The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with H.G. Eastwood. Eastwood was attending Eastern New Mexico University in 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and trained at Farragut, Idaho where he graduated from the navigator school. He was sent to New Caledonia and assigned to PT boats (USS PT-247). He describes the armament and propulsion of the 70 foot Higgins boat and the actions and procedures of the navigator during a torpedo attack run. He tells of working with code talkers concerning downed flyers, probable targets, etc. Eastwood also describes PT-247 being hit by Japanese shore batteries on 5 May 1943 resulting in fatalities, the sinking of the boat and his recovery by a sister boat. He was sent to the Samson Naval Hospital in Geneva, New York for recovery. Upon recovering, he was send to Colgate University to attend classes in PT boat operations. Upon completion of the course he was commissioned an ensign. Soon thereafter he received a medical discharge as a result of wounds.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with H.G. Eastwood. Eastwood was attending Eastern New Mexico University in 1941. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Navy and trained at Farragut, Idaho where he graduated from the navigator school. He was sent to New Caledonia and assigned to PT boats (USS PT-247). He describes the armament and propulsion of the 70 foot Higgins boat and the actions and procedures of the navigator during a torpedo attack run. He tells of working with code talkers concerning downed flyers, probable targets, etc. Eastwood also describes PT-247 being hit by Japanese shore batteries on 5 May 1943 resulting in fatalities, the sinking of the boat and his recovery by a sister boat. He was sent to the Samson Naval Hospital in Geneva, New York for recovery. Upon recovering, he was send to Colgate University to attend classes in PT boat operations. Upon completion of the course he was commissioned an ensign. Soon thereafter he received a medical discharge as a result of wounds.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Scripps. Scripps joined the California Army National Guard in March of 1940. He deployed to Pearl Harbor shortly after the attack, and remained on the island throughout 1942. They enforced the blackout curfew, built fencing around certain areas of the Harbor, dug an underground communications center and served on guard duty. In early 1943, Scripps was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. They transported troops to the Panama and Fiji. He was assigned to Guadalcanal to relieve the Marines and participated in combat with remaining Japanese. They continued traveling through New Zealand, New Caledonia and arrived in the Philippines in early 1945, participating in the invasion of Luzon. They reduced the Japanese resistance on the island until late June. The division then served in the Occupation of Japan after the surrender. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Scripps. Scripps joined the California Army National Guard in March of 1940. He deployed to Pearl Harbor shortly after the attack, and remained on the island throughout 1942. They enforced the blackout curfew, built fencing around certain areas of the Harbor, dug an underground communications center and served on guard duty. In early 1943, Scripps was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division. They transported troops to the Panama and Fiji. He was assigned to Guadalcanal to relieve the Marines and participated in combat with remaining Japanese. They continued traveling through New Zealand, New Caledonia and arrived in the Philippines in early 1945, participating in the invasion of Luzon. They reduced the Japanese resistance on the island until late June. The division then served in the Occupation of Japan after the surrender. He returned to the U.S. and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Melvin Grant. Grant served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1940 to 1941. He provides detail of the CCC program, including accommodations, pay and food. Grant went to California and helped build Camp Cook, now Vandenberg Air Force Base, where he was on 7 December 1941. He was assigned to Company E, 7th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Division. He was a demolition specialist and a flame thrower and describes both of these jobs. He went to the Russell Islands aboard the USS General Harry Taylor (AP-145). He details life on board the troop ship. From Russell Island they went on maneuvers to Guadalcanal and conducted training exercises. He participated in the Battle of Okinawa and discusses his experiences. Then they traveled to China and remained there until February of 1946. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Allen Faust. Faust graduated from the Naval Academy in 1936. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor, along with his wife who worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence. He then completed Submarine School at the Naval Submarine Base in New London. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Faust took command of USS R-7 (SS-84), an R-class coastal and harbor defense submarine, conducting anti-submarine patrols in the shipping lanes between Bermuda and the northeastern coat. In 1945, Faust deployed to the Pacific and took command of USS Trepang (SS-412). He traveled to Guam, the coast of Japan, Kwajalein and Pearl Harbor. After the war ended, he continued his service until the early 1960s.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Allen Faust. Faust graduated from the Naval Academy in 1936. He was stationed at Pearl Harbor, along with his wife who worked at the Office of Naval Intelligence. He then completed Submarine School at the Naval Submarine Base in New London. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Faust took command of USS R-7 (SS-84), an R-class coastal and harbor defense submarine, conducting anti-submarine patrols in the shipping lanes between Bermuda and the northeastern coat. In 1945, Faust deployed to the Pacific and took command of USS Trepang (SS-412). He traveled to Guam, the coast of Japan, Kwajalein and Pearl Harbor. After the war ended, he continued his service until the early 1960s.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John H. Brand. Brand was born in Vienna, Austria in 1923. He was attending New York University at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares his memory of learning about the attack. He joined the Army in 1942 and became a U.S. citizen in 1943. He trained with tank destroyers at Camp Hood, Texas. Then he trained at Camp Howze, Texas and was assigned to Company E, 410th Regiment, 103rd Infantry Division. In late 1944 he was sent to Marseilles, France. He shares an anecdote about being arrested in Marseilles as well as hearing a broadcast by Axis Sally. He recounts his experiences of battle outside the town of St. Di?. He was wounded by shrapnel and developed trench foot. He discusses his experiences in both a field hospital and a general hospital. Because he was fluent in German, he finished his military career assigned to military government operations in Germany. He recounts the capture and arrest of an assistant to Ilsa Koch. He also shares an anecdote about the Hitler Youth. He was discharged in Berlin in December 1945. He took a position with …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur McQuiddy. McQuiddy completed Civilian Pilot Training in 1940. He joined the Navy on 8 December 1941. McQuiddy served as a Naval Aviator beginning November of 1942, flying PBYs with Patrol Squadron 23, a Navy fixed-wing, anti-submarine and maritime patrol squadron. He completed patrol and rescue missions over the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. He also completed a search mission for the downed aviator Eddie Rickenbacker. Their squadron later became a Black Cat Squadron, flying night missions. In August of 1945, McQuiddy was sent to Flying Instructor School in Atlanta, and he received his discharge in November.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur McQuiddy. McQuiddy completed Civilian Pilot Training in 1940. He joined the Navy on 8 December 1941. McQuiddy served as a Naval Aviator beginning November of 1942, flying PBYs with Patrol Squadron 23, a Navy fixed-wing, anti-submarine and maritime patrol squadron. He completed patrol and rescue missions over the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. He also completed a search mission for the downed aviator Eddie Rickenbacker. Their squadron later became a Black Cat Squadron, flying night missions. In August of 1945, McQuiddy was sent to Flying Instructor School in Atlanta, and he received his discharge in November.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Russo. Russo joined the Army around 1942. He deployed to New Delhi, India, and worked for the supervisor of the Signal Corps, and in the radio room. He later joined the New Delhi Photography Society processing photographs and working with correspondents from LIFE Magazine. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Russo. Russo joined the Army around 1942. He deployed to New Delhi, India, and worked for the supervisor of the Signal Corps, and in the radio room. He later joined the New Delhi Photography Society processing photographs and working with correspondents from LIFE Magazine. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with D.W. Haskin. Haskin joined the Army Air Forces before December 1941. He was trained as a radio operator and was assigned to a B-25. Haskin discusses his duties as a radio operator and gunner. He describes a typical mission skip-bombing enemy shipping. Haskin mentions serving in Australia, the Aleutians, the Philippines, and Burma.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with D.W. Haskin. Haskin joined the Army Air Forces before December 1941. He was trained as a radio operator and was assigned to a B-25. Haskin discusses his duties as a radio operator and gunner. He describes a typical mission skip-bombing enemy shipping. Haskin mentions serving in Australia, the Aleutians, the Philippines, and Burma.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Merrill Pierce. Pierce entered the Navy in September, 1941 and was in training when the war started. His assignment was with the Armed Guard and he rode a tanker to Hawaii. He switched ships and hauled molasses up from Chile. On another ship, he carried bombs to Australia and India. Next they hauled a load of jute to New York. He landed at Peleliu and worked as a stevedore. When the war ended, Pierce was tasked with dumping aircraft overboard off Los Negros.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Merrill Pierce. Pierce entered the Navy in September, 1941 and was in training when the war started. His assignment was with the Armed Guard and he rode a tanker to Hawaii. He switched ships and hauled molasses up from Chile. On another ship, he carried bombs to Australia and India. Next they hauled a load of jute to New York. He landed at Peleliu and worked as a stevedore. When the war ended, Pierce was tasked with dumping aircraft overboard off Los Negros.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Ellis. Ellis was born 17 December 1917 in Chillicothe, Ohio. After graduating from high school in 1935, he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While there he joined the Marine Corps Reserve and entered into platoon leader classes. Upon graduating from college in 1939, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and went to Philadelphia for advanced courses. Upon completion, he reported to San Diego where he was assigned as battalion communications officer for the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. During October 1941, he attended the battalion regimental communications officer course at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1942 he went to American Samoa aboard the USS Zeilin (APA-3). In January 1944 he was ordered to return to Camp Pendleton to establish and command the 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO). On 10 April 1944 the unit boarded the USS Algorab (AKA-8) and sailed for Guadalcanal, where they began training for the invasion of Guam. The day after going ashore during the invasion of Guam, Ellis was wounded by shell fragments. He returned after being treated aboard an LST offshore. After Guam was secured the unit began preparing for the invasion …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Ellis. Ellis was born 17 December 1917 in Chillicothe, Ohio. After graduating from high school in 1935, he attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While there he joined the Marine Corps Reserve and entered into platoon leader classes. Upon graduating from college in 1939, he was commissioned a second lieutenant and went to Philadelphia for advanced courses. Upon completion, he reported to San Diego where he was assigned as battalion communications officer for the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines. During October 1941, he attended the battalion regimental communications officer course at Fort Benning, Georgia. In 1942 he went to American Samoa aboard the USS Zeilin (APA-3). In January 1944 he was ordered to return to Camp Pendleton to establish and command the 3rd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO). On 10 April 1944 the unit boarded the USS Algorab (AKA-8) and sailed for Guadalcanal, where they began training for the invasion of Guam. The day after going ashore during the invasion of Guam, Ellis was wounded by shell fragments. He returned after being treated aboard an LST offshore. After Guam was secured the unit began preparing for the invasion …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Otto Keith Williams. He was born on 10 December 1918 in Tacoma, Washington and after completing two years of college, during which he earned a private pilot's license, he was drafted into the Navy in February 1941 and completed flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas in July 1942. He then transferred into the Marine Corps and was sent to Glenview, Illinois where he completed carrier qualifications in October 1942. He joined Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-214 in Hawaii where he flew Grumman F4F Wildcats. Following training in Hawaii, his squadron embarked on the USS Nassau (CVE-16) in February 1943 and sailed to Espiritu Santo. His squadron then flew to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, where they provided fighter support for several months flying Wildcats and then F4U Corsairs. Following the Russell Island campaign Williams was transferred to VMF-215 where he participated in the invasion of Bougainville in November 1943. He spent three tours in Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands and flew 100 missions, but had no encounters with airborne Japanese aircraft. In January 1945 he was transferred to the USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109), which sailed for Okinawa. Following several weeks …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Otto Keith Williams. He was born on 10 December 1918 in Tacoma, Washington and after completing two years of college, during which he earned a private pilot's license, he was drafted into the Navy in February 1941 and completed flight training in Corpus Christi, Texas in July 1942. He then transferred into the Marine Corps and was sent to Glenview, Illinois where he completed carrier qualifications in October 1942. He joined Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-214 in Hawaii where he flew Grumman F4F Wildcats. Following training in Hawaii, his squadron embarked on the USS Nassau (CVE-16) in February 1943 and sailed to Espiritu Santo. His squadron then flew to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, where they provided fighter support for several months flying Wildcats and then F4U Corsairs. Following the Russell Island campaign Williams was transferred to VMF-215 where he participated in the invasion of Bougainville in November 1943. He spent three tours in Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands and flew 100 missions, but had no encounters with airborne Japanese aircraft. In January 1945 he was transferred to the USS Cape Gloucester (CVE-109), which sailed for Okinawa. Following several weeks …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Linton “Pete” Estes. Born in Clayton, New Mexico 19 December 1920, Estes graduated from the University of Texas. He and his brother John took Civilian Pilot Training courses together. The brothers then took advanced training and upon receiving their licenses, became instructors for Wichita Falls (Texas) Air Transport Company training pilots for the military. Through the fall of 1941 Estes taught and graduated one class of future Army pilots and one class of future Navy pilots. Soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the brothers signed on to The Central Instructor School at Kelly Field, Texas and upon completing the course, were commissioned and became military flight instructors. Later, by coincidence, both were ordered to report to Anchorage, Alaska. Upon arrival the brothers were assigned as operations officers in the Aleutians. Estes was sent to Adak and his brother John to Amchitka. While on Adak, Estes flew mail and supplies to outlying islands. After a few months both were transferred back to Anchorage, from which they flew various staff members and supplies to different destinations. While the brothers were on leave, Japan surrendered and soon thereafter, both were …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Bullian. Bullian joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He served as a B-26 flight engineer and gunner with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. He completed 45 missions over North Africa, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily and the Italian mainland. Bullian continued his service after the war ended, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1960.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edwin Bullian. Bullian joined the Army Air Corps in October of 1940. He served as a B-26 flight engineer and gunner with the 17th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. He completed 45 missions over North Africa, the islands of Sardinia and Sicily and the Italian mainland. Bullian continued his service after the war ended, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 1960.