The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Minarik. Minarik joined the Navy in December of 1941. He was appointed as an Aviation Cadet and provides details of his training. He completed Carrier School, learning how to land on carriers. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Sixteen (VT-16). They completed a number of training sessions in and around Hawaii. In the spring of 1943 he flew planes aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). Minarik provides details of their participation during the Battle of Tarawa. They traveled to Wake Island in October of 1943, when the Lexington raided. In December of 1943 Minarik was aboard the Lexington during the Kwajalein Raid, and explains how the ship got hit by a Japanese torpedo. In March of 1944 the Lexington crew traveled to Majuro in the Marshall Islands and began a series of operations against the Japanese positions in the Central Pacific. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was officially discharged in 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Minarik. Minarik joined the Navy in December of 1941. He was appointed as an Aviation Cadet and provides details of his training. He completed Carrier School, learning how to land on carriers. He was assigned to Torpedo Squadron Sixteen (VT-16). They completed a number of training sessions in and around Hawaii. In the spring of 1943 he flew planes aboard the USS Lexington (CV-16). Minarik provides details of their participation during the Battle of Tarawa. They traveled to Wake Island in October of 1943, when the Lexington raided. In December of 1943 Minarik was aboard the Lexington during the Kwajalein Raid, and explains how the ship got hit by a Japanese torpedo. In March of 1944 the Lexington crew traveled to Majuro in the Marshall Islands and began a series of operations against the Japanese positions in the Central Pacific. In June of 1944 they participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was officially discharged in 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lester D. Read. Read was born 14 September 1928 in Plymouth, Indiana and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1943. Drafted into the Marine Corps in 1943, he describes training in boot camp at San Diego. He then went to tank training school where he was assigned to reconnaissance and liaison in the 5th Marine Division, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Tank Battalion. His primary job was to communicate by radio between the infantry and the tanks. Upon completing tank training he went aboard an LSM, loaded with three tanks, and sailed to Hilo, Hawaii. After a period of advanced training the division went aboard a troop ship destined for Iwo Jima. He describes his landing with the seventh wave on 19 February 1945 and tells of his partner getting wounded soon after getting on shore. He remembers 23 February 1945 when he volunteered for a mission to the top of Mount Suribachi and tells of being there when the first American flag was raised. After a period of time the division returned to Hawaii for replacements and training. Read was aboard a troop transport ready to participate in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lester D. Read. Read was born 14 September 1928 in Plymouth, Indiana and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1943. Drafted into the Marine Corps in 1943, he describes training in boot camp at San Diego. He then went to tank training school where he was assigned to reconnaissance and liaison in the 5th Marine Division, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Tank Battalion. His primary job was to communicate by radio between the infantry and the tanks. Upon completing tank training he went aboard an LSM, loaded with three tanks, and sailed to Hilo, Hawaii. After a period of advanced training the division went aboard a troop ship destined for Iwo Jima. He describes his landing with the seventh wave on 19 February 1945 and tells of his partner getting wounded soon after getting on shore. He remembers 23 February 1945 when he volunteered for a mission to the top of Mount Suribachi and tells of being there when the first American flag was raised. After a period of time the division returned to Hawaii for replacements and training. Read was aboard a troop transport ready to participate in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gerald Peterson. Peterson was born in Indianapolis in 1917. He grew up during the Great Depression and shares memories of how his family managed. He graduated from Arsenal Technical School in 1935. Peterson graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1939 with a degree in industrial engineering and management. He was hired by the Boeing Company, and completed structural designs for the tail section of the B-17. He also assisted in the design and build of the B-29. In 1940, Peterson was required to register for possible draft, though after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, his engineering job was frozen and he remained in his position for the duration of the war. Peterson remained with Boeing until June of 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gerald Peterson. Peterson was born in Indianapolis in 1917. He grew up during the Great Depression and shares memories of how his family managed. He graduated from Arsenal Technical School in 1935. Peterson graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan in 1939 with a degree in industrial engineering and management. He was hired by the Boeing Company, and completed structural designs for the tail section of the B-17. He also assisted in the design and build of the B-29. In 1940, Peterson was required to register for possible draft, though after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, his engineering job was frozen and he remained in his position for the duration of the war. Peterson remained with Boeing until June of 1949.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James “Jim” White. White was born in Cosby, Tennessee on 6 April 1920. He tells of conditions encountered while growing up during the Depression. Entering the U.S. Army in 1942 he was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, Company A, 358th Regiment and trained as a rifleman at Camp Barkley, Texas. The division was sent to England in preparation for Operation Overlord. White landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day +1 and comments on the high casualty rate, the procedures in clearing a town of German soldiers and of being wounded by a land mine. Mrs. Betty White tells of receiving the message that her husband was wounded and of her concern. White was awarded a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart while in the Army.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James “Jim” White. White was born in Cosby, Tennessee on 6 April 1920. He tells of conditions encountered while growing up during the Depression. Entering the U.S. Army in 1942 he was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, Company A, 358th Regiment and trained as a rifleman at Camp Barkley, Texas. The division was sent to England in preparation for Operation Overlord. White landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day +1 and comments on the high casualty rate, the procedures in clearing a town of German soldiers and of being wounded by a land mine. Mrs. Betty White tells of receiving the message that her husband was wounded and of her concern. White was awarded a Bronze Star, a Silver Star and a Purple Heart while in the Army.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Sloup. Sloup joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 7th Infantry Division and participated in the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. After the war ended, Sloup was shipped to Korea. In January of 1946, he returned to the US and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Sloup. Sloup joined the Army in 1943. He served with the 7th Infantry Division and participated in the invasions of Leyte and Okinawa. After the war ended, Sloup was shipped to Korea. In January of 1946, he returned to the US and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Raymond Kurner. Kurner joined the Army Air Forces in September of 1942. He served as a B-24 copilot with the 15th Air Force, 47th Bomb Wing, 98th Bomb Group. He deployed in December of 1943 to Casablanca. In January of 1944, they transferred to the 47th Bomb Wing headquarters in Manduria, Italy. Kurner participated in the Italian Campaign, flying 41 bombing missions over Italy, Germany, Romania and Hungary.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Raymond Kurner. Kurner joined the Army Air Forces in September of 1942. He served as a B-24 copilot with the 15th Air Force, 47th Bomb Wing, 98th Bomb Group. He deployed in December of 1943 to Casablanca. In January of 1944, they transferred to the 47th Bomb Wing headquarters in Manduria, Italy. Kurner participated in the Italian Campaign, flying 41 bombing missions over Italy, Germany, Romania and Hungary.