The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with W T Hardi. Hardi joined the Navy in August, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He went aboard USS Mustin (DD-413) at Noumea. He recalls watching USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) go down in the Gilberts. Hardi served on the radar watch. After promotion, Hardi joined the crew of USS Houston (CL-81). Hardi was aboard when the Houston was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft off Formosa. He was blown into the water and rescued by USS Ingersoll (DD-652). He eventually made his way back to the Houston in December 1944. Hardi opted for discharge when the war ended.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with W T Hardi. Hardi joined the Navy in August, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He went aboard USS Mustin (DD-413) at Noumea. He recalls watching USS Liscome Bay (CVE-56) go down in the Gilberts. Hardi served on the radar watch. After promotion, Hardi joined the crew of USS Houston (CL-81). Hardi was aboard when the Houston was severely damaged by Japanese aircraft off Formosa. He was blown into the water and rescued by USS Ingersoll (DD-652). He eventually made his way back to the Houston in December 1944. Hardi opted for discharge when the war ended.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Wray. Wray entered the Navy in 1942. He completed flight training in Kansas, California, and Texas. He was commissioned in August 1943 and sent to Opa-Locka, Florida to fly a Brewster Buffalo and completed various gunnery missions and field carrier landings. He joined the Composite Squadron 75 (VC-75) flying the FM2 and the F4F. His squadron was sent to Kaneohe, Hawaii and boarded the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79). They worked with Thomas Kincaid’s fleet, escorting troops up to Palau. They also supported troops in the Solomon Islands. He was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, escorting troops. He was aboard the Ommaney Bay when it was struck by a kamikaze. He abandoned ship and was picked up by the USS Patterson (DD-392), then transferred to the USS New Mexico (BB-40) and was aboard during the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in January 1945. He was transported back to California in 1945. The Navy then sent him to Daytona Beach Naval Air Station as an instructor. He was discharged in 1946 and joined the Naval Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Wray. Wray entered the Navy in 1942. He completed flight training in Kansas, California, and Texas. He was commissioned in August 1943 and sent to Opa-Locka, Florida to fly a Brewster Buffalo and completed various gunnery missions and field carrier landings. He joined the Composite Squadron 75 (VC-75) flying the FM2 and the F4F. His squadron was sent to Kaneohe, Hawaii and boarded the USS Ommaney Bay (CVE-79). They worked with Thomas Kincaid’s fleet, escorting troops up to Palau. They also supported troops in the Solomon Islands. He was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, escorting troops. He was aboard the Ommaney Bay when it was struck by a kamikaze. He abandoned ship and was picked up by the USS Patterson (DD-392), then transferred to the USS New Mexico (BB-40) and was aboard during the invasion of Lingayen Gulf in January 1945. He was transported back to California in 1945. The Navy then sent him to Daytona Beach Naval Air Station as an instructor. He was discharged in 1946 and joined the Naval Reserves.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Goldie Conley. Conley was born in San Saba County, Texas in 1922. She describes living conditions in the small town of Cherokee during the Depression years. She married Wilbur Conley in May 1942, one month after he was inducted into the Army Air Forces. In October 1942, Wilbur was sent overseas and she briefly discusses his various assignments. She went to work as a welder with the Bethlehem Pennsylvania Shipyards in Beaumont, Texas and describes some of the hazards of the job. She also reflects upon the loneliness of being separated from her husband for over three years and the elation felt upon his return in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Goldie Conley. Conley was born in San Saba County, Texas in 1922. She describes living conditions in the small town of Cherokee during the Depression years. She married Wilbur Conley in May 1942, one month after he was inducted into the Army Air Forces. In October 1942, Wilbur was sent overseas and she briefly discusses his various assignments. She went to work as a welder with the Bethlehem Pennsylvania Shipyards in Beaumont, Texas and describes some of the hazards of the job. She also reflects upon the loneliness of being separated from her husband for over three years and the elation felt upon his return in 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Huie H. Lamb, Jr. Lamb joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He graduated from flight school in February of 1944, and served as a pilot with the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. He was deployed to England. On his first mission he flew his P-51, nicknamed Etta Jeanne, and had mechanical problems causing him to ditch the plane in the North Sea. He was picked up by Air Sea Rescue from Martlesham Heath. Between a P-47 and his second P-51, Etta Jeanne II, he flew 61 combat missions over Europe, shooting down German aircraft. Lamb continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Huie H. Lamb, Jr. Lamb joined the Army Air Forces in February of 1943. He graduated from flight school in February of 1944, and served as a pilot with the 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force. He was deployed to England. On his first mission he flew his P-51, nicknamed Etta Jeanne, and had mechanical problems causing him to ditch the plane in the North Sea. He was picked up by Air Sea Rescue from Martlesham Heath. Between a P-47 and his second P-51, Etta Jeanne II, he flew 61 combat missions over Europe, shooting down German aircraft. Lamb continued his service after the war ended, retiring in 1972.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Francis J. Sitar. Sitar joined the Navy in early 1941. He completed training in Newport, Rhode Island. In mid-1941, he served aboard USS Mizar (AF-12), and traveled with Task Force 16 to Reykjavík, Iceland. For the next year the Mizar operated in the western Atlantic from a number of East Coast ports supplying bases and ships from Iceland to the Virgin Islands. In July of 1942 they transported a parachute battalion to New Zealand, then traveled to Australian ports to support Army forces engaged in the New Guinea campaign. Around 1943, Sitar transferred to USS Gold Star (AK-12) and served as Second Class Boatswain Mate and later as Chief Warrant Officer, and traveled to Perth and New Guinea. He later served as second in command aboard a tugboat. He received an honorable discharge around January of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Francis J. Sitar. Sitar joined the Navy in early 1941. He completed training in Newport, Rhode Island. In mid-1941, he served aboard USS Mizar (AF-12), and traveled with Task Force 16 to Reykjavík, Iceland. For the next year the Mizar operated in the western Atlantic from a number of East Coast ports supplying bases and ships from Iceland to the Virgin Islands. In July of 1942 they transported a parachute battalion to New Zealand, then traveled to Australian ports to support Army forces engaged in the New Guinea campaign. Around 1943, Sitar transferred to USS Gold Star (AK-12) and served as Second Class Boatswain Mate and later as Chief Warrant Officer, and traveled to Perth and New Guinea. He later served as second in command aboard a tugboat. He received an honorable discharge around January of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Nemec. Nemec joined the Marine Corps in December, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He arrived overseas in time to join B Company, 1st Tank Battalion in the First Marine Division when they invaded New Britain. Nemec describes going ashore and the conditions of battle at Peleliu. He also was on Okinawa and shares stories. Nemec served as maintenance man for tanks. He also relates several anecdotes from his time in China after the war on occupation duty. He returned from China in December and was discharged in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frank Nemec. Nemec joined the Marine Corps in December, 1942 and trained at San Diego. He arrived overseas in time to join B Company, 1st Tank Battalion in the First Marine Division when they invaded New Britain. Nemec describes going ashore and the conditions of battle at Peleliu. He also was on Okinawa and shares stories. Nemec served as maintenance man for tanks. He also relates several anecdotes from his time in China after the war on occupation duty. He returned from China in December and was discharged in July 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth ‘Mudhole’ Merrill. Merrill joined the Marine Corps and trained with Evans Carlson as a Raider. He was on Midway during the battle. In August, 1942, Merrill went with Carlson’s Raiders to raid Makin. Merrill provides several details about his role during the raid. From Makin, the Raiders rested a while before going to Guadalcanal in November, 1942, where Merrill participated in Carlson’s Long Patrol. When the patrol ended, Merrill was admitted to the hospital and returned to the US. Merrill was discharged in August, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Kenneth ‘Mudhole’ Merrill. Merrill joined the Marine Corps and trained with Evans Carlson as a Raider. He was on Midway during the battle. In August, 1942, Merrill went with Carlson’s Raiders to raid Makin. Merrill provides several details about his role during the raid. From Makin, the Raiders rested a while before going to Guadalcanal in November, 1942, where Merrill participated in Carlson’s Long Patrol. When the patrol ended, Merrill was admitted to the hospital and returned to the US. Merrill was discharged in August, 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Boyd. Boyd was drafted into the Army Air Forces in December, 1942 and took basic training at Wichita Falls. From there, he went to aerial gunnery school at Harlingen. He was then assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 and began training with a crew. Once he got to England, he was assigned to the 339th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group in England. He flew on 30 combat missions starting in March, 1944. Boyd shares several anecdotes from his combat missions. He returned to the US in August 1944 and became an instructor. Boyd was discharged in October.

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 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 oral interview with Jean Adams. Adams recalls visiting her brother in the Philippines before the war started. On the way, she visited Japan. She was evacuated back to the US before hostilities started in the Philippines. After the war started, Adams joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and was in the Inspector General’s office in Des Moines. She recalls meeting Eleanor Roosevelt and had some interaction with Oveta Culp Hobby.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Jean Adams. Adams recalls visiting her brother in the Philippines before the war started. On the way, she visited Japan. She was evacuated back to the US before hostilities started in the Philippines. After the war started, Adams joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps and was in the Inspector General’s office in Des Moines. She recalls meeting Eleanor Roosevelt and had some interaction with Oveta Culp Hobby.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale Mann. Mann joined the Navy in August 1943. He describes becoming a member of a Navy choir company in boot camp and discusses the unique experiences that were associated with his assignment. Mann was then sent to school to become an Electrician’s Mate. He was then selected to join the V-12 program and describes his training and campus life at several schools. Mann was still in school when the war ended and was eventually discharged in June 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Dale Mann. Mann joined the Navy in August 1943. He describes becoming a member of a Navy choir company in boot camp and discusses the unique experiences that were associated with his assignment. Mann was then sent to school to become an Electrician’s Mate. He was then selected to join the V-12 program and describes his training and campus life at several schools. Mann was still in school when the war ended and was eventually discharged in June 1946.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Wallace Kelm. Kelm joined the Navy in September, 1938 and trained at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the motor launch aboard USS Lexington (CV-2). Just before the war started, Kelm transferred to USS Hornet (CV-8) and was aboard for the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway. He also was aboard when Hornet went down during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. He was then assigned as a gunner aboard USS Princeton (CVL-23) briefly before going to USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in late 1943. Kelm also served aboard USS Saugus (LSV-4). Kelm spent 21 years in the Navy, retiring in 1959.

The National Museum of the pacific War presents an oral interview with Wallace Kelm. Kelm joined the Navy in September, 1938 and trained at San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the motor launch aboard USS Lexington (CV-2). Just before the war started, Kelm transferred to USS Hornet (CV-8) and was aboard for the Doolittle Raid and the Battle of Midway. He also was aboard when Hornet went down during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. He was then assigned as a gunner aboard USS Princeton (CVL-23) briefly before going to USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) in late 1943. Kelm also served aboard USS Saugus (LSV-4). Kelm spent 21 years in the Navy, retiring in 1959.