The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dana Anderson. Anderson was born in Manhattan, Kansas on 30 November 1924 and joined the Navy on 2 December 1942. After completing boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, Illinois he was sent to San Diego where he trained on the Diesel engines on LCMs. After the training was complete he was assigned to USS Ashland (LSD-1), which was capable of carrying 18 LCMs. After making practice landings in Hawaii with the 2nd Marine Division, the Ashland participated in the invasion of Tarawa. Anderson’s LCM was left on the beach as it was disabled by Japanese shellfire. He returned to the Ashland and later participated in the invasions of Eniwetok and Kwajalein. Returning to the United States, he was sent to Cleveland, Ohio where he received additional training with Diesel engines. He was then assigned to an ocean-going tug hauling concrete forms to the Philippines. This tug was pulling another ship back to the US when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ruth Fowler. Fowler was teaching in Big Spring, Texas, when she went out for the Civilian Pilot Training Program in 1939. She was accepted and was trained to fly. She evetually became an instructor. She also discusses rationing.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W. T. Appleton. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of sixteen in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes being transported to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Shasta (AE-6). He was transferred to the USS Smith (DD-378) where he served as a member of a 5-inch gun crew. He talks about the role of the USS Smith in protecting the aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He describes the crashing of a Japanese torpedo plane into the Smith and its aftermath. While serving on the Smith, he went to New Guinea and participated in the bombardment of locations such as Port Moresby, Finschhafen, and Buna in preparation for Marine landings. He recounts an attack by Japanese Betty Bombers and the deployment of a smoke screen for cover. He also discusses the sinking of the USS Hornet (CV-8). He returned to the United States where he was assigned to the USS Hank (DD-702) and sent again to the Pacific Theater. He describes kamikaze attacks while on the USS Hank near Taiwan. He also describes being on patrol in Japan after the atomic bombs were …

Interview with Jack Colville, who discusses his life experiences and viewpoints.

Interview with Lynn A. Seamans, a naval reservist in the US Navy during WWII and the Korean War. He answers questions about his time in the military and his experience abroad.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Brown. Brown joined the Navy in 1943. He served as an Apprentice Seaman with the deck force aboard the USS Zeilin (APA-3). From September of 1943 through the spring of 1945, he participated in landing troops at Tarawa, Kwajalein Atoll, New Guinea, the Philippines, and Iwo Jima. Brown returned to the US in April of 1945, and was discharged later in the year.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard D. Buehrle. He volunteered to join the Navy in 1943 after he graduated from high school. Expecting to have a permanent duty assignment in Australia, he was, instead, called to be a destroyer replacement sailor in New Guinea on the USS Smith (DD-378). He served first as a five-inch gun shell retriever, then as a signalman on the bridge. He relates the story of his selection as a signalman. He also describes living conditions aboard the ship, his clothing, as well as the mail service. He talks about his friendship with Donald Kent. He also mentions Captain Stout. He discusses an attempt to land Marines on Arawe. He describes an attack by Japanese aircraft and kamikazes in the Philippines. He shares anecdotes about Nagasaki and the Japanese surrender. He explains his reason for not remaining in the Navy after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Randolph Coleman. Coleman was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on 21 December 1922. He enlisted in the US Army in 1943 and tells of his reasons for wanting to become a paratrooper. He describes the strenuous physical testing he passed allowing him to qualify for jump school. Coleman was assigned to the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, F Company, 1st Platoon. He was then selected to attend intelligence school. After receiving additional infantry training at Camp Marshall, North Carolina he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia to jump school. He relates various anecdotes regarding jump school including chute packing, a near fatal jump incident, training methods and physical treatment. Following additional combat training the unit was put aboard the USAT Santa Rosa, which ultimately landed at Naples, Italy. On 15 August 1944 his unit was involved in Operation Dragoon. He relates being at the front for 94 days in combat in freezing conditions where he developing pneumonia and frozen feet. He was sent to the hospital, due to his medical problems and returned to the United States. He was discharged on 22 June 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with J L Cunningham. Cunningham joined the Marine Corps in late 1942. He served in combat infantry with the 4th Marine Division, and participated in amphibious assaults in the battles of Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. Cunningham was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Doig. Doig joined the Navy in December of 1942. He completed Diesel School, repairing landing craft engines. Beginning August of 1943, Doig served in the fire room aboard USS Ashland (LSD-1). While he was aboard, the Ashland participated in the assaults on Kwajalein and Eniwetok. In the late 1944, Doig was transferred to USS Kenton (APA-122). They transported troops to the Philippines and participated in the Okinawa invasion. Doig was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edmond Drake. Drake joined the Navy in April of 1943. Beginning early 1944, he served as Electrician’s Mate aboard USS President Adams (APA-19). They transported troops and supplies during the Battle of Guam, the invasion Luzon and the Battle of Iwo Jima. He returned to the US in April of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rufus Dye. Dye joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 after finishing high school in Illinois. Dye finished radio operator school in Chicago before heading for flight training in California. Upon completion of flight training and earning his commission, Dye reported for duty with the 392nd Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group in England where he flew combat missions in France prior to the Normandy landing. He flew a P-38 Lightning. He was in Frankfurt when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Hand. Hand joined the Army in February of 1941. He served with the 208th Military Police Company in Brownwood, Texas. After Pearl Harbor, Hand completed Officer Candidate School, graduating in May of 1942. He was assigned to the 7th Armored Division, 87th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. They landed at Omaha Beach in August of 1944. They patrolled between Saint-Lô and Caen, and Hand was wounded on his way up to Germany. Hand returned to the US, and remained hospitalized from August of 1944 through April of 1945. He was then assigned to help set up a Reconnaissance School at Fort Knox. Hand was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard M. Heisler. Born in 1926, he ran away from home and joined the Army in 1942. He was underage and used an assumed name. He was assigned to a reconnaissance group in the 1st Cavalry Division and sent to Australia in the spring of 1943. He participated in the invasion of the Admiralty Islands, Leyte, and Luzon. He was injured by a mortar shell when his platoon was guarding a bridge outside of Manila. He was evacuated to a hospital ship and received further treatment at a general hospital in New Guinea. He rejoined his unit in Luzon where they were training for the invasion of Japan. They were sent to Tokyo after the atomic bombs were dropped on Japan, but before the Japanese surrendered. He describes the city of Tokyo. He shares an anecdote about his parents learning of his whereabouts as the result of his being wounded. He was discharged under his real name in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Jackson. Jackson joined the Navy in 1942. He served as Machinist’s Mate Second Class in the engine room aboard the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). While aboard the ship, Jackson recalls bombarding and covering landings on 34 islands in the Pacific, including the Solomon Islands, the Philippines, Saipan, Australia, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He shares his experiences going through a typhoon. In March of 1943 they participated in the Battle of the Komandorski Islands. He was discharged in late 1945.

Interview with Dr. Charles A. LeMaistre, beginning with the story about how he met his wife, Joyce Trapp LeMaistre. This story intermingles with his early career that lead him to his role as Chancellor at the University of Texas in Austin. Dr. LeMaistre offers insight into the effect desegregation had on the University of Texas campus and M. D. Anderson’s faculty diversity. He recounts how he was offered the presidential position at M. D. Anderson, the transition in administrative procedures, and growth of the institution. Dr. LeMaistre shares his wife’s personal fight with cancer and uses it as an example of how effective the institution’s policies and procedures. Dr. LeMaistre’s modesty in his administrative accomplishments shine a light on the high regard he had for his team and institutional family. The interview concludes with Dr. LeMaistre crediting members of the University Cancer Foundation Board of Visitors and donors.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph and Vivian Malmstrom. Joseph Malmstrom joined the Navy in 1942. He served on the deck force aboard the USS Smith (DD-378). Malmstrom recalls when a Japanese torpedo plane crashed into their ship in October of 1942. In April of 1943 they traveled to Guadalcanal to perform antisubmarine patrols. In mid-1943 he was reassigned to the USS Casablanca (CVE-55). They served as a training ship for escort carrier crews. In late 1943 Malmstrom transferred to the USS Hornet (CV-12), where he served the remainder of the war. He remained in the Navy, and later served in the Korean War. He was discharged in 1952.

Interview with Perry Simmons, a seaman in the US Navy during WWII. He answers questions about his time in the military during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harlan E. McLean. McLean was born in Burlington, Iowa on 6 June 1924 and entered the Army Air Forces in December 1942. McLean took basic at Scott Field, Missouri and was sent to Michigan State University for enrollment in a college training detachment. He describes his life while taking classes in preparation for cadet training. Upon completion of the college courses, he was sent to Vernon, Texas for primary flight training, then to Enid, Oklahoma and Victoria, Texas for secondary flight training. He graduated and was commissioned 27 February 1944. His first assignment was at Chatham Field, Savannah, Georgia where he trained in B-24s. After completion of the transitional training he went to Mitchell Field, New York, to await an overseas assignment. After arrival in England, he was assigned to the 351st Bomb Group, 508th Bomb Squadron as a B-17 co-pilot. He flew 24 combat missions and describes several. After Germany surrendered, McLean’s group transported Frenchmen, who had been prisoners of the Germans, back to France and comments on their physical condition. He returned to the United States during June 1945 and went into the Reserves. He recalls …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Erick Miller. Miller began learning to fly in 1939. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1940, and was sent to Cranfield, England. He piloted the Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft, and shares his experiences through the Battle of Britain. In November of 1940 through early 1941 Miller was posted to a Canadian squadron of Beaufighter airplanes assigned to night fighting in Britain. Their duty was to ward off German bombers as they came over the North Sea. He recalls how thankful he was when the Americans joined in the war effort in Europe. Miller completed additional missions through Le Havre, France, Gibraltar and Africa. He was also assigned to military intelligence work. He remained a pilot through the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Osborn. Osborn joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Fireman and Steam Engine training. He served in the engine room aboard USS Hammondsport (AKV-2), transporting aircraft to the Solomon Islands, Guadalcanal, Espiritu Santo and New Caledonia. Osborn later transferred to USS Harris (APA-2). He served as an Engineman aboard the landing craft, transporting troops to and from Kwajalein in February of 1944. Around May, Osborn was transferred to USS Ashland (LSD-1), participating in the Invasion of the Philippines, and the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Osborn served with occupational forces in Shanghai, China. He helped organize the transportation of the Japanese back to Japan. He returned to the US and was discharged in the spring of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Lee Osterloh. Osterloh joined the Army Air Forces in March of 1942. He completed Technical School and served as a Tech Sergeant. He worked in Greensboro, North Carolina for two years. He additionally completed Machine Records School, utilizing an IBM machine with punch cards. In November of 1944, Osterloh deployed to Calcutta, India, maintaining records of planes and cargo flying over the Himalaya Mountains. He returned to the US and was discharged in March of 1946.

Transcript of a simultaneous oral interview with Archie L. Sherman and Ray Magro. Both served in the Navy. Sherman served for a while on patrol craft in Alaska before transferring to the USS Cummings (DD-365). He was released from the Cummings due to excessive seasickness, but eventually was assigned tothe USS Smith (DD-378). Magro joined the Navy in 1940 and served aboard the USS Mahan (DD-364) and the USS Cummings before being assigned to the USS Smith. Magro describes his actions and impressions when the Smith was attacked in 1942 by Japanese torpedo bombers and when one crashed into Smith's forecastle. Sherman joined the Smith in 1943. The men describe the collision of the Smith with the USS Hutchins (DD-476) in January 1944. After a while, Magro got sick, was sent to the US to recover after which he was assigned to a patorl gunboat, the USS Tenacity (PG-71) bound for England. As a result, he was in England when the war with Germany came to an end. Sherman goes on to describe the landings in the Philippines, and witnessing the destruction in Nagasaki after the atomic bomb was dropped.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Emil Smolek. Smolek joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with the 531st Bomb Squadron, 380th Bomb Group. In the spring of 1944, they traveled to Biak, Indonesia and Mindanao, Philippines where they set up operations. Smolek flew a total of 31 missions, including bombing ammunition plants in China, Japanese headquarters in Baggio, oil fields in Balikpapan, and factories in Mindoro. They participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Smolek flew missions through the end of the war.