun. At the Mariana Islands of Saipan and Tinian and at Iwo Jima, he was involved in strafing the beaches to enable Marines to land. Later his LCI landed Marines on Okinawa. He briefly mentions the presence of Navajo code talkers on the ship.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ignacio Gonzales. Gonzales joined the Marine Corps. He landed at Guam as a replacement and learned a little about combat by patrolling for Japanese holdouts before going to Iwo Jima. He was wounded on Iwo Jima and evacuated to a hospital ship, on which he was transported back to Guam, then the US. Once he was recovered, he took his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gunner Johnson. Johnson joined the Marines in January, 1944. He trained at San Diego and was assigned as a machine gunner to the Fifth Marine Division. He travelled with the division to Hawaii, then Iwo Jima, where he landed with the second wave with the 27th Marines. He spent several weeks in combat and relates several stories. On 12 March, Johnson was wounded and then evacuated to Guam via C-47. He rejoined his unit and was loading out for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. He went for occupation duty at Sasebo. He returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank M. ""Tommy"" Thompson. Thompson was attending the University of Virginia in 1942 when he decided to enlist in the Marine Corps with some friends. Soon, he found himself training in Hawaii. He describes the lines of men waiting to get into the whorehouses in Honolulu. He landed on Saipan with the Second Marine Division where he describes a banzai attack by the Japanese infantry. Thompson witnessed the famous incident when Marine General Holland M. Smith fired Army General Ralph Smith on Saipan. Thompson continues with more anecdotes about combat on Saipan. He also went to Guam right before the island was declared secure. Thompson shares an anecdote about selling souvenirs to Army and Navy personnel on Guam. He then discusses landing and fighting on Iwo Jima. He finishes with an anecdote about guarding General H.M. Smith's quarters on Oahu toward the end of the war.

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 Jack H. Lucas. Lucas was born in Plymouth, North Carolina on 14 February 1928. On 8 August 1942 he quit attending Edwards Military Institute, Salemburg, NC and joined the Marine Corps when he was 14 years old. He forged his mother’s signature on the enlistment documents thus allowing him to join the military even though he was underage. Lucas went to Parris Island, South Carolina for boot camp and received additional training at Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Contrary to orders he received, he joined the cadre with which he had trained and went by troop train to California. He then went to Camp Catlin, Hawaii. There, Lucas stowed away on the USS Deuel (APA-160) bound for Iwo Jima. He graphically describes the action in which he was severely wounded. Returning to the United States by hospital ship, he was taken to the Naval Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina where he remained until 2 September 1945. On 5 October 1945, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Harry Truman. Following this, Lucas joined Admiral Chester Nimitz in touring the country during which he met various dignitaries including …