The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Michael Giroski. Giroski was born Luplow, Pennsylvania in 1922 and graduated from high school in 1940. Joining the Army Air Forces 28 February 1943 he was sent to Miami, Florida for basic training. He qualified for flight training, but washed out due to a medical condition. Giroski was approved for flying status, however and went to Harlingen, Texas for gunnery training. He was then selected for radar training and went to Clovis, New Mexico and Harvard, Nebraska for training and practical application in B-17s and B-24s. His crew went to Kearney, Nebraska where they picked up a new B-29, which they flew for several weeks on shakedown missions to insure that all equipment was performing adequately. On 24 December 1944 they left March Field, California for Tinian with stopovers in Hawaii and Kwajalein. After their arrival they flew practice missions over Iwo Jima and Truk. Giroski flew thirty-three missions and recalls his first mission, a fire bombing over Kobe during which seven aircraft were lost. General Curtis LeMay flew with his crew on five occasions and complimented their abilities. He recalls one incident during which their B-29 flipped …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Michael Giroski. Giroski was born Luplow, Pennsylvania in 1922 and graduated from high school in 1940. Joining the Army Air Forces 28 February 1943 he was sent to Miami, Florida for basic training. He qualified for flight training, but washed out due to a medical condition. Giroski was approved for flying status, however and went to Harlingen, Texas for gunnery training. He was then selected for radar training and went to Clovis, New Mexico and Harvard, Nebraska for training and practical application in B-17s and B-24s. His crew went to Kearney, Nebraska where they picked up a new B-29, which they flew for several weeks on shakedown missions to insure that all equipment was performing adequately. On 24 December 1944 they left March Field, California for Tinian with stopovers in Hawaii and Kwajalein. After their arrival they flew practice missions over Iwo Jima and Truk. Giroski flew thirty-three missions and recalls his first mission, a fire bombing over Kobe during which seven aircraft were lost. General Curtis LeMay flew with his crew on five occasions and complimented their abilities. He recalls one incident during which their B-29 flipped …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John McKillican. McKillican was born in Burbank, California. Quitting high school, he worked at a ranch until he joined the Navy at seventeen years old. He was sent to Farragut, Idaho for eight weeks of boot training followed by sixteen weeks at the Navy Signal School at San Diego. He then reported to Oceanside, California where he joined a ten man communication team assigned to the 5th Marine Division. After three months of simulated landings along the California coast the team was sent to Hawaii where they trained with the Marines. In December 1944 the unit boarded the USS Rutland (APA-192), bound for Iwo Jima. He graphically describes landing on Red Beach 1 with the Marines amid the Japanese artillery and mortar fire as death and destruction unfolded around him. McKillican’s unit set up a ship-to-shore communication center in a captured enemy pill box. After eight days ashore the unit went aboard ship and proceeded to Espiritu Santo for R & R. Soon thereafter, the unit proceeded to Okinawa. While there, Japan surrendered. He tells of the ship being in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Peace …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John McKillican. McKillican was born in Burbank, California. Quitting high school, he worked at a ranch until he joined the Navy at seventeen years old. He was sent to Farragut, Idaho for eight weeks of boot training followed by sixteen weeks at the Navy Signal School at San Diego. He then reported to Oceanside, California where he joined a ten man communication team assigned to the 5th Marine Division. After three months of simulated landings along the California coast the team was sent to Hawaii where they trained with the Marines. In December 1944 the unit boarded the USS Rutland (APA-192), bound for Iwo Jima. He graphically describes landing on Red Beach 1 with the Marines amid the Japanese artillery and mortar fire as death and destruction unfolded around him. McKillican’s unit set up a ship-to-shore communication center in a captured enemy pill box. After eight days ashore the unit went aboard ship and proceeded to Espiritu Santo for R & R. Soon thereafter, the unit proceeded to Okinawa. While there, Japan surrendered. He tells of the ship being in Tokyo Bay during the signing of the Peace …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with P T Allison. Allison joined the Army in June 1942 and received basic training in Virginia, having spent three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to enlisting. He was assigned to the 1470th Engineer Maintenance Company, where he procured parts for a group of mobile machine shops and welding shops. He arrived in France during the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit repaired tractors, chain saws, and anything else that was brought in. After V-E Day, he returned to the States and was preparing for deployment to the South Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped. Allison was discharged and returned home; he and his wife spent the next 17 years as campground hosts for the National Park Service at Yellowstone.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with P T Allison. Allison joined the Army in June 1942 and received basic training in Virginia, having spent three years in the Civilian Conservation Corps prior to enlisting. He was assigned to the 1470th Engineer Maintenance Company, where he procured parts for a group of mobile machine shops and welding shops. He arrived in France during the Battle of the Bulge, where his unit repaired tractors, chain saws, and anything else that was brought in. After V-E Day, he returned to the States and was preparing for deployment to the South Pacific when the atomic bombs were dropped. Allison was discharged and returned home; he and his wife spent the next 17 years as campground hosts for the National Park Service at Yellowstone.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Eggebeen. Eggebeen was born 29 November 1917 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. One of nine children and tells of family life during the Depression. Graduating from high school in 1935, he held various jobs until drafted into the US Coast Guard in 1942. After undergoing basic training at Curtis Bay, Maryland he attended diesel electrician’s school in New York City. He was assigned to the crew aboard a yacht commandeered by the Coast Guard owned by a Milwaukee businessman. The boat, stationed at Greenport, Long Island, did anti-submarine patrol at the entrance to New York Harbor. He mentions the boat’s crew compliment and armament. After serving aboard the yacht for thirteen months, he was sent to the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. After graduating as an ensign in 1944, he was sent to the 9th Naval District in Chicago. While there, he was ordered to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to pick up USS LST-886. The crew took the new LST through the Panama Canal to San Diego. The ship, loaded with supplies, set sail to participate in the invasion of Leyte. They were recalled and went to Guam. The …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Eggebeen. Eggebeen was born 29 November 1917 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. One of nine children and tells of family life during the Depression. Graduating from high school in 1935, he held various jobs until drafted into the US Coast Guard in 1942. After undergoing basic training at Curtis Bay, Maryland he attended diesel electrician’s school in New York City. He was assigned to the crew aboard a yacht commandeered by the Coast Guard owned by a Milwaukee businessman. The boat, stationed at Greenport, Long Island, did anti-submarine patrol at the entrance to New York Harbor. He mentions the boat’s crew compliment and armament. After serving aboard the yacht for thirteen months, he was sent to the Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut. After graduating as an ensign in 1944, he was sent to the 9th Naval District in Chicago. While there, he was ordered to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania to pick up USS LST-886. The crew took the new LST through the Panama Canal to San Diego. The ship, loaded with supplies, set sail to participate in the invasion of Leyte. They were recalled and went to Guam. The …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Amstutz. Amstutz joined the Marine Corps in November of 1943. He provides some details of his training, including shooting machine guns and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Amstutz served with C Company, 9th Marines, 3rd Division. In March of 1944 he traveled to Pearl Harbor, then on to the Marshall Islands, participating in the Battle of Eniwetok in February of 1944. In July of that same year they participated in the Battle of Guam, invading the Mariana Islands. After the battle they trained on Guam, about 20 months altogether, before the Battle of Iwo Jima. He provides some details of his time living and training on Guam. They arrived in Iwo Jima on the 3rd day of the battle in February of 1945. He provides details of some of his combat experiences at Iwo, using the BAR. In March he was wounded by shell fragments and sent back to Guam on a hospital ship. He received a Purple Heart and Three Battle Stars. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Amstutz. Amstutz joined the Marine Corps in November of 1943. He provides some details of his training, including shooting machine guns and the Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Amstutz served with C Company, 9th Marines, 3rd Division. In March of 1944 he traveled to Pearl Harbor, then on to the Marshall Islands, participating in the Battle of Eniwetok in February of 1944. In July of that same year they participated in the Battle of Guam, invading the Mariana Islands. After the battle they trained on Guam, about 20 months altogether, before the Battle of Iwo Jima. He provides some details of his time living and training on Guam. They arrived in Iwo Jima on the 3rd day of the battle in February of 1945. He provides details of some of his combat experiences at Iwo, using the BAR. In March he was wounded by shell fragments and sent back to Guam on a hospital ship. He received a Purple Heart and Three Battle Stars. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gino Cianflone. Cianflone was drafted into the Navy in 1942. He served as a machinist mate aboard an LST. His battle station was first loader at a 20mm cannon. They traveled to the Hawaiian and Marshall Islands. At the Marshall Islands they prepared for invasion, supporting LVTs and the 4th Marine Division. They also participated in the invasion of Saipan. He was involved in the West Loch disaster at Pearl Harbor in May of 1944 and provides some details of this event. He was discharged around 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Gino Cianflone. Cianflone was drafted into the Navy in 1942. He served as a machinist mate aboard an LST. His battle station was first loader at a 20mm cannon. They traveled to the Hawaiian and Marshall Islands. At the Marshall Islands they prepared for invasion, supporting LVTs and the 4th Marine Division. They also participated in the invasion of Saipan. He was involved in the West Loch disaster at Pearl Harbor in May of 1944 and provides some details of this event. He was discharged around 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richmond Garrett. Garrett was inducted into the Army in November of 1943. He completed Officer Candidate School. He was selected to join Company A, 1252nd Combat Engineer Battalion. In November of 1944 they were sent to England. He describes his travels overseas and accommodations on the ship Tamaroa. While there they built bridges, removed mines and built a roadway. In December 1944 they traveled to La Havre, France, to serve in Patton???s Third Army. In February of 1945 they took part in breaching operations against Siegfried Line. They advanced into Germany. He provides vivid details of these experiences, including dropping TNT-filled tomato cans down chimneys. They traveled to Bastogne, Belgium, completing road work and removing mines. Garrett received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richmond Garrett. Garrett was inducted into the Army in November of 1943. He completed Officer Candidate School. He was selected to join Company A, 1252nd Combat Engineer Battalion. In November of 1944 they were sent to England. He describes his travels overseas and accommodations on the ship Tamaroa. While there they built bridges, removed mines and built a roadway. In December 1944 they traveled to La Havre, France, to serve in Patton???s Third Army. In February of 1945 they took part in breaching operations against Siegfried Line. They advanced into Germany. He provides vivid details of these experiences, including dropping TNT-filled tomato cans down chimneys. They traveled to Bastogne, Belgium, completing road work and removing mines. Garrett received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was discharged in April of 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Lewane D. Herring. He discusses working at Corpus Christi and Kingsville Naval Air Stations in south Texas before being assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La and the destroyer USS Barton during his naval career. He also discusses his time spent in the Air Force during the Korean War. Mr. Herring then read a letter about his brother's service during the Korean War.

Transcript of an oral interview with Lewane D. Herring. He discusses working at Corpus Christi and Kingsville Naval Air Stations in south Texas before being assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Shangri-La and the destroyer USS Barton during his naval career. He also discusses his time spent in the Air Force during the Korean War. Mr. Herring then read a letter about his brother's service during the Korean War.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James C Chandler. Chandler joined the Marine Corps in the spring of 1943. He was assigned to the 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion. Chandler participated in the battles of Guam and Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James C Chandler. Chandler joined the Marine Corps in the spring of 1943. He was assigned to the 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion. Chandler participated in the battles of Guam and Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Cumbie. Cumbie joined the Army in January of 1943. He completed Officer???s Candidate School in May of 1943, earning a commission as a second lieutenant. He began training in the Army Air Forces in November of 1943. He provides details of his pilot training, including glider training in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated in the fall of 1944. Their glider pilot training was in preparation for an airborne crossing of the Rhine River in Germany. He was assigned to the 313th Troop Carrier Group. They traveled to England in November of 1944. On Christmas of 1944 they hauled the 17th Airborne Division up near the front lines in northern France, during the Battle of the Bulge. Cumbie provides details of this experience. He also transported supplies and wounded soldiers. He was discharged in July of 1946, though stayed in the Air Force Reserves until 1952.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Cumbie. Cumbie joined the Army in January of 1943. He completed Officer???s Candidate School in May of 1943, earning a commission as a second lieutenant. He began training in the Army Air Forces in November of 1943. He provides details of his pilot training, including glider training in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated in the fall of 1944. Their glider pilot training was in preparation for an airborne crossing of the Rhine River in Germany. He was assigned to the 313th Troop Carrier Group. They traveled to England in November of 1944. On Christmas of 1944 they hauled the 17th Airborne Division up near the front lines in northern France, during the Battle of the Bulge. Cumbie provides details of this experience. He also transported supplies and wounded soldiers. He was discharged in July of 1946, though stayed in the Air Force Reserves until 1952.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Van Lieshout. Van Lieshout joined the Coast Guard in December of 1941. He served as Seaman Third Class for one year aboard Hollyhock, a buoy tender and icebreaker on the Great Lakes. He was part of the deck crew, overseeing lighthouses and breaking up ice for ships in the winter time. In the summer of 1943 Van Lieshout played baseball for the Coast Guard team. He then completed LST training. In 1944 and 1945 he served as water tender aboard the LST-886 in the Pacific, delivering ammunition and supplies to numerous islands, including Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. He provides some details of the LST and his experiences across the Pacific. After the war they took occupation troops to Japan. He was honorably discharged in January of 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Van Lieshout. Van Lieshout joined the Coast Guard in December of 1941. He served as Seaman Third Class for one year aboard Hollyhock, a buoy tender and icebreaker on the Great Lakes. He was part of the deck crew, overseeing lighthouses and breaking up ice for ships in the winter time. In the summer of 1943 Van Lieshout played baseball for the Coast Guard team. He then completed LST training. In 1944 and 1945 he served as water tender aboard the LST-886 in the Pacific, delivering ammunition and supplies to numerous islands, including Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, the Philippines, Okinawa and Japan. He provides some details of the LST and his experiences across the Pacific. After the war they took occupation troops to Japan. He was honorably discharged in January of 1947.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert B. Bradley. Bradley begins by speaking of his childhood days growing up in Washington, DC. While attending the University of Maryland, Bradley enlisted in the Army in October, 1942. After Bradley finished training as a medic, he was assigned to Company E, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He went to England in February, 1944. He arrived at Omaha Beach one day after the invasion. Bradley moved forward with the infantry until he was captured by a unit of German Armored Infantry in August, 1944. He was placed in Stalag 3-C. In April, 1945, Bradley and others were liberated by the Russians, who put them on a train for odessa where they boarded a ship back to England.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert B. Bradley. Bradley begins by speaking of his childhood days growing up in Washington, DC. While attending the University of Maryland, Bradley enlisted in the Army in October, 1942. After Bradley finished training as a medic, he was assigned to Company E, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He went to England in February, 1944. He arrived at Omaha Beach one day after the invasion. Bradley moved forward with the infantry until he was captured by a unit of German Armored Infantry in August, 1944. He was placed in Stalag 3-C. In April, 1945, Bradley and others were liberated by the Russians, who put them on a train for odessa where they boarded a ship back to England.