Oral History Interview with Robert L. (Bob) Groves, April 30, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert L. (Bob) Groves, April 30, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Grove. He discusses joining the Marine Corp, shipping out to New Zealand before landing on Guadacanal a few days after the invasion started there, then going to Tarawa, getting malaria, returning to Hawaii for more training before going to fight on Saipan, getting hit by shrapnel and shot in the leg. He describes battle conditions, getting caught in storms abroad ships crossing the Pacific, returning to the states after being wounded and attending reunions and being involved in the 2nd Marine Division Association after the war.
Date: April 30, 2004
Creator: Groves, Robert L. (Bob)
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Buczek, August 9, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Walter Buczek, August 9, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Buczek. Buczek joined the Army in 1943 and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington. He completed Automotive Transport School, repairing trucks. During his schooling he was assigned as a mechanical instructor. In June of 1945 he traveled to Hawaii, then landed on Ie Shima, Okinawa in July. Buczek served with the 1631st Engineer Construction Battalion. He worked with heavy equipment on road construction and building airfields through the spring of 1946. He returned to the US and was discharged in March of 1946.
Date: August 9, 2004
Creator: Buczek, Walter
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Douglas A. Skinner, December 1, 2006 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Douglas A. Skinner, December 1, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Douglas A. Skinner. Born 13 January 1923 in Fleetwood, Oklahoma, Skinner joined the Army 1 April 1943 and was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for basic training. Upon completion of basic, he volunteered for the Parachute Infantry and was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for airborne training. He describes the training they received. Assigned to the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division he was sent to England. On 6 June 1944 the unit participated in the invasion of Normandy. He recalls the plane in which he was aboard being hit by anti-aircraft fire and going down in flames. Skinner was able to bail out before it crashed. He remembers that only he and two others on the plane survived. Briefly discussing the action in which he was involved, Skinner tells of being wounded. As a result of his wound, he spent six months in the hospital. He was discharged from the Army 2 December 1944.
Date: December 1, 2006
Creator: Skinner, Douglas A.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Stephen Perrone, March 7, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Stephen Perrone, March 7, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Stephen Perrone. Perrone joined the Army Air Forces in October of 1941. He completed training for airplane instrumentation, mechanic and flying cadet. He served as a Radar Bombardier with the 63rd Bombardment Squadron, 43rd Bombardment Group, 5th Air Force. Perrone was in the B-24 snooper squadron. They bombed targets in Indonesia, Malaysia and New Guinea, including shipping areas, airfields and railways. They operated out of a captured base in Morotai. They experimented with low level skip bombing, using this tactic at the Battle of the Bismarck Sea in March of 1943. In November of 1944 they helped the ground campaign in the Philippines. In July of 1945 they moved to Ie Shima, Okinawa, flying missions over Japan. He was discharged in May of 1945.
Date: March 7, 2007
Creator: Perrone, Stephen
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Tom Gillespie, May 21, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Tom Gillespie, May 21, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Tom Gillespie. Gillespie joined the Navy and went right to radio school because he was already a radio technician ion civilian life. He was assigned to Special Task Air Group 1 and trained with them to conduct drone strikes on Japanese targets. When he went overseas, he was based at Banika Island, near Pavuvu in the Russell Islands. They attempted a few strikes, but nothing ever came of the project, so the unit went back to the US before the war ended. Gillespie was discharged in November, 1945.
Date: May 21, 2008
Creator: Gillespie, Tom
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Michael Kuryla, August 10, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Michael Kuryla, August 10, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Michael Kuryla. Kuryla was born in Chicago, Illinois on 10 September 1925 into a family of eight children. He describes his family’s living conditions during the Depression. Joining the US Navy in 1942, he underwent boot training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, Illinois. Following boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) as the fire director of a five-inch gun. He explains the job of the gun director. He describes the bombardment of Tarawa and tells of participating in battles at Kwajalein, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He shares a personal experience he had with Admiral Spruance. The Indianapolis was struck by a kamikaze and Kuryla describes the damage done and the lives lost as a result. Once the ship was repaired components for an atomic bomb were put on board for delivery to Tinian. After delivery the ship was bound for Guam when it was struck by Japanese torpedoes. Kuryla graphically describes his personal experience of abandoning the ship and what he witnessed during five nights and four days in the water. He recalls being taken aboard the USS Register (APD-92) and delivered to …
Date: August 10, 2007
Creator: Kuryla, Michael W.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Kenneth Good, August 30, 2006 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Kenneth Good, August 30, 2006

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Kenneth O. Good. Good joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He completed Radio Operator and Mechanics Technical School at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois and the Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program in Texas. Good received his wings in August of 1944. He served with the 528th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, 14th Air Force as a P-51 fighter pilot, under the director of General Claire Chenault. In May of 1945, Good was deployed overseas and completed missions over China and Burma, escorting bombers, flying interception missions, striking enemy communications, and supporting ground operations. He served in combat until the end of the war. Good returned to the US and received his discharge in January, 1946.
Date: August 30, 2006
Creator: Good, Kenneth
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John G. Solis, March 31, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with John G. Solis, March 31, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John G. Solis of Irving, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Navy on September 17, 1942, and was sent to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas for bootcamp. In bootcamp Mr. Solis talks about learning to shoot rifles by shooting clay pigeons and presentations held to teach how to identify enemy aircraft. While learning to fly, Mr. Solis was assigned to Bombing Squadron 1. In 1944 Mr. Solis ended up with the Torpedo Squadron 100 flying torpedo planes in Oahu, Hawaii. His squadron never saw combat, but he did witness U.S. ships getting destroyed by Kamikaze planes during the Okinawa invasion. He helped in some Naval strikes in Japan from March to June of 1945 before returning to the states for leave. Mr. Solis was still at home on leave when the war officially ended, and he was discharged on September 14th of 1948 due to signing up for a 6-year contract instead of the normal 4-year one.
Date: March 31, 2009
Creator: Solis, John G.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Voris C. Riley, November 1, 2005 transcript

Oral History Interview with Voris C. Riley, November 1, 2005

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Voris C. Riley of Kingland, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the military while living in Abilene, Texas and getting sent to civil service for the Army before being offered to join the Navy. In the Navy he went through basic training in San Diego, California, then to St. Louis Electrical School and finally through firefighting training in Rhode Island. After he completed his training Mr. Riley was assigned to the U.S.S. Lake Champain, CB 39 and went on a shakedown cruise where 16 crewmen were lost for various reasons. In the Navy he was an electrician aboard the ship and dealt with setting up electricity onshore. He also dealt with Prisoners of War, being put in charge of a group of them to build a swimming pool. He was in New York City on temporary leave when the news of the wars end was released by President Truman. Mr. Voris also talks about serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps in New Mexico.
Date: November 1, 2005
Creator: Riley, Voris C.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James R. Hood, June 21, 2007 transcript

Oral History Interview with James R. Hood, June 21, 2007

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Hood of Indianapolis, Indiana. He discusses entering the U.S. Navy in September of 1942 without basic training as he was a college graduate. After being sworn in at Wabash College he was sent to Harvard Business School for Supply Corps for 4 months before being assigned to a ship in Pearl Harbor despite having no sailing training. Mr. hood was assigned to the Cummings DE643, he was supposed to be on the Samuel B. Roberts but the naval officer over him changed his mind last minute and 37 days later the Roberts sunk. While in Tulagi, Mr. Hood was involved in shooting down a Kamikaze plane, even receiving a ribbon for it after the war. He was also involved in the Battle of Okinawa and even saved two shells and years later had them signed by U.S. pilot Paul Tibbets. Mr. Hood was discharged from the Navy on February 28th, 1946, at Santa Ana, California as a Full Lieutenant. He was recalled to the Navy for the Korean War on March 2nd, 1951, and discharged for the final time on March 30th, 1953, as a Lieutenant Commander.
Date: June 21, 2007
Creator: Hood, James R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Franklin B. Murphy, November 20, 2003 transcript

Oral History Interview with Franklin B. Murphy, November 20, 2003

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Franklin B. Murphy of Milford, Maine. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Marines and going through basic training in South Carolina before completing his communications training in North Carolina. He also talks about his journey from Hawaii to Tarawa and the horrors he saw when they arrived and started to set up communication lines. Mr. Murphy was assigned to the twenty-fourth marines as their communication before being sent to Iwo Jima. He was in Guam for some recreational time when the bombs were dropped on Japan and the war ended, he was then discharged December of 1945.
Date: November 20, 2003
Creator: Murphy, Franklin B.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Ernest Wingen, October 19, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Ernest Wingen, October 19, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ernest Wingen discussing his childhood and education and what led him to join the Navy. He talks about boot camp and his experiences in the pacific Theatre of World War Two.
Date: October 19, 2001
Creator: Wingen, Ernest & Pratt, Rick
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edward Nielsen, August 23, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Edward Nielsen, August 23, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Nielsen from Medaryville, Indiana. He discusses undergoing Amry training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before being assigned as B Company of the 69th Army Regiment at Fort Knox as a private. Afterwards he got lucky and was assigned to drive a truck from Louisiana to North Carolina, Mr. Nielsen describes this as the best job he ever had in the Army. After Pearl Harbor he is transferred to the 1st Armored Division and Regiment, 2nd Battalion. He was then transported from fort Knox to Ireland then to England for a short time before being shipped out to Oran in North Africa. On the way to Oran, the ship he was on was almost hit by a missile shot by a German U-boat, but it instead hit another ship that was nearby. By the time Mr. Nielsen reached Oran he was a segreant Tank Commander. He also relays a time he warned his Company Commander about German Tiger Tanks being in their area and being ignored only for them to show up a few days later resulting in one captain deserting and being captured by German soldiers. Mr. Nielsen …
Date: August 23, 2001
Creator: Nielsen, Edward
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with David Braden, September 30, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with David Braden, September 30, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Braden from Dallas, Texas. He discusses his time in the Airforce during WW2. Mr. Braden start with his time training to be a navigator before his first mission in Tokyo, Japan. David Braen describes dropping messages over Japanese cities urging Japanese people to plead for their leaders to surrender and to evacuate before the U.S. burns the cities to the ground. After the Japanese government surrendered and the war was over, Mr. Braden was flown home and kissed the ground as soon as he landed.
Date: September 30, 2000
Creator: Braden, David
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Medcalf, December 27, 2000 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Medcalf, December 27, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Geroge Medcalf from Greensville, South Carolina. He discusses his experience in training in Camp Mcoy in Wisconsin and meeting his wife there. He also discusses his time in the Second Infantry Division with the 38th Regiment, Company C, preparing for the Normandy Invasion. Mr. Medcalf also relays how he had to take over command of his Company during the invasion when he was injured by flying shrapnel and sent back to England for recuperation. He shares a story of how while advancing on Leipzig, Germany he was saved from German artillery fire when his sergeant offered him a piece of candy moving him away from the line of fire. The war ended while Mr. Medcalf was in Czechoslovakia, and after the war he received a purple heart and a cluster.
Date: December 27, 2000
Creator: Medcalf, George
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Henry Kalinofsky, February 17, 2001 transcript

Oral History Interview with Henry Kalinofsky, February 17, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Henry Kalinofsky of Annapolis, Maryland. He discusses when he was first inducted into the Navy and being a plank owner aboard DE 581. USS MCNULTY. He also discusses his time aboard the USS LSM(R) 198 manning the 40mm Twin Mount and loading rockets in Okinawa, Japan, after the invasion of Normandy. Mr. Kalinofsky describes an attack he was involved in off the coast of Okinawa.
Date: February 17, 2001
Creator: Kalinofsky, Henry
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Floyd Thorne, August 14, 2000 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Floyd Thorne, August 14, 2000

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Floyd Thorn. He discusses his childhood and family and what led him to start flying planes for the US Navy. He describes his experiences in the Pacific Theatre of World War Two, including witnessing the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and fighting in the battle of Midway.
Date: August 14, 2000
Creator: Thorne, Floyd & Alexander, William J.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Owen Fluckey, August 21, 2004 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Owen Fluckey, August 21, 2004

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Owen Fluckey. He discusses his childhood and family and what led him to join the US navy. He describes his experiences in bootcamp at the Great Lakes Training Station in Indiana and his time in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: April 21, 2004
Creator: Fluckey, Owen; Tombaugh, John B. & Meter, Peggy Van
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Raymond Samuel Pugh, June 16, 2001 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Raymond Samuel Pugh, June 16, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond S. Pugh. He discusses his experiences serving on the aircraft carrier the USS Hornet and some of their more exciting missions and battles against the Japanese int he Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: June 16, 2001
Creator: Pugh, Raymond Samuel
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Russell Milliken, June 27, 2005 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Russell Milliken, June 27, 2005

Transcript of an oral interview with Russell Milliken. He discusses being in the 82nd Airborne, parachuting into Normandy just after D-Day, being treated for frozen feet during the Battle of the Bulge and meeting a doctor he knew from home, serving on General Eisenhower's honor guard in Frankfurt, and coming home through New York and having to stay there for a Victory Parade before being allowed to go back to Texas.
Date: June 27, 2005
Creator: Milliken, Russell
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joel D. Alderson, April 10, 2007 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joel D. Alderson, April 10, 2007

Transcript of an oral interview with Joel Alderson and his wife Nila. He discusses going to boot camp in Texas, shipping off to France in early 1945 and working as an engineer, constructing bridges and demolishing German fortifications for the Army as it made it's way through Germany, blowing up Hilter's bunker in Salzburg, Austria and using bulldozers to cover piles of dead Jews the Germans left in the open (likely at Dachau). He ancedotes about meeting Eisenhower, carrying fuel up to Patton's limo when it ran out of gas, seeing Bob Hope, soldiers getting poisoned from confiscated alcohol, and getting met by his family and the town sheriff when he came home after the war.
Date: April 10, 2007
Creator: Alderson, Joel D.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John G. Solis, March 31, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John G. Solis, March 31, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John G. Solis of Irving, Texas. He discusses enlisting in the U.S. Navy on September 17, 1942, and was sent to the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, Texas for bootcamp. In bootcamp Mr. Solis talks about learning to shoot rifles by shooting clay pigeons and presentations held to teach how to identify enemy aircraft. While learning to fly, Mr. Solis was assigned to Bombing Squadron 1. In 1944 Mr. Solis ended up with the Torpedo Squadron 100 flying torpedo planes in Oahu, Hawaii. His squadron never saw combat, but he did witness U.S. ships getting destroyed by Kamikaze planes during the Okinawa invasion. He helped in some Naval strikes in Japan from March to June of 1945 before returning to the states for leave. Mr. Solis was still at home on leave when the war officially ended, and he was discharged on September 14th of 1948 due to signing up for a 6-year contract instead of the normal 4-year one.
Date: March 31, 2009
Creator: Solis, John G.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Clifton P. Fox, January 4, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Clifton P. Fox, January 4, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clifton P. Fox. He discusses his childhood growing up during the Great Depression and what led him to join the US Marine Corps. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: January 4, 2008
Creator: Fox, Clifton P. & Osborn, Oakley E.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Atys Daniel Brunson, February 22, 2008 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Atys Daniel Brunson, February 22, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Atys Daniel Brunson. He discusses his family history, childhood, education and what led him to joining the US Navy. He describes his experiences during bootcamp and in the Pacific Theatre during World War Two.
Date: February 22, 2008
Creator: Brunson, Atys Daniel & Osborn, Oakley E.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History