Oral History Interview with William Most, December 17, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with William Most, December 17, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Most. Most joined the Marine Corps in late 1944 and went to basic training at Parris Island. After further training in North Carolina, he shipped overseas to Guam where he joined replacements fro the 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. He joined them in time for their move from Okinawa to China after he war ended. While in CHina on occupation duty, Most was made a clerk typist. he remained in that postition until he was discharged in November 1946.
Date: December 17, 2019
Creator: Most, William
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with William Most, December 17, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with William Most, December 17, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Most. Most joined the Marine Corps in late 1944 and went to basic training at Parris Island. After further training in North Carolina, he shipped overseas to Guam where he joined replacements fro the 22nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Division. He joined them in time for their move from Okinawa to China after he war ended. While in CHina on occupation duty, Most was made a clerk typist. he remained in that postition until he was discharged in November 1946.
Date: December 17, 2019
Creator: Most, William
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Don Woodard, Sr. Woodard joined the Navy in March 1944. He completed Yeoman School in San Diego. Beginning in August, he served as the captain’s yeoman aboard USS Bowie (APA-137). They transported troops and cargo throughout the Philippines and to Okinawa in May of 1945. After the war ended, they delivered occupation troops to Sasebo, Japan. He returned to the US in early 1946 and received his discharge.
Date: December 13, 2019
Creator: Woodard, Don
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Don Woodard, December 13, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Don Woodard, Sr. Woodard joined the Navy in March 1944. He completed Yeoman School in San Diego. Beginning in August, he served as the captain’s yeoman aboard USS Bowie (APA-137). They transported troops and cargo throughout the Philippines and to Okinawa in May of 1945. After the war ended, they delivered occupation troops to Sasebo, Japan. He returned to the US in early 1946 and received his discharge.
Date: December 13, 2019
Creator: Woodard, Don
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Benton Askins, December 11, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Benton Askins, December 11, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Benton Askins. Askins joined the Army in July 1942. He was trained in radio installation and repair and sent to Australia, then to New Gunea where he joined the 997th Signal Service Battalion at Hollandia. He stayed there until the war ended. He returned to the US and was discharged in January 1947.
Date: December 11, 2019
Creator: Askins, Benton
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Benton Askins, December 11, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Benton Askins, December 11, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Benton Askins. Askins joined the Army in July 1942. He was trained in radio installation and repair and sent to Australia, then to New Gunea where he joined the 997th Signal Service Battalion at Hollandia. He stayed there until the war ended. He returned to the US and was discharged in January 1947.
Date: December 11, 2019
Creator: Askins, Benton
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John W. Smith, November 23, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with John W. Smith, November 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John W. Smith III. Jean assists with the interview. Smith was born 15 February 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He speaks about his father’s participation with the Manhattan Project. Smith’s father, John W. Smith II, was an electrician and completed contract work for the government at Huntsville Arsenal in Alabama, Oak Ridge in Tennessee and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Smith recalls traveling with his family each time his father was relocated for work. He was 12 years old when the war in the Pacific started, and he shares memories of life in the US as a child during wartime. He served in the Navy from 1946 through 1947, then entered the Air Force. He was assigned as a navigator with the 764th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Wing. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, retiring in 1970.
Date: November 23, 2019
Creator: Smith, John W
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with John W. Smith, November 23, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with John W. Smith, November 23, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John W. Smith III. Jean assists with the interview. Smith was born 15 February 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia. He speaks about his father’s participation with the Manhattan Project. Smith’s father, John W. Smith II, was an electrician and completed contract work for the government at Huntsville Arsenal in Alabama, Oak Ridge in Tennessee and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina. Smith recalls traveling with his family each time his father was relocated for work. He was 12 years old when the war in the Pacific started, and he shares memories of life in the US as a child during wartime. He served in the Navy from 1946 through 1947, then entered the Air Force. He was assigned as a navigator with the 764th Bombardment Squadron, 461st Bombardment Wing. He served in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, retiring in 1970.
Date: November 23, 2019
Creator: Smith, John W
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Abe, November 22, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Richard Abe, November 22, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Abe. Abe’s wife Yukiko is helping with this interview. Abe was born 29 May 1934 in Ewa, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents. His father was the supervisor of the Ewa Sugar Plantation. He and his family were living on the island, 8 miles west of Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese attacked. Abe was 7 years old at the time, and he provides vivid details of his experiences, witnessing the bombing of military installations, being confined to his house, blackouts and his parents being directed to destroy any documents written in Japanese. From 1956 through 1958, Abe served in the US Army, 4th Infantry Division.
Date: November 22, 2019
Creator: Abe, Richard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Richard Abe, November 22, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Richard Abe, November 22, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard Abe. Abe’s wife Yukiko is helping with this interview. Abe was born 29 May 1934 in Ewa, Hawaii, to Japanese immigrant parents. His father was the supervisor of the Ewa Sugar Plantation. He and his family were living on the island, 8 miles west of Pearl Harbor, when the Japanese attacked. Abe was 7 years old at the time, and he provides vivid details of his experiences, witnessing the bombing of military installations, being confined to his house, blackouts and his parents being directed to destroy any documents written in Japanese. From 1956 through 1958, Abe served in the US Army, 4th Infantry Division.
Date: November 22, 2019
Creator: Abe, Richard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with O. Harold Mainer. Mainer joined the Navy in October, 1940 and trained at San Diego. He was then assigned as a deckhand to USS Helena (CL-50) and caught the ship in Hawaii in late 1940 and was still aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor, which he describes. Mainer was aboard when Helena sank at Kula Gulf. Then, Mainer was transferred to USS Munsee (ATF-107), an ocean going tug, for the remainder of the war. He was discharged in January 1947.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Mainer, Harold
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harold Mainer, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with O. Harold Mainer. Mainer joined the Navy in October, 1940 and trained at San Diego. He was then assigned as a deckhand to USS Helena (CL-50) and caught the ship in Hawaii in late 1940 and was still aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor, which he describes. Mainer was aboard when Helena sank at Kula Gulf. Then, Mainer was transferred to USS Munsee (ATF-107), an ocean going tug, for the remainder of the war. He was discharged in January 1947.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Mainer, Harold
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Pedro Alvarez Vasquez. Vasquez was drafted into the Army around 1943 and assigned to the 87th Armored Field Artillery. In 1944, they were deployed to England. Vasquez traveled throughout France and Germany with the tanks, in charge of gasoline, ammunition, serving as an assistant driver and working the machine guns. He recalls his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in November of 1945 and received his discharge.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Vasquez, Pete
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Pete Vasquez, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Pedro Alvarez Vasquez. Vasquez was drafted into the Army around 1943 and assigned to the 87th Armored Field Artillery. In 1944, they were deployed to England. Vasquez traveled throughout France and Germany with the tanks, in charge of gasoline, ammunition, serving as an assistant driver and working the machine guns. He recalls his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge. He returned to the US in November of 1945 and received his discharge.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Vasquez, Pete
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Murphy, November 20, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Murphy, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Murphy. Murphy joined the Navy in late 1942. After boot training at Great Lakes, he went to quartermaster school in Rhode Island. Upon completion, Murphy was assigned to USS Carlson (DE-9). He was on the commissioning crew and rode it through the Panama Canal to the Pacific. He was transferred off the ship, underwent further training, and was assigned to ACORN-44 and sent to Okinawa. He arrived at Okinawa when the fighting was winding down and set up a seaplane base on Buckner Bay. He remained on Okinawa until he had enough points t oreturn to the US and be discharged in January 1946.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Murphy, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Murphy, November 20, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Murphy, November 20, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Murphy. Murphy joined the Navy in late 1942. After boot training at Great Lakes, he went to quartermaster school in Rhode Island. Upon completion, Murphy was assigned to USS Carlson (DE-9). He was on the commissioning crew and rode it through the Panama Canal to the Pacific. He was transferred off the ship, underwent further training, and was assigned to ACORN-44 and sent to Okinawa. He arrived at Okinawa when the fighting was winding down and set up a seaplane base on Buckner Bay. He remained on Okinawa until he had enough points t oreturn to the US and be discharged in January 1946.
Date: November 20, 2019
Creator: Murphy, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dale Perry, October 29, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Dale Perry, October 29, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dale Perry. Perry joined the Navy at seventeen in August, 1943 before finishing high school. After basic training, he went to various schools to learn about torpedo operations before going to motor torpedo boat school in Rhode Island. He shipped to the Mediterranean Sea area and was assigned to PT-309. He shares several anectdotes about his time aboard the vessel. In 2020, Perry visiteed the museum and was allowed to go aboard his old boat one more time, PT-309.
Date: October 29, 2019
Creator: Perry, Dale
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Dale Perry, October 29, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Dale Perry, October 29, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Dale Perry. Perry joined the Navy at seventeen in August, 1943 before finishing high school. After basic training, he went to various schools to learn about torpedo operations before going to motor torpedo boat school in Rhode Island. He shipped to the Mediterranean Sea area and was assigned to PT-309. He shares several anectdotes about his time aboard the vessel. In 2020, Perry visiteed the museum and was allowed to go aboard his old boat one more time, PT-309.
Date: October 29, 2019
Creator: Perry, Dale
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Francis Kellems, October 17, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Francis Kellems, October 17, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Francis Kellems. Kellems joined the Navy in September 1943. After boot camp, he was assigned to USS Hubbard (DE-211). He served as a baker aboard the ship and recalls antisubmarine partols in the Atlantic.
Date: October 17, 2019
Creator: Kellems, Francis
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Francis Kellems, October 17, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Francis Kellems, October 17, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Francis Kellems. Kellems joined the Navy in September 1943. After boot camp, he was assigned to USS Hubbard (DE-211). He served as a baker aboard the ship and recalls antisubmarine partols in the Atlantic.
Date: October 17, 2019
Creator: Kellems, Francis
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Landis, October 7, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Landis, October 7, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Q. Landis. Landis joined the Navy around April of 1944. He served as a quartermaster aboard USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2). They traveled to New Guinea, and he assisted the ship’s captain in undercover scouting work that other crew members completed aboard LSTs and LCTs. They also traveled to Leyte in the Philippine Islands. Around late 1944, early 1945, Landis transferred to USS Henry T. Allen (APA-15). They were located in Manila Bay when the war ended, then they traveled to Japan to assist with occupation duties. They returned to the US in December and Landis received his discharge.
Date: October 7, 2019
Creator: Landis, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Landis, October 7, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Landis, October 7, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Q. Landis. Landis joined the Navy around April of 1944. He served as a quartermaster aboard USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2). They traveled to New Guinea, and he assisted the ship’s captain in undercover scouting work that other crew members completed aboard LSTs and LCTs. They also traveled to Leyte in the Philippine Islands. Around late 1944, early 1945, Landis transferred to USS Henry T. Allen (APA-15). They were located in Manila Bay when the war ended, then they traveled to Japan to assist with occupation duties. They returned to the US in December and Landis received his discharge.
Date: October 7, 2019
Creator: Landis, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Archie Kellems, October 1, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Archie Kellems, October 1, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Archie Kellems. Kellems joioned the navy in December 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After some training and being shipped to Hawaii, Kellems contracted the measels and was hospitalized for a while. When he was released, he was assigned to USS O'Brien (DD-415). He was aboard the O'Brien when she was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine along with USS Wasp (CV-7). He was rescued and then later assigned to USS Fullam (DD-474) in March 1943. In march 1945, he joined USS Niagara (APA-87) in time to take some troops to Okinawa. After the war ended, Kellems was discharged in early 1946, but was back i nthe Navy within six months. He made a career of hte Navy.
Date: October 1, 2019
Creator: Kellems, Archie
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Archie Kellems, October 1, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Archie Kellems, October 1, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Archie Kellems. Kellems joioned the navy in December 1941 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. After some training and being shipped to Hawaii, Kellems contracted the measels and was hospitalized for a while. When he was released, he was assigned to USS O'Brien (DD-415). He was aboard the O'Brien when she was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine along with USS Wasp (CV-7). He was rescued and then later assigned to USS Fullam (DD-474) in March 1943. In march 1945, he joined USS Niagara (APA-87) in time to take some troops to Okinawa. After the war ended, Kellems was discharged in early 1946, but was back i nthe Navy within six months. He made a career of hte Navy.
Date: October 1, 2019
Creator: Kellems, Archie
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History