Oral History Interview with Frank Smith, January 7, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Frank Smith, January 7, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Smith. Smith was drafted into the Navy in August, 1943 and went to boot camp in New York. He then trained as a radio operator. He was sent to New Guinea and worked at a station at Hollandia where he received coded messages. Then he went to the Philippines for the invasion of Luzon where he worked aboard a communications vessel. When the war ended, Smith was back at Hollandia and was discharged in April, 1946.
Date: January 7, 2014
Creator: Smith, Frank
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Frank Smith, January 7, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Frank Smith, January 7, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Smith. Smith was drafted into the Navy in August, 1943 and went to boot camp in New York. He then trained as a radio operator. He was sent to New Guinea and worked at a station at Hollandia where he received coded messages. Then he went to the Philippines for the invasion of Luzon where he worked aboard a communications vessel. When the war ended, Smith was back at Hollandia and was discharged in April, 1946.
Date: January 7, 2014
Creator: Smith, Frank
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bookbinder, January 16, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Bookbinder, January 16, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bookbinder. Bookbinder was in ROTC at the University of Kentucky when the war started and was called to active duty in the Army in April, 1943 and trained at Camp Wolters, Texas before getting his commission at Fort Benning on October, 1944. He was assigned to the 86th Infantry Division and went to Europe with them. After fighting in Europe, his division went to the Philippines for occupation duty.
Date: January 16, 2014
Creator: Bookbinder, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Bookbinder, January 16, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Bookbinder, January 16, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Bookbinder. Bookbinder was in ROTC at the University of Kentucky when the war started and was called to active duty in the Army in April, 1943 and trained at Camp Wolters, Texas before getting his commission at Fort Benning on October, 1944. He was assigned to the 86th Infantry Division and went to Europe with them. After fighting in Europe, his division went to the Philippines for occupation duty.
Date: January 16, 2014
Creator: Bookbinder, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Gresko, January 23, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with George Gresko, January 23, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gresko. Gresko joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944 and trained at Miami Beach. He then went to aerial gunnery school, then overseas to Tinian where he joined the 6th Bomb Group, 24th Bomb Squadron in April, 1945. He flew 11 combat missions before being sent back to the US to train as a lead crew. He was discharged in February 1946. In 2005, Gresko returned to Tinian for the 60th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack.
Date: January 23, 2014
Creator: Gresko, George
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with George Gresko, January 23, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with George Gresko, January 23, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Gresko. Gresko joined the Army Air Forces in January 1944 and trained at Miami Beach. He then went to aerial gunnery school, then overseas to Tinian where he joined the 6th Bomb Group, 24th Bomb Squadron in April, 1945. He flew 11 combat missions before being sent back to the US to train as a lead crew. He was discharged in February 1946. In 2005, Gresko returned to Tinian for the 60th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack.
Date: January 23, 2014
Creator: Gresko, George
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Wicker, January 23, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Wicker, January 23, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Wicker. Wicker joined the Navy in mid-1944. He served with the ship repair crew aboard the USS Corregidor (CVE-58). They traveled to Eniwetok, Guam, Pearl Harbor, conducting anti-submarine patrol, providing air cover and qualifying pilots in carrier operations. Wicker returned to the US and received his discharged in late 1945.
Date: January 23, 2014
Creator: Wicker, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Wicker, January 23, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Wicker, January 23, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with James Wicker. Wicker joined the Navy in mid-1944. He served with the ship repair crew aboard the USS Corregidor (CVE-58). They traveled to Eniwetok, Guam, Pearl Harbor, conducting anti-submarine patrol, providing air cover and qualifying pilots in carrier operations. Wicker returned to the US and received his discharged in late 1945.
Date: January 23, 2014
Creator: Wicker, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Alma. Alma went into the Army Air Forces in March 1943 and trained in Florida before training as an engine mechanic. He went overseas in March, 1946 to Germany. There he repaired aircraft engines.
Date: February 4, 2014
Creator: Alma, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Alma, February 4, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Alma. Alma went into the Army Air Forces in March 1943 and trained in Florida before training as an engine mechanic. He went overseas in March, 1946 to Germany. There he repaired aircraft engines.
Date: February 4, 2014
Creator: Alma, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Paul Shealy, February 5, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Paul Shealy, February 5, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Shealy. Shealy joined the Navy in August of 1940. Beginning February of 1941, he served as Seaman First Class mess cook aboard the USS Canopus (AS-9) until they scuttled the ship in April of 1942, upon the surrender of Bataan. Shealy was taken to Corregidor for duty in the 4th Battalion Reserve, of the 4th Marine Regiment. He was captured in May and imprisoned in Bilibid Prison, Cabanatuan Prison, a Japanese prison ship, and Osaka Prison. Shealy returned to the US in late 1945, and completed thirty years of service.
Date: February 5, 2014
Creator: Shealy, Paul
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Paul Shealy, February 5, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Paul Shealy, February 5, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Paul Shealy. Shealy joined the Navy in August of 1940. Beginning February of 1941, he served as Seaman First Class mess cook aboard the USS Canopus (AS-9) until they scuttled the ship in April of 1942, upon the surrender of Bataan. Shealy was taken to Corregidor for duty in the 4th Battalion Reserve, of the 4th Marine Regiment. He was captured in May and imprisoned in Bilibid Prison, Cabanatuan Prison, a Japanese prison ship, and Osaka Prison. Shealy returned to the US in late 1945, and completed thirty years of service.
Date: February 5, 2014
Creator: Shealy, Paul
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bernadine Bircher, February 6, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Bernadine Bircher, February 6, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernadine Bircher. Bircher was working as a psychiatric nurse in October 1943 when she joined the Army Nurse Corps. Upon completion of basic and specialized training, she deployed in June 1944 to a station hospital in Holland. Her unit was short on anesthetists, so Bircher volunteered, despite having no specific training. Nurses and doctors at the adjacent operating tables assisted Bircher with her first patients, and she began assisting an orthopedic surgeon. Casualties arrived from the Battle of the Bulge, often presenting with self-inflicted wounds in a desperate attempt to get off the front lines, requiring amputation and debridement. When the hospital's mess hall was bombed, glass shattered everywhere, resulting in several enucleation procedures. After serving in several mobile units, Bircher returned home in December 1945 and was discharged, returning to her work as a psychiatric nurse.
Date: February 6, 2014
Creator: Bircher, Bernadine
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Bernadine Bircher, February 6, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Bernadine Bircher, February 6, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernadine Bircher. Bircher was working as a psychiatric nurse in October 1943 when she joined the Army Nurse Corps. Upon completion of basic and specialized training, she deployed in June 1944 to a station hospital in Holland. Her unit was short on anesthetists, so Bircher volunteered, despite having no specific training. Nurses and doctors at the adjacent operating tables assisted Bircher with her first patients, and she began assisting an orthopedic surgeon. Casualties arrived from the Battle of the Bulge, often presenting with self-inflicted wounds in a desperate attempt to get off the front lines, requiring amputation and debridement. When the hospital's mess hall was bombed, glass shattered everywhere, resulting in several enucleation procedures. After serving in several mobile units, Bircher returned home in December 1945 and was discharged, returning to her work as a psychiatric nurse.
Date: February 6, 2014
Creator: Bircher, Bernadine
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with David Spradling, February 11, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with David Spradling, February 11, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Spradling. Spradling graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from Southern Methodist University in December of 1942. He was ordained in January of 1943 and in February, Spradling was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain. He was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. Later, he worked at Manana Naval Barracks and Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked with the African-American community of Navy men, and with the stevedores to staff transports with chaplains and provide ecclesiastical supplies and equipment required for each voyage. From late February of 1945 through the end of the war, Spradling traveled aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3), working with the enlisted me, officers, admiral and captain, and produced a daily paper for the crew. He continued his service after the war.
Date: February 11, 2014
Creator: Spradling, David
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with David Spradling, February 11, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with David Spradling, February 11, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Spradling. Spradling graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity from Southern Methodist University in December of 1942. He was ordained in January of 1943 and in February, Spradling was commissioned as a Navy Chaplain. He was assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida. Later, he worked at Manana Naval Barracks and Kaneohe Bay Naval Air Station in Hawaii. He worked with the African-American community of Navy men, and with the stevedores to staff transports with chaplains and provide ecclesiastical supplies and equipment required for each voyage. From late February of 1945 through the end of the war, Spradling traveled aboard USS Saratoga (CV-3), working with the enlisted me, officers, admiral and captain, and produced a daily paper for the crew. He continued his service after the war.
Date: February 11, 2014
Creator: Spradling, David
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elmer Hill, February 13, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Elmer Hill, February 13, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elmer Hill. Hill was born in August 1906, one of 12 boys in his family. In his mid-30s he was working as a school principal, when he was drafted by the Navy. He served in a gunnery crew aboard the USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) for two years before returning home. At the time of this interview, Hill was 107 years old.
Date: February 13, 2014
Creator: Hill, Elmer
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Elmer Hill, February 13, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Elmer Hill, February 13, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Elmer Hill. Hill was born in August 1906, one of 12 boys in his family. In his mid-30s he was working as a school principal, when he was drafted by the Navy. He served in a gunnery crew aboard the USS Saginaw Bay (CVE-82) for two years before returning home. At the time of this interview, Hill was 107 years old.
Date: February 13, 2014
Creator: Hill, Elmer
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Urban Bellinghausen, February 14, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Urban Bellinghausen, February 14, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Urban J. Bellinghausen. Bellinghausen was born on 3 March 1926 in Munday, Texas. He joined the Marine Corps on 15 June 1944. He attended boot camp at San Diego. Following that he had 3 more months training at Camp Pendleton. Then he deployed to the Pacific, a 33 day crossing from San Diego to Saipan, arriving 10 November 1944. He was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines. While Saipan was in Allied hands, there were still some Japanese troops left to deal with. His unit then sailed to Iwo Jima but returned to Saipan. There they trained for the Okinawa invasion. In Okinawa, they participated in a decoy landing on D-Day minus 1, pulling Japanese forces away from the beaches where the actual landings took place. Never actually hitting the beach, Bellinghausen stayed on board the landing ship, eventually returning to Saipan. After the atomic bombs were dropped and the armistice signed, he was sent to Nagasaki for 10 months. Then he caught a ship at Sasebo for the States, arriving in San Diego 17 July 1946. He was discharged 10 days later.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Bellinghausen, Urban
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Urban Bellinghausen, February 14, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Urban Bellinghausen, February 14, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Urban J. Bellinghausen. Bellinghausen was born on 3 March 1926 in Munday, Texas. He joined the Marine Corps on 15 June 1944. He attended boot camp at San Diego. Following that he had 3 more months training at Camp Pendleton. Then he deployed to the Pacific, a 33 day crossing from San Diego to Saipan, arriving 10 November 1944. He was attached to the 2nd Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 10th Marines. While Saipan was in Allied hands, there were still some Japanese troops left to deal with. His unit then sailed to Iwo Jima but returned to Saipan. There they trained for the Okinawa invasion. In Okinawa, they participated in a decoy landing on D-Day minus 1, pulling Japanese forces away from the beaches where the actual landings took place. Never actually hitting the beach, Bellinghausen stayed on board the landing ship, eventually returning to Saipan. After the atomic bombs were dropped and the armistice signed, he was sent to Nagasaki for 10 months. Then he caught a ship at Sasebo for the States, arriving in San Diego 17 July 1946. He was discharged 10 days later.
Date: February 14, 2014
Creator: Bellinghausen, Urban
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Roy Broughton, February 18, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Roy Broughton, February 18, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Broughton. Broughton joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and received his commission and wings in September, 1944. He was stationed in New Guinea at a replacement depot where he flew missions hauling cargo. Toward the end of the war, he recalls preparing for the invasion of Japan. After the war, Broughton was transferred to Europe to an air transport command. After becoming a squadron safety officer and learning about airplane accidents, Broughton remained in that capacity for the remainder of his career: investigating accidents and enhancing safety protocols.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Broughton, Roy
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Roy Broughton, February 18, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Roy Broughton, February 18, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Roy Broughton. Broughton joined the Army Air Forces in 1942 and received his commission and wings in September, 1944. He was stationed in New Guinea at a replacement depot where he flew missions hauling cargo. Toward the end of the war, he recalls preparing for the invasion of Japan. After the war, Broughton was transferred to Europe to an air transport command. After becoming a squadron safety officer and learning about airplane accidents, Broughton remained in that capacity for the remainder of his career: investigating accidents and enhancing safety protocols.
Date: February 18, 2014
Creator: Broughton, Roy
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Scheumann, February 19, 2014 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Scheumann, February 19, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Scheumann. Scheumann was drafted into the Army in October 1942. After training he was assigned to the 323rd Field Artillery as part of the 83rd Infantry Division. He went overseas to England in April, 1944, then to Normandy on 12 June. He was wounded and evacuated to England in early July. When he returned to France he was assigned to drive a radio repair truck. He returned to the US in November 1945.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Scheumann, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Scheumann, February 19, 2014 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Scheumann, February 19, 2014

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Scheumann. Scheumann was drafted into the Army in October 1942. After training he was assigned to the 323rd Field Artillery as part of the 83rd Infantry Division. He went overseas to England in April, 1944, then to Normandy on 12 June. He was wounded and evacuated to England in early July. When he returned to France he was assigned to drive a radio repair truck. He returned to the US in November 1945.
Date: February 19, 2014
Creator: Scheumann, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History