The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Scott. Scott was born in San Antonio, Texas on 17 April 1922. Upon joining the Navy on 8 December 1941, he went to the San Diego Naval Training Station for three weeks of boot training. When completed, he was assigned to the USS New Orleans (CA-32). He was assigned as a gunner on a 20mm deck gun even though he had not received any gunnery training. He experienced various combat situations including participation in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Tassafaronga in which the bow of the New Orleans was blown off. He tells of the efforts put forth that allowed the ship to go to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington for major repairs. After being repaired the ship returned to the Pacific and participated in several invasions. In 1944 the ship was part of a force that endured a typhoon in which several ships were sunk and Scott describes the experience.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Scott. Scott was born in San Antonio, Texas on 17 April 1922. Upon joining the Navy on 8 December 1941, he went to the San Diego Naval Training Station for three weeks of boot training. When completed, he was assigned to the USS New Orleans (CA-32). He was assigned as a gunner on a 20mm deck gun even though he had not received any gunnery training. He experienced various combat situations including participation in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Battle of Tassafaronga in which the bow of the New Orleans was blown off. He tells of the efforts put forth that allowed the ship to go to the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington for major repairs. After being repaired the ship returned to the Pacific and participated in several invasions. In 1944 the ship was part of a force that endured a typhoon in which several ships were sunk and Scott describes the experience.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Gill. Gill joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. After basic training, he traveled to New Guinea for additional training in jungle fighting and helped build a sawmill, officers housing and the mess hall. He describes his 3 years living and working in the jungle. He was transferred to the other side of the mountains in New Guinea, to a town called Finschhafen, where he served as an airplane mechanic. He worked on B-25s, B-24s, P-38s and P-51s. They also traveled to Numfoor Island, Australia and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Harry Gill. Gill joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1942. After basic training, he traveled to New Guinea for additional training in jungle fighting and helped build a sawmill, officers housing and the mess hall. He describes his 3 years living and working in the jungle. He was transferred to the other side of the mountains in New Guinea, to a town called Finschhafen, where he served as an airplane mechanic. He worked on B-25s, B-24s, P-38s and P-51s. They also traveled to Numfoor Island, Australia and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Bradley. Bradley was born in Key West, Iowa on 22 November 1924. After graduating from the University of Dubuque, in 1942 he joined the Navy and went to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he began his initial pilot training. He was stationed at several airfields and flew various aircraft prior to going to Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida where he received his wings in April 1944. After taking advanced training in the F4F Wildcat fighter he was sent to California where he began flying the F4U Corsair. Upon becoming carrier qualified Bradley reported VMF-123 aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). On one combat mission, his flight received credit for destroying ten kamikaze aircraft on the ground. He also tells of a mission during which he shot down a Japanese fighter plane. He remembers being in a typhoon in 1945 in which a number of US ships sank. Following the Surrender of Japan, Bradley was discharged but remained in the Naval Reserve. He was recalled to active service during the Korean War and joined VMF-214 in Japan. He describes some of the actions in which he was involved including a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lyle Bradley. Bradley was born in Key West, Iowa on 22 November 1924. After graduating from the University of Dubuque, in 1942 he joined the Navy and went to Aberdeen, South Dakota where he began his initial pilot training. He was stationed at several airfields and flew various aircraft prior to going to Pensacola Naval Air Station, Florida where he received his wings in April 1944. After taking advanced training in the F4F Wildcat fighter he was sent to California where he began flying the F4U Corsair. Upon becoming carrier qualified Bradley reported VMF-123 aboard the USS Bennington (CV-20). On one combat mission, his flight received credit for destroying ten kamikaze aircraft on the ground. He also tells of a mission during which he shot down a Japanese fighter plane. He remembers being in a typhoon in 1945 in which a number of US ships sank. Following the Surrender of Japan, Bradley was discharged but remained in the Naval Reserve. He was recalled to active service during the Korean War and joined VMF-214 in Japan. He describes some of the actions in which he was involved including a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Duncan. Duncan was born in Avondale, North Carolina on 17 June 1921. After graduating from high school he attended The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina for a year before entering the US Naval Academy. He graduated from Annapolis in December 1941. He points out that, at that time, every newly commissioned officer had to go to sea before they could specialize. Duncan was assigned as a gunnery officer on the USS Milwaukee (CL-5). In 1943 he was ordered to New London, Connecticut for three months of submarine training. Upon completing the training he went to Midway Island as part of a refit crew. While there, he was assigned to the USS Barb (SS-220) commanded by Eugene Fluckey. He recalls that on his first patrol the crew picked up allied survivors from the Japanese prisoner of war ship, SS Rakuyo Maru. The crew also sank two Japanese ships during this patrol. After completing the patrol, the Barb went to Majuro for refit. There they formed a wolf pack with the USS Queenfish (SS-393) and USS Picuda (SS-338) and patrolled in the East China Sea. He discusses the differences …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Max Duncan. Duncan was born in Avondale, North Carolina on 17 June 1921. After graduating from high school he attended The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina for a year before entering the US Naval Academy. He graduated from Annapolis in December 1941. He points out that, at that time, every newly commissioned officer had to go to sea before they could specialize. Duncan was assigned as a gunnery officer on the USS Milwaukee (CL-5). In 1943 he was ordered to New London, Connecticut for three months of submarine training. Upon completing the training he went to Midway Island as part of a refit crew. While there, he was assigned to the USS Barb (SS-220) commanded by Eugene Fluckey. He recalls that on his first patrol the crew picked up allied survivors from the Japanese prisoner of war ship, SS Rakuyo Maru. The crew also sank two Japanese ships during this patrol. After completing the patrol, the Barb went to Majuro for refit. There they formed a wolf pack with the USS Queenfish (SS-393) and USS Picuda (SS-338) and patrolled in the East China Sea. He discusses the differences …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph F. Williams. Williams was born 7 December 1921 in New Orleans. After being drafted into the US Army on 23 February 1943 he took basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama for three months. Williams was then sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he was assigned to a headquarters company in the Quartermaster Corps. There he received driver training for various vehicles. On 18 January 1944 he sailed to Belfast, Ireland. In July 1944 he landed at Cherbourg, France with the 4029th Quartermaster Truck Company, a segregated unit. There his unit joined the 3rd Army and transported infantry to participate in the battle for Saint Lo, France. He saw General Patton on a weekly basis and recalls witnessing an incident where he demoted a colonel to sergeant because he had stopped a column of trucks hauling gasoline to his tankers. He was subjected to strafing and shelling by German aircraft and artillery on a regular basis. Williams remembers as Allied Forces advanced, German soldiers, some as young as twelve years of age, surrendered. He transported loads of prisoners back to secured areas. He describes being in a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph F. Williams. Williams was born 7 December 1921 in New Orleans. After being drafted into the US Army on 23 February 1943 he took basic training at Fort McClellan, Alabama for three months. Williams was then sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he was assigned to a headquarters company in the Quartermaster Corps. There he received driver training for various vehicles. On 18 January 1944 he sailed to Belfast, Ireland. In July 1944 he landed at Cherbourg, France with the 4029th Quartermaster Truck Company, a segregated unit. There his unit joined the 3rd Army and transported infantry to participate in the battle for Saint Lo, France. He saw General Patton on a weekly basis and recalls witnessing an incident where he demoted a colonel to sergeant because he had stopped a column of trucks hauling gasoline to his tankers. He was subjected to strafing and shelling by German aircraft and artillery on a regular basis. Williams remembers as Allied Forces advanced, German soldiers, some as young as twelve years of age, surrendered. He transported loads of prisoners back to secured areas. He describes being in a …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur deLarios. DeLarios was born in Oklahoma City on 24 October 1919. He joined the Navy 7 September 1940 and upon finishing boot camp, was accepted in the Hospital Corps training school. When he completed the course he was assigned to the San Diego Naval Hospital for additional training. This was followed by assignment to VMF-111 in the 1st Marine Air Wing, which was sent to Pago Pago, Samoa Islands. Soon after his arrival, deLarios was ordered to the Naval Hospital at St. Albans, New York. Shortly after reporting to the hospital in 1942, he applied for the Submarine Service. Upon his acceptance, he was sent to submarine school in New London, Connecticut for six months training. After graduating from the school he was assigned to the USS Hammerhead (SS-364) as a pharmacist mate. In early 1944 the Hammerhead proceeded to Midway where they began the first of seventeen war patrols. Delarios recalls various activities he performed aboard the submarine including treating a fellow seaman who suffered acute appendicitis. He also describes Japanese depth charge attacks. Following his six years of naval service, deLarios attended medical school and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur deLarios. DeLarios was born in Oklahoma City on 24 October 1919. He joined the Navy 7 September 1940 and upon finishing boot camp, was accepted in the Hospital Corps training school. When he completed the course he was assigned to the San Diego Naval Hospital for additional training. This was followed by assignment to VMF-111 in the 1st Marine Air Wing, which was sent to Pago Pago, Samoa Islands. Soon after his arrival, deLarios was ordered to the Naval Hospital at St. Albans, New York. Shortly after reporting to the hospital in 1942, he applied for the Submarine Service. Upon his acceptance, he was sent to submarine school in New London, Connecticut for six months training. After graduating from the school he was assigned to the USS Hammerhead (SS-364) as a pharmacist mate. In early 1944 the Hammerhead proceeded to Midway where they began the first of seventeen war patrols. Delarios recalls various activities he performed aboard the submarine including treating a fellow seaman who suffered acute appendicitis. He also describes Japanese depth charge attacks. Following his six years of naval service, deLarios attended medical school and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Petty. Petty joined the Navy in January of 1944. He was sent to Kansas University for electrician???s school. Beginning December of 1944, he served aboard the USS LST-913. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, the Philippines and Okinawa. They transported a replacement LCT, and other military supplies. During the Battle of Okinawa they landed Marine troops and their equipment on the island. He describes this event, including some of their casualties during landing and the protective fire of the battleships in their flotilla. Petty served as the head electrician aboard the LST, working in the engine room with generators to operate the gun sights and all electrical equipment. In August of 1945, during V-J Day, they were in Japan and Petty provides some of his experiences there, and what the area looked like after the atomic bomb. He was transferred over to USS LST-990 and they traveled to Terminal Island, California. Morris provides some detail of an LST and their armament, as well as the flotilla his crew was a part of. He was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Petty. Petty joined the Navy in January of 1944. He was sent to Kansas University for electrician???s school. Beginning December of 1944, he served aboard the USS LST-913. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, the Philippines and Okinawa. They transported a replacement LCT, and other military supplies. During the Battle of Okinawa they landed Marine troops and their equipment on the island. He describes this event, including some of their casualties during landing and the protective fire of the battleships in their flotilla. Petty served as the head electrician aboard the LST, working in the engine room with generators to operate the gun sights and all electrical equipment. In August of 1945, during V-J Day, they were in Japan and Petty provides some of his experiences there, and what the area looked like after the atomic bomb. He was transferred over to USS LST-990 and they traveled to Terminal Island, California. Morris provides some detail of an LST and their armament, as well as the flotilla his crew was a part of. He was discharged in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louie Sullivan. Sullivan was married with a son on the way when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was placed on the draft, with a 3-A exemption. He completed mechanics school at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He was sent to Love Field in Dallas to work as a machinist. He joined the Navy in 1942 and completed basic engineer school and provides some details of basic training and learning how to swim for the Navy. In 1944 Sullivan traveled to Hawaii and provides details of his trip over. Aboard the same ship, they traveled to Ulithi and Eniwetok, where he was assigned to the USS Franks (DD-554) and served as Fireman First Class. In 1945 they traveled to Wake Island and Japan. He describes some of his liberty travels in Tokyo. He was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Louie Sullivan. Sullivan was married with a son on the way when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He was placed on the draft, with a 3-A exemption. He completed mechanics school at Kelly Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He was sent to Love Field in Dallas to work as a machinist. He joined the Navy in 1942 and completed basic engineer school and provides some details of basic training and learning how to swim for the Navy. In 1944 Sullivan traveled to Hawaii and provides details of his trip over. Aboard the same ship, they traveled to Ulithi and Eniwetok, where he was assigned to the USS Franks (DD-554) and served as Fireman First Class. In 1945 they traveled to Wake Island and Japan. He describes some of his liberty travels in Tokyo. He was discharged in early 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Schoolcraft. Schoolcraft joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He completed technical aircraft maintenance school and became an aircraft mechanic, working on B-29s. Schoolcraft became a hangar chief and an inspector. When he received the rank of staff sergeant in early 1944 he was promoted to flight engineer aboard a B-29. He completed training at the Boeing factory in Seattle and attended flight engineer school at Lowry Field in Denver, learning also about fuel control. He details the job function of a flight engineer. Schoolcraft provides great detail of the bomber and of a number of his missions. He flew 27 missions over Japan as a B-29 flight engineer in the 504th Bomb Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Schoolcraft. Schoolcraft joined the Army Air Forces in 1942. He completed technical aircraft maintenance school and became an aircraft mechanic, working on B-29s. Schoolcraft became a hangar chief and an inspector. When he received the rank of staff sergeant in early 1944 he was promoted to flight engineer aboard a B-29. He completed training at the Boeing factory in Seattle and attended flight engineer school at Lowry Field in Denver, learning also about fuel control. He details the job function of a flight engineer. Schoolcraft provides great detail of the bomber and of a number of his missions. He flew 27 missions over Japan as a B-29 flight engineer in the 504th Bomb Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Myer. Myer joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He served as a flight engineer and waist gunner on a B-24 bomber in the 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 489th Bomb Group, 846th Bomb Squadron. While in the European theater, Myer was stationed at Halton Field in Halesworth, England. On 31 July 1944, during his 31st and final mission, he was shot down and captured by the Germans. Myer was taken to Stalag Luft IV in Poland. From 6 February to 26 April 1945 he participated in a forced march for an estimated 550 miles back to Germany as the Russians advanced from the east, known today as the Black Forest Death March. He provides details of the POW camp and forced march. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Myer. Myer joined the Army Air Forces in December of 1942. He served as a flight engineer and waist gunner on a B-24 bomber in the 8th Air Force, 2nd Air Division, 489th Bomb Group, 846th Bomb Squadron. While in the European theater, Myer was stationed at Halton Field in Halesworth, England. On 31 July 1944, during his 31st and final mission, he was shot down and captured by the Germans. Myer was taken to Stalag Luft IV in Poland. From 6 February to 26 April 1945 he participated in a forced march for an estimated 550 miles back to Germany as the Russians advanced from the east, known today as the Black Forest Death March. He provides details of the POW camp and forced march. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles E Daugherty. Daugherty joined the Navy in 1939. He received basic training at Great Lakes and was aboard the USS California (BB-44) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He remained at his battle station as a phone talker, nearly suffocating as the ship’s ventilation system malfunctioned. When the order was given to abandon ship, Daugherty was carried up two flights of stairs. Then a ferry came by and Daugherty stepped aboard, hiding in a sand pile for the remainder of the attack. The next day, he returned to the ship and found 12 casualties at his battle station. Daugherty spent the remainder of the war aboard YO-170, refueling ships in the Pacific Northwest. He recalls a celebration in downtown Seattle on V-J Day. After discharge, he worked for 30 years cleaning ships, aircraft, and motor transports at various docks.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles E Daugherty. Daugherty joined the Navy in 1939. He received basic training at Great Lakes and was aboard the USS California (BB-44) during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He remained at his battle station as a phone talker, nearly suffocating as the ship’s ventilation system malfunctioned. When the order was given to abandon ship, Daugherty was carried up two flights of stairs. Then a ferry came by and Daugherty stepped aboard, hiding in a sand pile for the remainder of the attack. The next day, he returned to the ship and found 12 casualties at his battle station. Daugherty spent the remainder of the war aboard YO-170, refueling ships in the Pacific Northwest. He recalls a celebration in downtown Seattle on V-J Day. After discharge, he worked for 30 years cleaning ships, aircraft, and motor transports at various docks.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Lott. Initially exempted from the draft as a farmer, Lott was eventually drafted into the Army in October 1944. After basic training at Camp Fannin, he was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division in Manila. During the invasion at Lingayen Gulf, his unit suffered battle casualties and was plagued by dysentery. Armed with a rifle, Lott waited in foxholes for enemy advancement, at times manning a Thompson submachine gun and targeting snipers. Occasionally working alongside Filipino soldiers, Lott found them to be good fighters. While fighting in the mountains, Lott’s rations were airdropped and intercepted by the enemy. He soon contracted malaria and dengue fever, spending the remainder of the war in a hospital. He then served as a platoon sergeant in the Korean occupation, where his clothing and housing was inadequate for the cold weather. Lot was discharged into the reserves and retired as a warrant officer after 27 years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Lott. Initially exempted from the draft as a farmer, Lott was eventually drafted into the Army in October 1944. After basic training at Camp Fannin, he was assigned to the 6th Infantry Division in Manila. During the invasion at Lingayen Gulf, his unit suffered battle casualties and was plagued by dysentery. Armed with a rifle, Lott waited in foxholes for enemy advancement, at times manning a Thompson submachine gun and targeting snipers. Occasionally working alongside Filipino soldiers, Lott found them to be good fighters. While fighting in the mountains, Lott’s rations were airdropped and intercepted by the enemy. He soon contracted malaria and dengue fever, spending the remainder of the war in a hospital. He then served as a platoon sergeant in the Korean occupation, where his clothing and housing was inadequate for the cold weather. Lot was discharged into the reserves and retired as a warrant officer after 27 years of service.