The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Nielsen from Medaryville, Indiana. He discusses undergoing Amry training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before being assigned as B Company of the 69th Army Regiment at Fort Knox as a private. Afterwards he got lucky and was assigned to drive a truck from Louisiana to North Carolina, Mr. Nielsen describes this as the best job he ever had in the Army. After Pearl Harbor he is transferred to the 1st Armored Division and Regiment, 2nd Battalion. He was then transported from fort Knox to Ireland then to England for a short time before being shipped out to Oran in North Africa. On the way to Oran, the ship he was on was almost hit by a missile shot by a German U-boat, but it instead hit another ship that was nearby. By the time Mr. Nielsen reached Oran he was a segreant Tank Commander. He also relays a time he warned his Company Commander about German Tiger Tanks being in their area and being ignored only for them to show up a few days later resulting in one captain deserting and being captured by German soldiers. Mr. Nielsen …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Nielsen from Medaryville, Indiana. He discusses undergoing Amry training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, before being assigned as B Company of the 69th Army Regiment at Fort Knox as a private. Afterwards he got lucky and was assigned to drive a truck from Louisiana to North Carolina, Mr. Nielsen describes this as the best job he ever had in the Army. After Pearl Harbor he is transferred to the 1st Armored Division and Regiment, 2nd Battalion. He was then transported from fort Knox to Ireland then to England for a short time before being shipped out to Oran in North Africa. On the way to Oran, the ship he was on was almost hit by a missile shot by a German U-boat, but it instead hit another ship that was nearby. By the time Mr. Nielsen reached Oran he was a segreant Tank Commander. He also relays a time he warned his Company Commander about German Tiger Tanks being in their area and being ignored only for them to show up a few days later resulting in one captain deserting and being captured by German soldiers. Mr. Nielsen …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Owen. Owen was born in Lufkin Texas in 1926. He went to Texas A&M for a year after high school then joined the Navy after turning 18 in 1944 and trained at San Diego in June. In December, he was in the commissioning crew of USS Colusa (APA-74). Owen recalls hauling wounded from Iwo Jima back to Pearl Harbor aboard the Colusa before heading for Australia to repatriate American sailors whose ships had sunk. When the war ended, Owen returned to A&M, graduated and went to work.

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.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Melvin Pratt. Pratt joined the Navy in April of 1944. He served as Seaman 3rd Class with the gunnery gang aboard the minesweeper USS Strength (AM-309). In December, they arrived in Pearl Harbor, and began training in preparation for the Iwo Jima invasion. On 16 February 1945, they began sweeping off Iwo Jima to clear the way for the invasion fleet. In late March, they assisted in clearing the approaches to the beaches off Okinawa for the impending assault. After the war ended, they participated with occupation forces in Japan, sweeping mines around Sasebo. He received his discharge in May of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Russell J Judah. Judah joined the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, New York, in 1944. He graduated in August of 1945. He was immediately commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, serving mostly in the Philippines and occupied Japan. He traveled aboard the SS Mission Loreto (1944), a type T2 tanker. Judah was discharged in March of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Laughery. Laughery joined the Navy in June of 1943. He served as Seaman 2nd Class aboard the USS Harrison (DD-573), assisting the 20mm gunner and working in the fireroom as a Water Tender 1st Class. They survived 11 encounters with Japanese defenses at Bougainville, Tarawa, New Guinea, Kwajalein, Guam, the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Laughery was discharged in April of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alvin Lebsack. Lebsack joined the Army Air Corps in November of 1940. He trained in aircraft mechanics, and served with the 58th Bomb Wing as a B-29 Crew Chief and Flight Chief. They participated in the China Burma India Theater, and were stationed at a base in India. Lebsack completed bombing missions over Japan in 1944. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Thomas Burgess. Burgess joined the Army in June of 1943 and went into the Specialized Training Program. Once ASTP was abolished he joined the 87th Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He was assigned to Company A of the 345th Infantry Regiment. He was also assigned to the weapon’s platoon as the number one gunner of the 60mm mortar squad. He served as squad leader of the 60mm mortar for the duration of the war. His unit went overseas in September of 1944. By December he was in his first battle at Metz, France. He provides detail of his regiment’s activities during this time and capturing several towns near Saarbrucken, Germany. They fought in the Battle of the Bulge and he provides detail of this battle. He returned to the States in July of 1945. Burgess was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George S. Halfin. Halfin joined the Army in early 1942. He studied geodetic computing at the University of Kentucky, then joined the 910th Engineers Air Force Headquarters Company. They were sent to Colorado Springs, and worked on drafting plans to extend runways in the U.S. to handle military planes. Through 1943, Halfin traveled to around 45 states in the U.S., analyzing runways. They would clock the amount and distance it took a plane to land. In late 1943 or early 1944, they were deployed to Guam, where Halfin assisted in designing runways for the different islands with the goal of getting closer to Japan. He provides details of island life, where he remained through the end of the war. Additionally, Halfin and another draftsman from their company were assigned to create architectural drawings for an office on Guam for Admiral Chester Nimitz and the Pacific Command, which the Seabees built. He returned to the U.S. in late 1945 and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Allen Cates. Cates joined the Army in 1944. He completed basic training at Camp Wolters, Texas, and paratrooper training off Dog Island, Florida. In December he deployed to New Guinea and served with the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division. In mid-February 1945, they landed on Corregidor to liberate the island from occupying Japanese forces. From there he was assigned as a combat engineer with the 11th, working with demolition, traveling through Manila, Luzon and Okinawa. In late August, they landed at Atsugi Airfield in Japan, then traveled to Hokkaido in December where he served with the occupation through late 1946. He returned to the US and received his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Richard E. Werner. Werner joined the Army in September of 1942. He served in the Medical Detachment with the 1106th Engineer Combat Battalion, 7th Army. They were transferred to England, and participated in infantry combat and built pontoon bridges during the Normandy invasion and traveled as far as the Rhine River when Germany surrendered on 8 May 1945. Werner served with the occupation in Germany and returned to the US in November, receiving his discharge.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bains. Bains joined the Army around early 1942. He completed Signal Corps training. Bains deployed to England and served with the 66th Infantry Division, 566th Signal Corps Company. The 66th was primarily involved with destroying the Germany troops left behind by the retreat from Northern France. Bains traveled through central Europe, Germany and France. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Volcik. Volcik grew up on a farm in Texas and was 13 when the war started. Volcik’s brothers served and urged him not to join the service too quickly as their mother needed help at home. Volcik was 17 when the war ended. After the war, he joined the Navy in February 1946 and recalls several experiences from his time in the post-war Navy aboard USS Huntington (CL-107).

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Archie W. Scott. Scott joined the Marine Corps in 1942. He entered the V-12 Program, and was sent to Georgia Tech to train further as an engineer. He transferred to California, and attended Field Telephone School. He was then assigned to USS Rochambeau (AP-63), and served in communications, and on the 8-inch gun. They traveled to Pearl Harbor, where he joined the Third Battalion, Seventh Marine Regiment. They participated in the Guadalcanal, Eastern New Guinea, New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa campaigns. He shares details of his combat experiences, injuries and receiving two Purple Hearts during the battles on Peleliu and Okinawa. Beginning in April 1946, they participated in the occupation of North China. Scott returned to the US and received his discharge in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Edward Larson. Larson joined the Army Air Forces in January, 1943 and became a pilot and was commissioned in April, 1944. He was first assigned as an instructor. He finally went overseas to India and was stationed in the Assam Valley where he participated in transporting material over the Himalaya Mountains to China beginning in January 1945. After a few trips over the Hump, Larson was stationed in China where he flew transport missions to various bases in China. Larson describes some of the flying conditions he experienced in the Himalaya Mountains as well as his experiences during the war in China.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with W.T. Riedel. Riedel was born in Yorktown, Texas on 27 December 1921. He was a member of the Texas A&M University band when he enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in 1943. Following basic training at Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, he was sent to the University of Denver in Colorado. While there he was selected for pilot training. He recalls the various air fields on which he received the various phases of flight training before receiving his wings in February 1944. Upon being commissioned he was sent to Salt Lake City, Utah where a B-17 bomber crew was assembled and crew training began. Upon completion of the training, the crew flew to Bedford, England. There, they were assigned to the 306th Bomb Group. He describes one mission they flew over Lutzkendorf, Germany during which their aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Due to a fire aboard their plane, the crew was compelled to bail out. The entire crew landed safely and were picked up by Belgian partisans and taken to friendly headquarters. They were returned to England and given a period of rest and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Adolph Krchnak. Krchnak joined the Army in December of 1944. He completed parachute school. In late 1944, early 1945 he was stationed in the Philippines with the 11th Airborne Division. They served in a traditional infantry role in the Philippines. His division participated in the Liberation of Manila in the spring of 1945. In August of 1945 they traveled into southern Japan as part of the occupation force. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with David Belvin. Belvin joined the Navy in June, 1941 and trained at San Diego. After training and before the war started, he went to machinist school and then was assigned to the USS Dobbin (AD-3). He spent some time in Australia and recalls a submarine attack in Sydney Harbor. After his brother was lost at sea during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Belvin was sent back to the US for reassignment after some home leave. Belvin was discharged in July 1946 and enrolled in the University of Texas where he earned an engineering degree.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Raymond Juengermann. Juengermann was drafted into the Army Air Forces in January, 1943. He qualified for flight training and earned his wings in May, 1944. Then he reported to Roswell, New Mexico for training in B-17 bombers. In early 1945, he and his crew headed for England. Once he was settled into the routine, he began flying combat missions over Germany. he flew 29 combat missions in B-17s through April. After the war. Juengermann stayed in Europe ferrying people to various destinations on the continent. he returned to the US and was discharged in February, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jerome Crowley. Crowley was born in Cituate, Maine 17 March 1924. He graduated from high school in 1941 and joined the US Navy 17 January 1942. Upon completion of boot camp he was sent to Aviation Machinist Mate School in Jacksonville, Florida where he received six months training on aircraft engines. He then volunteered for PT boats and underwent two months of training in Melville, Rhode Island. Crowley was then assigned to Torpedo Squadron 9 and went to Tobago for additional training. In March 1943 his unit arrived in Tulagi and he was assigned to the engine room aboard PT-156. He participated in the invasion of Munda and the Treasury Islands as well as doing patrols in the Kula Gulf. Crowley comments on the high morale among the crew members.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Agin. Agin lied about his age so he could join the CCC in summer, 1941, when he was 15 years old. When he was discharged from the CCC in 1942, instead of returning to school, Agin joined the Army Air Forces at sixteen years old. He trained in aerial gunnery before heading overseas on a B-25 crew. He was assigned to the 71st Bomb Squadron, 38th Bomb Group at Morotai, Indonesia. He flew on 46 missions over the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea attacking shipping and airfields. Agin shares several combat stories. He mentions low level attacks and skip bombing. When the war ended, Agin was discharged but re-enlisted in April, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Plaster. Plaster joined the US Navy in 1943, completed boot camp and Landing Craft School. He then went to New Caledonia, where he served aboard USS John Penn (APA-23). He describes the ship and its mission. While participating in the invasion of Guadalcanal, the ship was sunk by a Japanese torpedo. Plaster was then assigned to USS President Hayes (APA-20) as a member of a landing craft crew and participated in the landing on Bougainville. He also recalls being subjected to nightly bombing for 21 consecutive nights. While there, he contracted malaria. In 1945, Plaster was assigned to a minesweeper in the Philippines. He explains the method used in mine sweeping including the use of the paravane. He also tells of his ship being in typhoons. Soon after the Japanese surrender, Plaster was assigned to a destroyer that participated in a goodwill tour that visited a number of countries before returning to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Hannemann. Hannemann joined the Navy in June of 1943. He deployed after basic training to Brisbane, Australia, where he was assigned to a replacement unit. He served as a Yeoman in the Admiral’s Office of the 7th Fleet, under the direction of Douglas MacArthur. Hannemann additionally served on bases in Hollandia, New Guinea and in the Philippines. In mid-1945, he was transferred to a Navy base in Florida. In 1946, he received his discharge.