Interview with Alan W. "Buck" Saunders of New Braunfels, Texas, a veteran of the Army Air Force during World War Two. The interview includes Saunders' personal experiences while in the Air Force, including the China-Burma-India Theater and memories of flying cargo to China over the Himalayas. Mr. Saunders also talks about life before and after his service.

Interview with Lewis R. Hopkins, a pilot during World War II. He describes growing up on a farm in Georgia, going to college at Berry, and working for Sears, Roebuck, and the Royal Typewriter Company before joining the U. S. Navy. He tells an anecdote about joining the navy so he could go to New York to see the World's Fair, since he had heard the Atlanta Reserve would be making a trip to the Fair. He began flight training in Florida in December 1940, finished the next September, then drove cross-country to San Francisco after the Pearl Harbor attack. He eventually joined the USS Enterprise in April 1942 and saw the B-25 bombers in the Doolittle Raid take off. He was part of Bombing Squadron Six and trained under Commander Best to learn how to do scouting flights, navigation, and dive bombing. He then describes his participation in the Battle of Midway, the hours before take-off, his first view of the Japanese fleet, and his bombing mission. He was later assigned to the USS Hornet and had to fly off to a little island so that planes from the USS Wasp could land on the Hornet after their ship …

Interview with James F. Sansom, an officer in the U. S. Army during World War II. Sansom joined the Army in 1940 and began training on anti-aircraft guns in Florida. He was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942. He was assigned to the 843rd Anti-Aircraft Artillery Air Warning Battalion, which made its way to India via the Panama Canal and Australia. Shortly after reaching Calcutta, the unit moved to Myitkyina, Burma. After the war, Sansom was assigned to Sagumo Prison outside Tokyo where Japanese war criminals were being held while on trial for war crimes. He describes some of the routines and residents in the prison. Sansom taught Hideki Tojo how to play card games like gin rummy. Sansom also describes the process of executing convicted prisoners as he carried out some sentences. In all, he executed nine convicted war criminals.

Interview with H. L. Obermiller, a Pharmacist's Mate during World War II. He discusses his involvement in the Battles of Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian, where he served as a Pharmacist's Mate. He remembers having Spam for Thanksgiving, meeting Navajo code talkers, and writing letters home.

Interview with Sam H. Snoddy, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He served in the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division. After training, he participated in the initial landing at Saipan where he was wounded in the knees and shoulder on the beach by shell fragments. He was loaded onto a hospital ship with several other casualties before going to Hawaii to recuperate. He participated in the Okinawa campaign and spent time at Nagasaki on occupation duty. After being discharged, he went to college on the G. I. Bill, and eventually settled in Texas, where he worked in the oil industry.

Interview with Alan W. "Buck" Saunders, a pilot during World War II. He discusses joining the Army Air Corps, becoming an airplane mechanic, and going to flight school for pilot training. He was stationed in India and flew supplies into China over the Himalayas (known by pilots as "the Hump"). In China, he traded items such as jewelry or opium for information on Japanese troop placements in Burma. He also discusses his meetings with native Burmese and talks about later experiences he had after the war and during the Vietnam War.

Interview with Guinn Rasbury, a U. S. Marine during World War II. He discusses joining the Marines, being part of the invasion force at Florida and Tulagi Islands, having multiple malaria attacks, being transferred to Maine to cure his malaria, being transferred around the United States, and finally returning to the Pacific theater. He explains how being sick with malaria and getting bumped from a plane ride home saved his life. He shares anecdotes about sounding "Taps" at a memorial service for President Roosevelt and being chairman of the Second Marine Division Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee.

Interview with Valentin R. Ybarra regarding his experiences during World War II. He discusses his wartime experiences in Peleliu and Okinawa as well as occupation duty in Japan and China. He also had an assignment in Spain. He remembers the Cuban Missile Crisis, the revolt in the Dominican Republic, and his service in Vietnam.

Interview with Mary Schandua, a riveter for the Boeing Company during World War II. Florence Reeves also participates in the interview. She began working for the Boeing Company as a riveter in Seattle after she married her husband John, who was in the service. She assembled wing sections on aircraft.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Ramage. Ramage James D Ramage graduated from the Naval Academy in 1939. In 1943 he joined the USS Enterprise (CV-6), and became executive officer and later commanding officer of Bombing Squadron Ten (United States. Navy. Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10)), flying the SBD Dauntless dive bomber. He saw his first combat in the Battle of Kwajalein in January 1944, and participated in the attack on Truk in February and landings at Hollandia in April. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, he led 29 aircraft from Enterprise in a maximum-range twilight attack against the Japanese fleet, and was personally credited with crippling a Japanese aircraft carrier. Ramage additionally participated in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He was promoted to rear admiral in June of 1967, and retired in January of 1976.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Hogg. Born in Louisiana 1 March 1926, Hogg joined the US Army Air Forces in 1944. After basic training at Amarillo, Texas he was selected for gunnery school and tells of training at various locations. Upon completion of gunnery training, he was assigned as a tail gunner on a B-24 bomber. He recalls that at 20 years of age the pilot and co-pilot were the oldest of the 10 crew members. Hogg boarded HMS Queen Elizabeth and sailed to Glasgow, Scotland, where he took a train to Norwich, England. There his crew was assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group. He flew no combat missions during the three months he was in England. Returning to the United States, he was discharged 2 May 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Vrana. Vrana was born in Moravia, Texas on 21 March 1921 and attended school in a two-room building. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940. After eight weeks of boot training at San Diego, he went to Pearl Harbor assigned aboard the USS California (BB-44). After serving a while in the Motor Launch Division, he became a striker in a fourteen inch gun turret. He describes the working conditions within a turret, the job assignments and procedures involved in firing the guns. He recalls experiences during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941 during which the ship sustained bomb and torpedo damage. Following the attack, he was assigned to clean up the bodies of his dead shipmates. The ship was taken to Bremerton for repairs during which time he went to the naval gun factory at Annapolis for eight weeks of training. Afterward, he returned to the California. Vrana was aboard ship during the invasions of the Mariana Islands and during the Battle of Surigao Strait. The ship was hit by a kamikaze during the invasion of Luzon at Lingayen Gulf. After being repaired the California went …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond Mnichowicz. Mnichowicz was born in Chicago, Illinois on 10 November 1927. He joined the US Navy in 1944 and attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Following boot camp he was assigned to the engine room of the USS Pochard (AM-375). He tells of the ship being involved in the laying of smokescreens and minesweeping operations prior to the invasion of Okinawa and of the shooting down of Japanese aircraft during the operation. He also tells of the ship sweeping mines in both Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay prior to the surrender of Japan and of being one of the first Americans to set foot on Japan following the surrender. Mnichowicz was discharged in 1946, but reenlisted shortly thereafter and retired from the Navy in 1967.

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 Lewis R. Hopkins. He begins by describing growing up on a farm in Georgia, then going to college at Berry, then working for Sears and Roebuck and the Royal Typewriter Company before joining the Navy. He ancedotes about joining the Navy so he could go up to New York to see the World's Fair, since he heard the Atlanta Reserve was making a trip up to the Fair. He went into flight training in Florida in December 1940, finishing the next September, then driving cross-country to San Francisco after the Pearl Harbor attack, eventually joining the USS Enterprise in April 1942 and seeing the B-25 bombers in the Doolittle Raid take off. He was part of Bombing Squadron Six, trained under Commander Best learning how to do scouting flights, navigation and dive bombing. He then describes being in the battle of Midway, the hours leading up to taking off, his first view of the Japanese fleet, then flying over and dropping bombs on them. He was later assigned to the USS Hornet and had to fly off to a little island so planes from the USS Wasp could …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Felix “George” Appleton. Appleton was born in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, 21 July 1924. He enlisted in the US Navy in 1943 and following boot camp, entered the hospital corps school. Later he went aboard USS LST-523 and sailed in convoy to England and witnessed submarine attacks and a number of ships being lost. He tells of participating in Operation Overlord with Omaha Beach being USS LST-523’s objective. He describes the carnage he witnessed both in the water and on the beach. After off-loading supplies, the ship was designated a hospital ship and he describes the various combat injuries he treated. The ship made numerous trips between England and the Normandy beaches until the ship struck a mine and sank. Numerous fatalities occurred among the doctors and medical staff. He was treated for minor wounds and ultimately returned to the United States on HMS Queen Elizabeth. He was assigned to the Lambert Naval Air Station at St. Louis, Missouri until his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Clay. Clay joined the Army in 1940. Beginning August of 1941, he served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, serving in the Pacific Theater. In September of 1943, they participated in the New Guinea Campaign. Clay served until late 1943, early 1944. His discharge date is not noted.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Horton. Horton was born in Oklahoma 14 October 1920. Graduating from high school in 1939 he enlisted in the Army and was given a choice of joining a horse drawn artillery unit or the 4th Artillery Battalion, which was a pack mule outfit. Soon after joining the 4th Artillery, at Fort Bragg, he was selected to be a pitcher with the base baseball team. Having been selected, he never had basic training. He was transferred into the 79th Field Artillery and continued to play baseball. He was selected to be in the Instrument Survey Section and after two years he was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Soon after war was declared, he was selected to attend Officers Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was commissioned 21 January 1942 and assigned as Athletic Officer for the 97th Division being organized at Camp Swift, Texas. Within six months he joined class number 51 at Fort Benning, Georgia and began parachute training. Horton graduated from jump school and was assigned to the 462nd Parachute Field Artillery Battalion. He describes the train trip to Camp Stoneman, and the ocean voyage …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip M. Grass. Grass was born in Mark, Louisiana 5 April 1924. He dropped out of high school and enlisted in the Army in 1942. After basic training at Camp Roberts, California he went to Ft. Benning, Georgia for airborne training, from which he graduated in 1942. Injuring his knee, he was incapacitated for a period of time. Upon recovering, he attended ordnance school at Camp Connelly, Georgia. His knee problem resulted in surgery requiring lengthy recovery time. Upon being returned to active duty in 1943 he went aboard the USS Sea Snipe (APA) and went to Brisbane, Australia. He arrived at Port Moresby and was assigned to F Company, 503rd Army Parachute Infantry Regiment and recalls his experiences while in Australia and Hollandia. The Regiment traveled by LCIs to Noemfoor, New Guinea at which time he was assigned to Headquarters Company and became a wireman and a runner. He recalls parachuting onto Corregidor and describes combat casualties that occurred. He returned to the United States in 1945 and was discharged. He tells of reenlisting in the army, receiving a commission and describes some of his experiences during …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Guy Lary. Lary enlisted in the Army in 1943. He discusses his training as a paratrooper at Fort Benning. Lary joined the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment as a replacement. He details the jump on Corregidor and the fighting that followed. Lary was then sent to Negros Island where he remained until the surrender of Japan. He went to Japan for the occupation duty and left the service soon after his return to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roscoe Corder. Corder joined the Army in March of 1940. He completed Officer Candidate School and Parachute School. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Corder participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Victor Erdahl. Erdahl joined the Army in 1942. He completed Parachute School. He served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment. In late 1943, Erdahl participated in the New Guinea Campaign. In February of 1945, he served in the Battle of Corregidor. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Daniel Wentrcek. Wentrcek joined the Navy in July of 1941. He served as a Fireman aboard USS Nevada (BB-36) and deployed to Pearl Harbor in September. Wentrcek was aboard the ship when the Japanese attacked in December. He was later transferred to USS Chester (CA-27). They supported landings on Samoa, provided antiaircraft fire for the carriers during the Battle of the Coral Sea and supported operations in the Solomon Islands. From 1944 through mid-1945, Wentrcek served aboard the Chester during battle engagements in Alaska, Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Horner. Horner finished high school and immediately joined the Navy in 1944. After training, he was assigned as a Yeoman at Honolulu before joining the crew of USS Nashville (CL-43) in October, 1944. He was in the Philippines when the war ended.