Interview with Lieutenant Col. W. A. Bill Henderson of Gatesville, Texas, who is a veteran of the United States Air Force. In the interview, Mr. Henderson answers biographical questions and talks about his military flight training, traveling, and bombing the Kwai River Bridge during World War II.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clint Libby. Libby was born in New Zealand in September 1946. During the war, his father was stationed there as a United States Marine. His grandmother remembers the Marines as well-mannered and generous. Their presence was a welcome relief to the local population, who feared a Japanese invasion. In fact, in the early years of the war, his mother had an emergency plan in place which involved riding a bicycle to a truck which she would then use to transport neighbors to an escape boat. His father saw combat in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. At the landing on Tarawa, he narrowly avoided drowning by pushing off from the coral when he was submerged under water, bobbing along in this fashion until he reached the shore. Although two men from his mortar platoon were missing at that point, he managed to assemble his weapon and was the first on the beach to begin firing. In September 1944 he was sent to Camp Pendleton as an instructor, and in 1945 he returned to New Zealand and joined his wife.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clint Libby. Libby was born in New Zealand in September 1946. During the war, his father was stationed there as a United States Marine. His grandmother remembers the Marines as well-mannered and generous. Their presence was a welcome relief to the local population, who feared a Japanese invasion. In fact, in the early years of the war, his mother had an emergency plan in place which involved riding a bicycle to a truck which she would then use to transport neighbors to an escape boat. His father saw combat in Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, and Tinian. At the landing on Tarawa, he narrowly avoided drowning by pushing off from the coral when he was submerged under water, bobbing along in this fashion until he reached the shore. Although two men from his mortar platoon were missing at that point, he managed to assemble his weapon and was the first on the beach to begin firing. In September 1944 he was sent to Camp Pendleton as an instructor, and in 1945 he returned to New Zealand and joined his wife.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Swaney. Swaney was born in Linton, North Dakota on 21 September 1920. He describes the hardships he faced during the Depression. After high school, he attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa and graduated in 1942. Upon entering the US Navy in September 1942, he went to Columbia University to Midshipman’s School. He graduated as an ensign and reported to Solomon Island, Maryland for amphibious training. There, as captain of an LCT, he and his crew of ten made practice landings. During one of the training sessions, he injured his spine, which resulted in extensive hospitalization. After spending over a year in various hospitals, he reported to the USS Nevada (BB-36) as a division officer of a five-inch gun. Swaney recalls the ship being attacked by kamikazes off Iwo Jima. He describes actions the ship was involved in during the invasion of Okinawa and recalls the ship being hit by a kamikaze. He witnessed the burial at sea of eleven shipmates. Following the end of the war, Swaney participated in preparing the Nevada for Operation Crossroads in 1946. He decided to be discharged from the Navy in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Edward Swaney. Swaney was born in Linton, North Dakota on 21 September 1920. He describes the hardships he faced during the Depression. After high school, he attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa and graduated in 1942. Upon entering the US Navy in September 1942, he went to Columbia University to Midshipman’s School. He graduated as an ensign and reported to Solomon Island, Maryland for amphibious training. There, as captain of an LCT, he and his crew of ten made practice landings. During one of the training sessions, he injured his spine, which resulted in extensive hospitalization. After spending over a year in various hospitals, he reported to the USS Nevada (BB-36) as a division officer of a five-inch gun. Swaney recalls the ship being attacked by kamikazes off Iwo Jima. He describes actions the ship was involved in during the invasion of Okinawa and recalls the ship being hit by a kamikaze. He witnessed the burial at sea of eleven shipmates. Following the end of the war, Swaney participated in preparing the Nevada for Operation Crossroads in 1946. He decided to be discharged from the Navy in …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Pace. Pace was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania on 14 April 1924. Upon joining the Navy in 1942, he went to boot camp at Sampson, New York. After attending Motor Machinist Mate’s school in Boston, he went to Bath, Maine where he reported aboard the USS Healy (DD-672). In January 1944 the ship joined Task Force 58 and participated in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. Pace tells of participating in various invasions, among them were Guam, Marianas, Leyte, and Iwo Jima. The ship returned to San Francisco in April 1945. He was discharged in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eugene Pace. Pace was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania on 14 April 1924. Upon joining the Navy in 1942, he went to boot camp at Sampson, New York. After attending Motor Machinist Mate’s school in Boston, he went to Bath, Maine where he reported aboard the USS Healy (DD-672). In January 1944 the ship joined Task Force 58 and participated in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. Pace tells of participating in various invasions, among them were Guam, Marianas, Leyte, and Iwo Jima. The ship returned to San Francisco in April 1945. He was discharged in November 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carlo Didio. Didio joined the Navy in early 1942, having already worked as a patternmaker in the ship repair unit at the Norfolk Naval Yard. After basic training, he was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a second class patternmaker. He commissioned and boarded the USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16) as part of the repair crew at the Panama Canal. The ship then headed for Saipan. Didio then traveled to Okinawa, where his ship immediately disembarked with countless other ships, fleeing a typhoon. After 12 days in the storm, the ship lost track of the seven LSTs they were shepherding. The captain advised everyone to put on their life vests as he turned back into the wind and waves to find them. Six were recovered, one having washed ashore on Formosa. Didio’s last station before discharge was Sing Tao, where the locals were neither friendly nor unfriendly but simply wanted to sell goods. He returned home in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carlo Didio. Didio joined the Navy in early 1942, having already worked as a patternmaker in the ship repair unit at the Norfolk Naval Yard. After basic training, he was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as a second class patternmaker. He commissioned and boarded the USS Kermit Roosevelt (ARG-16) as part of the repair crew at the Panama Canal. The ship then headed for Saipan. Didio then traveled to Okinawa, where his ship immediately disembarked with countless other ships, fleeing a typhoon. After 12 days in the storm, the ship lost track of the seven LSTs they were shepherding. The captain advised everyone to put on their life vests as he turned back into the wind and waves to find them. Six were recovered, one having washed ashore on Formosa. Didio’s last station before discharge was Sing Tao, where the locals were neither friendly nor unfriendly but simply wanted to sell goods. He returned home in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kohlman. Kohlman joined the Navy in 1944 after beginning college in pre-med. Despite requesting to be a medic, after an aptitude test he was assigned to radio school. Upon completion, he narrowly missed being assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He instead boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27), copying code around the clock and maintaining the ship’s antennae. His battle station was in the navigator’s compartment, where he was in charge of communications within the ship. He worked briefly in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and hated to hear the distress calls of ships in combat or, worse, to lose all communication with them. But he found typhoons to be even more dangerous than battle. When he received the message that the first atomic bomb had been dropped, he copied the code and handed it to his communications officer, who immediately decoded it and accused Kohlman of dreaming. After the war he visited Naples, and was caught in a major storm off of Gibraltar. Kohlman returned home and was discharged in June 1946. He returned to school, earning a teaching degree in economics and government.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Earl Kohlman. Kohlman joined the Navy in 1944 after beginning college in pre-med. Despite requesting to be a medic, after an aptitude test he was assigned to radio school. Upon completion, he narrowly missed being assigned to the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). He instead boarded the USS Langley (CVL-27), copying code around the clock and maintaining the ship’s antennae. His battle station was in the navigator’s compartment, where he was in charge of communications within the ship. He worked briefly in the Combat Information Center (CIC) and hated to hear the distress calls of ships in combat or, worse, to lose all communication with them. But he found typhoons to be even more dangerous than battle. When he received the message that the first atomic bomb had been dropped, he copied the code and handed it to his communications officer, who immediately decoded it and accused Kohlman of dreaming. After the war he visited Naples, and was caught in a major storm off of Gibraltar. Kohlman returned home and was discharged in June 1946. He returned to school, earning a teaching degree in economics and government.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Charles Liapes. Liapes was born in Newburg, New York 27 November 1921. Five of his brothers were in the service during World War II. Three were wounded and all returned home. In November 1942, Liapes volunteered for the Army and went to Fort McClelland for basic training. Upon completion of basic he traveled to England aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (R-08) to attend a British Commando school. Completing the commando training he returned to the United States and volunteered for the paratroopers. He was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In May 1944 he made five jumps on three successive days to quickly qualify as a paratrooper. On 6 June 1944 he participated in Operation Overlord by jumping over France. He describes the action during and after the jump, seeing comrades and German soldiers killed. He also describes destroying a German tank during the battle of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. He was wounded but recovered prior to participating in Operation Market Garden. Soon after landing he was seriously wounded and sent to a hospital in England. From there he went to the military hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents and oral interview with Charles Liapes. Liapes was born in Newburg, New York 27 November 1921. Five of his brothers were in the service during World War II. Three were wounded and all returned home. In November 1942, Liapes volunteered for the Army and went to Fort McClelland for basic training. Upon completion of basic he traveled to England aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth (R-08) to attend a British Commando school. Completing the commando training he returned to the United States and volunteered for the paratroopers. He was assigned to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In May 1944 he made five jumps on three successive days to quickly qualify as a paratrooper. On 6 June 1944 he participated in Operation Overlord by jumping over France. He describes the action during and after the jump, seeing comrades and German soldiers killed. He also describes destroying a German tank during the battle of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. He was wounded but recovered prior to participating in Operation Market Garden. Soon after landing he was seriously wounded and sent to a hospital in England. From there he went to the military hospital in Framingham, Massachusetts and …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Palmer. Palmer joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He completed preflight, primary flight and ground school. From August through December of 1944, Palmer served as a second lieutenant pilot aboard a Curtiss C-46 Commando transporting B-29 engines and other cargo from Miami to Cairo, Egypt. This was a four-day round trip, which he made 3-4 times per month. In January of 1945 he was transferred to a base in India, and flew the Hump to China. He returned to the US in October of 1945. Palmer was discharged in December of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Palmer. Palmer joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He completed preflight, primary flight and ground school. From August through December of 1944, Palmer served as a second lieutenant pilot aboard a Curtiss C-46 Commando transporting B-29 engines and other cargo from Miami to Cairo, Egypt. This was a four-day round trip, which he made 3-4 times per month. In January of 1945 he was transferred to a base in India, and flew the Hump to China. He returned to the US in October of 1945. Palmer was discharged in December of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Everett Smith, Jr. Smith was born in Bloomington, Indiana on 23 June 1926 and after graduating from high school was drafted into the Army in September 1944. Following basic training, he embarked on the Queen Mary and arrived in Glasgow, Scotland on 1 January 1945. He crossed the English Channel to Normandy with the 63rd Infantry Division. When the war ended in Europe, Smith was in Germany training with the 63rd ID for the invasion of Japan. Following the Japanese surrender, he was transferred to the Signal Corps where his responsibilities included maintaining telephone lines along the Autobahn highway during the ensuing twelve months. He was discharged from the Army on July 24, 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Harrell. Harrell joined the Marine Corps in August 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Division as a radio operator with the 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion and first encountered enemy fire during a practice landing on Goodenough Island. With Chesty Puller, he walked across Cape Gloucester amidst sniper fire. Harrell transferred to the 6th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, landing on Peleliu in the second wave. When his LV-2 Water Buffalo was hit twice in shallow water, Harrell’s shoes were blown off and he crawled ashore, shredding his hands and knees on the reef. After the air strip was secured, Harrell was put on shore patrol, deterring enemy barges. Holdouts remained in caves, and Harrell was bayoneted during a banzai charge. He killed his assailant and boarded a hospital ship. His battalion having been decimated, Harrell rejoined the 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion at Okinawa, taking fragments when a nearby Japanese soldier committed suicide by grenade and hiding amidst urns in native burial grounds. In September 1945, Harrell transferred to the 1st Motor Transport Battalion in north China, facilitating the disarmament of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth Harrell. Harrell joined the Marine Corps in August 1942 and received basic training in San Diego. He was assigned to the 1st Marine Division as a radio operator with the 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion and first encountered enemy fire during a practice landing on Goodenough Island. With Chesty Puller, he walked across Cape Gloucester amidst sniper fire. Harrell transferred to the 6th Amphibious Tractor Battalion, landing on Peleliu in the second wave. When his LV-2 Water Buffalo was hit twice in shallow water, Harrell’s shoes were blown off and he crawled ashore, shredding his hands and knees on the reef. After the air strip was secured, Harrell was put on shore patrol, deterring enemy barges. Holdouts remained in caves, and Harrell was bayoneted during a banzai charge. He killed his assailant and boarded a hospital ship. His battalion having been decimated, Harrell rejoined the 1st Amphibious Tractor Battalion at Okinawa, taking fragments when a nearby Japanese soldier committed suicide by grenade and hiding amidst urns in native burial grounds. In September 1945, Harrell transferred to the 1st Motor Transport Battalion in north China, facilitating the disarmament of …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Longerich. Longerich was born in Germany in 1917 and immigrated to the United States. He attended the Stanton Military Academy and was an amateur radio operator. After opening a successful radio service store with celebrity customers, he sold the business in 1938 and enlisted in the Army in anticipation of the war. He attended basic training and learned CW operation at Fort Monmouth. He was stationed on Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Days later, Longerich overheard Admiral Kimmel lamenting the loss so many young men. Because of his fluency in German, he was chosen for several offensive and defensive counterintelligence operations with the Sixth Army, broadcasting false information to Germany leading to a diversion of Hitler’s divisions on the Eastern Front, and attaching an antenna to a balloon to eavesdrop in hard to reach locales. He was so adept with radio equipment that he was called upon to repair Patton’s personal radio, and he hand-delivered eyes-only communications to Eisenhower. He later joined the Army Security Agency as an electronic countermeasures specialist and R&D engineer. After attending Command and General Staff College, Longerich retired in 1963.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harry Longerich. Longerich was born in Germany in 1917 and immigrated to the United States. He attended the Stanton Military Academy and was an amateur radio operator. After opening a successful radio service store with celebrity customers, he sold the business in 1938 and enlisted in the Army in anticipation of the war. He attended basic training and learned CW operation at Fort Monmouth. He was stationed on Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Days later, Longerich overheard Admiral Kimmel lamenting the loss so many young men. Because of his fluency in German, he was chosen for several offensive and defensive counterintelligence operations with the Sixth Army, broadcasting false information to Germany leading to a diversion of Hitler’s divisions on the Eastern Front, and attaching an antenna to a balloon to eavesdrop in hard to reach locales. He was so adept with radio equipment that he was called upon to repair Patton’s personal radio, and he hand-delivered eyes-only communications to Eisenhower. He later joined the Army Security Agency as an electronic countermeasures specialist and R&D engineer. After attending Command and General Staff College, Longerich retired in 1963.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Morgan. Morgan joined the Navy in December of 1941. Beginning in January of 1942 he served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class and Master of Arms, aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). They participated in the New Guinea and Aleutian Islands Campaigns. From late 1942 into early 1945 they bombarded for invasions of Kwajalein, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In July of 1945 they successfully delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian. Morgan describes their fateful event of 30 July, when the Indianapolis was sunk, and his survival and rescue on 2 August. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Eugene Morgan. Morgan joined the Navy in December of 1941. Beginning in January of 1942 he served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class and Master of Arms, aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35). They participated in the New Guinea and Aleutian Islands Campaigns. From late 1942 into early 1945 they bombarded for invasions of Kwajalein, Guam, Saipan, Tinian, Peleliu, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In July of 1945 they successfully delivered atomic bomb components to Tinian. Morgan describes their fateful event of 30 July, when the Indianapolis was sunk, and his survival and rescue on 2 August. He was discharged in November of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Zapalac. Zapalac was born in Pasadena, California 27 April 1923. He joined the US Army in 1940 and received his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon volunteering for parachute training he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia where he qualified as a paratrooper. He then went to Fort Bragg, Kentucky and was assigned to the 506th Parachute infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In 1943 the unit went to England and continued training. On 6 June 1944 his division participated in Operation Neptune. He describes the procedure of boarding the plane with full combat gear and weapons. He also tells of preparing for bailout. After jumping from 700 hundred feet and landing, he recalls using a cricket device to indentify one’s self with other members of the unit. On 11 June while advancing on bridges at Carentan, France, Zapalac was severely wounded. He was treated by a medic and returned to a hospital in England. After three months in the hospital he was sent to a replacement depot. He was unable to return to combat due to the lack of mobility of his right arm. Requiring frequent …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Zapalac. Zapalac was born in Pasadena, California 27 April 1923. He joined the US Army in 1940 and received his basic training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon volunteering for parachute training he was sent to Fort Benning, Georgia where he qualified as a paratrooper. He then went to Fort Bragg, Kentucky and was assigned to the 506th Parachute infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. In 1943 the unit went to England and continued training. On 6 June 1944 his division participated in Operation Neptune. He describes the procedure of boarding the plane with full combat gear and weapons. He also tells of preparing for bailout. After jumping from 700 hundred feet and landing, he recalls using a cricket device to indentify one’s self with other members of the unit. On 11 June while advancing on bridges at Carentan, France, Zapalac was severely wounded. He was treated by a medic and returned to a hospital in England. After three months in the hospital he was sent to a replacement depot. He was unable to return to combat due to the lack of mobility of his right arm. Requiring frequent …