The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jackie Redstone and Chris Jenkins. Redstone and Jenkins are sisters who were born in Belgium. They moved to China when their father took a job as an engineer at a coal mine north of Peking. When the Japanese invaded, the Belgian engineers were kept on, in order to keep production running. Food was scarce, and the flour they were given for rations had worms, but the family was able to maintain a robust garden and tend to their livestock. Their father kept a radio well hidden in the home, and the girls were petrified every time Japanese soldiers came looking for it. Their town was eventually liberated by Marines, whom the family then visited in the United States after the war. They later returned to China as it was coming under communist rule, and their father began working for the Marshall Plan. The girls eventually immigrated to the United States, and they each married a military man.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jackie Redstone and Chris Jenkins. Redstone and Jenkins are sisters who were born in Belgium. They moved to China when their father took a job as an engineer at a coal mine north of Peking. When the Japanese invaded, the Belgian engineers were kept on, in order to keep production running. Food was scarce, and the flour they were given for rations had worms, but the family was able to maintain a robust garden and tend to their livestock. Their father kept a radio well hidden in the home, and the girls were petrified every time Japanese soldiers came looking for it. Their town was eventually liberated by Marines, whom the family then visited in the United States after the war. They later returned to China as it was coming under communist rule, and their father began working for the Marshall Plan. The girls eventually immigrated to the United States, and they each married a military man.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Claude Hudson. Hudson joined the Army in late 1943 and received basic training in Miami Beach, having already completed his first year of college. After being sent to a college training detachment, he was selected for pilot training and began pre-flight at Maxwell Field. Upon completion of flight school, he was assigned to the Second Combat Cargo Squadron and sent to India. There he piloted a C-47, dropping supplies to British troops along the border of Burma. He would sometimes fly to the Bay of Bengal for recreational swimming. He was later assigned to transport horses and mules to China, which would have made it difficult to bail out in the event of an emergency. From his station in China, he often visited Kunming, which was an hour away by plane. Hudson returned home and was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Claude Hudson. Hudson joined the Army in late 1943 and received basic training in Miami Beach, having already completed his first year of college. After being sent to a college training detachment, he was selected for pilot training and began pre-flight at Maxwell Field. Upon completion of flight school, he was assigned to the Second Combat Cargo Squadron and sent to India. There he piloted a C-47, dropping supplies to British troops along the border of Burma. He would sometimes fly to the Bay of Bengal for recreational swimming. He was later assigned to transport horses and mules to China, which would have made it difficult to bail out in the event of an emergency. From his station in China, he often visited Kunming, which was an hour away by plane. Hudson returned home and was discharged in the fall of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Burger. Burger was drafted into the Army in May of 1942. He served with the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in a mortar platoon. He provides some details of basic training and volunteering for the parachute troops. In the spring of 1944 he traveled to England. On 6 June 1944 Burger made his first combat jump at midnight into Normandy, France. In September of 1944 his second jump was into Holland during Operation MARKET GARDEN. They were given orders to head to Bastogne, Belgium, where they defeated a German patrol surrounding their group. Burger was discharged in 1945 and awarded 3 Battle Stars.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Burger. Burger was drafted into the Army in May of 1942. He served with the 101st Airborne Division, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in a mortar platoon. He provides some details of basic training and volunteering for the parachute troops. In the spring of 1944 he traveled to England. On 6 June 1944 Burger made his first combat jump at midnight into Normandy, France. In September of 1944 his second jump was into Holland during Operation MARKET GARDEN. They were given orders to head to Bastogne, Belgium, where they defeated a German patrol surrounding their group. Burger was discharged in 1945 and awarded 3 Battle Stars.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clarence Heidemann. Heidemann joined the Marine Corps. He was first assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion and traveled to Hawaii aboard the USS Henderson (AP-1). He was on liberty in Honolulu during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes what he witnessed on the day of the attack. He served on guard duty around the Navy yard and various posts after the attack. On 22 December his outfit was sent to Midway Island. They were sent back to Pearl Harbor; their unit was reorganized and Heidemann was transferred to a five-inch coast artillery unit. This group was sent to the New Hebrides for one year. His job was in fire control on the range finder. They later traveled to Guadalcanal and Vella Lavella. Heidemann spent 3 years in the South Pacific. From there he went back to the States where he completed Optical Ordnance School. Heidemann served 20 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 1961.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Clarence Heidemann. Heidemann joined the Marine Corps. He was first assigned to the 4th Defense Battalion and traveled to Hawaii aboard the USS Henderson (AP-1). He was on liberty in Honolulu during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He describes what he witnessed on the day of the attack. He served on guard duty around the Navy yard and various posts after the attack. On 22 December his outfit was sent to Midway Island. They were sent back to Pearl Harbor; their unit was reorganized and Heidemann was transferred to a five-inch coast artillery unit. This group was sent to the New Hebrides for one year. His job was in fire control on the range finder. They later traveled to Guadalcanal and Vella Lavella. Heidemann spent 3 years in the South Pacific. From there he went back to the States where he completed Optical Ordnance School. Heidemann served 20 years in the Marine Corps, retiring in 1961.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Pauls. Pauls joined the Navy in January of 1941. He provides some details of his training. He served as a watertender aboard the USS Medusa (AR-1) beginning April of 1941. The Medusa was in Pearl Harbor the morning of 7 December 1941. Pauls provides vivid details leading up to, during and after the attack by the Japanese. They shot down two Japanese Aichi dive bombers, provided rescue assistance to other ships in the harbor and performed their primary role as a repair ship. In 1942 he was transferred to the USS Titania (AKA-13). Pauls served as an engineer on one of the tank lighters aboard the ship. They helped train Marines and soldiers in Chesapeake Bay. They participated in the Invasion of North Africa in late 1942. From there he went back to the U.S. and then in February of 1943 went to Guadalcanal. In October and November of 1943, they participated in Operation CHERRY BLOSSOM, the initial landing at Cape Torokina, Bougainville. Around January of 1945 Pauls was assigned to the USS Soubarissen (AO-93) and traveled to Okinawa and Leyte. In late 1945 he served aboard the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Pauls. Pauls joined the Navy in January of 1941. He provides some details of his training. He served as a watertender aboard the USS Medusa (AR-1) beginning April of 1941. The Medusa was in Pearl Harbor the morning of 7 December 1941. Pauls provides vivid details leading up to, during and after the attack by the Japanese. They shot down two Japanese Aichi dive bombers, provided rescue assistance to other ships in the harbor and performed their primary role as a repair ship. In 1942 he was transferred to the USS Titania (AKA-13). Pauls served as an engineer on one of the tank lighters aboard the ship. They helped train Marines and soldiers in Chesapeake Bay. They participated in the Invasion of North Africa in late 1942. From there he went back to the U.S. and then in February of 1943 went to Guadalcanal. In October and November of 1943, they participated in Operation CHERRY BLOSSOM, the initial landing at Cape Torokina, Bougainville. Around January of 1945 Pauls was assigned to the USS Soubarissen (AO-93) and traveled to Okinawa and Leyte. In late 1945 he served aboard the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Hagee. Hagee was one of eleven children and grew up in Alto, New Mexico where he attended a one room school. Upon graduating from high school he joined the US Navy and went to boot camp at San Diego, California. Following boot camp he was assigned to the USS Bainbridge (DD-246). While Hagee was aboard, the Bainbridge intercepted various fishing boats carrying diesel fuel believed to be used for German submarines prowling the Atlantic. Describing the procedures used by German U-boats to penetrate convoys, he tells of the sinking of the USS Ruben James (DD-245) and of the Bainbridge assisting in recovering survivors. Hagee describes the weather conditions encountered in the North Atlantic and of an incident that so damaged the ship, she had to visit a Navy yard for structural repair and refitting. Hagee requested a transfer into Naval Air Services, which led to his assignment as a maintenance chief in Patrol Bombing Squadron 20 (VPB-20). The squadron was designated as a Black Cat Squadron flying PBM3 aircraft. He discusses various missions they flew from different islands on which they were based. Returning home in 1945 …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Hagee. Hagee was one of eleven children and grew up in Alto, New Mexico where he attended a one room school. Upon graduating from high school he joined the US Navy and went to boot camp at San Diego, California. Following boot camp he was assigned to the USS Bainbridge (DD-246). While Hagee was aboard, the Bainbridge intercepted various fishing boats carrying diesel fuel believed to be used for German submarines prowling the Atlantic. Describing the procedures used by German U-boats to penetrate convoys, he tells of the sinking of the USS Ruben James (DD-245) and of the Bainbridge assisting in recovering survivors. Hagee describes the weather conditions encountered in the North Atlantic and of an incident that so damaged the ship, she had to visit a Navy yard for structural repair and refitting. Hagee requested a transfer into Naval Air Services, which led to his assignment as a maintenance chief in Patrol Bombing Squadron 20 (VPB-20). The squadron was designated as a Black Cat Squadron flying PBM3 aircraft. He discusses various missions they flew from different islands on which they were based. Returning home in 1945 …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Sanders. Sanders joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was trained as an engine mechanic in Iowa and upon completion was assigned to Motor Boat Torpedo Squadron 31, aboard PT-464, as a motor machinist. He patrolled the Solomon Islands, Palau, Leyte, and Okinawa. The small crew often traveled across the open ocean under their own power, burning 500 gallons of gasoline an hour at top speed. They never saw action or fired a torpedo, but at Okinawa Sanders was kept busy in the engine room as their boat constantly transported military personnel between ships. He recalls dragging two passengers aboard in a typically rough manner, only to realize once they were on deck that they were Admiral Turner and General Buckner. Sanders returned home and was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Sanders. Sanders joined the Navy in September 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was trained as an engine mechanic in Iowa and upon completion was assigned to Motor Boat Torpedo Squadron 31, aboard PT-464, as a motor machinist. He patrolled the Solomon Islands, Palau, Leyte, and Okinawa. The small crew often traveled across the open ocean under their own power, burning 500 gallons of gasoline an hour at top speed. They never saw action or fired a torpedo, but at Okinawa Sanders was kept busy in the engine room as their boat constantly transported military personnel between ships. He recalls dragging two passengers aboard in a typically rough manner, only to realize once they were on deck that they were Admiral Turner and General Buckner. Sanders returned home and was discharged in December 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Medley. Medley joined the Army in February of 1943. He volunteered as a paratrooper, serving with the Headquarters Company, 541st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. In September of 1943 he received the world record for the highest free fall jump at 30,000 feet. He jumped a number of times overseas at 600 feet. Medley describes his training and these experiences. In the fall of 1943 he traveled to Northern Ireland. From there his division was flown into combat, beginning with North Africa. In June of 1944 he jumped behind Utah Beach in Normandy. They traveled to England. He jumped in Southern France and Bad Hall, Austria. Medley assisted in liberating part of Dachau concentration camp. In December of 1944 he participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured ang taken to Mons, Belgium for 92 days. He escaped in April of 1945. He was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Medley. Medley joined the Army in February of 1943. He volunteered as a paratrooper, serving with the Headquarters Company, 541st Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. In September of 1943 he received the world record for the highest free fall jump at 30,000 feet. He jumped a number of times overseas at 600 feet. Medley describes his training and these experiences. In the fall of 1943 he traveled to Northern Ireland. From there his division was flown into combat, beginning with North Africa. In June of 1944 he jumped behind Utah Beach in Normandy. They traveled to England. He jumped in Southern France and Bad Hall, Austria. Medley assisted in liberating part of Dachau concentration camp. In December of 1944 he participated in the Battle of the Bulge, where he was captured ang taken to Mons, Belgium for 92 days. He escaped in April of 1945. He was discharged in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George O. Cox. Born in Bloomington, Illinois 19 March 1926, Cox graduated from high school in 1943 and joined the US Army. He entered the army Specialized Training Program at Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton. In January 1944 he was transferred to the University of Illinois at Champaign. During May 1944 the program was terminated and he was sent to Camp Fannin, Texas for basic training. Upon completing basic he was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama where he joined the 66th Infantry Division and was assigned as a rifleman to C Company, 263rd Regiment, 1st Battalion. His unit boarded a troop ship and traveled by convoy to Plymouth, England. In December 1944 the unit was shipped to La Havre, France to relieve the 94th Infantry Division. He had very limited combat experience. He tells of the surrender of Germany on 8 May 1945 and of the unit moving to Marseilles, France. The division was disbanded and he was assigned to A Company 31st Engineers Combat Battalion and sent to Vienna where he supervised German prisoners of war. In November 1945, Cox re-enlisted and returned to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George O. Cox. Born in Bloomington, Illinois 19 March 1926, Cox graduated from high school in 1943 and joined the US Army. He entered the army Specialized Training Program at Michigan College of Mining and Technology in Houghton. In January 1944 he was transferred to the University of Illinois at Champaign. During May 1944 the program was terminated and he was sent to Camp Fannin, Texas for basic training. Upon completing basic he was sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama where he joined the 66th Infantry Division and was assigned as a rifleman to C Company, 263rd Regiment, 1st Battalion. His unit boarded a troop ship and traveled by convoy to Plymouth, England. In December 1944 the unit was shipped to La Havre, France to relieve the 94th Infantry Division. He had very limited combat experience. He tells of the surrender of Germany on 8 May 1945 and of the unit moving to Marseilles, France. The division was disbanded and he was assigned to A Company 31st Engineers Combat Battalion and sent to Vienna where he supervised German prisoners of war. In November 1945, Cox re-enlisted and returned to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen Looney. Looney was born 24 September 1924 at Lake Texhoma, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and trained at San Diego, California. He was assigned as a 20mm gunner aboard the USS Sangamon (CVE-26). Looney tells of the ship participating in the invasions of the Gilbert and Palau islands and Okinawa. He describes the kamikaze attacks on the ship and of being blown overboard by an explosion. The USS Dennis (DE-405) rescued him. Looney returned to the United States in 1945 and was stationed at Corpus Christi (Texas) Naval Air Station until his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glen Looney. Looney was born 24 September 1924 at Lake Texhoma, Oklahoma. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1943 and trained at San Diego, California. He was assigned as a 20mm gunner aboard the USS Sangamon (CVE-26). Looney tells of the ship participating in the invasions of the Gilbert and Palau islands and Okinawa. He describes the kamikaze attacks on the ship and of being blown overboard by an explosion. The USS Dennis (DE-405) rescued him. Looney returned to the United States in 1945 and was stationed at Corpus Christi (Texas) Naval Air Station until his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne Knight. Knight joined the Navy in December of 1942. He graduated from flight school in April of 1944 as a second lieutenant Marine Aviator. He flew F4U Corsairs with Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311). Knight participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne Knight. Knight joined the Navy in December of 1942. He graduated from flight school in April of 1944 as a second lieutenant Marine Aviator. He flew F4U Corsairs with Marine Fighting Squadron 311 (VMF-311). Knight participated in the Battle of Okinawa. He returned to the US and was discharged in late 1945.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale R. Walker. He joined the Marine Corps in 1944 and was trained in mortars at Camp Pendleton, California and then went on to Camp Tarawa at Hawaii for further training with the Fifth Marine Divison. Walker landed with the sixth wave on D-day at Iwo Jima. While working with mortars supporting the infantry, he was called on to be a stretcher bearer on occasion. Walker spent 36 days on Iwo Jima. After the Japanese surrendered, Walker served in the occupation of Japan.