The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Alberding. Alberding joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943. He completed navigation training, and also worked in the photo lab printing publicity photos of cadets. He completed radio school in April of 1944 in Traux Field, Madison, Wisconsin. He worked in the Headquarters unit, 456th Squadron, as a radio mechanic on B-29s. He remained in the US throughout the war and was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth Alberding. Alberding joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943. He completed navigation training, and also worked in the photo lab printing publicity photos of cadets. He completed radio school in April of 1944 in Traux Field, Madison, Wisconsin. He worked in the Headquarters unit, 456th Squadron, as a radio mechanic on B-29s. He remained in the US throughout the war and was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Albritton. Albritton joined the Navy in 1937. He served aboard the USS Dobbin (AD-3). They were present during the attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. At the time of the attack the Dobbin was moored northeast of Ford Island. After the attack, they picked up survivors and took the wounded to shore. Albritton participated in the Korean War and was discharged in 1957.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Binkley. Binkley joined the Navy Seabees in July of 1943. He served as a Seaman 2nd Class. He served with the 581st Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU). They were commissioned at Port Hueneme, California in January of 1944 with personnel from the 123rd Battalion. They shipped out 13 March and traveled to Pearl Harbor. Their unit took over all maintenance and minor construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot. Binkley worked in a number of areas including construction, electrical work, censoring the mail and other postal work. He shares his living and working experiences on the island. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Binkley. Binkley joined the Navy Seabees in July of 1943. He served as a Seaman 2nd Class. He served with the 581st Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU). They were commissioned at Port Hueneme, California in January of 1944 with personnel from the 123rd Battalion. They shipped out 13 March and traveled to Pearl Harbor. Their unit took over all maintenance and minor construction of the Naval Ammunition Depot. Binkley worked in a number of areas including construction, electrical work, censoring the mail and other postal work. He shares his living and working experiences on the island. He was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Clark. Clark was born in Morocco, Indiana on 26 June 1916. After graduating from high school in 1934, he worked on the farm until being drafted into the US Army in March 1942. Upon induction, he was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana for six months of basic training. He was then sent to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he joined the 82nd Airborne Division’s glider section and was assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry, 2nd Battalion, Company F. Upon completion of training the unit boarded the SS Santa Rosa for a twelve day trip to Casa Blanca, North Africa. His narrative is a well told tale of his participation in Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge and of the horrific scene found when the unit liberated the Wobbelin Concentration Camp on 5 May 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel Clark. Clark was born in Morocco, Indiana on 26 June 1916. After graduating from high school in 1934, he worked on the farm until being drafted into the US Army in March 1942. Upon induction, he was sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana for six months of basic training. He was then sent to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina where he joined the 82nd Airborne Division’s glider section and was assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry, 2nd Battalion, Company F. Upon completion of training the unit boarded the SS Santa Rosa for a twelve day trip to Casa Blanca, North Africa. His narrative is a well told tale of his participation in Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge and of the horrific scene found when the unit liberated the Wobbelin Concentration Camp on 5 May 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ruth Congram. Congram began taking flight instruction in the late 1930s, earning her private pilot’s license. After the war began in 1941, Congram worked for the Lucas Harold Company building parts for the Norden bombsight. In May of 1944 she enlisted in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Congram flew on search missions as a pilot and as an observer, flying over farms searching for needed iron in junk piles. Additionally, she operated a Civil Air Patrol Radio station, and served as senior staff at CAP Summer Encampments at various Air Force bases. Congram worked as Administrative Finance Officer and Encampment Commander. She received Civil Air Patrol rank of Lieutenant Colonel in September of 1983. She and her husband operated the Congram Airport on the east side of Monticello, Indiana from 1945-1966, preparing planes for re-license and rebuilt wrecked airplanes. Congram never retired from CAP.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ruth Congram. Congram began taking flight instruction in the late 1930s, earning her private pilot’s license. After the war began in 1941, Congram worked for the Lucas Harold Company building parts for the Norden bombsight. In May of 1944 she enlisted in the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), a civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. Congram flew on search missions as a pilot and as an observer, flying over farms searching for needed iron in junk piles. Additionally, she operated a Civil Air Patrol Radio station, and served as senior staff at CAP Summer Encampments at various Air Force bases. Congram worked as Administrative Finance Officer and Encampment Commander. She received Civil Air Patrol rank of Lieutenant Colonel in September of 1983. She and her husband operated the Congram Airport on the east side of Monticello, Indiana from 1945-1966, preparing planes for re-license and rebuilt wrecked airplanes. Congram never retired from CAP.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Eckert. Eckert joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He completed aircraft welding school at Kelly Field, and served with the 40th Air Depot Repair Squadron. They traveled aboard the USS Hermitage (AP-54) to Freemantle, Australia and landed at Bombay, India in December of 1943. His squadron was assigned to Calcutta, and they repaired airplanes at Dum Dum Air Field. They also worked on Guam and Okinawa, where they arrived 3 days before the war ended. Eckert returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Eckert. Eckert joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He completed aircraft welding school at Kelly Field, and served with the 40th Air Depot Repair Squadron. They traveled aboard the USS Hermitage (AP-54) to Freemantle, Australia and landed at Bombay, India in December of 1943. His squadron was assigned to Calcutta, and they repaired airplanes at Dum Dum Air Field. They also worked on Guam and Okinawa, where they arrived 3 days before the war ended. Eckert returned to the US and was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with L.C. Finger. Finger was born in Garner, Texas. Drafted into the Army in 1943, he was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for three weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Camp Mackall, North Carolina where he joined the 11th Airborne Division, volunteering for parachute training. He made five practice jumps before deploying overseas. Arriving at Leyte in June 1944 they made three practice jumps and conducted routine patrols. He recalls in December a Japanese force came out of the jungles and attacked an airfield and an engineering group killing many Americans. Elements of Finger’s division searched and were successful in finding and destroying the enemy force. That evening the Japanese dropped paratroopers to take the local airfield and he tells of seeing them come down, highlighted by white parachutes, enabling the Americans to kill many of them as they landed. The division retook the airfield the next day. While participating in the action, Finger was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper. He was taken to an aid station and then to a field hospital where doctors removed his right leg. He was taken to Biak, New …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with L.C. Finger. Finger was born in Garner, Texas. Drafted into the Army in 1943, he was sent to Camp Wolters, Texas for three weeks of basic training. He was then sent to Camp Mackall, North Carolina where he joined the 11th Airborne Division, volunteering for parachute training. He made five practice jumps before deploying overseas. Arriving at Leyte in June 1944 they made three practice jumps and conducted routine patrols. He recalls in December a Japanese force came out of the jungles and attacked an airfield and an engineering group killing many Americans. Elements of Finger’s division searched and were successful in finding and destroying the enemy force. That evening the Japanese dropped paratroopers to take the local airfield and he tells of seeing them come down, highlighted by white parachutes, enabling the Americans to kill many of them as they landed. The division retook the airfield the next day. While participating in the action, Finger was seriously wounded by a Japanese sniper. He was taken to an aid station and then to a field hospital where doctors removed his right leg. He was taken to Biak, New …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jesus Godines. Godines joined the Army in 1940. and was assigned to the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. His unit landed at Normandy one after the invasion. His unit also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Godines was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jesus Godines. Godines joined the Army in 1940. and was assigned to the 15th Field Artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. His unit landed at Normandy one after the invasion. His unit also fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Godines was discharged in October, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Donald Hair. Hair was drafted into the Navy when he was 18 years old. During boot camp he learned Morse Code, and how to serve as a signal flagman, helmsman and loader on a 5-inch gun. He worked aboard the USS Aulick (DD-569), which joined Admiral Kinkaid???s 7th Fleet. He provides some details of his job aboard and the ship in general. They traveled to Guam, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, Leyte Gulf and the Philippines. In November of 1944 at Leyte Gulf their destroyer was attacked by 6 Japanese planes, which Hair describes and received shrapnel in his back. He was transferred to a hospital ship and then to a hospital on New Caledonia. He provides some information on the US Fleet Hospital 105 in New York. Once healed he joined a Seabee construction unit. He traveled back to the States around May of 1945 aboard the USS Rixey (APH-3). He describes his experiences aboard, including going through a typhoon. He was later assigned to the USS Adirondack (AGC-15), where he oversaw 6 men stationed on the large bridge. He served a total of 5 years in the Navy.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett E Knebel. Knebel joined the Navy in January 1942 as an experienced carpenter. He received basic training at Great Lakes and was among the first Seabees to be deployed in the war. When his unit left the island, Knebel stayed behind to have an appendectomy. He returned to duty on the island, climbing 40 feet in the air to construct a parachute drying tower, and operating the backhoe to install a sewage system. His working hours were ordinary and regular, just as in civilian life, only he would pause to make way for Polynesian natives whenever they held a traditional burial ceremony. He describes their singing in the procession, carrying a body wrapped in yellow on their shoulders. After two years, Knebel returned to the States. He was stationed at Port Hueneme when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett E Knebel. Knebel joined the Navy in January 1942 as an experienced carpenter. He received basic training at Great Lakes and was among the first Seabees to be deployed in the war. When his unit left the island, Knebel stayed behind to have an appendectomy. He returned to duty on the island, climbing 40 feet in the air to construct a parachute drying tower, and operating the backhoe to install a sewage system. His working hours were ordinary and regular, just as in civilian life, only he would pause to make way for Polynesian natives whenever they held a traditional burial ceremony. He describes their singing in the procession, carrying a body wrapped in yellow on their shoulders. After two years, Knebel returned to the States. He was stationed at Port Hueneme when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Franklin Paulsen. Paulsen joined the Navy in March of 1943. He served as Quartermaster 2nd Class aboard USS North Carolina (BB-55). In December of 1943 they joined forces and bombarded the island of Nauru in the Philippines. Going into early February of 1944 they participated in the Gilbert Islands operation. They later bombarded Kwajalein, Saipan and Tinian. Additionally, they operated in the North China Sea. Paulsen recalls steering the North Carolina into Tokyo Bay in September of 1945. He was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Franklin Paulsen. Paulsen joined the Navy in March of 1943. He served as Quartermaster 2nd Class aboard USS North Carolina (BB-55). In December of 1943 they joined forces and bombarded the island of Nauru in the Philippines. Going into early February of 1944 they participated in the Gilbert Islands operation. They later bombarded Kwajalein, Saipan and Tinian. Additionally, they operated in the North China Sea. Paulsen recalls steering the North Carolina into Tokyo Bay in September of 1945. He was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Quick. Quick joined the Marine Corps in August, 1943. He trained as an airplane mechanic and went overseas in November, 1944. His overseas diary is transcribed into the record (November 1944 through October 1945). Quick served at the Philippines and at Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Straw. Straw was born in Pulaski County, Indiana 18 August 1914. He was unable to complete high school as he had to help his father on the farm. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in February 1942 he went to Kelly Field, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic he was sent to Los Angeles for aircraft mechanic school, which he attended for three and one-half years. He recalls working on engines of the B-17 and B-24 bombers. He was sent to a base in England for a period of time, then to Italy where he worked on P-38s. He disliked working on P-38 engines. He then went to Belgium, remaining there until the surrender of Germany.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Straw. Straw was born in Pulaski County, Indiana 18 August 1914. He was unable to complete high school as he had to help his father on the farm. Drafted into the Army Air Corps in February 1942 he went to Kelly Field, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic he was sent to Los Angeles for aircraft mechanic school, which he attended for three and one-half years. He recalls working on engines of the B-17 and B-24 bombers. He was sent to a base in England for a period of time, then to Italy where he worked on P-38s. He disliked working on P-38 engines. He then went to Belgium, remaining there until the surrender of Germany.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wayne Nelson, where he discusses his childhood and what led him to joining the Navy. He describes his experiences in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two and the lasting impact it had on him.