Transcript of an oral interview with Peter N. Karegeannes. Born in 1923, he joined the Navy in 1943. He subsequently volunteered to be a Corpsman in the Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 26th Regiment, 2nd Battalion serving with Headquarters Company and later with Fox Company. After receiving medical training in handling casualties on the front lines, he was sent to Iwo Jima. He landed on Red Beach in the thirteenth wave on the first day of the battle. He describes the difficult landing and fighting as well as being targeted by Japanese artillery when rendering medical aid to soldiers. He also mentions Mount Suribachi and tactics for attacking Japanese soldiers in caves. He was hit by shrapnel and evacuated to a hospital ship. After the Japanese surrender, he was sent to Sasebo, Japan. He describes the behavior & living conditions of the Japanese people. He also describes experiencing a typhoon in Japan. He was discharged in 1946.

Transcript of an oral interview with Peter N. Karegeannes. Born in 1923, he joined the Navy in 1943. He subsequently volunteered to be a Corpsman in the Marine Corps. He was assigned to the 5th Marine Division, 26th Regiment, 2nd Battalion serving with Headquarters Company and later with Fox Company. After receiving medical training in handling casualties on the front lines, he was sent to Iwo Jima. He landed on Red Beach in the thirteenth wave on the first day of the battle. He describes the difficult landing and fighting as well as being targeted by Japanese artillery when rendering medical aid to soldiers. He also mentions Mount Suribachi and tactics for attacking Japanese soldiers in caves. He was hit by shrapnel and evacuated to a hospital ship. After the Japanese surrender, he was sent to Sasebo, Japan. He describes the behavior & living conditions of the Japanese people. He also describes experiencing a typhoon in Japan. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gerald T. Parascandolo. Parascandolo was born in Brooklyn, New York on 7 January 1925. He was drafted into the Army in August 1943. After a brief period at Fort Custer, Michigan, he was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for 16 weeks of basic training. He initially trained for tank destroyer duty in North Africa, but when the fighting ended there, he was sent to Camp Hale, Colorado for mountain training with the 10th Mountain Division. In December 1944 Parascandolo’s unit, the 86th Mountain Infantry, I Company, 3rd Battalion, was sent to Europe, landing in Naples. They eventually went to Pisa and Livorno, joining the fight on the Gustav Line in the Po valley and the Alpine foothills. While in Northern Italy, the war in Europe ended and Parascandolo was sent back to the States in July 1945. After Japan surrendered, he was released from active duty on Thanksgiving Day 1945. Parascandolo subsequently joined the reserves and received a commission. He retired as a colonel with 40 years of active and reserve service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gerald T. Parascandolo. Parascandolo was born in Brooklyn, New York on 7 January 1925. He was drafted into the Army in August 1943. After a brief period at Fort Custer, Michigan, he was sent to Fort Hood, Texas for 16 weeks of basic training. He initially trained for tank destroyer duty in North Africa, but when the fighting ended there, he was sent to Camp Hale, Colorado for mountain training with the 10th Mountain Division. In December 1944 Parascandolo’s unit, the 86th Mountain Infantry, I Company, 3rd Battalion, was sent to Europe, landing in Naples. They eventually went to Pisa and Livorno, joining the fight on the Gustav Line in the Po valley and the Alpine foothills. While in Northern Italy, the war in Europe ended and Parascandolo was sent back to the States in July 1945. After Japan surrendered, he was released from active duty on Thanksgiving Day 1945. Parascandolo subsequently joined the reserves and received a commission. He retired as a colonel with 40 years of active and reserve service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar E. Howard. Howard was born 26 April 1924 in Nashville, Indiana. After one year in ROTC at Indiana University, he was drafted into the Army in April 1943. He was assigned to the 69th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi as a tech sergeant. His duties during the year that he was stationed there involved training replacement personnel. His division shipped to Cheltenham, England in February 1944 where he was reassigned to a clerical position in the 29th Machine Records Unit and trained in the operation of IBM punch-card machines being used to keep track of replacement personnel in the European Theater of Operations. Following D-Day, in July or August 1944, he was transferred to Paris with his unit. Howard describes several anecdotes recalling his time in Paris, including meeting Jimmy Doolittle at Allied Headquarters and sightseeing in the city. He embarked on a ship in Marseilles, France in January 1946 for the return to the States and was discharged in February.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edgar E. Howard. Howard was born 26 April 1924 in Nashville, Indiana. After one year in ROTC at Indiana University, he was drafted into the Army in April 1943. He was assigned to the 69th Infantry Division at Camp Shelby, Mississippi as a tech sergeant. His duties during the year that he was stationed there involved training replacement personnel. His division shipped to Cheltenham, England in February 1944 where he was reassigned to a clerical position in the 29th Machine Records Unit and trained in the operation of IBM punch-card machines being used to keep track of replacement personnel in the European Theater of Operations. Following D-Day, in July or August 1944, he was transferred to Paris with his unit. Howard describes several anecdotes recalling his time in Paris, including meeting Jimmy Doolittle at Allied Headquarters and sightseeing in the city. He embarked on a ship in Marseilles, France in January 1946 for the return to the States and was discharged in February.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Luther Sagebiel. Sagebiel completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin around 1941 and acquired his pilot license. He joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. He volunteered to take glider pilot training, which he provides vivid details of his experiences. He did not pass the test though and did not serve as a glider pilot. He worked in California as an air inspector, checking the mess halls, squadron barracks and officers??? quarters, identifying discrepancies and reporting them. He completed his service as Staff Sargant. Sagebiel was discharged in July of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Luther Sagebiel. Sagebiel completed the Civilian Pilot Training Program at Texas Lutheran College in Seguin around 1941 and acquired his pilot license. He joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. He volunteered to take glider pilot training, which he provides vivid details of his experiences. He did not pass the test though and did not serve as a glider pilot. He worked in California as an air inspector, checking the mess halls, squadron barracks and officers??? quarters, identifying discrepancies and reporting them. He completed his service as Staff Sargant. Sagebiel was discharged in July of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Gobbi. Gobbi joined the Navy in December of 1941. He served as a gun pointer on a 40 millimeter aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). They participated in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf and the Philippines. He provides details of these battles. Around late 1944 he traveled back to the States aboard the SS Lurline (1932). He was discharged around 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joseph Gobbi. Gobbi joined the Navy in December of 1941. He served as a gun pointer on a 40 millimeter aboard the USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73). They participated in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Leyte Gulf and the Philippines. He provides details of these battles. Around late 1944 he traveled back to the States aboard the SS Lurline (1932). He was discharged around 1947.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with E J Billings. Billings joined the Navy V-12 program in February of 1943. He completed Navy flight school in October of 1944. He also completed additional training in aerology and navigation. He provides some details of his schooling, carrier landings and various types of planes he flew, including the SNV and the FM-2 Wildcat. He served as a pilot aboard the FM-2 and traveled to Hawaii. While in Hawaii they practiced bombing runs to support Marine landings. He completed landings aboard the USS Lunga Point (CVE-94). They traveled to Guam, Saipan, Tinian and the Philippines, though never participated in combat. Billings remained in the Reserves and was discharged in December of 1953.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with E J Billings. Billings joined the Navy V-12 program in February of 1943. He completed Navy flight school in October of 1944. He also completed additional training in aerology and navigation. He provides some details of his schooling, carrier landings and various types of planes he flew, including the SNV and the FM-2 Wildcat. He served as a pilot aboard the FM-2 and traveled to Hawaii. While in Hawaii they practiced bombing runs to support Marine landings. He completed landings aboard the USS Lunga Point (CVE-94). They traveled to Guam, Saipan, Tinian and the Philippines, though never participated in combat. Billings remained in the Reserves and was discharged in December of 1953.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Horace Johnson. Johnson joined the Army in October of 1942. He provides details of his training. He was in the 14th Air Force, 308th Bomb Group, 374th Bomb Squadron. Johnson served as a B-24 right waist gunner during WWII. They traveled to Cairo, Egypt, India, China and Burma. He provides details of each of these missions. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Horace Johnson. Johnson joined the Army in October of 1942. He provides details of his training. He was in the 14th Air Force, 308th Bomb Group, 374th Bomb Squadron. Johnson served as a B-24 right waist gunner during WWII. They traveled to Cairo, Egypt, India, China and Burma. He provides details of each of these missions. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Charles Butterworth. Butterworth was born in Anderson, South Carolina. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame. In May 1939, he quit college and joined the Army Air Corps. After attending flight engineering and gunnery schools, he was assigned as flight engineer on a B-17 piloted by Emmett “Rosie” O’Donnell. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned to the 19th Airbase Squadron stationed at Nichols Field. Starting on 9 December 1941, Nichols Field was bombed daily by the Japanese throughout the rest of the month. Butterworth traveled to Mindanao where he and his companions were picked up by a Japanese patrol craft. He and others became prisoners of war and were taken by boat to Japan where he worked in a steel mill. He tells of the filth, starvation and physical abuse to which the prisoners were subjected. After Japan surrendered, Butterworth and other freed prisoners were taken to a hospital ship for a journey home.

The National Museum of the Pacific Ware presents an oral interview with Charles Butterworth. Butterworth was born in Anderson, South Carolina. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame. In May 1939, he quit college and joined the Army Air Corps. After attending flight engineering and gunnery schools, he was assigned as flight engineer on a B-17 piloted by Emmett “Rosie” O’Donnell. He arrived at Manila, Philippine Islands on 28 August 1941 where he was assigned to the 19th Airbase Squadron stationed at Nichols Field. Starting on 9 December 1941, Nichols Field was bombed daily by the Japanese throughout the rest of the month. Butterworth traveled to Mindanao where he and his companions were picked up by a Japanese patrol craft. He and others became prisoners of war and were taken by boat to Japan where he worked in a steel mill. He tells of the filth, starvation and physical abuse to which the prisoners were subjected. After Japan surrendered, Butterworth and other freed prisoners were taken to a hospital ship for a journey home.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert LeClerq. LeClerq’s brother, John, served in the Navy in World War II and also died serving his country. Robert was eight years younger than John and recalls his brother’s time serving in the war. John was commissioned in Chicago around 1941. In April of 1944 he was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413). He and his family attended the commissioning of the ship in Houston, Texas. He was an Ensign and served aboard the ship as an Assistant Gunnery Officer. Their ship was sent to Pearl Harbor to escort supply ships and later participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. After being hit by three 14-inch shells from an enemy ship, the Samuel B. Roberts sank, claiming the lives of 90 sailors including John LeClerq. John’s parents were sent a letter by an officer from the Roberts describing in detail the fateful battle. Robert provides some additional details of his brother’s life and service in the military and the books written about the Roberts years after the event.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert LeClerq. LeClerq’s brother, John, served in the Navy in World War II and also died serving his country. Robert was eight years younger than John and recalls his brother’s time serving in the war. John was commissioned in Chicago around 1941. In April of 1944 he was assigned to the USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413). He and his family attended the commissioning of the ship in Houston, Texas. He was an Ensign and served aboard the ship as an Assistant Gunnery Officer. Their ship was sent to Pearl Harbor to escort supply ships and later participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October of 1944. After being hit by three 14-inch shells from an enemy ship, the Samuel B. Roberts sank, claiming the lives of 90 sailors including John LeClerq. John’s parents were sent a letter by an officer from the Roberts describing in detail the fateful battle. Robert provides some additional details of his brother’s life and service in the military and the books written about the Roberts years after the event.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hugh Sheffield. Sheffield joined the Navy when he was 17 years old. He received basic training in Jacksonville and attended electrician’s mate school in Mississippi. Upon completion, was sent to the New Hebrides and then Guam, performing general duties such as digging ditches. At Subic Bay he was taught to engineer an LCVP, in preparation for the invasion of Japan. His crew was a mixture of inexperienced seamen, aviation radiomen, and soldiers fresh out of the brig; Sheffield suspects the motley crew was assigned an old Higgins boat as part of an expendable first wave of attack. After Japan surrendered, Sheffield was sent to Tokyo Bay and worked aboard several different ships. He was discharged and attended college on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Hugh Sheffield. Sheffield joined the Navy when he was 17 years old. He received basic training in Jacksonville and attended electrician’s mate school in Mississippi. Upon completion, was sent to the New Hebrides and then Guam, performing general duties such as digging ditches. At Subic Bay he was taught to engineer an LCVP, in preparation for the invasion of Japan. His crew was a mixture of inexperienced seamen, aviation radiomen, and soldiers fresh out of the brig; Sheffield suspects the motley crew was assigned an old Higgins boat as part of an expendable first wave of attack. After Japan surrendered, Sheffield was sent to Tokyo Bay and worked aboard several different ships. He was discharged and attended college on the GI Bill.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Jagers. Jagers joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. He attended signalman and quartermaster school there and received amphibious forces training in Maryland. Upon completion, he was assigned to an LST sent to North Africa, where Jagers was treated for appendicitis in a hospital that was bombed daily. He rejoined his unit for landings at Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio. At Normandy, his LST carried supplies from the USS Davis (DD-395) to Utah Beach. They loaded 1,000 prisoners and 250 paratrooper casualties and brought them back to England. Each day, Jagers spent four hours guarding prisoners, four hours tending to the wounded, and four hours standing watch. After dozens of trips across the Channel, the ship was decommissioned and handed over to the British. Jagers returned to the States in December 1944 and gave boot camp training at Great Lakes before he was discharged. He authored a book about his experiences, entitled Whales of World War II.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Jagers. Jagers joined the Navy in June 1942 and received basic training at Great Lakes. He attended signalman and quartermaster school there and received amphibious forces training in Maryland. Upon completion, he was assigned to an LST sent to North Africa, where Jagers was treated for appendicitis in a hospital that was bombed daily. He rejoined his unit for landings at Sicily, Salerno, and Anzio. At Normandy, his LST carried supplies from the USS Davis (DD-395) to Utah Beach. They loaded 1,000 prisoners and 250 paratrooper casualties and brought them back to England. Each day, Jagers spent four hours guarding prisoners, four hours tending to the wounded, and four hours standing watch. After dozens of trips across the Channel, the ship was decommissioned and handed over to the British. Jagers returned to the States in December 1944 and gave boot camp training at Great Lakes before he was discharged. He authored a book about his experiences, entitled Whales of World War II.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with H.L. Tyree. Tyree was born in Cullman County, Alabama on 4 August 1924. Drafted into the Army in 1943 he was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana for basic training. He then went to Fort Ord, California where he trained as an amphibious tractor driver. After six months training, he was assigned to the 536th Amphibious Tractor Battalion and assigned as a tractor driver. After two months of advanced training, the unit boarded USS LST-608, along with their tractors, bound for the South Pacific. Tyree was in the first tractor to hit the beach during the invasion of Leyte, landing members of the 1st Calvary Division. Soon thereafter, Tyree became extremely sick requiring hospitalization. He was then put aboard a hospital ship and taken to San Francisco. He stayed in several hospitals before receiving a medical discharge on 4 September 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with H.L. Tyree. Tyree was born in Cullman County, Alabama on 4 August 1924. Drafted into the Army in 1943 he was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana for basic training. He then went to Fort Ord, California where he trained as an amphibious tractor driver. After six months training, he was assigned to the 536th Amphibious Tractor Battalion and assigned as a tractor driver. After two months of advanced training, the unit boarded USS LST-608, along with their tractors, bound for the South Pacific. Tyree was in the first tractor to hit the beach during the invasion of Leyte, landing members of the 1st Calvary Division. Soon thereafter, Tyree became extremely sick requiring hospitalization. He was then put aboard a hospital ship and taken to San Francisco. He stayed in several hospitals before receiving a medical discharge on 4 September 1945.