Interview with Buck Gibson of Waco, Texas, a veteran from the United States Navy during World War Two. The interview includes some of Strauss' background before and after the war as well as his personal experiences while in the Navy, including memories of his training, life in the Navy, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and what happened after he was rescued.

Interview with Buck Gibson of Waco, Texas, a veteran from the United States Navy during World War Two. The interview includes some of Mr. Gibson's background before and after the war as well as his personal experiences while in the Navy, including memories of his training, life in the Navy, the sinking of the USS Indianapolis, and what happened after he was rescued.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a visit with a friend name Sally and a trip planned for Gonzales with Baby and John, a suggestion about an address book to track the information that she gives him, and an update that Jessie got a job in San Antonio.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, plans for when he returns home, the weather, and finishing reading "The Good Earth."

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, his appreciation for the work that Catherine is doing on the kitchen, his sadness at Forrest Foch's death, and being behind on his letter writing.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing starting school the next morning, and his squadron enjoying their three day pass out of town, during which they shared a quart of rum with a man they met on the beach.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing the mail service, the crew not having named their plane yet, and telling Catherine that he doesn't care if she gains weight.

Letter from Joe to his wife Catherine discussing playing golf on his day off, receiving a letter from Pat, apologizing for not writing Lorraine, getting a package from Annie and Doug, and encouraging Catherine to have her friends over to play bridge.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including her return from Gonzales, her hope for him to be stationed in Hawaii, and her quiet evening in with the pets.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including the Nineteenth parade, a weekend with Mother, and requests that he write back to the other friends from home who have sent him letters.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a trip to Gonzales with Sue Merle to see Mother, breakfast with Mammy, plans to eat dinner with Nell and Thelma, and the death of Morris Dowell and Willie Appling.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including going out to the Kopper Kettle with Dan, plans for family dinner at Gladys and Weston's house, and their dog, Teddy, having rolled in a dead fish.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including a visit with Mae and Lorraine, her enjoyment of the photos he has sent, and a drive for more draftees that is coming up.

Letter from Catherine to her husband Joe discussing news from home, including receiving a letter from Cope, waxing the floors and doing other chores around the house, and plans to go home for the weekend.

Typed document recording the account of Edward H. De Wolf, who served on LST (H) 931 at Iwo Jima, describing the scene in a front line hospital ship following the initial invasion of Iwo Jima. The document graphically describes the assault on that island and the activity on LST (H) 931 during it.

Handwritten letter from Elizabeth M. Newmiller to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts, February 19, 1945. She writes in regard to Robert’s letter about the death of her husband, John Jacobs Newmiller during the Battle off Samar on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. She enquires about receiving the money John accrued while serving.

Handwritten letter from Elizabeth M. Newmiller to Lt. Comdr. E. E. Roberts, February 19, 1945. She writes in regard to Robert’s letter about the death of her husband, John Jacobs Newmiller during the Battle off Samar on the U.S.S. Samuel B. Roberts. She enquires about receiving the money John accrued while serving.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken McCloud. McCloud, known as Tex by the 339th Fighter Squadron, recounts a dogfight that occurred over Rabaul in which he encountered over a dozen Zeros. He shot down one plane before being hit, causing his right engine to catch fire. He landed in the water and deployed his life raft. He was pursued by sharks and fought an albatross to the death. Using a piece of driftwood and his parachute, he fashioned a sail and rode out a storm. McCloud survived by drinking rainwater and eating albatross jerky until he was rescued several days later by a B-24.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Hubenthal. Hubenthal joined the Navy in November of 1942. He provides details of his flight training and the various planes he flew. He graduated in 1944. They traveled to Hawaii and Ulithi, where he was assigned to fly fighters off the USS Essex (CV-9). Hubenthal participated in both the Okinawa and Japan campaigns. He shares vivid details of his experiences through these battles. He was discharged in September of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert W. Conner. Conner was born in Pennsylvania on 8 September 1914. He attended Duke University prior to joining the 93rd Construction Battalion in 1941. Initial training began in Williamsburg, Virginia, after which the unit moved to California where they were trained in the use of arms. The unit was then transported to Green Island where they built two airstrips and support buildings. He tells of his admiration for the New Zealand people who were also stationed on the island. Following the surrender of Japan Conner’s unit returned to the United States and he discusses the joyous reception upon their arrival in Portland, Oregon.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Juliussen. Juliussen joined the Navy Seabees in March of 1943. He completed boot camp, gunnery school and additional Seabees training at Port Hueneme in California. Juliussen served with the 33rd Naval Construction Battalion. They traveled by freighter to the Russell Islands and had a Shellback initiation when they crossed the equator. They helped load an LST, and invaded the Green Islands, where they were attacked by Japanese Zeros. Their job was to build airstrips on the island, where Juliussen worked in the heavy equipment shop and in the crane and shovel repair group. From there they traveled to Hollandia, the Solomon Islands and Tacloban in the Philippines. They completed 4 airstrips and 1 Navy base. He provides vivid details of his work, the camaraderie with fellow servicemen and attacks made by the Japanese. He was discharged shortly after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Art Rankin. Rankin was born in 1924 and joined the Navy after he graduated high school, around 1942. He completed boot camp at Camp Perry in Ohio. In the fall of 1943 he traveled to Noumea, New Caledonia and Russell Islands, off Guadalcanal. Rankin continued on to Green Islands where he was assigned to sanitation details and mess cook duty. He traveled on to Leyte Gulf, Samar and Guiuan in the Philippines. His unit built an airstrip and a sawmill. Rankin had numerous encounters with the Japanese, and saw active combat in the Solomon Islands, the Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea and the Philippines. He shares many anecdotes of his time in the service and interaction with natives on the various islands he visited. He was discharged in late 1945 as a carpenter’s mate, third class.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Collins. Collins was born in Driftwood, Pennsylvania on 24 September 1920. In 1943 he joined the United States Navy and was sent to Camp Peary for eight weeks of boot training. He then went to Camp Parks, California where he was assigned to Company A, 93rd Construction Battalion. In October 1943 the unit boarded the USAT Perida, arriving at Noumea, New Caledonia on 1 November 1943. Just as the ship anchored in the harbor, Collins witnessed an ammunition ship explode at the docks. The accident resulted in many deaths. The battalion went to Banika Island where they built a hospital. They then went to Green Island Atoll where they built two air strips and a hospital. In January 1945, the battalion boarded the USS Cape Johnson (AP-172) and sailed to Samar, Philippines. He describes being under attack by Japanese aircraft. While on Samar, Collins’ unit constructed airstrips and warehouses. During October 1945, Collins returned to the United States and was assigned to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. He had developed a serious ear infection while overseas and was sent to a naval hospital. After receiving treatment for two …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Mike C. Dillingham. Dillingham was born in Commerce, Texas 18 February 1912. Upon graduating from Texas A&M University in 1935, he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Coast Artillery reserves. Called for active duty 19 April 1941 he reported to the 69th Coast Artillery (anti-aircraft) at Camp Hulen, Texas where he was assigned to Search Light Battery A. In November 1941 the battery went to Midland, Texas to practice using aircraft sound detection and search light equipment. Radar was not available and aircraft detection was made with large horn acoustic receiving devices. On 9 December 1941 the unit moved to San Diego to defend the aircraft production plant. In 1942, Dillingham was sent to Camp Davis, North Carolina to search light school. Upon completing the training he was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas to help establish the 233rd Search Light Battalion (anti- aircraft). In 1943 the battalion was provided with a radar (SCR268) receiving set and went to Fiji in September. In 1944, Dillingham was sent to New Caledonia as executive officer of the 518th Gun Battalion. The battalion arrived at Lingayen Gulf two days after the initial …