Oral History Interview with Joseph Walker, December 6, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Joseph Walker, December 6, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Walker. Walker joined the Navy in September 1943 after taking a course in navigation at Georgia Tech. He then attended midshipmen’s school at Columbia University. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Canberra (CA-70), where he served as assistant navigator. He enjoyed seeing the beautiful sunsets on the Pacific before his evening star-sights. His ship supported landings at Kwajalein and Hollandia and first encountered enemy fire at Truk. They bombarded Iwo Jima in preparation for the eventual landing but did not realize the Japanese were untouchable in their underground passageways. Walker held a temporary assignment in the combat information center aboard the USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84) at Luzon, where a carrier beside them was sunk by kamikazes. He then rejoined the Canberra at Ulithi. While he was away, the Canberra was hit with a torpedo. He attributes its survival to the superb damage-control skills of Captain Early. Walker returned home when the war ended and was discharged in New Orleans.
Date: December 6, 2009
Creator: Walker, Joseph
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Joseph Walker, December 6, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Joseph Walker, December 6, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joseph Walker. Walker joined the Navy in September 1943 after taking a course in navigation at Georgia Tech. He then attended midshipmen’s school at Columbia University. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Canberra (CA-70), where he served as assistant navigator. He enjoyed seeing the beautiful sunsets on the Pacific before his evening star-sights. His ship supported landings at Kwajalein and Hollandia and first encountered enemy fire at Truk. They bombarded Iwo Jima in preparation for the eventual landing but did not realize the Japanese were untouchable in their underground passageways. Walker held a temporary assignment in the combat information center aboard the USS Shamrock Bay (CVE-84) at Luzon, where a carrier beside them was sunk by kamikazes. He then rejoined the Canberra at Ulithi. While he was away, the Canberra was hit with a torpedo. He attributes its survival to the superb damage-control skills of Captain Early. Walker returned home when the war ended and was discharged in New Orleans.
Date: December 6, 2009
Creator: Walker, Joseph
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Viola Kaplan, December 6, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Viola Kaplan, December 6, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Viola Kaplan. Kaplan was a first-year student at DePaul when the war started. She left the university to join the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in the spring of 1942 and received basic training in Kansas. Given her background as a math major, she was assigned as a logician to headquarters in New Guinea, where ships were loaded before invasions. Kaplan alone determined how best to fill each ship with troops and supplies. She worked under MacArthur and found him to be an unfriendly, forceful person. Kaplan contracted malaria and was treated on New Guinea. She felt the medical care was excellent, but she was taken off duty and sent home after her third outbreak. Kaplan resumed her studies, this time at UCLA, finishing at Rutgers. At the Northwestern medical school, she was the first woman to become director of finance and administration. In her 90s she was working for the census as a statistician.
Date: December 6, 2009
Creator: Kaplan, Viola
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Viola Kaplan, December 6, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Viola Kaplan, December 6, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Viola Kaplan. Kaplan was a first-year student at DePaul when the war started. She left the university to join the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in the spring of 1942 and received basic training in Kansas. Given her background as a math major, she was assigned as a logician to headquarters in New Guinea, where ships were loaded before invasions. Kaplan alone determined how best to fill each ship with troops and supplies. She worked under MacArthur and found him to be an unfriendly, forceful person. Kaplan contracted malaria and was treated on New Guinea. She felt the medical care was excellent, but she was taken off duty and sent home after her third outbreak. Kaplan resumed her studies, this time at UCLA, finishing at Rutgers. At the Northwestern medical school, she was the first woman to become director of finance and administration. In her 90s she was working for the census as a statistician.
Date: December 6, 2009
Creator: Kaplan, Viola
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with C. R. Walters, December 5, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with C. R. Walters, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with C.R. Walters. Walters joined the Army in March 1943 and received basic training at Fort Belvoir. Upon completion, he began a degree in mechanical engineering under the Army Specialized Training Program. In March 1944 he was transferred to the 102nd Infantry Division and sent to Cherbourg, France. He was in combat as a platoon sergeant from mid-October until April 1945. German soldiers surrendered to his unit at the Elbe River. After the war, Walters was assigned to a prisoner-of-war camp formerly run by Germans. He was tasked with making arrangements for Russian prisoners to return home. Walters remained in Europe with the occupation forces until May 1946. He completed his degree in mechanical engineering and was assigned to an engineering unit that primarily built airfields. Walters retired from the service in 1957.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Walters, C. R.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with C. R. Walters, December 5, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with C. R. Walters, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with C.R. Walters. Walters joined the Army in March 1943 and received basic training at Fort Belvoir. Upon completion, he began a degree in mechanical engineering under the Army Specialized Training Program. In March 1944 he was transferred to the 102nd Infantry Division and sent to Cherbourg, France. He was in combat as a platoon sergeant from mid-October until April 1945. German soldiers surrendered to his unit at the Elbe River. After the war, Walters was assigned to a prisoner-of-war camp formerly run by Germans. He was tasked with making arrangements for Russian prisoners to return home. Walters remained in Europe with the occupation forces until May 1946. He completed his degree in mechanical engineering and was assigned to an engineering unit that primarily built airfields. Walters retired from the service in 1957.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Walters, C. R.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Fletcher Taylor, December 5, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Fletcher Taylor, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fletcher Taylor. Taylor joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and received training as a navigator in Miami. At the beginning of the war he was sent to the Panama Canal, patrolling in B-17s for ships and submarines. He was then transferred to India as a B-24 navigator, where he flew 30 missions, some as long as 13 hours. His first mission was to disable the electrical components of a coal mine in China that was critical for Japanese steel production. While the mission was successful, he believes there were several hundred Chinese casualties. Taylor participated in missions bombing the Andaman Islands, Bangkok, Rangoon, and Mandalay. He returned to the States for pilot training at Fort Worth. Upon completion, he was sent to staff school. At the end of the war, he was assigned to retrieve a plane from England. Taylor returned home and spent 25 years in a secret censorship program run by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Taylor, Fletcher
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Fletcher Taylor, December 5, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Fletcher Taylor, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Fletcher Taylor. Taylor joined the Army Air Corps in 1940 and received training as a navigator in Miami. At the beginning of the war he was sent to the Panama Canal, patrolling in B-17s for ships and submarines. He was then transferred to India as a B-24 navigator, where he flew 30 missions, some as long as 13 hours. His first mission was to disable the electrical components of a coal mine in China that was critical for Japanese steel production. While the mission was successful, he believes there were several hundred Chinese casualties. Taylor participated in missions bombing the Andaman Islands, Bangkok, Rangoon, and Mandalay. He returned to the States for pilot training at Fort Worth. Upon completion, he was sent to staff school. At the end of the war, he was assigned to retrieve a plane from England. Taylor returned home and spent 25 years in a secret censorship program run by the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Taylor, Fletcher
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn Reynolds, December 5, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Glenn Reynolds, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Reynolds. Reynolds left high school to join the Navy in 1939. In March 1940 he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB-46). Anchored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, Reynolds was writing a letter to his girlfriend when the war began. He manned his battle station, despite being barefoot, and then helped fight fires on a nearby fuel tanker. He later transferred to USS Halawa (AOG-12) as a gunner’s mate. In August 1942 he was sent to gunnery school and upon completion joined an amphibious base in England, where he met an English woman who would become his wife. While on shore patrol duty, Reynolds was alarmed one evening when Downtown London was suddenly crowded to the point where he could not move. This was how he learned that the Germans had surrendered. V-E Day celebrations lasted until four in the morning. After being discharged from the Navy, Reynolds joined the Army and went served in Korea and Vietnam, retiring after 26 years.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Reynolds, Glenn
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Glenn Reynolds, December 5, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Glenn Reynolds, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Glenn Reynolds. Reynolds left high school to join the Navy in 1939. In March 1940 he was assigned to USS Maryland (BB-46). Anchored at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, Reynolds was writing a letter to his girlfriend when the war began. He manned his battle station, despite being barefoot, and then helped fight fires on a nearby fuel tanker. He later transferred to USS Halawa (AOG-12) as a gunner’s mate. In August 1942 he was sent to gunnery school and upon completion joined an amphibious base in England, where he met an English woman who would become his wife. While on shore patrol duty, Reynolds was alarmed one evening when Downtown London was suddenly crowded to the point where he could not move. This was how he learned that the Germans had surrendered. V-E Day celebrations lasted until four in the morning. After being discharged from the Navy, Reynolds joined the Army and went served in Korea and Vietnam, retiring after 26 years.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Reynolds, Glenn
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bland, December 5, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Bland, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bland. Bland joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as Signalman Third-Class aboard the SS Francis Preston Blair (1943). They traveled to Australia, New Zealand, India and Manila picking up and delivering cargo. Bland served aboard the ship until it got stranded on Saumarez Reef in the Coral Sea during a cyclone in 1945. Bland continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in May of 1946.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Bland, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bland, December 5, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Bland, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bland. Bland joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as Signalman Third-Class aboard the SS Francis Preston Blair (1943). They traveled to Australia, New Zealand, India and Manila picking up and delivering cargo. Bland served aboard the ship until it got stranded on Saumarez Reef in the Coral Sea during a cyclone in 1945. Bland continued his service after the war ended, receiving his discharge in May of 1946.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Bland, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Wesley Fronk, December 5, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Wesley Fronk, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wesley Fronk. Fronk joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 after starting college at the University of North Dakota and working as a mechanic for Lockheed. He received basic training in Fresno and was sent to engineering and operations clerical school. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 347th Airdrome Squadron. He was sent to India, where his unit supported the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group. In his spare time, he helped build engines on the flight line. His unit dropped aerial supplies to British troops in Burma, American mountainside detachments, and the OSS. Supplies for Chinese troops included oats for their mules, since they had no motor vehicles. These missions were flown in C-47s, and after the war the unit switched to the larger C-46s, moving Chinese Nationalist troops to where they would face off against the Chinese Communists. Fronk returned home and was discharged in December 1945. He began a civilian career with the Department of Defense and retired after 48 years of service.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Fronk, Wesley
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Wesley Fronk, December 5, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Wesley Fronk, December 5, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Wesley Fronk. Fronk joined the Army Air Forces in December 1942 after starting college at the University of North Dakota and working as a mechanic for Lockheed. He received basic training in Fresno and was sent to engineering and operations clerical school. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 347th Airdrome Squadron. He was sent to India, where his unit supported the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group. In his spare time, he helped build engines on the flight line. His unit dropped aerial supplies to British troops in Burma, American mountainside detachments, and the OSS. Supplies for Chinese troops included oats for their mules, since they had no motor vehicles. These missions were flown in C-47s, and after the war the unit switched to the larger C-46s, moving Chinese Nationalist troops to where they would face off against the Chinese Communists. Fronk returned home and was discharged in December 1945. He began a civilian career with the Department of Defense and retired after 48 years of service.
Date: December 5, 2009
Creator: Fronk, Wesley
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edward Fournier, December 2, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Edward Fournier, December 2, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Fournier. Fournier joined the Navy in March of 1944. He completed Diesel School and other mechanical engineering schools the Navy offered. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes. He served aboard the USS Surfbird (AM-383) as a Fireman and First-Class Diesel Specialist, beginning November of 1944. He provides details of the minesweeper, various mine-types and life aboard the ship. They traveled with their sister ship, the USS Toucan (AM-387). Throughout 1945 they completed 85 mine sweeps of the East China Sea and around Japan. They returned to the U.S. in April of 1946 and in June the ship was decommissioned and Fournier was discharged.
Date: December 2, 2009
Creator: Fournier, Edward
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Edward Fournier, December 2, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Edward Fournier, December 2, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Fournier. Fournier joined the Navy in March of 1944. He completed Diesel School and other mechanical engineering schools the Navy offered. He completed boot camp at Great Lakes. He served aboard the USS Surfbird (AM-383) as a Fireman and First-Class Diesel Specialist, beginning November of 1944. He provides details of the minesweeper, various mine-types and life aboard the ship. They traveled with their sister ship, the USS Toucan (AM-387). Throughout 1945 they completed 85 mine sweeps of the East China Sea and around Japan. They returned to the U.S. in April of 1946 and in June the ship was decommissioned and Fournier was discharged.
Date: December 2, 2009
Creator: Fournier, Edward
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Lamb, December 1, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Walter Lamb, December 1, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Lamb. Lamb participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. He joined the Navy around 1940. In April of 1941 he traveled to California for basic training and Ordnance School. He joined Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) and traveled aboard the USS Ramapo (AO-12) to the Philippines. On 6 December 1941, they stopped over at Pearl Harbor. Lamb was on the island when the Japanese attacked the next day. He remained on Ford Island until December of 1942, assisting with debris clean up. He served as Ordnanceman aboard an unnamed, in the South Pacific, transporting airplanes and supplies.
Date: December 1, 2009
Creator: Lamb, Walter
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Walter Lamb, December 1, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Walter Lamb, December 1, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Walter Lamb. Lamb participated in the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s. He joined the Navy around 1940. In April of 1941 he traveled to California for basic training and Ordnance School. He joined Utility Squadron 2 (VJ-2) and traveled aboard the USS Ramapo (AO-12) to the Philippines. On 6 December 1941, they stopped over at Pearl Harbor. Lamb was on the island when the Japanese attacked the next day. He remained on Ford Island until December of 1942, assisting with debris clean up. He served as Ordnanceman aboard an unnamed, in the South Pacific, transporting airplanes and supplies.
Date: December 1, 2009
Creator: Lamb, Walter
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Haw, November 24, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Haw, November 24, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Haw. Haw joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Hospital Corps and Operating Room technician training. He completed Amphibious Training with the 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton in California. In 1945 he traveled with the 5th Marine Division aboard the USS Hansford (APA-106) to participate in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Haw was wounded during the battle by an explosion. From Iwo he participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Haw provides details of his training and aiding the wounded during battles. He was discharged in 1946.
Date: November 24, 2009
Creator: Haw, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Haw, November 24, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Richard Haw, November 24, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Haw. Haw joined the Navy in April of 1943. He completed Hospital Corps and Operating Room technician training. He completed Amphibious Training with the 5th Marine Division at Camp Pendleton in California. In 1945 he traveled with the 5th Marine Division aboard the USS Hansford (APA-106) to participate in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Haw was wounded during the battle by an explosion. From Iwo he participated in the Battle of Okinawa. Haw provides details of his training and aiding the wounded during battles. He was discharged in 1946.
Date: November 24, 2009
Creator: Haw, Richard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Leonard Kliff, November 23, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Leonard Kliff, November 23, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leonard Kliff. Kliff enlisted in the Army Air Forces in August of 1943. He trained as a bombardier in the AT-7. After graduation he went to Biggs Field near El Paso for additional training in B-17s. He served as a flight officer. He was sent to an air base in Lincoln, Nebraska, and while at the base the war ended. In October of 1945 he went to Traux Field in Madison, Wisconsin and was discharged.
Date: November 23, 2009
Creator: Kliff, Leonard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Leonard Kliff, November 23, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Leonard Kliff, November 23, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Leonard Kliff. Kliff enlisted in the Army Air Forces in August of 1943. He trained as a bombardier in the AT-7. After graduation he went to Biggs Field near El Paso for additional training in B-17s. He served as a flight officer. He was sent to an air base in Lincoln, Nebraska, and while at the base the war ended. In October of 1945 he went to Traux Field in Madison, Wisconsin and was discharged.
Date: November 23, 2009
Creator: Kliff, Leonard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas L. Stafford, November 20, 2009 transcript

Oral History Interview with Thomas L. Stafford, November 20, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas L. Stafford. Stafford joined the Army in March 1943. He was trained as a quartermaster and sent to England as a replacement. Stafford volunteered to join the 6th Combat Engineer Amphibious Special Assault Brigade which was attached to the 29th Infantry Division. He describes landing on the wrong part of Omaha Beach on D-Day being sent to find a sergeant who had combat fatigue. Stafford was then sent to the 87th Infantry Division where he participated in front line combat from the Battle of the Bulge through the end of the war in Germany. He became a platoon leader and eventually received a battlefield commission. Stafford discusses crossing the Rhine under heavy fire and seeing Buchenwald soon after it was liberated. One of his proudest achievements occurred when he accepted the surrender of two German division near the end of the war.
Date: November 20, 2009
Creator: Stafford, Thomas L.
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Thomas L. Stafford, November 20, 2009 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Thomas L. Stafford, November 20, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas L. Stafford. Stafford joined the Army in March 1943. He was trained as a quartermaster and sent to England as a replacement. Stafford volunteered to join the 6th Combat Engineer Amphibious Special Assault Brigade which was attached to the 29th Infantry Division. He describes landing on the wrong part of Omaha Beach on D-Day being sent to find a sergeant who had combat fatigue. Stafford was then sent to the 87th Infantry Division where he participated in front line combat from the Battle of the Bulge through the end of the war in Germany. He became a platoon leader and eventually received a battlefield commission. Stafford discusses crossing the Rhine under heavy fire and seeing Buchenwald soon after it was liberated. One of his proudest achievements occurred when he accepted the surrender of two German division near the end of the war.
Date: November 20, 2009
Creator: Stafford, Thomas L.
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History