The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mary Jean Tanner. Tanner joined the Army after working as a civilian in a parts warehouse at Kelly Field. She was given special clearance to handle the Norden bombsight. Upon enlisting in the Army, she was sent to Algiers, as secretary to General Sables. She was the only woman in the chemical warfare unit there. The water in Algiers had been so badly contaminated by air raids as to be deemed unsafe, even for bathing. One evening, while she was sitting on her bed, a 90mm high-explosive dud landed where her chest would have been, had she been lying down. Later, an ammunition boat exploded near her office, shattering her window and covering her in glass. Tanner returned home and was discharged in the fall of 1943. As a result of her experiences abroad, she experienced extreme anxiety during thunderstorms, hiding in the closet. And she never told anyone that she had been a WAC, as she felt that women were looked down upon for having served.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mary Jean Tanner. Tanner joined the Army after working as a civilian in a parts warehouse at Kelly Field. She was given special clearance to handle the Norden bombsight. Upon enlisting in the Army, she was sent to Algiers, as secretary to General Sables. She was the only woman in the chemical warfare unit there. The water in Algiers had been so badly contaminated by air raids as to be deemed unsafe, even for bathing. One evening, while she was sitting on her bed, a 90mm high-explosive dud landed where her chest would have been, had she been lying down. Later, an ammunition boat exploded near her office, shattering her window and covering her in glass. Tanner returned home and was discharged in the fall of 1943. As a result of her experiences abroad, she experienced extreme anxiety during thunderstorms, hiding in the closet. And she never told anyone that she had been a WAC, as she felt that women were looked down upon for having served.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Trubiano. Trubiano was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on 17 August 1920. Enlisting in the National Guard in February 1939, he joined the 101st Combat Engineers. After the unit was activated, it went to Camp Edwards, Massachusetts for training. On 23 January 1942 they boarded the SS Argentina for a thirty-eight day voyage to Melbourne, Australia. Then they went to Espiritu Santos and built an airstrip. The unit then went to New Caledonia where Trubiano was hospitalized with malaria. Soon after his release from the hospital the unit went to Guadalcanal where they joined the Americal Division becoming the 57th Combat Engineers. He tells of various projects the unit constructed including bridges, piers and an underground hospital. The unit was then sent to Bougainville and he describes seeing air action over the island. While there, he received orders to return to the United States. After a five week sea voyage he arrived in San Francisco and was sent to Camp Edwards. Upon his arrival he was assigned to work in the operating room. Later he was assigned the task of escorting patients to various hospitals throughout the country.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Trubiano. Trubiano was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on 17 August 1920. Enlisting in the National Guard in February 1939, he joined the 101st Combat Engineers. After the unit was activated, it went to Camp Edwards, Massachusetts for training. On 23 January 1942 they boarded the SS Argentina for a thirty-eight day voyage to Melbourne, Australia. Then they went to Espiritu Santos and built an airstrip. The unit then went to New Caledonia where Trubiano was hospitalized with malaria. Soon after his release from the hospital the unit went to Guadalcanal where they joined the Americal Division becoming the 57th Combat Engineers. He tells of various projects the unit constructed including bridges, piers and an underground hospital. The unit was then sent to Bougainville and he describes seeing air action over the island. While there, he received orders to return to the United States. After a five week sea voyage he arrived in San Francisco and was sent to Camp Edwards. Upon his arrival he was assigned to work in the operating room. Later he was assigned the task of escorting patients to various hospitals throughout the country.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Archie Mayes. Mayes joined the Missouri National Guard in 1938 and, when the Guard was federalized, travelled with his unit, the 35th Infantry Division, to Arkansas for training. In 1942, Mayes went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission. Afterwards, he was assigned to the 160th Combat Engineer Battalion as the battalion S-3 (operations officer). He travelled overseas to England in July and landed in France in August, 1944. His unit built bridges. General Patton complimented Mayes on his outfit's construction once. After the war, Mayes transferred to the Air Force and served as base engineer in the Aleutians and other posts in the US. During the Vietnam War, Mayes established engineering units for the Air Force to build air bases.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Archie Mayes. Mayes joined the Missouri National Guard in 1938 and, when the Guard was federalized, travelled with his unit, the 35th Infantry Division, to Arkansas for training. In 1942, Mayes went to Officer Candidate School and earned a commission. Afterwards, he was assigned to the 160th Combat Engineer Battalion as the battalion S-3 (operations officer). He travelled overseas to England in July and landed in France in August, 1944. His unit built bridges. General Patton complimented Mayes on his outfit's construction once. After the war, Mayes transferred to the Air Force and served as base engineer in the Aleutians and other posts in the US. During the Vietnam War, Mayes established engineering units for the Air Force to build air bases.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Blaise LePre. LePre dropped out of high school and then joined the Navy in 1943. After basic training in New York and an engineering course in Minnesota, LePre headed west to Washington and was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48). He was aboard the ship during the Battle of Surigao Strait. His duty station was in the boiler rooms. After some repairs at a floating drydock, the West Virginia headed for Iwo Jima to bombard. LePre was also present for the bombardments of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. LePre was aboard when a kamikaze struck the West Virginia. He was discharged in May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Blaise LePre. LePre dropped out of high school and then joined the Navy in 1943. After basic training in New York and an engineering course in Minnesota, LePre headed west to Washington and was assigned to the USS West Virginia (BB-48). He was aboard the ship during the Battle of Surigao Strait. His duty station was in the boiler rooms. After some repairs at a floating drydock, the West Virginia headed for Iwo Jima to bombard. LePre was also present for the bombardments of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. LePre was aboard when a kamikaze struck the West Virginia. He was discharged in May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Loftin. Loftin joined the Army Air Corps in early 1941. He had flight training at various bases all over Texas and earned his wings and commission in August, 1942. His first assignment was at New Orleans where he flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico with the 124th Observation Squadron. IN 1944, he became a flight instructor in Florida. In April, 1945, Loftin went overseas to England and was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group with whom he flew on one bomb mission before moving to operations. He returned home in July, 1945 and was training in B-29s when the war ended. Loftin stayed in the Reserves until 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Loftin. Loftin joined the Army Air Corps in early 1941. He had flight training at various bases all over Texas and earned his wings and commission in August, 1942. His first assignment was at New Orleans where he flew anti-submarine patrols over the Gulf of Mexico with the 124th Observation Squadron. IN 1944, he became a flight instructor in Florida. In April, 1945, Loftin went overseas to England and was assigned to the 95th Bomb Group with whom he flew on one bomb mission before moving to operations. He returned home in July, 1945 and was training in B-29s when the war ended. Loftin stayed in the Reserves until 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Orland Boone. Boone enlisted in the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He traveled to South America, to Guyana and Brazil. He flew in B-17s, serving as engineer gunner. In South America Boone worked in the weather office and the operations office. He flew practice missions 6 hours per day. In March of 1944 he was then sent to Europe in the 8th Air Force, 486th Bomb Group, 835th Bomb Squadron, flying in the B-17 lower ball turret, completing 27 missions over the continent. They operated chiefly against strategic objectives in Germany until May of 1945. They bombed railroad bridges in France in preparation of the invasion of Normandy. He was discharged in December of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert H. Gayle. Gayle joined the Army in 1943 and had basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Not wishing to be a tanker, Gayle applied for the Army Air Force and was accepted. He trained as gunner and was assigned to a B-17 crew. He was assigned to the 2nd Bomb Group in the 15th Air Force at Foggia, Italy in September, 1944. He describes some of his early missions where the crew had to ditch in the Adriatic and were rescued; a mid-air collision in which he was involved; being shot up by antiaircraft fire and having to bail out over Austria. After parachuting into a snowfield, Gayle was captured by Hungarian troops and made a prisoner of war in February, 1945. The Hungarians turned him over to the Germans in Vienna. The Germans eventually moved him to Moosberg. He was liberated by elements of Patton's Third Army in late April. Upon being transported back to France, General Eisenhower visited the former POWs. He returned home and was reunited with family.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert H. Gayle. Gayle joined the Army in 1943 and had basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Not wishing to be a tanker, Gayle applied for the Army Air Force and was accepted. He trained as gunner and was assigned to a B-17 crew. He was assigned to the 2nd Bomb Group in the 15th Air Force at Foggia, Italy in September, 1944. He describes some of his early missions where the crew had to ditch in the Adriatic and were rescued; a mid-air collision in which he was involved; being shot up by antiaircraft fire and having to bail out over Austria. After parachuting into a snowfield, Gayle was captured by Hungarian troops and made a prisoner of war in February, 1945. The Hungarians turned him over to the Germans in Vienna. The Germans eventually moved him to Moosberg. He was liberated by elements of Patton's Third Army in late April. Upon being transported back to France, General Eisenhower visited the former POWs. He returned home and was reunited with family.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Boswell. Boswell was born in Coryell County, Texas 4 September 1921. He quit high school, joined the Navy and went to boot camp in San Diego. Upon completing boot training he was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) as a member of the crew in the engine room. During battle stations, he served as an ammunition handler for a five inch gun. He was aboard the ship on 7 December 1941 and he describes his activities during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Tennessee received two bomb hits during the attack. Boswell recalls being at his battle station for twelve straight hours before being permitted to go topside. The ship went to Bremerton, Washington for repairs. In 1942 Boswell was assigned to the USS Waller (DD-466). The ship supported various landings in the Pacific before returning to the United States in 1944. After refitting, the ship supported landing in the Philippines. When the Japanese surrendered, the Waller went to Shanghai, where various work parties from the ship assisted in disarming the Japanese troops. Returning to the United States in December 1945, Boswell remained aboard as part …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Boswell. Boswell was born in Coryell County, Texas 4 September 1921. He quit high school, joined the Navy and went to boot camp in San Diego. Upon completing boot training he was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) as a member of the crew in the engine room. During battle stations, he served as an ammunition handler for a five inch gun. He was aboard the ship on 7 December 1941 and he describes his activities during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Tennessee received two bomb hits during the attack. Boswell recalls being at his battle station for twelve straight hours before being permitted to go topside. The ship went to Bremerton, Washington for repairs. In 1942 Boswell was assigned to the USS Waller (DD-466). The ship supported various landings in the Pacific before returning to the United States in 1944. After refitting, the ship supported landing in the Philippines. When the Japanese surrendered, the Waller went to Shanghai, where various work parties from the ship assisted in disarming the Japanese troops. Returning to the United States in December 1945, Boswell remained aboard as part …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lee Soucy. Soucy joined the Navy in December 1937. Soucy went to the Hospital Corps School in 1938 and became a medical laboratory technologist, and was with the Fleet Marines. He went to a medical field service school with an emphasis studying poison gas. He went to the naval hospital in San Diego. He was with the Marines for 8 months in San Diego, they conquered San Clemente Island with the 5th Regiment. Later he was on USS Utah (BB-31) in February 1941. He worked as medical service help on the Utah, and treated people from the smaller ships that did not have doctors or dentists. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he was reassigned to the hospital at Pearl Harbor, and in May 1945 he was assigned to Bethesda Naval Medical Center. He also served on the Matsonia in its sick bay and helped deliver burn victims back to the States. After the war he started his own commercial lab in Plainview, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lee Soucy. Soucy joined the Navy in December 1937. Soucy went to the Hospital Corps School in 1938 and became a medical laboratory technologist, and was with the Fleet Marines. He went to a medical field service school with an emphasis studying poison gas. He went to the naval hospital in San Diego. He was with the Marines for 8 months in San Diego, they conquered San Clemente Island with the 5th Regiment. Later he was on USS Utah (BB-31) in February 1941. He worked as medical service help on the Utah, and treated people from the smaller ships that did not have doctors or dentists. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he was reassigned to the hospital at Pearl Harbor, and in May 1945 he was assigned to Bethesda Naval Medical Center. He also served on the Matsonia in its sick bay and helped deliver burn victims back to the States. After the war he started his own commercial lab in Plainview, Texas.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Margaret Soucy. She completed her nursing training in Salem Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in September 1941. After Pearl Harbor was bombed she joined the Navy in April 1942. She received training at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital through November 1942, then went to the Marine air base in Cherry Point, North Carolina through December 1943. From there Soucy went to Pearl Harbor. She was stationed at Hospital Point in Pearl Harbor. She served in a dermatology ward, and then the psychiatric ward. She was in charge of four wards. She describes a typical day of work, and her experiences at a Seabee camp. She was responsible for handing out medications and coordinated psychiatric counseling for men suffering from combat fatigue. She met Admiral Nimitz at CINPAC headquarters. She left Pearl Harbor in April 1945 for St. Albans, Long Island, and once she received enough points she went back to her home in Massachusetts. She and her mother visited New York City and Times Square on V-J Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Margaret Soucy. She completed her nursing training in Salem Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in September 1941. After Pearl Harbor was bombed she joined the Navy in April 1942. She received training at the Brooklyn Naval Hospital through November 1942, then went to the Marine air base in Cherry Point, North Carolina through December 1943. From there Soucy went to Pearl Harbor. She was stationed at Hospital Point in Pearl Harbor. She served in a dermatology ward, and then the psychiatric ward. She was in charge of four wards. She describes a typical day of work, and her experiences at a Seabee camp. She was responsible for handing out medications and coordinated psychiatric counseling for men suffering from combat fatigue. She met Admiral Nimitz at CINPAC headquarters. She left Pearl Harbor in April 1945 for St. Albans, Long Island, and once she received enough points she went back to her home in Massachusetts. She and her mother visited New York City and Times Square on V-J Day.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Yuhas. Yuhas joined the Army in 1939 and went to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for training in the Field Artillery. He was at Schofield when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Once the attack occurred, Yuhas went with his unit to defensive positions around Oahu. in 1944, Yuhas went to Australia for six months before rotating back to the US. He was in South Carolina on a training assignment when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Michael Yuhas. Yuhas joined the Army in 1939 and went to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii for training in the Field Artillery. He was at Schofield when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Once the attack occurred, Yuhas went with his unit to defensive positions around Oahu. in 1944, Yuhas went to Australia for six months before rotating back to the US. He was in South Carolina on a training assignment when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Wersebe, Jr. Wersebe joined the Navy in the late 1930s. He was sent to China to serve on the USS Black Hawk (AD-9) and became a machinist mate. Wersebe describes pre-war Shanghai and some his experiences on liberty and shore patrol. He was sent back to the US and assigned to a destroyer and served in several battles. Wersebe mentions one incident where he saw the face of a Japanese pilot who had tried to torpedo his ship off of Okinawa. He was sent to China near the end of the war to work with SACO and was captured by the Japanese for a short time. Wersebe describes his liberation and return to the US. He reenlisted as a chief and served aboard destroyers for several years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Wersebe, Jr. Wersebe joined the Navy in the late 1930s. He was sent to China to serve on the USS Black Hawk (AD-9) and became a machinist mate. Wersebe describes pre-war Shanghai and some his experiences on liberty and shore patrol. He was sent back to the US and assigned to a destroyer and served in several battles. Wersebe mentions one incident where he saw the face of a Japanese pilot who had tried to torpedo his ship off of Okinawa. He was sent to China near the end of the war to work with SACO and was captured by the Japanese for a short time. Wersebe describes his liberation and return to the US. He reenlisted as a chief and served aboard destroyers for several years.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Stahl. Stahl qualified for aviation cadet training in the Army Air Forces in June 1943. In May 1944, he reported for bombardier training in New Mexico. When he got to England in early 1945, he was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group. Stahl flew 21 combat missions as a bombardier in a B-24. Stahl shares several anecdotes about flying mission, living on base and exploring England. He returned to the US and was training as a bombardier in B-29s when the war ended.