The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1944. He trained to be a member of the amphibious forces at Camp Wallace in Galveston, Texas. Mendoza traveled through the Pacific aboard the USS St. George (AV-16). He participated in the Battle of Okinawa in March through June of 1945, where his ship was hit by a kamikaze. Once the war ended, Mendoza was sent to Japan with occupation forces. While there, he came into contact with a Japanese family who insisted he was Japanese. He shares his experiences as a Mexican-American in the war. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvino Mendoza. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1944. He trained to be a member of the amphibious forces at Camp Wallace in Galveston, Texas. Mendoza traveled through the Pacific aboard the USS St. George (AV-16). He participated in the Battle of Okinawa in March through June of 1945, where his ship was hit by a kamikaze. Once the war ended, Mendoza was sent to Japan with occupation forces. While there, he came into contact with a Japanese family who insisted he was Japanese. He shares his experiences as a Mexican-American in the war. He was discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James A. Kistler. Kistler joined the Army in April 1944. He trained at Fort Bliss and was sent to San Diego to man a 40mm anti-aircraft position. Kistler was then sent to Luzon, Philippine Islands where he witnessed the aftermath of the battle for Manila. He then went to Japan for occupation duty and became a member of the 292nd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) until he returned to the States in the summer of 1946. He was discharged soon after his return.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James A. Kistler. Kistler joined the Army in April 1944. He trained at Fort Bliss and was sent to San Diego to man a 40mm anti-aircraft position. Kistler was then sent to Luzon, Philippine Islands where he witnessed the aftermath of the battle for Manila. He then went to Japan for occupation duty and became a member of the 292nd Joint Assault Signal Company (JASCO) until he returned to the States in the summer of 1946. He was discharged soon after his return.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Real J. Cyr. Cyr was born in Quebec and joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He was assigned to an escort corvette for convoy duty in the North Atlantic. Cyr was recruited as a commando in Scotland. After he had completed training, he was attached to the USS Herring (SS-233). Cyr completed four patrols with the Herring serving primarily as a translator for intercepted French radio messages. He was then sent to HMS Seraph (P219) where he participated in two commando missions to cripple the Prinz Eugen anchored in Norway. Cyr was captured on the second mission, interrogated by the Gestapo, and was eventually able to escape. He then joined the USS Croaker (SS-246) for two more patrols in the Pacific. Cyr was discharged soon after the surrender of Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Real J. Cyr. Cyr was born in Quebec and joined the Royal Canadian Navy. He was assigned to an escort corvette for convoy duty in the North Atlantic. Cyr was recruited as a commando in Scotland. After he had completed training, he was attached to the USS Herring (SS-233). Cyr completed four patrols with the Herring serving primarily as a translator for intercepted French radio messages. He was then sent to HMS Seraph (P219) where he participated in two commando missions to cripple the Prinz Eugen anchored in Norway. Cyr was captured on the second mission, interrogated by the Gestapo, and was eventually able to escape. He then joined the USS Croaker (SS-246) for two more patrols in the Pacific. Cyr was discharged soon after the surrender of Japan.

Transcript of an oral interview with Alvin Leos. Leos quit school in the seventh grade to work on a dairy farm to help the family earn money during the Great Depression. He entered the Army in 1940 and was stationed at Galveston, Texas in a coast artillery unit when war was declared in December, 1941. Before long, his unit was assigned to coastal defense on New Hebrides. In 1944, he was sent back to the US where he trained recruits at Tyler, Texas. He then volunteered for a combat assignment and was attached to the First Cavalry Division prior to the invasion of the Philippines. Leos then describes patrols and enemy encounters on Luzon. When the war ended, Leos had enough points to go home. He eventually got assigned to the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Then, Leos discusses the time spent occupying Germany in the early 1950s. Leos moves back to discussing event that occurred while he was serving in the Philippines during WWII. He finishes by discussing visiting the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

Transcript of an oral interview with Alvin Leos. Leos quit school in the seventh grade to work on a dairy farm to help the family earn money during the Great Depression. He entered the Army in 1940 and was stationed at Galveston, Texas in a coast artillery unit when war was declared in December, 1941. Before long, his unit was assigned to coastal defense on New Hebrides. In 1944, he was sent back to the US where he trained recruits at Tyler, Texas. He then volunteered for a combat assignment and was attached to the First Cavalry Division prior to the invasion of the Philippines. Leos then describes patrols and enemy encounters on Luzon. When the war ended, Leos had enough points to go home. He eventually got assigned to the Second Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas. Then, Leos discusses the time spent occupying Germany in the early 1950s. Leos moves back to discussing event that occurred while he was serving in the Philippines during WWII. He finishes by discussing visiting the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Fuglaar. Fuglaar applied to join the Merchant Marine in 1942. He became an engineering cadet and journeyed by convoy to Liverpool, England. Fuglaar describes hearing the depth charge attacks by convoy escorts, heavy seas, and the amount of study that was required of a cadet. He also describes what it was like to work in an engine room. Fuglaar completed another convoy to England on another ship and then was assigned to two eventful convoys to the Soviet Union. He describes conditions in Murmansk. The Scharnhorst attempted to intercept one of the convoys and his ship ran aground on the other. Fuglaar became 3rd Assistant Engineer on another ship delivering supplies to Manila soon after its liberation. He was released by the Maritime Commission in March of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Fuglaar. Fuglaar applied to join the Merchant Marine in 1942. He became an engineering cadet and journeyed by convoy to Liverpool, England. Fuglaar describes hearing the depth charge attacks by convoy escorts, heavy seas, and the amount of study that was required of a cadet. He also describes what it was like to work in an engine room. Fuglaar completed another convoy to England on another ship and then was assigned to two eventful convoys to the Soviet Union. He describes conditions in Murmansk. The Scharnhorst attempted to intercept one of the convoys and his ship ran aground on the other. Fuglaar became 3rd Assistant Engineer on another ship delivering supplies to Manila soon after its liberation. He was released by the Maritime Commission in March of 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with James "Jim" Joyce. When Joyce finished high school, he joined the Navy in January, 1943. Soon, he was training with a naval construction battalion (Seabees), and was assigned to Banika Island in the Russell Islands in the Solomons where he served in a bakery and as a stevedore. He was attached to the 11th Construction Battalion. Eventually, Joyce headed for Okinawa and was there on D-day (1 April 1945). He escorted Japanese prisoners of war to Saipan and headed back to Okinawa where he continued performing his bakery and stevedore duties. He stayed on Okinawa until November before returning home to the US.

Transcript of an oral interview with James "Jim" Joyce. When Joyce finished high school, he joined the Navy in January, 1943. Soon, he was training with a naval construction battalion (Seabees), and was assigned to Banika Island in the Russell Islands in the Solomons where he served in a bakery and as a stevedore. He was attached to the 11th Construction Battalion. Eventually, Joyce headed for Okinawa and was there on D-day (1 April 1945). He escorted Japanese prisoners of war to Saipan and headed back to Okinawa where he continued performing his bakery and stevedore duties. He stayed on Okinawa until November before returning home to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale Nelsen. Nelsen joined the Navy in 1940. He was trained as a corpsman and was assigned to LST-347. He took part in the invasion of Sicily and was awarded the Bronze Star for treating wounded soldiers. He was transferred to USS LST-72 and participated in landings at Italy and discusses transporting 90 wounded soldiers to Bizerte. He was part of a landing by British troops behind enemy lines in Burma. Nelsen was also a part of the landings at Normandy and describes some of his experiences. He describes an incident where he witnessed a V-1 bomb land in London and helped treat the wounded. Nelsen remained in the reserves after the war and organized many reunions for his shipmates. He also describes visiting the WWII Memorial.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale Nelsen. Nelsen joined the Navy in 1940. He was trained as a corpsman and was assigned to LST-347. He took part in the invasion of Sicily and was awarded the Bronze Star for treating wounded soldiers. He was transferred to USS LST-72 and participated in landings at Italy and discusses transporting 90 wounded soldiers to Bizerte. He was part of a landing by British troops behind enemy lines in Burma. Nelsen was also a part of the landings at Normandy and describes some of his experiences. He describes an incident where he witnessed a V-1 bomb land in London and helped treat the wounded. Nelsen remained in the reserves after the war and organized many reunions for his shipmates. He also describes visiting the WWII Memorial.

Transcript of an oral interview with Paul G. Johnson. Johnson finished high school in 1938 and was working when he joined the US Army Air Corps in early 1942. He qualified for flight training and ultimately trained in Florida on B-17 bombers. He was assigned to the 412th Squadron, 95th Bomb Group i nthe 8th Air Force and sent to the European Theater of Operations. Johnson flew 35 missions and describes his job as a pilot. Toward the end of the war, Johnson was stationed on Guam. He was there when the wasr ended and sailed back to San Francisco.

Transcript of an oral interview with Paul G. Johnson. Johnson finished high school in 1938 and was working when he joined the US Army Air Corps in early 1942. He qualified for flight training and ultimately trained in Florida on B-17 bombers. He was assigned to the 412th Squadron, 95th Bomb Group i nthe 8th Air Force and sent to the European Theater of Operations. Johnson flew 35 missions and describes his job as a pilot. Toward the end of the war, Johnson was stationed on Guam. He was there when the wasr ended and sailed back to San Francisco.

Transcript of an oral interview with James Reed. Reed was drafted and went into the Army 11 Nov 1943. After basic training in Waco, Texas he was sent overseas, landing in England. He was put in a tank destroyer outfit to start with but got separated from them. After a hospital stay, he was put in the 101st Airborne Division, 327th Glider Infantry. He was wounded by shrapnel on 20 Dec 1944 in his right leg during the Battle of the Bulge. He was at Bastogne. Once wounded, he was sent back to France and then to England. He stayed at a hospital in England for nine months and then was shipped home. After a 4-5 month stay at a hospital in the States, he was discharged. He receives disability from the Army for his injuries. Reed was discharged 18 Sep 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with James Reed. Reed was drafted and went into the Army 11 Nov 1943. After basic training in Waco, Texas he was sent overseas, landing in England. He was put in a tank destroyer outfit to start with but got separated from them. After a hospital stay, he was put in the 101st Airborne Division, 327th Glider Infantry. He was wounded by shrapnel on 20 Dec 1944 in his right leg during the Battle of the Bulge. He was at Bastogne. Once wounded, he was sent back to France and then to England. He stayed at a hospital in England for nine months and then was shipped home. After a 4-5 month stay at a hospital in the States, he was discharged. He receives disability from the Army for his injuries. Reed was discharged 18 Sep 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ky Putnam. Putnam enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 in El Paso, Texas. After training, he was assigned to the 414th Night Fighter Squadron. His squadron was based in Italy and Putnam describes his living conditions, his squadron mates, and several of his combat experiences. Putnam tells the story of the time he got shot down in February, 1945. He and his radar man both parachuted out of the damaged P-61 and landed separately in the mountains. Putnam fell in with some Italian partisans and was eventually reunited with his radar man, John Marunovich, at the crash site. Putnam goes into considerable detail about his 22-day ordeal after his plane crashed. As Putnam and Marunovich made their way south, they encountered several friendly Italians, even one dressed in a German infantryman's uniform who traveled with the Americans for a while. After a while, Putnam and his radar man encountered an Allied unit from South Africa. They finally found a guide to get them through the lines and back to the Allied side. After a hike over a ridge at night, the group made it into Allied …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ky Putnam. Putnam enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 in El Paso, Texas. After training, he was assigned to the 414th Night Fighter Squadron. His squadron was based in Italy and Putnam describes his living conditions, his squadron mates, and several of his combat experiences. Putnam tells the story of the time he got shot down in February, 1945. He and his radar man both parachuted out of the damaged P-61 and landed separately in the mountains. Putnam fell in with some Italian partisans and was eventually reunited with his radar man, John Marunovich, at the crash site. Putnam goes into considerable detail about his 22-day ordeal after his plane crashed. As Putnam and Marunovich made their way south, they encountered several friendly Italians, even one dressed in a German infantryman's uniform who traveled with the Americans for a while. After a while, Putnam and his radar man encountered an Allied unit from South Africa. They finally found a guide to get them through the lines and back to the Allied side. After a hike over a ridge at night, the group made it into Allied …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Matthew Lynch. Lynch joined the Navy in September of 1942. He completed advanced electric hydraulic school, concentrating primarily on the 5"/38 caliber gun. Beginning June of 1943, he served as Third-Class Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Conner (DD-582). Lynch participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, a pre-invasion attack on the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands Campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He returned to the US and was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Matthew Lynch. Lynch joined the Navy in September of 1942. He completed advanced electric hydraulic school, concentrating primarily on the 5"/38 caliber gun. Beginning June of 1943, he served as Third-Class Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Conner (DD-582). Lynch participated in the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, a pre-invasion attack on the Marshall Islands, the Mariana Islands Campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf. He returned to the US and was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elton Porter. Porter joined the Navy in late 1943. He completed Sonar School and Gunnery School, and volunteered for submarine service. Porter served as a Messman and Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Haddo (SS-255) around late 1944. He participated in their eighth and ninth war patrols, traveling through Pearl Harbor, the East China and Yellow seas. Porter received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Elton Porter. Porter joined the Navy in late 1943. He completed Sonar School and Gunnery School, and volunteered for submarine service. Porter served as a Messman and Gunner’s Mate aboard USS Haddo (SS-255) around late 1944. He participated in their eighth and ninth war patrols, traveling through Pearl Harbor, the East China and Yellow seas. Porter received his discharge in late 1945.