The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip Mounger. Mounger joined the Marine Corps in September 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was a field bugler before being reassigned to radio school. He received further training, specializing in a complex voice radio that was difficult to tune. Because it was used in tanks, he then went through tank school at Jacques Farm, where he befriended Navajo code talkers. Soon after, easy-to-use radios were installed in tanks, so Mounger was sent to the 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, as an FM radio operator. The radio he carried weighed about 35 pounds and required Mounger to wear his field pack in the front, which ended up saving him from a direct shell explosion on Iwo Jima. The two men accompanying him were killed by the blast, while Mounger was wounded by shrapnel to his heart. He was declared dead at the station hospital but managed to survive until being transported to a hospital ship. Once at the Navy hospital on Guam, a doctor improvised a device to remove fluid from Mounger’s lungs, a procedure that would be repeated several times, even after he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Philip Mounger. Mounger joined the Marine Corps in September 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was a field bugler before being reassigned to radio school. He received further training, specializing in a complex voice radio that was difficult to tune. Because it was used in tanks, he then went through tank school at Jacques Farm, where he befriended Navajo code talkers. Soon after, easy-to-use radios were installed in tanks, so Mounger was sent to the 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division, as an FM radio operator. The radio he carried weighed about 35 pounds and required Mounger to wear his field pack in the front, which ended up saving him from a direct shell explosion on Iwo Jima. The two men accompanying him were killed by the blast, while Mounger was wounded by shrapnel to his heart. He was declared dead at the station hospital but managed to survive until being transported to a hospital ship. Once at the Navy hospital on Guam, a doctor improvised a device to remove fluid from Mounger’s lungs, a procedure that would be repeated several times, even after he …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald Carlson. Carlson joined the Marines in 1943 and received machine gun training at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Paekakariki. At the invasion of Tarawa, two Marines in Carlson’s Higgins boat were shot. Wading in from a distance due to low tide, they faced opposition from snipers on the pier. The following morning, his unit attacked a Japanese bunker with flamethrowers. Carlson was tasked with picking off enemies as they fled. A mortar exploded behind him, killing two men and leaving Carlson shell-shocked. He was sent to the hospital in San Diego for treatment. Upon his recovery, he was reassigned to CINCPAC Headquarters, where he served as a guard until the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Donald Carlson. Carlson joined the Marines in 1943 and received machine gun training at Camp Elliot. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Paekakariki. At the invasion of Tarawa, two Marines in Carlson’s Higgins boat were shot. Wading in from a distance due to low tide, they faced opposition from snipers on the pier. The following morning, his unit attacked a Japanese bunker with flamethrowers. Carlson was tasked with picking off enemies as they fled. A mortar exploded behind him, killing two men and leaving Carlson shell-shocked. He was sent to the hospital in San Diego for treatment. Upon his recovery, he was reassigned to CINCPAC Headquarters, where he served as a guard until the end of the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Knipper. Knipper joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He earned his wings in June 1944 and began training in B-17s and B-29s. After deploying to Guam in February 1945, he joined the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, whose missions included dropping propaganda leaflets. Knipper transferred to the 499th Bomb Group at Saipan. After Iwo Jima was secured, Knipper flew bombing missions over Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka and Tokyo. Following the Japanese surrender, Knipper flew humanitarian missions over POW camps, dropping food, clothing and medical supplies. He was discharged into the Reserves and earned his Master's Degree on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ed Knipper. Knipper joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He earned his wings in June 1944 and began training in B-17s and B-29s. After deploying to Guam in February 1945, he joined the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, whose missions included dropping propaganda leaflets. Knipper transferred to the 499th Bomb Group at Saipan. After Iwo Jima was secured, Knipper flew bombing missions over Yokohama, Kobe, Osaka and Tokyo. Following the Japanese surrender, Knipper flew humanitarian missions over POW camps, dropping food, clothing and medical supplies. He was discharged into the Reserves and earned his Master's Degree on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Matthews. Matthews was born in Houston, Texas in 1925. Soon after graduating from high school, he joined the US Merchant Marine. In October 1943 he was sent to Pass Christian, Mississippi to begin three months of engineer training. After completing the course he was assigned to a US T2 tanker whose mission was to carry fuel oil for naval ships in the Pacific. His ship ran aground at New Guinea. Unable to be freed by other means, the ship was forced to transfer its cargo of fuel oil to another tanker thus allowing the ship to float free. Later his ship was sent to refuel the USS Boise CL-47). After being at sea for eight months, Matthews returned to the United States and attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy, graduating with a commission.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Matthews. Matthews was born in Houston, Texas in 1925. Soon after graduating from high school, he joined the US Merchant Marine. In October 1943 he was sent to Pass Christian, Mississippi to begin three months of engineer training. After completing the course he was assigned to a US T2 tanker whose mission was to carry fuel oil for naval ships in the Pacific. His ship ran aground at New Guinea. Unable to be freed by other means, the ship was forced to transfer its cargo of fuel oil to another tanker thus allowing the ship to float free. Later his ship was sent to refuel the USS Boise CL-47). After being at sea for eight months, Matthews returned to the United States and attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy, graduating with a commission.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with E. Harold Roy. Roy was born in Eli, Kentucky on 17 December 1924. Upon entering the Navy in 1943 he was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot camp. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Chatelain (DE-149). Aboard, he escorted convoys to England and Gibraltar. Soon after returning the ship was assigned to Task Group 22.3 a hunter, killer anti-submarine unit. He recounts in detail the actions in which the unit participated on 4 June 1944 when the German submarine U-505 was captured. Upon returning to the United States, Roy was assigned to the USS Wallace Lind (DD-703). He tells of the ship participating in the invasion of Okinawa and describes the attacks by kamikazes and their effect on other ships in the invasion force. Following the surrender of Japan he went to Nagasaki and describes the destruction he observed.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with E. Harold Roy. Roy was born in Eli, Kentucky on 17 December 1924. Upon entering the Navy in 1943 he was sent to Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot camp. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the USS Chatelain (DE-149). Aboard, he escorted convoys to England and Gibraltar. Soon after returning the ship was assigned to Task Group 22.3 a hunter, killer anti-submarine unit. He recounts in detail the actions in which the unit participated on 4 June 1944 when the German submarine U-505 was captured. Upon returning to the United States, Roy was assigned to the USS Wallace Lind (DD-703). He tells of the ship participating in the invasion of Okinawa and describes the attacks by kamikazes and their effect on other ships in the invasion force. Following the surrender of Japan he went to Nagasaki and describes the destruction he observed.

Transcript of an oral interview with Daniel Samuelson. Samuelson joined the Army Air Force in 1943 after one semester at Louisiana State University. After he turned 18 in early 1944, he was called to active duty. After basic training, Samuelson went to aerial gunnery school at Kingman, Arizona. Upon completion there, he was assigned to a B-17 crew. His crew was selected to go to Cuba on a goodwill mission. After that, his crew flew to England, where he was assigned to the 95th Bomber Group, 8th Air Force. Samuelson describes some of the air raids he took part in over targets in Frankfurt, Germany. He completed 35 missions in April and was shipped home on a Liberty ship. When the war ended in the Pacific, Samuelson was discharged.

Transcript of an oral interview with Daniel Samuelson. Samuelson joined the Army Air Force in 1943 after one semester at Louisiana State University. After he turned 18 in early 1944, he was called to active duty. After basic training, Samuelson went to aerial gunnery school at Kingman, Arizona. Upon completion there, he was assigned to a B-17 crew. His crew was selected to go to Cuba on a goodwill mission. After that, his crew flew to England, where he was assigned to the 95th Bomber Group, 8th Air Force. Samuelson describes some of the air raids he took part in over targets in Frankfurt, Germany. He completed 35 missions in April and was shipped home on a Liberty ship. When the war ended in the Pacific, Samuelson was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kling. Kling joined the Army Air Forces and received basic training in St. Louis. He was trained as a B-17 pilot before being transferred to the Northern Mariana Islands as a B-29 pilot. He did not engage in battle during his service, and he retired with 35 years combined active and reserve duty. Kling notes that while many of the troops were against serving beside African American soldiers, he felt camaraderie with everyone who fought for America.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kling. Kling joined the Army Air Forces and received basic training in St. Louis. He was trained as a B-17 pilot before being transferred to the Northern Mariana Islands as a B-29 pilot. He did not engage in battle during his service, and he retired with 35 years combined active and reserve duty. Kling notes that while many of the troops were against serving beside African American soldiers, he felt camaraderie with everyone who fought for America.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lin Williams. Williams joined the Army in November 1942 after spending a year in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He received basic training at Fort Meade and joined the 4th Cavalry. He was sent to California for desert training but sailed to England in February 1943. He landed on an island off the coast of Utah Beach before dawn on D-Day. There was no German opposition, but 19 men were killed and 55 injured by land mines. Williams was at Oppenheim on V-E Day and began preparing for deployment to the Pacific. When the war ended, Williams instead returned home and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lin Williams. Williams joined the Army in November 1942 after spending a year in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He received basic training at Fort Meade and joined the 4th Cavalry. He was sent to California for desert training but sailed to England in February 1943. He landed on an island off the coast of Utah Beach before dawn on D-Day. There was no German opposition, but 19 men were killed and 55 injured by land mines. Williams was at Oppenheim on V-E Day and began preparing for deployment to the Pacific. When the war ended, Williams instead returned home and was discharged.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Hunter. Hunter completed Civilian Pilot Training in college, acquired his pilot???s license and enlisted in the Army Air Forces in September of 1942. Hunter graduated from pilot training in July of 1943 and was commissioned. He joined the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group flying a P-38. He provides some details of his trainings and the various planes he flew, including the P-38. In October of 1943 they traveled to North Africa, Italy and France, escorting bombers and going on strafing missions. They completed 35 combat missions. He later joined up with a service squadron, hauling freight, testing aircraft after repairs and transporting passengers. He was discharged in June of 1945. He received the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Hunter. Hunter completed Civilian Pilot Training in college, acquired his pilot???s license and enlisted in the Army Air Forces in September of 1942. Hunter graduated from pilot training in July of 1943 and was commissioned. He joined the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group flying a P-38. He provides some details of his trainings and the various planes he flew, including the P-38. In October of 1943 they traveled to North Africa, Italy and France, escorting bombers and going on strafing missions. They completed 35 combat missions. He later joined up with a service squadron, hauling freight, testing aircraft after repairs and transporting passengers. He was discharged in June of 1945. He received the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Morton Wood. Wood was studying Mechanical Engineering and serving in the ROTC unit at Virginia Tech when World War II began. He completed college, then Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps beginning June of 1944. He was assigned to the 66th Infantry Division (the Black Panther Division), 264th Infantry Regiment and was given command of the 3rd Platoon. He traveled to England aboard a passenger liner converted to a troopship, the SS L???opoldville, on 24 December 1944. While sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Wood describes this event, including the loss of 7 men from his platoon and their rescue by the HMS Brilliant (H84). With his division, Wood contained Germans in both Saint-Nazaire and Lorient in France. He was discharged in late 1945 and was recalled in 1951 for the Korean War. He describes this experience, including serving with the 1st Cavalry Division and getting wounded.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Morton Wood. Wood was studying Mechanical Engineering and serving in the ROTC unit at Virginia Tech when World War II began. He completed college, then Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps beginning June of 1944. He was assigned to the 66th Infantry Division (the Black Panther Division), 264th Infantry Regiment and was given command of the 3rd Platoon. He traveled to England aboard a passenger liner converted to a troopship, the SS L???opoldville, on 24 December 1944. While sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, the ship was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Wood describes this event, including the loss of 7 men from his platoon and their rescue by the HMS Brilliant (H84). With his division, Wood contained Germans in both Saint-Nazaire and Lorient in France. He was discharged in late 1945 and was recalled in 1951 for the Korean War. He describes this experience, including serving with the 1st Cavalry Division and getting wounded.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tommy Shaffer. Shaffer was born in Florence, Texas 31 August 1926. He received his draft notice in 1944 and joined the United States Navy. After attending boot camp at San Diego, California he went aboard the USS Sangamon (CVE-26) in February 1945 as second loader on a 40mm gun. He describes the attack at Okinawa by Japanese aircraft and tells of one plane dropping a bomb on the ship just before crashing into the flight deck and the actions of the damage control unit. The ship passed through the Panama Canal on its way to Newport News, Virginia for repairs. She arrived in June 1945. He tells of his transfer to the moth ball fleet and he describes his duties in this job prior to his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Tommy Shaffer. Shaffer was born in Florence, Texas 31 August 1926. He received his draft notice in 1944 and joined the United States Navy. After attending boot camp at San Diego, California he went aboard the USS Sangamon (CVE-26) in February 1945 as second loader on a 40mm gun. He describes the attack at Okinawa by Japanese aircraft and tells of one plane dropping a bomb on the ship just before crashing into the flight deck and the actions of the damage control unit. The ship passed through the Panama Canal on its way to Newport News, Virginia for repairs. She arrived in June 1945. He tells of his transfer to the moth ball fleet and he describes his duties in this job prior to his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Johnson. Johnson was eight years old when the war began. His father, despite being aged out of the draft, chose to enlist in the Coast Guard and was assigned to a tug boat as a watertender. Johnson visited him once and after that corresponded by V-mail. The tug’s crew was reported as KIA in the Philippines, but this was done in error after the boat had merely anchored in the wrong place. On the homefront, in Long Beach, Johnson was accustomed to an austere lifestyle and was not bothered much by rationing. He helped plant a victory garden and collected metal, rubber, and grease for the war effort. At school, he and his classmates made care packages for servicemen. Meanwhile, Johnson’s mother worked at the Douglas Aircraft factory. A nearby airfield complete with antiaircraft battery meant that his family used blackout curtains and took shelter from time to time. As a paperboy, Johnson sold the V-E and V-J Day headlines. His father returned home soon after and went to school on the G.I. Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Johnson. Johnson was eight years old when the war began. His father, despite being aged out of the draft, chose to enlist in the Coast Guard and was assigned to a tug boat as a watertender. Johnson visited him once and after that corresponded by V-mail. The tug’s crew was reported as KIA in the Philippines, but this was done in error after the boat had merely anchored in the wrong place. On the homefront, in Long Beach, Johnson was accustomed to an austere lifestyle and was not bothered much by rationing. He helped plant a victory garden and collected metal, rubber, and grease for the war effort. At school, he and his classmates made care packages for servicemen. Meanwhile, Johnson’s mother worked at the Douglas Aircraft factory. A nearby airfield complete with antiaircraft battery meant that his family used blackout curtains and took shelter from time to time. As a paperboy, Johnson sold the V-E and V-J Day headlines. His father returned home soon after and went to school on the G.I. Bill.