Oral History Interview with Albert Schlemmer, August 11, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Schlemmer, August 11, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Schlemmer. Schlemmer joined the Marine Corps in January of 1942. He was assigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. In late 1942 he deployed to New Zealand and participated in the Battles of Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester. He returned to the US in md-1944 to complete Officer Candidates School. He served as an instructor, teaching about jungle warfare. He then joined the 3rd Division, 9th Marines in preparation to invade Japan. Schlemmer was discharged in late 1945.
Date: August 11, 2002
Creator: Schlemmer, Albert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Schlemmer, August 11, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Schlemmer, August 11, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Schlemmer. Schlemmer joined the Marine Corps in January of 1942. He was assigned to G Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. In late 1942 he deployed to New Zealand and participated in the Battles of Guadalcanal and Cape Gloucester. He returned to the US in md-1944 to complete Officer Candidates School. He served as an instructor, teaching about jungle warfare. He then joined the 3rd Division, 9th Marines in preparation to invade Japan. Schlemmer was discharged in late 1945.
Date: August 11, 2002
Creator: Schlemmer, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Taylor, May 15, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Taylor, May 15, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Taylor. Taylor was born in Salesville, Texas on 23 March 1923 into a family of ten boys and six girls. He had only one term of formal schooling and then worked as an itinerate laborer from the age of four. Enlisting in the US Army in 1941 he was sent to Fort McDowell, California. Several months later he boarded the USAT Republic for Manila, Philippines where he joined the 31st Infantry Regiment. He discusses the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and tells of various combat situations, including one in which he was wounded and subsequently awarded the Silver Star. He describes surrendering on 9 April 1942 and the forced march out of Bataan. After spending time at Camp O’Donnell, he was later taken to Cabanatuan where he was hospitalized for malaria, dysentery and yellow jaundice. In July 1943, he was among 500 other prisoners of war put aboard the Matsu Maru which took them to Fukuoka, Japan. There, the POWs were put to work as slave laborers in the coal mines. He describes the conditions under which they worked and the treatment they received from their captors. …
Date: May 15, 2002
Creator: Taylor, Albert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Taylor, May 15, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Taylor, May 15, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Taylor. Taylor was born in Salesville, Texas on 23 March 1923 into a family of ten boys and six girls. He had only one term of formal schooling and then worked as an itinerate laborer from the age of four. Enlisting in the US Army in 1941 he was sent to Fort McDowell, California. Several months later he boarded the USAT Republic for Manila, Philippines where he joined the 31st Infantry Regiment. He discusses the Japanese invasion of the Philippines and tells of various combat situations, including one in which he was wounded and subsequently awarded the Silver Star. He describes surrendering on 9 April 1942 and the forced march out of Bataan. After spending time at Camp O’Donnell, he was later taken to Cabanatuan where he was hospitalized for malaria, dysentery and yellow jaundice. In July 1943, he was among 500 other prisoners of war put aboard the Matsu Maru which took them to Fukuoka, Japan. There, the POWs were put to work as slave laborers in the coal mines. He describes the conditions under which they worked and the treatment they received from their captors. …
Date: May 15, 2002
Creator: Taylor, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Voss, December 6, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert Voss, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Voss. Voss joined the Navy in late 1938. He completed Radio Signaling School, and served aboard USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS California (BB-44) during the attack on Pearl Harbor and USS New Mexico (BB-40) during the invasion of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the bombardment of Guam, Saipan and Tinian and the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Voss additionally served aboard USS Menifee (APA-202) during the invasion of Okinawa. He was discharged in 1945.
Date: December 6, 2001
Creator: Voss, Albert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert Voss, December 6, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert Voss, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Voss. Voss joined the Navy in late 1938. He completed Radio Signaling School, and served aboard USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS California (BB-44) during the attack on Pearl Harbor and USS New Mexico (BB-40) during the invasion of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, the bombardment of Guam, Saipan and Tinian and the Aleutian Islands Campaign. Voss additionally served aboard USS Menifee (APA-202) during the invasion of Okinawa. He was discharged in 1945.
Date: December 6, 2001
Creator: Voss, Albert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert W. Boam, December 8, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Albert W. Boam, December 8, 2009

Transcript of an oral interview with Albert W. Boam. Born in 1923, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He attended gunnery school at Buckingham Army Air Base in Naples, Florida. He describes his navigation training at Selman Field in Monroe, Louisiana. He was assigned to the 846th Squadron, 489th Bomb Group, 95th Combat Wing, 8th Air Force. He describes the flying the Southern Route to England as well as the navigation methods used. In 1944, he flew thirty-one missions as the navigator on a B-24 bomber. He talks about missions over France and Germany with targets such as shipyards and submarine pens. He describes his thirty-first mission in which his plane was led off course by a Pathfinder and damaged by antiaircraft artillery. He bailed out and was captured near German-controlled Hagenau in the Alsace region. He talks about his interrogation. He describes life and conditions in Stalag Luft III. In early 1945, the POW camp was evacuated by the Germans because the Russians were advancing from the east. He describes the forced march and traveling in a boxcar to a POW camp (Stalag VIII D) in Nuremburg as well as conditions at …
Date: December 8, 2009
Creator: Boam, Albert W.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Albert W. Boam, December 8, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Albert W. Boam, December 8, 2009

Transcript of an oral interview with Albert W. Boam. Born in 1923, he enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He attended gunnery school at Buckingham Army Air Base in Naples, Florida. He describes his navigation training at Selman Field in Monroe, Louisiana. He was assigned to the 846th Squadron, 489th Bomb Group, 95th Combat Wing, 8th Air Force. He describes the flying the Southern Route to England as well as the navigation methods used. In 1944, he flew thirty-one missions as the navigator on a B-24 bomber. He talks about missions over France and Germany with targets such as shipyards and submarine pens. He describes his thirty-first mission in which his plane was led off course by a Pathfinder and damaged by antiaircraft artillery. He bailed out and was captured near German-controlled Hagenau in the Alsace region. He talks about his interrogation. He describes life and conditions in Stalag Luft III. In early 1945, the POW camp was evacuated by the Germans because the Russians were advancing from the east. He describes the forced march and traveling in a boxcar to a POW camp (Stalag VIII D) in Nuremburg as well as conditions at …
Date: December 8, 2009
Creator: Boam, Albert W.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alex Grosse, May 17, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alex Grosse, May 17, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alex Grosse. Grosse finished high school and joined the Navy in 1942 and served as an ordnanceman loading munitions on planes in New Jersey and Virginia. Grosse shares several anecdotes about his experiences. He worked in a Carrier Air Service Unit (CASU) but never mentioned any number designation.
Date: May 17, 2003
Creator: Grosse, Alex
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alex Grosse, May 17, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alex Grosse, May 17, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alex Grosse. Grosse finished high school and joined the Navy in 1942 and served as an ordnanceman loading munitions on planes in New Jersey and Virginia. Grosse shares several anecdotes about his experiences. He worked in a Carrier Air Service Unit (CASU) but never mentioned any number designation.
Date: May 17, 2003
Creator: Grosse, Alex
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alex Taylor, August 22, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alex Taylor, August 22, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Taylor. Taylor was born April 3, 1921 in Scott, Louisiana. He worked in the rice and cane fields during his youth before joining the Navy in 1939. He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for boot camp and recalls being in a segregated navy. He was assigned as mess attendant on the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He recalls the attack on Pearl Harbor and his role as an ammunition handler below decks. Taylor was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1942 as a mess cook 3rd class. He was later assigned as the officers cook and eventually promoted to chief cook. Taylor tells of two friends that died in battle aboard ship. He describes visiting Nagasaki after the Japanese surrender. He discusses the changes that occurred after desegregation of the Armed Forces was ordered. Mrs. Taylor tells of being a young woman traveling to Bremerton, Washington by train to be with her husband and then returning home when Alex’s ship went to sea. She tells of buying a home with the money out of an allotment check she received each month.
Date: August 22, 2001
Creator: Taylor, Alex
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alex Taylor, August 22, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alex Taylor, August 22, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Taylor. Taylor was born April 3, 1921 in Scott, Louisiana. He worked in the rice and cane fields during his youth before joining the Navy in 1939. He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia for boot camp and recalls being in a segregated navy. He was assigned as mess attendant on the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He recalls the attack on Pearl Harbor and his role as an ammunition handler below decks. Taylor was assigned to the USS Enterprise (CV-6) in 1942 as a mess cook 3rd class. He was later assigned as the officers cook and eventually promoted to chief cook. Taylor tells of two friends that died in battle aboard ship. He describes visiting Nagasaki after the Japanese surrender. He discusses the changes that occurred after desegregation of the Armed Forces was ordered. Mrs. Taylor tells of being a young woman traveling to Bremerton, Washington by train to be with her husband and then returning home when Alex’s ship went to sea. She tells of buying a home with the money out of an allotment check she received each month.
Date: August 22, 2001
Creator: Taylor, Alex
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alexander Vraciu, July 11, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alexander Vraciu, July 11, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alexander Vraciu. Vraciu learned to fly airplanes in college and went into the Navy to be a fighter pilot. He trained at Corpus Christi, Texas. He speaks of being assigned to a fighter squadron (VF-6) and heading overseas. Vraciu details aerial combat and dogfights with the Japanese over Wake Island, Tarawa and Kwajalein. He also speaks of flying missions as Edward ""Butch"" O'Hare's wingman. He mentions he was operating off the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). Vraciu discusses his role in the Battle of the Philippine Seas, also known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot, and becoming a fighter ace. He continues by discussing further missions in the Philippines campaign.
Date: July 11, 2000
Creator: Vraciu, Alexander
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alexander Vraciu, July 11, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alexander Vraciu, July 11, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alexander Vraciu. Vraciu learned to fly airplanes in college and went into the Navy to be a fighter pilot. He trained at Corpus Christi, Texas. He speaks of being assigned to a fighter squadron (VF-6) and heading overseas. Vraciu details aerial combat and dogfights with the Japanese over Wake Island, Tarawa and Kwajalein. He also speaks of flying missions as Edward ""Butch"" O'Hare's wingman. He mentions he was operating off the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9). Vraciu discusses his role in the Battle of the Philippine Seas, also known as the Marianas Turkey Shoot, and becoming a fighter ace. He continues by discussing further missions in the Philippines campaign.
Date: July 11, 2000
Creator: Vraciu, Alexander
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfonso Perez, October 23, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfonso Perez, October 23, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfonso Perez. Perez was born in Maxwell, Texas 11 September 1923. After finishing the fourth grade he went to work in the agricultural fields as a laborer. In January 1942 he joined the Navy and entered boot camp at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Midway/USS St. Lo (CVE-63) as a plane captain with VC-65. He recalls the ship taking part in the invasion of Saipan and Tinian and going to Eniwetok for replacements and provisions. On 25 October 1944 the St. Lo was involved in the Battle off Samar when the Japanese attacked as planes from the St. Lo were being launched for submarine patrol. Perez remembers the Japanese ships being so close he could see enemy sailors on deck as they passed. He recalls seeing a kamikaze diving toward his ship and crashing approximately thirty feet from where he was. Upon receiving orders to abandon ship he went overboard and remembers being taken aboard a raft. The survivors were picked up by the USS Dennis (DE-405) and he recalls the compassion shown by the crew. After being treated for superficial wounds he …
Date: October 23, 2007
Creator: Perez, Alfonso
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfonso Perez, October 23, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alfonso Perez, October 23, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfonso Perez. Perez was born in Maxwell, Texas 11 September 1923. After finishing the fourth grade he went to work in the agricultural fields as a laborer. In January 1942 he joined the Navy and entered boot camp at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Midway/USS St. Lo (CVE-63) as a plane captain with VC-65. He recalls the ship taking part in the invasion of Saipan and Tinian and going to Eniwetok for replacements and provisions. On 25 October 1944 the St. Lo was involved in the Battle off Samar when the Japanese attacked as planes from the St. Lo were being launched for submarine patrol. Perez remembers the Japanese ships being so close he could see enemy sailors on deck as they passed. He recalls seeing a kamikaze diving toward his ship and crashing approximately thirty feet from where he was. Upon receiving orders to abandon ship he went overboard and remembers being taken aboard a raft. The survivors were picked up by the USS Dennis (DE-405) and he recalls the compassion shown by the crew. After being treated for superficial wounds he …
Date: October 23, 2007
Creator: Perez, Alfonso
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Bisili, August 14, 2002 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfred Bisili, August 14, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Bisili. Bisili was born in Munda, New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands in December of 1923. He recalls the Japanese invading in 1942, the Americans arriving in 1943, and his family hiding in the bush. Bisili, and a number of other natives, joined the American Army’s 118th Engineer Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division. He served as a scout for the island, and led the troops on Baanga Island, through the New Georgia Campaign, and until the end of the war. Reference Jimmy Bennett’s oral history, a native friend of Bisili, who participated with him during the war.
Date: August 14, 2002
Creator: Bisili, Alfred
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Bisili, August 14, 2002 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alfred Bisili, August 14, 2002

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred Bisili. Bisili was born in Munda, New Georgia, Western Province, Solomon Islands in December of 1923. He recalls the Japanese invading in 1942, the Americans arriving in 1943, and his family hiding in the bush. Bisili, and a number of other natives, joined the American Army’s 118th Engineer Battalion, 43rd Infantry Division. He served as a scout for the island, and led the troops on Baanga Island, through the New Georgia Campaign, and until the end of the war. Reference Jimmy Bennett’s oral history, a native friend of Bisili, who participated with him during the war.
Date: August 14, 2002
Creator: Bisili, Alfred
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Kiracofe, June 30, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfred Kiracofe, June 30, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Kiracofe. Kiracofe was born in Gratis, Ohio in 1917 and graduated from high school in 1935. Entering the Navy in October 1942 he became a Commissioning Yeoman and participated in the forming of the Navy’s first five night-fighter units at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He relates the experience of participating as a flying target for night-fighter pilots in training. He was assigned to Air Group 10 aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) in January 1945. Following the shakedown cruise the ship was deployed to Ulithi. Kiracofe tells of being on board the ship when it was hit by a Japanese suicide plane, which killed a number of sailors and heavily damaged the ship. The Intrepid returned to the United States for repairs and Kiracofe reported to the Oakland Naval Hospital. After receiving treatment for several months he received a medical discharge.
Date: June 30, 2007
Creator: Kiracofe, Alfred
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Kiracofe, June 30, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alfred Kiracofe, June 30, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Al Kiracofe. Kiracofe was born in Gratis, Ohio in 1917 and graduated from high school in 1935. Entering the Navy in October 1942 he became a Commissioning Yeoman and participated in the forming of the Navy’s first five night-fighter units at Quonset Point, Rhode Island. He relates the experience of participating as a flying target for night-fighter pilots in training. He was assigned to Air Group 10 aboard the USS Intrepid (CV-11) in January 1945. Following the shakedown cruise the ship was deployed to Ulithi. Kiracofe tells of being on board the ship when it was hit by a Japanese suicide plane, which killed a number of sailors and heavily damaged the ship. The Intrepid returned to the United States for repairs and Kiracofe reported to the Oakland Naval Hospital. After receiving treatment for several months he received a medical discharge.
Date: June 30, 2007
Creator: Kiracofe, Alfred
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred P. Birdwell, August 28, 2004 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfred P. Birdwell, August 28, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred P Birdwell. Birdwell joined the Army around 1943. He served as a tank driver with the 3rd Armored Division. He deployed to La Havre, France. Birdwell participated in the Battle of the Bulge, traveling through Germany along the Siegfried Line into Berlin. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: August 28, 2004
Creator: Birdwell, Alfred P
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred P. Birdwell, August 28, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alfred P. Birdwell, August 28, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred P Birdwell. Birdwell joined the Army around 1943. He served as a tank driver with the 3rd Armored Division. He deployed to La Havre, France. Birdwell participated in the Battle of the Bulge, traveling through Germany along the Siegfried Line into Berlin. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: August 28, 2004
Creator: Birdwell, Alfred P
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Rodrigues, December 11, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Alfred Rodrigues, December 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred Rodriquez. Rodriguez was born in Santa Barbara, California on 9 September 1921 and joined the Navy in 1940. Upon completion of boot training at San Diego in July, he was assigned to the USS Bobolink (AM-20), based at Maui, Hawaii. He recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ship’s efforts to keep the heavily damaged USS California (BB-44) afloat. Afterwards, the Bobolink began pulling barges with fuel, ammunition and other supplies, from Tulagi and Gavutu to Guadalcanal. Following major naval engagements the Bobolink towed severely damaged ships to various islands for repair. Among those towed were the USS Atlanta (CL-51), the USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), the USS Portland (CA-33) and the USS Minneapolis (CA-36). In 1943 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). While aboard, Rodriquez was involved in various battles including Okinawa. He describes being in the December 1944 typhoon during which three destroyers were sunk. He concludes the discussion by telling of his various assignments until he retired in 1960.
Date: December 11, 2003
Creator: Rodriguez, Alfred
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Alfred Rodrigues, December 11, 2003 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Alfred Rodrigues, December 11, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alfred Rodriquez. Rodriguez was born in Santa Barbara, California on 9 September 1921 and joined the Navy in 1940. Upon completion of boot training at San Diego in July, he was assigned to the USS Bobolink (AM-20), based at Maui, Hawaii. He recalls the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and his ship’s efforts to keep the heavily damaged USS California (BB-44) afloat. Afterwards, the Bobolink began pulling barges with fuel, ammunition and other supplies, from Tulagi and Gavutu to Guadalcanal. Following major naval engagements the Bobolink towed severely damaged ships to various islands for repair. Among those towed were the USS Atlanta (CL-51), the USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), the USS Portland (CA-33) and the USS Minneapolis (CA-36). In 1943 he returned to the United States and was assigned to the USS Wedderburn (DD-684). While aboard, Rodriquez was involved in various battles including Okinawa. He describes being in the December 1944 typhoon during which three destroyers were sunk. He concludes the discussion by telling of his various assignments until he retired in 1960.
Date: December 11, 2003
Creator: Rodriguez, Alfred
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History