The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abelino Alviar. Alviar joined the Army in May of 1944. In early 1945, he joined the 778th Anti-aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion. They deployed to Le Havre, France, and traveled to Munich, Germany, arriving after the Battle of the Ardennes. Alviar provided guard duty, and served as a gunner on the half-track supporting the 1st Infantry Division as they fought into Germany. He also worked as a translator and helped transport supplies to the front line. He returned home and was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Kiracofe. Kiracofe joined the Navy in 1942 and received yeoman training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point, helping to prepare squadrons for overseas deployment. He was then assigned to Carrier Air Group 41, which was just beginning to use radar for night flying. One of his duties as yeoman was to send letters of regret to the parents of soldiers who were killed in action. The experience upset him to the point that he remembered the date of each letter for the rest of his life. He was transferred to Carrier Air Group 10 aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and helped to set up squadrons in Alameda from January 1943 to September 1944. At Okinawa, a kamikaze hit caused the deaths of eight men on the Intrepid. When the ship returned to Alameda for repairs, Kiracofe was so shaken up that he was ordered to a US Naval hospital for treatment and received a medical discharge in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Kiracofe. Kiracofe joined the Navy in 1942 and received yeoman training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to CASU-22 at Quonset Point, helping to prepare squadrons for overseas deployment. He was then assigned to Carrier Air Group 41, which was just beginning to use radar for night flying. One of his duties as yeoman was to send letters of regret to the parents of soldiers who were killed in action. The experience upset him to the point that he remembered the date of each letter for the rest of his life. He was transferred to Carrier Air Group 10 aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) and helped to set up squadrons in Alameda from January 1943 to September 1944. At Okinawa, a kamikaze hit caused the deaths of eight men on the Intrepid. When the ship returned to Alameda for repairs, Kiracofe was so shaken up that he was ordered to a US Naval hospital for treatment and received a medical discharge in July 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Stevens. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1943 as a metallurgical engineer. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. He attended the Navy Electronics School at Harvard University as well as a specialized radar training program organized by MIT at the Harbor Building in Boston, Massachusetts. He received further training in radar countermeasures at Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. He served on the USS Wasatch (ACG-9). When the ship was anchored, he was assigned to deliver orders and mail. He describes the Operation Olympic portion of the plan to invade Japan. He was part of the force that occupied Wakanoura and Nagoya, Japan. He shares an anecdote about obtaining a Japanese sword as a souvenir in Nagoya. In North China he participated in the repatriation of the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. He wrote a book, ?Up Close and Personal,? about his World War II experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Stevens. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1943 as a metallurgical engineer. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 in Detroit, Michigan. He attended the Navy Electronics School at Harvard University as well as a specialized radar training program organized by MIT at the Harbor Building in Boston, Massachusetts. He received further training in radar countermeasures at Ocracoke Island, North Carolina. He served on the USS Wasatch (ACG-9). When the ship was anchored, he was assigned to deliver orders and mail. He describes the Operation Olympic portion of the plan to invade Japan. He was part of the force that occupied Wakanoura and Nagoya, Japan. He shares an anecdote about obtaining a Japanese sword as a souvenir in Nagoya. In North China he participated in the repatriation of the Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans. He wrote a book, ?Up Close and Personal,? about his World War II experiences.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bofinger. Bofinger joined the Naval Reserves in October of 1941, and was called to active duty on 15 December 1941. He served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, and worked on the offshore patrol in sailing vessels searching for Japanese subs. In June of 1943 he received a direct commission as ensign, and was assigned as Skipper aboard the minesweeper, YMS-93. In early 1944 they traveled to Hawaii, then the Marshall Islands conducting patrols, search and rescue missions and maintenance sweeping. In March of 1945 they swept mines on the east coast of Okinawa and rescued crewman from the USS England (DE-635). Bofinger was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bofinger. Bofinger joined the Naval Reserves in October of 1941, and was called to active duty on 15 December 1941. He served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, and worked on the offshore patrol in sailing vessels searching for Japanese subs. In June of 1943 he received a direct commission as ensign, and was assigned as Skipper aboard the minesweeper, YMS-93. In early 1944 they traveled to Hawaii, then the Marshall Islands conducting patrols, search and rescue missions and maintenance sweeping. In March of 1945 they swept mines on the east coast of Okinawa and rescued crewman from the USS England (DE-635). Bofinger was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Annie May Webb. She discusses her husband's service and her experiences on the homefront. She describes delivering word of the birth of their daughter to her husband while he was aboard the USS Bennington serving with VMF-112

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Annie May Webb. She discusses her husband's service and her experiences on the homefront. She describes delivering word of the birth of their daughter to her husband while he was aboard the USS Bennington serving with VMF-112

Interview with Annie (Amy) May Webb discussing her husband's service and her experiences on the homefront during World War II. She describes delivering word of the birth of their daughter to her husband while he was aboard the USS Bennington serving with VMF-112.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Cole. Cole was born in Beulah, North Dakota 9 October 1924. Joining the Navy in January 1942 he attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho then was assigned to the Hospital Corps School. Upon completing training, he went to Camp Elliott, California to join the Fleet Marine Force as a combat medic with the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. On 19 February 1945 he was in the third wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He mentions the high casualty rate suffered during the invasion and he recalls that the corpsmen removed any type of markings indicating they were medical personnel in an effort to thwart the efforts of Japanese snipers to single them out. Cole was on Iwo Jima for thirty-three days before being severely wounded. After receiving initial treatment at the battalion aid station he was put aboard the USS Queens (APA-103) and taken to Guam. He was taken off the ship on a gurney, identified with a green toe tag (dead) and placed in the morgue. A morgue attendant heard him moaning and contacted medical personnel. He was taken to the hospital and given …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold Cole. Cole was born in Beulah, North Dakota 9 October 1924. Joining the Navy in January 1942 he attended boot camp at Farragut, Idaho then was assigned to the Hospital Corps School. Upon completing training, he went to Camp Elliott, California to join the Fleet Marine Force as a combat medic with the 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. On 19 February 1945 he was in the third wave of the invasion of Iwo Jima. He mentions the high casualty rate suffered during the invasion and he recalls that the corpsmen removed any type of markings indicating they were medical personnel in an effort to thwart the efforts of Japanese snipers to single them out. Cole was on Iwo Jima for thirty-three days before being severely wounded. After receiving initial treatment at the battalion aid station he was put aboard the USS Queens (APA-103) and taken to Guam. He was taken off the ship on a gurney, identified with a green toe tag (dead) and placed in the morgue. A morgue attendant heard him moaning and contacted medical personnel. He was taken to the hospital and given …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Schrieber. Schrieber joined the Navy after 7 December 1941. He joined the crew of USS Indianapolis (CA-35). Schrieber worked in the engine room and describes how he studied each piece of equipment and eventually became a machinist mate first class. He broadly covers the actions that his ship participated in from the Aleutians through Saipan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur Schrieber. Schrieber joined the Navy after 7 December 1941. He joined the crew of USS Indianapolis (CA-35). Schrieber worked in the engine room and describes how he studied each piece of equipment and eventually became a machinist mate first class. He broadly covers the actions that his ship participated in from the Aleutians through Saipan.

Interview with Arwin Bowden, a marine during World War II. He begins by discussing his training in San Diego and New Zealand before the Battle of Tarawa. He describes being wounded in the battle, the casualties he saw, and being shipped back to Pearl Harbor for treatment before joining the battle of Saipan. He describes ancedotes about Japanese killing themselves rather than surrendering, eating food from a garden watered from rainwater running down from outhouses, the wages he made, and the time he had leave.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audie Lynch. Lynch was born in Scotland, Arkansas 15 May 1925 and graduated from high school in 1942. He then attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College where he participated in the Navy’s V-12 college training program. After one year he was sent to the Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Notre Dame University and received his commission four months later. Lynch was then ordered to report aboard the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28) at Norfolk, Virginia. The ship, which carried LCVP and LCM landing craft, sailed to Espiritu Santo where the troops trained and practiced landings prior to the invasion of Okinawa. He recalls participating in the invasion as the boat officer of a LCVP and had Ernie Pyle as a passenger. After the surrender of Japan, he made five trips to the Philippines, China and Japan ferrying troops back to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Audie Lynch. Lynch was born in Scotland, Arkansas 15 May 1925 and graduated from high school in 1942. He then attended Southeast Missouri State Teachers College where he participated in the Navy’s V-12 college training program. After one year he was sent to the Naval Reserve Midshipman School at Notre Dame University and received his commission four months later. Lynch was then ordered to report aboard the USS Charles Carroll (APA-28) at Norfolk, Virginia. The ship, which carried LCVP and LCM landing craft, sailed to Espiritu Santo where the troops trained and practiced landings prior to the invasion of Okinawa. He recalls participating in the invasion as the boat officer of a LCVP and had Ernie Pyle as a passenger. After the surrender of Japan, he made five trips to the Philippines, China and Japan ferrying troops back to the United States.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bennie Whitley. Whitley joined the Army and served as sergeant in the motor pool in Battery A, 57th Field Artillery, 7th Infantry Division. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Whitley continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bennie Whitley. Whitley joined the Army and served as sergeant in the motor pool in Battery A, 57th Field Artillery, 7th Infantry Division. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Whitley continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Ingram. Ingram was born in Springfield, Illinois on 13 June 1924. He joined the US Navy in 1941 and after completion of boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station he traveled to California where he was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30), boarding the ship in Darwin, Australia. He describes his battle station as loader of an 8 inch forward gun and the procedures involved in loading of the gun. He tells of the 28 February 1942 attack on the ship by Japanese forces and the sinking of the Houston. After spending two days in the water he was picked up by the enemy and following questioning he was thrown back into the water. Later, he was picked out of the water and taken to Java. He describes the questioning procedure of the Japanese and the physical abuse he endured. Ingram was then moved from Batavia, Java to Burma to work on the Thai-Burma Railroad and describes the extensive manual labor required, the starving conditions, lack of adequate medical attention and inhumane treatment by the captors. He relates the painful experience of developing dysentery, malaria …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Ingram. Ingram was born in Springfield, Illinois on 13 June 1924. He joined the US Navy in 1941 and after completion of boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station he traveled to California where he was assigned to the USS Houston (CA-30), boarding the ship in Darwin, Australia. He describes his battle station as loader of an 8 inch forward gun and the procedures involved in loading of the gun. He tells of the 28 February 1942 attack on the ship by Japanese forces and the sinking of the Houston. After spending two days in the water he was picked up by the enemy and following questioning he was thrown back into the water. Later, he was picked out of the water and taken to Java. He describes the questioning procedure of the Japanese and the physical abuse he endured. Ingram was then moved from Batavia, Java to Burma to work on the Thai-Burma Railroad and describes the extensive manual labor required, the starving conditions, lack of adequate medical attention and inhumane treatment by the captors. He relates the painful experience of developing dysentery, malaria …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Sheehan. Sheehan joined the Navy in June of 1933. Beginning October of 1943, he served as Quartermaster aboard USS Porterfield (DD-682). In February of 1944, they provided shore bombardment in the Marshalls. In April, they screened escort carriers during the Marianas invasion, and participated in the Guam Campaign in August. Sheehan provides details of their invasion of Saipan in June and Okinawa in April of 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Sheehan. Sheehan joined the Navy in June of 1933. Beginning October of 1943, he served as Quartermaster aboard USS Porterfield (DD-682). In February of 1944, they provided shore bombardment in the Marshalls. In April, they screened escort carriers during the Marianas invasion, and participated in the Guam Campaign in August. Sheehan provides details of their invasion of Saipan in June and Okinawa in April of 1945. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.