The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Andrew Firm. Firm joined the Navy in June 1942 and only received 28 days of training before boarding the light cruiser USS Montpelier (CL-57). As a gunner’s mate, his first duty was greasing the guns while the Montpelier patrolled The Slot around Guadalcanal. During island bombardments, he added special tips to shells that would clear trees from the beachheads. In the blazing heat of the Marianas, he was stunned to see a warmly dressed Japanese corpse float by. Returning home in September 1944, Firm transferred to the USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), where he maintained a quad-40mm and a 5-inch gun. At the end of the war, he sailed to Okinawa and Tokyo Bay, ultimately leaving the service with six battle stars and a Good Conduct Medal.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Andrew Firm. Firm joined the Navy in June 1942 and only received 28 days of training before boarding the light cruiser USS Montpelier (CL-57). As a gunner’s mate, his first duty was greasing the guns while the Montpelier patrolled The Slot around Guadalcanal. During island bombardments, he added special tips to shells that would clear trees from the beachheads. In the blazing heat of the Marianas, he was stunned to see a warmly dressed Japanese corpse float by. Returning home in September 1944, Firm transferred to the USS Gilbert Islands (CVE-107), where he maintained a quad-40mm and a 5-inch gun. At the end of the war, he sailed to Okinawa and Tokyo Bay, ultimately leaving the service with six battle stars and a Good Conduct Medal.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Virgil Lewis. Lewis joined the Navy in October 1943 and received basic training at Davisville. Upon completion, he was assigned to the Seabees and received further training at Port Hueneme. He landed on Guadalcanal in February 1943 and worked as a truck driver, transporting work crews to Henderson Field and Fighter Strip Number Two. He recounts one especially intense air raid and the heroic acts performed by fellow soldiers. After spending a month at Milne Bay and two months at Finschhafen, he arrived at the Admiralties just after the beach was reclaimed. He felt relatively safe there, despite the occasional sniper. Having served with the same group of men for over two years, he heartily celebrated V-J day with his friends. After helping with construction at Okinawa, Lewis returned home and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Virgil Lewis. Lewis joined the Navy in October 1943 and received basic training at Davisville. Upon completion, he was assigned to the Seabees and received further training at Port Hueneme. He landed on Guadalcanal in February 1943 and worked as a truck driver, transporting work crews to Henderson Field and Fighter Strip Number Two. He recounts one especially intense air raid and the heroic acts performed by fellow soldiers. After spending a month at Milne Bay and two months at Finschhafen, he arrived at the Admiralties just after the beach was reclaimed. He felt relatively safe there, despite the occasional sniper. Having served with the same group of men for over two years, he heartily celebrated V-J day with his friends. After helping with construction at Okinawa, Lewis returned home and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Kruse. Kruse joined the Navy in March 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended aviation machinist mate’s school in Jacksonville. Upon completion, he was assigned to a patrol bomber training station in Florida, where he was line captain for SBC and PV aircraft. He then attended hydraulics school in Chicago and was sent to Lockheed in California to learn PV hydraulics. Kruse was stationed at Guam until the end of the war, where he helped the Seabees dig trenches until TBMs arrived for servicing. While on Guam he explored caves and discovered Japanese holdouts. Kruse returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gordon Kruse. Kruse joined the Navy in March 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended aviation machinist mate’s school in Jacksonville. Upon completion, he was assigned to a patrol bomber training station in Florida, where he was line captain for SBC and PV aircraft. He then attended hydraulics school in Chicago and was sent to Lockheed in California to learn PV hydraulics. Kruse was stationed at Guam until the end of the war, where he helped the Seabees dig trenches until TBMs arrived for servicing. While on Guam he explored caves and discovered Japanese holdouts. Kruse returned home and was discharged in March 1946.

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 oral interview with Ruth Scarse. Scarse joined the Army in 1943 and became a WAAC. She was trained as a teletype operator and was sent to England to serve with the 8th Air Force. Scarse describes the voyage over on the Queen Mary, in particular having to share a state room with 24 others. She details her duties as a teletype operator and the place where she worked. Scarse also discusses the social activities that she took part in during her stay in the London area. She also describes how she met and married her husband who was an American supply sergeant and how an English couple hosted their honeymoon. Scarse returned to the US after the war and reunited with her husband a short time later.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruth Scarse. Scarse joined the Army in 1943 and became a WAAC. She was trained as a teletype operator and was sent to England to serve with the 8th Air Force. Scarse describes the voyage over on the Queen Mary, in particular having to share a state room with 24 others. She details her duties as a teletype operator and the place where she worked. Scarse also discusses the social activities that she took part in during her stay in the London area. She also describes how she met and married her husband who was an American supply sergeant and how an English couple hosted their honeymoon. Scarse returned to the US after the war and reunited with her husband a short time later.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with X B Cox. Cox joined the Army in June of 1937. He served with the 81st Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion. In June of 1944 Cox participated in the Normandy landings. In September 1944 Cox participated in Operation Market Garden, including riding a glider into Holland. Later in December 1944 through January 1945 he participated in the Siege of Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge. He provides details through each of these experiences. In 1967 he completed his 30 years of active and reserve duty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Burger. Burger was drafted into the Army in May of 1942. He served with the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in a mortar platoon. He provides some details of basic training and volunteering for the parachute troops. In the spring of 1944 he traveled to England. On 6 June 1944 Burger made his first combat jump at midnight into Normandy, France. In September of 1944 his second jump was into Holland during Operation MARKET GARDEN. They were given orders to head to Bastogne, Belgium, where they defeated a German patrol surrounding their group. Burger was discharged in 1945 and awarded 3 Battle Stars.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Burger. Burger was drafted into the Army in May of 1942. He served with the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in a mortar platoon. He provides some details of basic training and volunteering for the parachute troops. In the spring of 1944 he traveled to England. On 6 June 1944 Burger made his first combat jump at midnight into Normandy, France. In September of 1944 his second jump was into Holland during Operation MARKET GARDEN. They were given orders to head to Bastogne, Belgium, where they defeated a German patrol surrounding their group. Burger was discharged in 1945 and awarded 3 Battle Stars.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willard Frank. Frank joined the Navy in July of 1943. He deployed to Waimanalo in Hawaii to an Amphibious Training base. Frank served as an engineer on an LCVP, ferrying supplies from shore to ships. In 1944, he served aboard USS Lindenwald (LSD-6), participating in the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Saipan, the Philippines and Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Willard Frank. Frank joined the Navy in July of 1943. He deployed to Waimanalo in Hawaii to an Amphibious Training base. Frank served as an engineer on an LCVP, ferrying supplies from shore to ships. In 1944, he served aboard USS Lindenwald (LSD-6), participating in the invasions of the Marshall Islands, Saipan, the Philippines and Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 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 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 interview with Millard Schwartz. Schwartz was drafted into the Army in December of 1942. He provides details of his weapons training and boot camp. He served with A Battery, 919th Field Artillery, 94th Infantry Division. They traveled to Scotland in August of 1944, and landed on Utah Beach on 7 September. Schwartz shares his experiences traveling overseas aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth and his time spent in London. His division relieved another in the St. Nazaire area serving to maintain security against the pockets of 50 to 60,000 Germans there. Going into December they traveled to Belgium and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where they were attached to General Patton’s 3rd Army. They were assigned to an area around the Siegfried Line, near Eschweiler, Germany. He provides vivid details of his experiences through this battle. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Millard Schwartz. Schwartz was drafted into the Army in December of 1942. He provides details of his weapons training and boot camp. He served with A Battery, 919th Field Artillery, 94th Infantry Division. They traveled to Scotland in August of 1944, and landed on Utah Beach on 7 September. Schwartz shares his experiences traveling overseas aboard the troop ship, the Queen Elizabeth and his time spent in London. His division relieved another in the St. Nazaire area serving to maintain security against the pockets of 50 to 60,000 Germans there. Going into December they traveled to Belgium and participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where they were attached to General Patton’s 3rd Army. They were assigned to an area around the Siegfried Line, near Eschweiler, Germany. He provides vivid details of his experiences through this battle. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard K Rohde. Rohde describes growing up during the Great Depression. He joined the Navy around 1943 and provides details of basic training. He completed Navy Radio School and served as a radioman. Rohde was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), beginning January of 1944. They traveled to Hawaii, Eniwetok Atoll, Manus in the Admiralty Islands and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Rohde provides details of his travels, life aboard the Roberts and the sinking of the ship in October of 1944 off Samar. After traveling through numerous hospitals, and receiving multiple treatments, Rohde was honorably discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard K Rohde. Rohde describes growing up during the Great Depression. He joined the Navy around 1943 and provides details of basic training. He completed Navy Radio School and served as a radioman. Rohde was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), beginning January of 1944. They traveled to Hawaii, Eniwetok Atoll, Manus in the Admiralty Islands and participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Rohde provides details of his travels, life aboard the Roberts and the sinking of the ship in October of 1944 off Samar. After traveling through numerous hospitals, and receiving multiple treatments, Rohde was honorably discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Atys Daniel Brunson. He discusses his family history, childhood, education and what led him to joining the US Navy. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.