The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Carey. Carey joined the Marine Corps in an officer candidate class in November of 1942. In July of 1943 he was transferred to the Navy V-12 Program, completing midshipman and landing craft school. He was stationed aboard the USS Venango (AKA-82) beginning June of 1944. In the spring of 1945 they transported cargo for the impending assault on Okinawa, carrying troops, landing craft vehicles and gear of the Army’s 82nd Signal Construction Battalion. Carey was aboard when they participated in the Battle of Okinawa, returning to the US in November of 1945. He was discharged in March of 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 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 Richard Shivley. Shivley joined the Navy when he was fourteen years old in August, 1944. After boot camp, Shivley went to radio operator school then aerial gunnery school. He then reported aboard USS Franklin (CV-13) in February 1945 and attached to Air Group 5. He flew in torpedo bombers as a radioman. He was aboard when the Franklin was attacked on 19 March. He rode the ship back to Hawaii and volunteered for duty aboard another ship afraid of going home and having his age discovered. Shivley was assigned to the radio shack aboard USS O'Bannon (DD-450). He was aboard when the war ended and went to Japan during the occupation.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bryce Taylor. After finishing high school in 1942, Taylor joined the Marine Corps and had basic training at San Diego. After basic, Taylor was assigned to the base band in San Diego. He arrived at Pearl Harbor in February, 1944 and was part of the base band there for two years. Taylor recalls playing Taps in the evening several times on the USS Arizona (BB-39). His band also played regularly at the hospital at Aiea. After a while, he was recruited by Bob Crosby to tour parts of the Pacific and play concerts: Saipan, Guam, Iwo Jima. He returned home and was discharged in 1946.

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.

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 Tom D. Ellison. Ellison was born 14 August 1925 in Sierra Blanca, Texas. He joined the Navy in September 1942. After 12 weeks of boot camp at the Farragut Naval Training Center, Idaho, he went for 21 weeks of aircraft maintenance training in Norman, Oklahoma, and 4 weeks of air gunnery training in Purcel, Oklahoma. This was followed by more maintenance and gunnery training at NAS Jacksonville. Next it was to NAS Oceana, Virginia working on and flying in PB4Y patrol planes. Ellison then sailed to England on the USS Matagorda (AVP-22). He spent from December 1943 to August 1945 at Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon. His squadron, VP-105, performed anti-submarine patrols in the English Channel and the North Sea. Following the German surrender, Ellison went to San Diego, Guam, Japan, and finally Shanghai, China to join a PBM Mariner squadron operating from a seaplane tender in the Whangpoo River. They provided passenger, mail, and air-sea rescue services in the area. Having advanced to AMM 1/C, Ellison was discharged from the Navy in San Diego.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Mullen. Mullen joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943. He served as a nose gunner aboard a B-17 with the 2nd Bomb Group, 429th Bomb Squadron, 15th Air Force. He deployed to Italy in June of 1944, and completed 35 missions, including one over marshalling yards in Salzburg, Austria. Mullen received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with McGehee Word.. Word enlisted in the Army Air Corps flying cadet program in 1940 when he was 26 years old. Along the way, he was trained as a B-17 pilot and was sent overseas to England, via Africa, and was assigned to the 92nd Bomb Group, 326th Bomb Squadron. While stationed in England, Word had an encounter with J. Frank Dobie. Word returned to the US in November, 1944 after 32 missions. He was training in B-29 bombers when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Reese. Reese joined the Army in 1936. He was assigned to the First Infantry Regiment in Wyoming. In 1939, Reese did not re-enlist in the Army, but joined the Marine Corps instead. After basic training, Reese was sent to Hawaii, where he was when the Japanese attacked. He unlimbered his machine gun, set it up and defended Hickam Field. Reese served as an enlisted man on the subsequent Board of Inquiry into the attack at Pearl Harbor. His job was to sort out people who wanted to testify to the Board. Later in 1942, Reese was attached to the 6th Marine Regiment and headed for New Zealand, then Guadalcanal. Reese received a battlefield commission on Guadalcanal. After leaving the Solomons, Reese returned to the US for training. In early 1945, he went to the Mariana Islands and cleared out Japanese outpost on some of the outlying islands: Sarigan, Anatahan, and Maug.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Barg. Barg was born on 20 November 1918 in San Benito, Texas and graduated from high school in 1936. After hearing the Army Air Corps had an excellent school for aircraft maintenance, he joined the Army Air Corps on 20 June 1940 at Chanute Field, Illinois. After completing aircraft maintenance training, he was made an instructor. Barg served as an instructor for several years before he applied for and was accepted to Officer Candidate School at Boca Raton, Florida. He was then sent to Yale University for training as a Maintenance Engineering Officer. Upon completing the course in July 1943, he was commissioned. Barg then reported to the Boeing Aircraft plant in Seattle for additional training. He was then sent to the Pratt, Kansas Air Base where he received more training. The crew then went to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and picked up their B-29 and flew to Chakulia, India where they were assigned to the 20th Air Force, 58th Bomb Wing, 40th Bomb Group, 44th Bomb Squadron. The unit was based there for a year, during which they flew gasoline and other supplies into China as well …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Francis Blake. Blake was born in Idaho and finished high school in Portland, Oregon. He then went to California for some college and worked in the mining industry in Arizona before joining the Marine Corps in August 1938. He trained at San Diego, then went to Sea School. Afterward, he was assigned to the USS Idaho (BB-42). He eventually became the captain's orderly and then an admiral's orderly while aboard the Idaho. Blake also served on Admiral Ernest King's flag allowance while King was Commander in Chief, US Fleet. Admiral King recommended Blake for a commission in the Marine Corps in June, 1943. When he got overseas, he was attached to the 3rd Marine Regiment prior to the invasion of Bougainville in an administrative support role. He performed similar duties on Guam during that invasion. When the 3rd MARDIV invaded Iwo Jima, Blake was an assistant to the G-1. When the war ended, he was back on Guam. He soon returned to the US and went to work discharging Marines. Blake retained his commission and stayed in the Corps. He served as marine detachment commanding officer aboard the …