A photograph print showing the Southern Pacific (SP) 1743, 2-6-0 (BLW), class M6, South Vallejo, CA.

A photograph print showing the Southern Pacific (SP) 1131, 0-6-0 (class S-8), Suisun, CA.

Interview with Norman Benedict, a Navy veteran, concerning his experiences as an engineering officer with Submarine Division 46 and Submarine Division 106 in the Pacific Theater while stationed at Pearl Harbor during World War II. Assignment to the USS Cuttlefish, 1941; transfer to the Engineering and Repair Department, Pearl Harbor, 1942, as a division engineer; comments about submarine maintenance, repair, and modernization.

Interview with John Wisecup, a Marine Corps veteran and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Wisecup talks about the sinking of the Houston (1942), his capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Changi Jail (1944-1945), and his liberation.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Brown. Brown joined the Navy and served as a Radarman with amphibious forces at Guadalcanal for one year. In 1942, Brown worked aboard submarines as a specialist in surface attacks using radar. Admiral Chester Nimitz appointed him the officer in charge to create the Pacific Fleet Radar School for Senior Officers, and to instruct them in radar techniques. Brown completed this work through late 1945. He continued his service after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Day. Day was born in Olney, Texas 23 September 1921 and graduated from high school in Vivian, Louisiana in 1942. Upon joining the Navy 4 June 1942, he was sent to The Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. Afterwards, Day was assigned to the Amphibious Forces at Solomons, Maryland for training where he learned navigation and signal communications. Completing the course in October 1942 he went to Redwood City, California for further training. Assigned to LCT(5)-62, he describes the size, propulsion, crew compliment and purpose of the craft. Day tells of breaking the LCT into sections that were put aboard an AKA and sailing to New Caledonia arriving in December 1942. On a trip to Guadalcanal he witnessed a Japanese plane dropping a bomb on the USS De Haven (DD-469). He recalls a night trip to New Georgia when he saw St. Elmo’s fire on the railing of his ship. At Tulagi on 7 April 1943, Day personally shot down an attacking Japanese plane. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and tells of being on the USS Estes (ACG-12) and describes an intense …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abe Santos. Santos joined the Navy in November of 1939. He served as a Fireman aboard the USS Astoria (CA-34). They participated in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway and Savo Island, where the ship was sunk. He traveled back to Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Wharton (AP-7). Santos was placed on tugboat duty for six months, then transferred to Johnston Island as a Second-Class Machinist’s Mate. He assisted with airstrip construction. He later transferred back to headquarters at Pearl Harbor, and worked on staff for Admiral Robert L. Ghormley. He continued his service after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Brown. Brown joined the Navy and served as a Radarman with amphibious forces at Guadalcanal for one year. In 1942, Brown worked aboard submarines as a specialist in surface attacks using radar. Admiral Chester Nimitz appointed him the officer in charge to create the Pacific Fleet Radar School for Senior Officers, and to instruct them in radar techniques. Brown completed this work through late 1945. He continued his service after the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Albert Day. Day was born in Olney, Texas 23 September 1921 and graduated from high school in Vivian, Louisiana in 1942. Upon joining the Navy 4 June 1942, he was sent to The Great Lakes Naval Training Station for boot training. Afterwards, Day was assigned to the Amphibious Forces at Solomons, Maryland for training where he learned navigation and signal communications. Completing the course in October 1942 he went to Redwood City, California for further training. Assigned to LCT(5)-62, he describes the size, propulsion, crew compliment and purpose of the craft. Day tells of breaking the LCT into sections that were put aboard an AKA and sailing to New Caledonia arriving in December 1942. On a trip to Guadalcanal he witnessed a Japanese plane dropping a bomb on the USS De Haven (DD-469). He recalls a night trip to New Georgia when he saw St. Elmo’s fire on the railing of his ship. At Tulagi on 7 April 1943, Day personally shot down an attacking Japanese plane. He participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima and tells of being on the USS Estes (ACG-12) and describes an intense …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Abe Santos. Santos joined the Navy in November of 1939. He served as a Fireman aboard the USS Astoria (CA-34). They participated in the battles of the Coral Sea, Midway and Savo Island, where the ship was sunk. He traveled back to Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Wharton (AP-7). Santos was placed on tugboat duty for six months, then transferred to Johnston Island as a Second-Class Machinist’s Mate. He assisted with airstrip construction. He later transferred back to headquarters at Pearl Harbor, and worked on staff for Admiral Robert L. Ghormley. He continued his service after the war ended.

A letter written to T. N. Carswell from Gib Sandefer, Marines' Memorial Club, San Francisco 2, California, dated Saturday. Sandefer advises that he went by Mare Island which always makes him think of Carswell and World War One. He discusses his humorous list of qualifications that he gave to Jake [J. D. Sandefer, Jr.] regarding recommendations for the new President of their "ole' school" [Hardin-Simmons University] noting he [Elwin Lloyd Skiles] might be the best since Prexy [J. D. Sandefer, Sr.]. He advises that he intends to write to Skiles and offer his help but that he is like his dad and "not in the ass kissing business" so he will wait to see if it will be appreciated. He requests that he tell Uncle Johnnie Roach that while he was at LBJ's Ranch when playing Austin he ran into someone from HSU who's sister married T. J. Bailey of Ozona.

An envelope addressed to Mr. T. N. Carswell, Yard Craft Supply Office, Naval Training Station, Mare Island, California. Return address from Governor's Office, Austin, Texas, postmarked AUSTIN, TEX. CAPITOL STA., AUG 23 1918.

Invoice for Jumbo Prunes sold to Daniel W. Kempner by Vaca Valley Orchards for $4.45, marked paid on the 28th of May, 1949. The invoice states that this item was shipped as a replacement for a lost-in-transit item.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to R. B. Hawkins informing that he has not received the prunes.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to Vaca Valley sending a check for a package of jumbo prunes.

Handwritten letter from Marry Sutton to Daniel and Jeane Kempner providing an update on her current health condition and thanking them for all the support they've given.

Handwritten letter from Mary Sutton to Jeane Kempner seeking to clear some misconceptions regarding her previous letter and insisting she has been truthful about her medical conditions.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to R. B. Hawkins enclosing a $3.95 check for Jumbo Prunes

Invoice for Jumbo Prunes sold to D. W. Kempner by Vaca Valley Orchards for $4.45, marked paid by check.

Letter from Daniel W. Kempner to Vaca Valley Orchards requesting a 1-6 pound box of prunes for $4.45.

Handwritten letter from Mary to Jeane Kempner thanking her for the Christmas gift and providing an update on her health conditions.

Letter from Mrs. D. W. K. to Mrs. Mary D. Sutton discussing about papers and letters that were left back by her brother though most of her belongings were taken. Thus, asking Mrs. Mary to ask her brother to come around and pick up the papers.

Handwritten letter from Mary to Jeane Kempner discussing her recent health improvements and promising to be ready to return to work soon.

Handwritten letter from Mary to Daniel W. Kempner asking for some assistance with her taxes and medical bills and providing an update on her health conditions.