Transcript of an oral interview with Thomas C. Ketcham. Born in 1923, he was a member of the Enlisted Reserves Corps (ERC) while attending Purdue University. He was called to active duty in May 1943, assigned to field artillery, and trained in surveying methods. He describes the process of surveying for artillery purposes with a transit, a stadia rod and logarithm books. He was sent to Europe with the 85th Infantry Division, 403rd Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters Battery. He describes the trip from Fort Dix, New Jersey to Naples, Italy. He shares the story of an air raid and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius when they arrived. He describes the 155 mm Howitzer and in his role in determining the firing direction. He discusses advancing north through Minturno and Tremensuoli to Rome. He talks about being shelled by the Germans while waiting to cross the Po River. He shares an anecdotes about an observation post in a church steeple in Minturno; doing survey calculations in a farmhouse that contained hidden German soldiers; building a make-shift stove; reconnoitering north of Rome; encountering Nebelwerfer (nicknamed "Screaming Mimi"); and being ordered to stop a tank with a machine gun. He discusses jeeps and …

Transcript of an oral interview with Thomas C. Ketcham. Born in 1923, he was a member of the Enlisted Reserves Corps (ERC) while attending Purdue University. He was called to active duty in May 1943, assigned to field artillery, and trained in surveying methods. He describes the process of surveying for artillery purposes with a transit, a stadia rod and logarithm books. He was sent to Europe with the 85th Infantry Division, 403rd Field Artillery Battalion, Headquarters Battery. He describes the trip from Fort Dix, New Jersey to Naples, Italy. He shares the story of an air raid and the eruption of Mount Vesuvius when they arrived. He describes the 155 mm Howitzer and in his role in determining the firing direction. He discusses advancing north through Minturno and Tremensuoli to Rome. He talks about being shelled by the Germans while waiting to cross the Po River. He shares an anecdotes about an observation post in a church steeple in Minturno; doing survey calculations in a farmhouse that contained hidden German soldiers; building a make-shift stove; reconnoitering north of Rome; encountering Nebelwerfer (nicknamed "Screaming Mimi"); and being ordered to stop a tank with a machine gun. He discusses jeeps and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John McAuliffe. McAuliffe was drafted into the Army after finishing college in June 1944. He trained in Georgia and then was shipped to France in early 1945. He joined the 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division as a replacement in a heavy weapons platoon in the middle of January near the Saar River. He relates a few anecdotes about his combat experiences and the cold weather. When the war ended in Germany, McAuliffe stayed on occupation duty for a while before returning to the US and getting discharged in November, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John McAuliffe. McAuliffe was drafted into the Army after finishing college in June 1944. He trained in Georgia and then was shipped to France in early 1945. He joined the 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division as a replacement in a heavy weapons platoon in the middle of January near the Saar River. He relates a few anecdotes about his combat experiences and the cold weather. When the war ended in Germany, McAuliffe stayed on occupation duty for a while before returning to the US and getting discharged in November, 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Horace C. Jones. Jones enlisted in the Army Air Corps in order not to be drafted and trained in Goergia and Miami. He went to Wyoming for gunnery school. In 1943, he was assigned to the 15th Air Force in Italy. He served as a waist gunner in a B-24. Jones describes his thoughts and feelings while on missions and how he operated. After 50 missions, Jones was returned to the US to train other flight crews. He was in the US when the war ended and was discharged. He re-enlisted shortly thereafter.

Transcript of an oral interview with Horace C. Jones. Jones enlisted in the Army Air Corps in order not to be drafted and trained in Goergia and Miami. He went to Wyoming for gunnery school. In 1943, he was assigned to the 15th Air Force in Italy. He served as a waist gunner in a B-24. Jones describes his thoughts and feelings while on missions and how he operated. After 50 missions, Jones was returned to the US to train other flight crews. He was in the US when the war ended and was discharged. He re-enlisted shortly thereafter.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Maurice P. Pearce. Pearce finished the eighth grade and went to work on the farm on which he was raised. He joined the Arizona National Guard in June, 1940. they were activated later in Spetmenber and shipped to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training. He evnetually was shipped to Panama for jungle training with the 158th Regimental Combat Team (Pearce was one of the original members of the Bushmasters). From there, Pearce went with the 158th to Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. While with the Bushmasters, Pearce served as a cook.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Maurice P. Pearce. Pearce finished the eighth grade and went to work on the farm on which he was raised. He joined the Arizona National Guard in June, 1940. they were activated later in Spetmenber and shipped to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for training. He evnetually was shipped to Panama for jungle training with the 158th Regimental Combat Team (Pearce was one of the original members of the Bushmasters). From there, Pearce went with the 158th to Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. While with the Bushmasters, Pearce served as a cook.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arles Cole. Cole joined the Navy in December of 1940. He provides details of his boot camp experiences. He completed communications school and became a signalman. In August of 1941 he served aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48). Cole was on board during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Cole provides vivid details leading up to, during and after the battle. He then served aboard a tugboat, the USS Turkey (AT-13), beginning in March of 1942. It doubled as a minesweeper and a tugboat. They traveled to the South Pacific around the Samoan Islands and the trade routes, where he became proficient in handling a line towing the vanes for mine sweeping and towing a barge with food and supplies for the Marines. In January of 1944 he began serving aboard the USS Pritchett (DD-561). They traveled to the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Okinawa and Iwo Jima. He provides great detail of his travels aboard the Pritchett and their participation in various battles. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arles Cole. Cole joined the Navy in December of 1940. He provides details of his boot camp experiences. He completed communications school and became a signalman. In August of 1941 he served aboard the USS West Virginia (BB-48). Cole was on board during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Cole provides vivid details leading up to, during and after the battle. He then served aboard a tugboat, the USS Turkey (AT-13), beginning in March of 1942. It doubled as a minesweeper and a tugboat. They traveled to the South Pacific around the Samoan Islands and the trade routes, where he became proficient in handling a line towing the vanes for mine sweeping and towing a barge with food and supplies for the Marines. In January of 1944 he began serving aboard the USS Pritchett (DD-561). They traveled to the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Okinawa and Iwo Jima. He provides great detail of his travels aboard the Pritchett and their participation in various battles. He was discharged in January of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Bragg. Bragg joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained as a spotter pilot for the field artillery. He also completed radio mechanic school. He was sent to England and joined the 482nd Bomb Group. He served with a ground radar unit called Mickey and Minnie, directing planes to their targets for bombing. He provides some details of his work with the unit. In July of 1944 he traveled to Belgium and then Germany. He was discharged in October of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Bragg. Bragg joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained as a spotter pilot for the field artillery. He also completed radio mechanic school. He was sent to England and joined the 482nd Bomb Group. He served with a ground radar unit called Mickey and Minnie, directing planes to their targets for bombing. He provides some details of his work with the unit. In July of 1944 he traveled to Belgium and then Germany. He was discharged in October of 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert B. Bradley. Bradley begins by speaking of his childhood days growing up in Washington, DC. While attending the University of Maryland, Bradley enlisted in the Army in October, 1942. After Bradley finished training as a medic, he was assigned to Company E, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He went to England in February, 1944. He arrived at Omaha Beach one day after the invasion. Bradley moved forward with the infantry until he was captured by a unit of German Armored Infantry in August, 1944. He was placed in Stalag 3-C. In April, 1945, Bradley and others were liberated by the Russians, who put them on a train for odessa where they boarded a ship back to England.

Transcript of an oral interview with Robert B. Bradley. Bradley begins by speaking of his childhood days growing up in Washington, DC. While attending the University of Maryland, Bradley enlisted in the Army in October, 1942. After Bradley finished training as a medic, he was assigned to Company E, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. He went to England in February, 1944. He arrived at Omaha Beach one day after the invasion. Bradley moved forward with the infantry until he was captured by a unit of German Armored Infantry in August, 1944. He was placed in Stalag 3-C. In April, 1945, Bradley and others were liberated by the Russians, who put them on a train for odessa where they boarded a ship back to England.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gerard Carriera. After graduating high school, Carriera studied drafting and designing at JM Wright Technical School and worked for Electrolux. He received a deferment after joining the Navy in October 1941 and reported back to Electrolux, where he worked on many projects, including the incendiary bomb, Sperry gyroscope, and water purification systems. Carriera was a natural fit for the Seabees and was assigned to the 103rd Naval Construction Battalion. On Guam, he helped design the Pacific Fleet Headquarters and met Admiral Nimitz, who had one of Carriera’s drawings of a C-43 framed and hung in the conference room. While constructing the airport, Carriera instructed the electrical crew on how to assemble the lighting system. He was later assigned to the 8th Naval Construction Battalion and made a map of Okinawa for General Buckner. When the time came for Carriera to return home, his commander delayed him and requested an architectural design for a ranch house, which was later erected in California. Carriera returned to the States in January 1946, resuming work at Electrolux, eventually retiring as a senior manufacturing engineer.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Gerard Carriera. After graduating high school, Carriera studied drafting and designing at JM Wright Technical School and worked for Electrolux. He received a deferment after joining the Navy in October 1941 and reported back to Electrolux, where he worked on many projects, including the incendiary bomb, Sperry gyroscope, and water purification systems. Carriera was a natural fit for the Seabees and was assigned to the 103rd Naval Construction Battalion. On Guam, he helped design the Pacific Fleet Headquarters and met Admiral Nimitz, who had one of Carriera’s drawings of a C-43 framed and hung in the conference room. While constructing the airport, Carriera instructed the electrical crew on how to assemble the lighting system. He was later assigned to the 8th Naval Construction Battalion and made a map of Okinawa for General Buckner. When the time came for Carriera to return home, his commander delayed him and requested an architectural design for a ranch house, which was later erected in California. Carriera returned to the States in January 1946, resuming work at Electrolux, eventually retiring as a senior manufacturing engineer.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Davis. In the California State Military Reserve, Davis kept watch over the Central Valley, home to many Japanese-American farmers. Having worked with the phone company, he hoped to become a Signal Corps officer, but was not content to wait. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942, becoming a drill instructor. He then joined the V Amphibious Corps in 1943 as an NCO in command of 200 corpsmen. Departing for Hawaii, he was court-martialed for leaving the ship to bid his wife farewell. His rank reduced to private, he was sentenced to 20 days in the brig, which he served in the brig sergeant’s quarters, playing cards with him. At Pearl Harbor, Davis guarded the headquarters, saluting FDR when he arrived. Davis transferred to a salvage platoon on Kwajalein, fighting fires and routinely encountering delay-action bombs. He transferred to Saipan with the 6th Field Depot, later reorganized as the 7th Service Regiment, sighting several Japanese holdouts. He drove a DUKW in the initial assault on Okinawa. After a stint in Tianjin, Davis returned to the States and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Davis. In the California State Military Reserve, Davis kept watch over the Central Valley, home to many Japanese-American farmers. Having worked with the phone company, he hoped to become a Signal Corps officer, but was not content to wait. He joined the Marine Corps in 1942, becoming a drill instructor. He then joined the V Amphibious Corps in 1943 as an NCO in command of 200 corpsmen. Departing for Hawaii, he was court-martialed for leaving the ship to bid his wife farewell. His rank reduced to private, he was sentenced to 20 days in the brig, which he served in the brig sergeant’s quarters, playing cards with him. At Pearl Harbor, Davis guarded the headquarters, saluting FDR when he arrived. Davis transferred to a salvage platoon on Kwajalein, fighting fires and routinely encountering delay-action bombs. He transferred to Saipan with the 6th Field Depot, later reorganized as the 7th Service Regiment, sighting several Japanese holdouts. He drove a DUKW in the initial assault on Okinawa. After a stint in Tianjin, Davis returned to the States and was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Bishop. Bishop studied at Syracuse University beginning in 1935 but entered the labor force in 1937 due to financial hardship. In 1940 he joined the New York Army National Guard and was mobilized to Salinas, California, with the 27th Infantry Division, 108th Infantry Regiment. After becoming a staff sergeant, he decided to transfer to the Army Air Corps, where he attended school to become a second lieutenant and bombardier. In October 1942 he was assigned as an AT-11 instructor with the Army Air Forces in California, under strict orders to destroy his Sperry bombsight gyroscopes if needed, rather than surrender it to the enemy. In 1943, having trained 1,000 men, he began navigation school before joining a B-25 training outfit as a bombardier navigator and nose gunner. After the war, he was discharged into the reserves and was called to active duty in Korea with a B-29 crew before retiring as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Bishop. Bishop studied at Syracuse University beginning in 1935 but entered the labor force in 1937 due to financial hardship. In 1940 he joined the New York Army National Guard and was mobilized to Salinas, California, with the 27th Infantry Division, 108th Infantry Regiment. After becoming a staff sergeant, he decided to transfer to the Army Air Corps, where he attended school to become a second lieutenant and bombardier. In October 1942 he was assigned as an AT-11 instructor with the Army Air Forces in California, under strict orders to destroy his Sperry bombsight gyroscopes if needed, rather than surrender it to the enemy. In 1943, having trained 1,000 men, he began navigation school before joining a B-25 training outfit as a bombardier navigator and nose gunner. After the war, he was discharged into the reserves and was called to active duty in Korea with a B-29 crew before retiring as a captain.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Moore. Moore entered the Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in March 1943. He was sent to Nashville, Tennessee for classification (pilot, navigator or bombardier training) and uniforms. Moore was selected for pilot training and was sent to Santa Ana, California for pre-flight training and Tulare, California for primary flight training. From there he went to Chico, California for basic flight training and to Stockton, California for advanced training. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944 at Stockton. Moore was selected for B-25 training (transition) and went to Mather Field. Afterwards, he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky where he was given minimal C-47 instruction. They were then flown to Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida where he was issued a brand-new C-47, got a crew and received sealed orders. They were told they were going overseas but not told where...90 C-47s were going to India. They ended up in Sylhet (eastern India). It took them two weeks to get there. Moore's class had been picked out of B-25 training and thrown into C-47s because Churchill had asked Roosevelt for help; the Japanese had invaded …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fred Moore. Moore entered the Army Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in March 1943. He was sent to Nashville, Tennessee for classification (pilot, navigator or bombardier training) and uniforms. Moore was selected for pilot training and was sent to Santa Ana, California for pre-flight training and Tulare, California for primary flight training. From there he went to Chico, California for basic flight training and to Stockton, California for advanced training. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1944 at Stockton. Moore was selected for B-25 training (transition) and went to Mather Field. Afterwards, he was sent to Louisville, Kentucky where he was given minimal C-47 instruction. They were then flown to Morrison Field, West Palm Beach, Florida where he was issued a brand-new C-47, got a crew and received sealed orders. They were told they were going overseas but not told where...90 C-47s were going to India. They ended up in Sylhet (eastern India). It took them two weeks to get there. Moore's class had been picked out of B-25 training and thrown into C-47s because Churchill had asked Roosevelt for help; the Japanese had invaded …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Walker. After completing his second year of college, Walker was mobilized as a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard in February 1941 and became second lieutenant of a machinegun platoon with the 164th Infantry Regiment. He felt that his training left much to be desired, due to alcoholism among his superiors. The night before they deployed to Guadalcanal, the majority of the officers in his battalion reported to hospitals. Cowardice, entitlement, and substance abuse ran rampant in the upper ranks around Walker. Whenever he tried to speak out against it, he was discredited for having humble roots in the National Guard. At Koli Point, he was given the dangerous task of closing the gap, which he accomplished. He endured countless brushes with death and developed a macabre sense of humor to cope with stress. He was promoted to company commander and deployed to Leyte, where in Valencia he lost 17 men. The responsibility of having to send condolence letters home to their families rested heavily on Walker, though he also saved the life of one wounded man. Walker was then promoted to executive officer of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Walker. After completing his second year of college, Walker was mobilized as a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard in February 1941 and became second lieutenant of a machinegun platoon with the 164th Infantry Regiment. He felt that his training left much to be desired, due to alcoholism among his superiors. The night before they deployed to Guadalcanal, the majority of the officers in his battalion reported to hospitals. Cowardice, entitlement, and substance abuse ran rampant in the upper ranks around Walker. Whenever he tried to speak out against it, he was discredited for having humble roots in the National Guard. At Koli Point, he was given the dangerous task of closing the gap, which he accomplished. He endured countless brushes with death and developed a macabre sense of humor to cope with stress. He was promoted to company commander and deployed to Leyte, where in Valencia he lost 17 men. The responsibility of having to send condolence letters home to their families rested heavily on Walker, though he also saved the life of one wounded man. Walker was then promoted to executive officer of …