The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Manuel E. Quijas. Quijas grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and was drafted into the the Army in July, 1942. He describes training at Camp Wolters, Texas. At Fort Hood, Quijas was assigned to the 820th Tank Destroyer Battalion. Quijas trained as a driver for a half-track. Upon completion of training, Quijas and his unit were shipped to England where they immediately left for France in October, 1944. Eventually, his unit moved into Belgium and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Quijas describes retreating and disabling his half-track and its weapons. QUijas speaks of retraining in medium tanks and taking them across the Rhine River into Germany. When the war ended in Europe, Quijas shipped back to the US and was discharged in November, 1945. Quijas used the GI Bill to finish high school.

Transcript of an oral interview with Howard B. “Jeep” Stebelton. Born in 1922, he was drafted into the Army Air Force in January, 1943. He was trained in airplane mechanics and aerial engineering. He describes aerial gunnery training at Kingman Army Airfield, Arizona. In the summer of 1944, he was sent to England and assigned to the 91st Bombardment Group, 324th Bomb Squadron. As top turret gunner, he went on missions to bomb targets in Germany, including a railroad yard in Hamm and an engine factory in Frankfurt. He describes a mission to bomb a synthetic oil refinery in Merseburg on which the plane sustained major damage, but was able to return to the base. One mission involved aiding General Patton by bombing German pillboxes in Metz, France. He describes his typical day. He recounts an instance in which he manually cranked open the bomb bay doors. He flew eighteen of his thirty-five missions in a plane named Mih Ideal. He flew his last mission in March, 1945. He was discharged in September, 1945.

Transcript of an oral interview with William R. Sanchez. Born in Texas in 1918, Sanchez joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938. He was drafted into the Army in 1940 and elected to serve in the Philippines. He was assigned to the 59th Regiment, Coast Artillery, Battery D and later Battery H at Fort Mills (Corregidor). He was then assigned to Army Intelligence in the Harbor Defense Headquarters. He recounts how the Army Intelligence at Corregidor provided advance notification of the Japanese force on its way to attack Pearl Harbor. He describes participating in the battle for Corregidor, being taken prisoner in the Malinta Tunnel, and his role in disposing of an American flag after the surrender to the Japanese. He discusses the treatment and living conditions he experienced as a prisoner of war. He was held captive at Bilibid Prison and Cabanatuan in the Philippines. He was transported aboard the Totorri Maru, a hell ship, to Formosa. He was then relocated to Camp Omori near Tokyo, Japan where he befriended Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and Louis Zamperini; was beaten by “the Wiley Bird” (Mutsuhiro Watanabe); and encountered Premier Tojo. He discusses his release when the war ended, return to …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for the invasion of North Africa. Cooper describes being involved in the Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia and having to retreat. At one point while Cooper was in Italy, he was captured by the Germans. He was liberated a few days later. Cooper also speaks about destroying ammunition after the war. After the war in Europe ended, Cooper returned to the US and was discharged. He re-enlisted in 1948 and saw service in the war in Korea. He also tested parachutes at Fort Bragg, Norh Carolina with the 101st Airborne Division. Also, Cooper met Elvis Presley while the Third Armored Division was stationed in Germany. While testing parachutes, Cooper also met General William Westmoreland.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Conrad Miessler. Miessler joined the Army Air Force in February, 1943 and discusses his pilot training in the T-6 Texan. He eventually graduated up to the P-38. Once Miessler was deployed to the Pacific, he flew missions from the Philippines to targets on Formosa (Taiwan). He was attached to the 433rd Fighter Squadron, 435th Fighter Group, 5th Air Force. When the war ended, he was shipped to Korea and flew a few months before going home and enrolling in Purdue University, where he used the G.I. Bill to earn an engineering degree in 1950.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arthur R. Weller. Weller begins with a brief biography and then an account of his father's actions as Commanding Officer aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18) that resulted in the award of the Navy Cross. Weller attended the University of California, Berkeley, and enrolled inthe Navy's V-12 program. His first assignment upon commissioning was at Fort Pierce, Florida teaching sailors to operate landing craft. At Fort Pierce, Weller volunteered for Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) training. In late 1944, Weller shipped out to Hawaii for more training and then boarded the USS Bates (APD-47) for a ride to Iwo Jima. He was assigned to UDT-12. Weller describes his duties and experiences at Iwo Jima. After the battle, Weller was transferred to the USS Iowa (BB-61). Aboard the Iowa, Weller served as a gunnery officer. He was aboard the Iowa in Tokyo Bay during the surrender ceremony and observed it through his gunsights. Weller also describes going ashore in Tokyo as a shore patrolman and as a tourist on liberty.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Joan F. Weller. Weller begins with an account of her father's career in the Navy and her experiences growing up and moving from station to station all over the US. During her high school years , she spent time in San Diego and Honolulu. She was present on Oahu when Pearl Harbor was attacked. She proceeds to read a speech she delivered to high school mates of hers in San Diego shortly after she was evacuated back to the US mainland. In the speech she describes her impressions of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Weller then describes her activities as a college student during the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Schroeder. Schroeder joined the Army Air Forces and completed gunnery school and airplane mechanics school. Around 1943, Schroeder served with the 2nd Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron as a detached service with the 13th and 7th Air Forces. They traveled over Johnston Island, Eniwetok, the Philippines and Truk Lagoon.

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 oral interview with James C. ""Bill"" Trowell. Trowell begins by telling about his father-in-law, Claude W. Lester. Lester was a torpedo man in the Navy during World War I and was recalled to active duty during World War II. He reads from Lester's diary about destroyer picket duty off Okinawa. Trowell then begins with his own experiences of growing up during the Great Depression on a farm in New Mexico. Trowell finished high school at 16 in 1942 and go a deferment due to his work in agriculture. In April, 1944, he joined the Marine Corps. He speaks a bit about training in San Diego. After training, Trowell qualified for Marine Aviation school and trained as a ground crew member examinig fuselages, wings, elevators, rudders and ailerons for damage, etc. The war ended before Trowell got overseas. When he did go overseas, he went to China for occupation duty with the First Marine Air Wing. He describes some trouble the Marines had with the Chinese communists. Trowell feels certain he would have gone to Iwo Jima had he not been able to get into a Marine aviation unit.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. Saylor. Saylor begins with a brief description of his life on a cattle ranch in Montana during the Depression years. He worked on the ranch until 1939 when he joined the Army Air Corps. After finishing basic training, Saylor went to aircraft mechanic school. He eventually worked as a flight engineer, going wherever his airplane went. Shortly after the war started, Saylor volunteered for a mission and began training with other B-25 crews in Florida under Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle. Saylor provides details of getting aboard the USS Hornet (CV-8) in California. Saylor was flight engineer with Crew 15, second to last to take off, and his plane bombed Kobe. Crew 15 made a water landing near an island and were able to get to shore. Chinese citizens aided Saylor and his crew by hiding them in a cave while the Japanese Army searched for them. After another day, Crew 15 was taken to the Chinese mainland and met up with some other Raiders. They eventually made their way west to Chunking where they met Generalissimo and Madam Chiang Kai Shek. Saylor's wife learned …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Trubach. Trubach was drafted into the Army in December of 1944. In March of 1945 he traveled to Luzon, Philippines. His job was to go out on reconnaissance missions into the hills of Luzon to locate any remaining Japanese soldiers in the caves. Trubach provides some detail of these missions and of jungle life. He then traveled to Fukaya, Japan to help clean up an ammunition storage area and destroy Japanese weapons. He was then transferred over to a medical detachment with the Army Air Forces. They traveled around Japan administering vaccinations and then he was placed into a communication detachment until early 1946. He then served as telephone operator, corresponding with other bases around Japan. Trubach was discharged in November of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard Mosier. Mosier joined the Army in 1946, having been a high school student during the war, and was sent to Japan for occupation duty. Upon arrival, he was assigned to the International Military Tribunal for the Far East as a personal aide to the presiding justices. He was on friendly terms with all of them, and among the list of tasks he performed were repairing a family heirloom for Sir William Webb, playing bridge with Judge Bernard, picking out Christmas gifts for the Queen of Netherlands on behalf of Judge Röling, listening to General Zaryanov's jokes, and attending a special event at the Imperial Palace which no one outside the Imperial family had attended in over a century. After returning home from the tribunal one year later, Mosier visited Judge Higgins at the Massachusetts Superior Court and was invited to sit with him at the bench.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clyde Powell. Powell joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in Norfolk and further training at a signal school. Upon completion, he was sent to Attu and Adak, followed by Tarawa. He stayed aboard ship, in communication with the troops ashore. They sent Powell messages describing the action and relaying their needs for ammunition and aid. Powell says the invasion was rougher than portrayed in the media. On the first day, messages revealed confusion regarding whether the Marines or the Navy were in charge. At Okinawa, Powell was always among the first on his ship to sight kamikazes or bombers, given his position on the top deck. After the war, he stayed aboard for the transport of troops to Sasebo. He returned home and was discharged in 1946. Afterward, Powell enjoyed a 50-year career with the railroad.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Pinell. Pinell joined the Navy early in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received training on firing and repairing torpedoes. Upon completion he was assigned to various torpedo squadrons in the Pacific. He worked primarily in field repair units but would occasionally fill in as a torpedoman aboard PT boats. In addition to carrying out night patrols, he would soften landings in the Philippines by firing torpedoes close to shore. Pinell was stationed in Borneo when the war ended. He was startled into his foxhole by many ships firing in celebration. Pinell returned home and was discharged in October 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John H. Butterfield. Butterfield was drafted in November, 1942 into the Army and trained as an antiaircraft gunner. In March, 1943 he was shipped to Hawaii. Soon, he was assigned to a gun battery at Pearl City. He also learned to operate the radar and describes its activity. Butterfield describes being transported across the Pacific in an LST and participating in the assault on Makin Island. Butterfield and crew set up their antiaircraft guns there after the atoll was secure. Eventually, his outfit was transported back to Pearl Harbor in July, 1944. In April, 1945, Butterfield's antiaircraft unit was attached to the Tenth Army and went to Ie Shima. Butterfield also speaks about witnessing the Japanese surrender delegation arriving on Ie Shima. After the war, he was discharged and returned home, married and resumed farming.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David T. Hughes. Hughes joined the Marine Corps in September, 1942. He trained in San Diego and then shipped over to New Zealand. When Hughes arrived, he was assigned to A Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division as a rifleman. Hughes shares several anecdotes about training in New Zealand prior to shipping to Tarawa. At Tarawa, his unit was held in reserve and did not go ashore until the afternoon of the second day. The next day, Hughes was shot in the arm and evacuated to a ship. That ship took him back to the hospital at Pearl Harbor where Hughes recovered and was awarded the Purple Heart by Admiral Nimitz. He was finally shipped back to the US and was mustered out of the Marine Corps due to his disability in October, 1944.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Daniel F. Hinojosa. Hinojosa volunteered for the Marine Corps in 1944 so as to avoid being drafted. He trained in San Diego. When deployed, Hinojosa was attached to Company D, 3rd Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division. Hinojosa then goes on to describe landing in the first wave on Red Beach at Iwo Jima. He was in a machien gun squad. Hinojosa was discharged in 1946 and returned home to finish high school.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arnold L. ""Al"" Pitcher. Pitcher finished high school and then joined the Navy in 1943. He joined with one of his brothers and they trained at Great Lakes, Illinois. Upon completion Pitcher went to quartermaster school at Bainbridge, Maryland, where he learned to signal, navigate and steer a destroyer escort. Upon completion, Pitcher was sent to California where he boarded the USS Crowley (DE-303) and headed for Pearl Harbor. Pitcher describes the support the Crowley provided for the Marines on Peleliu. Pitcher also decribes the activities of the Crowley during the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Otto K. Smith. Smith joined the US Army Air Forces late in 1942 after he finished high school and trained at Biloxi, Mississippi. Smith volunteered for aerial gunnery training after basic and was shipped to Las Vegas, Nevada for more training. At the beginning of 1943, SMith graduated from gunnery school and then headed for radio school at Scott Field, Illinois. By the end of the year, Smith was teamed up with a crew and training in B-24 bombers in California. His unit shipped out to Europe and landed in Scotland in June, 1944. By July, Smith and his crew were flying combat missions from a base around Norwich, England. By the middle of December, Smith had flown on 30 combat missions. He was operating in the 713th bombardment squadron, 448th bomb group, 2nd Air Force. Smith describes being aboard a B-24 during combat mission and sometimes having to cut bombs hung up in the bomb bay loose so they would fall. When 30 missions were complete, Smith opted to fly home in a C-54, which crashed and burned on the runway ion the Azores. SMith was able …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marlin Dyer. Dyer joined the Navy in 1944. He completed training as a crewman on a landing craft, vehicle, personnel, LCVP or Higgins boat. He transported Marines to and from the shore during the Battle of Okinawa, and continued work on the island for 13 months. Dyer returned to the US and received his discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Joe Kostelnik. Kostelnik joined the Navy in May of 1944. He served as Apprentice Seaman aboard the USS Belet (APD-109) in the Pacific. Kostelnik notes he participated in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns, transporting the 2nd Division Marine Corps, and received 2 battle stars. After the war ended, they traveled to Tokyo Bay and witnessed the signing of the Peace Treaty. After the signing, he returned to the US and received his discharge in June of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with John Harley Ruth. After doing a little work in Arkansas after completing high school, Ruth joined the Army in Fort Worth, Texas in 1940. He trained in the artillery in San Antonio, then became an instructor at a Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After one year of service, Ruth applied for pilot training in the Army Air Corps, was accepted, and reported to Brooks Army Air Field for preflight training just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He shares anecdotes about flight training all over Texas: Cuero, San Antonio, Brady. Upon completion of flight training, Ruth was assigned to the 5th Ferry Group in the Air Transport Command. Ruth shares several stories about various airplanes he ferried all over the United States during 1942-1943. In 1944, Ruth was assigned to ferry a C-46 to India. From there, he flew supplies up into China over the Himalaya Mountains. He recalls several experiences: one involving General Clarie Chennault, a few close calls, and ferrying money and a load of tin. In late 1944, Ruth returned to Dallas where his wife and son were living. He was stationed at …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Miller. Miller joined the Navy in 1942. He trained to work in the engine and boiler rooms, serving as Third Class Petty Officer aboard the USS Jarvis (DD-799). Miller participated in 8 engagements through Alaska and the Kurile Islands. After Japan’s surrender, he worked with occupation forces in Japan destroying military supplies. Miller was discharged in February of 1946.