The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a monologue of Dale Fagg. Fagg joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942. In Pearl Harbor he was assigned to the Marine Detachment of Admiral Chester Nimitz at Makalapa in Honolulu, and served as his personal chauffer, from 1942 to 1945. He shares numerous stories of his encounters with and work for the Admiral.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents a monologue of Dale Fagg. Fagg joined the Marine Corps in October of 1942. In Pearl Harbor he was assigned to the Marine Detachment of Admiral Chester Nimitz at Makalapa in Honolulu, and served as his personal chauffer, from 1942 to 1945. He shares numerous stories of his encounters with and work for the Admiral.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Jackel. Jackel served aboard the USS Portland (CA-33) beginning in 1937. During World War II, he was aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57). He noticed a stark difference between the two crews: while the Portland’s crew were polished sailors, the South Dakota’s were fighting men; uniforms did not mean much to them. During the Night Battle of Guadalcanal, Jackel was in the main battery plotting room, taking ranges from five range finders. As readings were coming in as quickly as five per second, Howard was concentrating on his plotting so much that he did not feel it when the ship was hit. By the end of the battle, only one range finder was left.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Howard Jackel. Jackel served aboard the USS Portland (CA-33) beginning in 1937. During World War II, he was aboard the USS South Dakota (BB-57). He noticed a stark difference between the two crews: while the Portland’s crew were polished sailors, the South Dakota’s were fighting men; uniforms did not mean much to them. During the Night Battle of Guadalcanal, Jackel was in the main battery plotting room, taking ranges from five range finders. As readings were coming in as quickly as five per second, Howard was concentrating on his plotting so much that he did not feel it when the ship was hit. By the end of the battle, only one range finder was left.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Rear Admiral Ray Hunter and Howard Jackel. The interview begins with Admiral Hunter’s experiences aboard USS Washington (BB-56) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 14-15 November 1942. Hunter served as officer of the deck, and speaks of events that occurred in company with USS South Dakota (BB-57). In the second interview, Howard Jackel shares his experiences aboard the South Dakota from January of 1942 through January of 1944. He participated in the Battles of Santa Cruz, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns. Jackel speaks of their interaction with the Washington during the Guadalcanal battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Rear Admiral Ray Hunter and Howard Jackel. The interview begins with Admiral Hunter’s experiences aboard USS Washington (BB-56) during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 14-15 November 1942. Hunter served as officer of the deck, and speaks of events that occurred in company with USS South Dakota (BB-57). In the second interview, Howard Jackel shares his experiences aboard the South Dakota from January of 1942 through January of 1944. He participated in the Battles of Santa Cruz, the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal and part of the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaigns. Jackel speaks of their interaction with the Washington during the Guadalcanal battle.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Hunter. In this interview, Hunter recounts the Night Battle of Guadalcanal, for which he served as officer of the deck on the USS Washington (BB-56), on the lookout, keeping the ship out of collision with friendly forces, and making sure that the commanding officer’s orders were carried out. The crew had been at general quarters for 12 hours before the first shots were fired. Still, everyone remained calm. At the climax of the battle, Hunter ordered a port turn to bypass destroyers that were sinking and burning in front of the Washington. This put the Washington behind the flames so that it would not be silhouetted. For reasons unknown, the USS South Dakota (BB-57), which until this time had been following closely behind the Washington, made a starboard turn, creating a silhouette effect, and was subsequently hit by a salvo of shells. The Washington then shepherded the South Dakota to Noumea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ray Hunter. In this interview, Hunter recounts the Night Battle of Guadalcanal, for which he served as officer of the deck on the USS Washington (BB-56), on the lookout, keeping the ship out of collision with friendly forces, and making sure that the commanding officer’s orders were carried out. The crew had been at general quarters for 12 hours before the first shots were fired. Still, everyone remained calm. At the climax of the battle, Hunter ordered a port turn to bypass destroyers that were sinking and burning in front of the Washington. This put the Washington behind the flames so that it would not be silhouetted. For reasons unknown, the USS South Dakota (BB-57), which until this time had been following closely behind the Washington, made a starboard turn, creating a silhouette effect, and was subsequently hit by a salvo of shells. The Washington then shepherded the South Dakota to Noumea.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Buell and Warren Taylor. Buell discusses being aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Buell served as a Dauntless dive bomber pilot. Ingram’s (interviewer) primary interest in the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57). Ingram also interviews Warren Taylor. Taylor served as a gunnery officer aboard the South Dakota. Taylor discusses much about gunnery at sea: targeting, target spotting, plotting, etc. He also recalls an explosion aboard ship while replenishing ammunition. Taylor also recalls going ashore in Japan after the surrender.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harold Buell and Warren Taylor. Buell discusses being aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Buell served as a Dauntless dive bomber pilot. Ingram’s (interviewer) primary interest in the battleship USS South Dakota (BB-57). Ingram also interviews Warren Taylor. Taylor served as a gunnery officer aboard the South Dakota. Taylor discusses much about gunnery at sea: targeting, target spotting, plotting, etc. He also recalls an explosion aboard ship while replenishing ammunition. Taylor also recalls going ashore in Japan after the surrender.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Frank Beardsley. Beardsley provides two interviews, one in 1990 and the other in 1998. Both focus on his career in the Navy. Beardsley joined the Navy in 1941 and earned a commission in January 1942. He served aboard the USS Big Horn (AO-45) for a while before commanding USS PC-1140 in 1944. After further anti-submarine warfare training, Beardsley commanded USS PCE(R)-858. He was on his way to the invasion of Japan when the war ended. He was discharged in 1946, but stayed in the reserves until 1964.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Paul Thayer. He discusses his time as Deputy Secretary of Defense from January 1983 to January 1984.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue by Bob Willig. Willig joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in Newport, Rhode Island. He went on to receive flight training in Brunswick, Maine; Charleston, South Carolina; and Yellow Water, Florida. From 1944 to 1945 he served as a flight engineer with Patrol Bombing Squadron 26 in Palau, Ulithi, and Yap. He kept a daily journal and gives detailed accounts of a typhoon, a crash landing, an engine failure, a fuel explosion, a surprise enemy attack, and having a depth-charge stuck in a bomb bay. Yet he also fondly recollects cooking steaks on hot plates during the 10- to 12-hour patrols and how peaceful his time at Ulithi was. He was rarely ashore and spent his time mostly on the USS Casco (AVP-12), USS Cumberland Sound (AV-17), and USS Kenneth Whiting (AV-14). At the end of the war he returned home and was discharged in New York.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue by Bob Willig. Willig joined the Navy in 1942 and received basic training in Newport, Rhode Island. He went on to receive flight training in Brunswick, Maine; Charleston, South Carolina; and Yellow Water, Florida. From 1944 to 1945 he served as a flight engineer with Patrol Bombing Squadron 26 in Palau, Ulithi, and Yap. He kept a daily journal and gives detailed accounts of a typhoon, a crash landing, an engine failure, a fuel explosion, a surprise enemy attack, and having a depth-charge stuck in a bomb bay. Yet he also fondly recollects cooking steaks on hot plates during the 10- to 12-hour patrols and how peaceful his time at Ulithi was. He was rarely ashore and spent his time mostly on the USS Casco (AVP-12), USS Cumberland Sound (AV-17), and USS Kenneth Whiting (AV-14). At the end of the war he returned home and was discharged in New York.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Jacobson. Jacobson was born in 1916. In 1940 he was accepted in the aviation cadet program and graduated in December 1941. He was sent to Fiji where he received additional flight training and was then sent to Guadalcanal. He describes being bombarded for over four hours one night by Japanese ships off the coast. He tells of the experiences of dropping bombs, strafing and escorting bombers during his more than 100 missions and three tours on Guadalcanal. He was selected to be Captain John Mitchell’s wingman during Operation Vengeance. He describes the precise flight plotted by Mitchell for intercept of Admiral Yamamoto’s plane over Bougainville. A vivid description is given of the actions taken by the planes involved in the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Jacobson. Jacobson was born in 1916. In 1940 he was accepted in the aviation cadet program and graduated in December 1941. He was sent to Fiji where he received additional flight training and was then sent to Guadalcanal. He describes being bombarded for over four hours one night by Japanese ships off the coast. He tells of the experiences of dropping bombs, strafing and escorting bombers during his more than 100 missions and three tours on Guadalcanal. He was selected to be Captain John Mitchell’s wingman during Operation Vengeance. He describes the precise flight plotted by Mitchell for intercept of Admiral Yamamoto’s plane over Bougainville. A vivid description is given of the actions taken by the planes involved in the attack.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Brush. Brush was assigned to serve as the Chief Engineer of the Philippine Manufacturing Company in Manila, before World War II. He and his wife traveled to Manila in May of 1941 and operated the factory until the end of December. He and his wife were taken prisoner into Santo Tomas Internment Camp in January of 1942. Brush shares details of the accommodations, building structure, atmosphere, food rations, starvation, illnesses, separated living conditions of men, women and children as well as their required daily work. They were later moved to Los Baños Internment Camp. In December of 1943 his wife, along with other women from Santo Tomas, were brought to Los Baños and allowed to live together as a family. Brush provides vivid details of their rescue in February of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with John Brush. Brush was assigned to serve as the Chief Engineer of the Philippine Manufacturing Company in Manila, before World War II. He and his wife traveled to Manila in May of 1941 and operated the factory until the end of December. He and his wife were taken prisoner into Santo Tomas Internment Camp in January of 1942. Brush shares details of the accommodations, building structure, atmosphere, food rations, starvation, illnesses, separated living conditions of men, women and children as well as their required daily work. They were later moved to Los Baños Internment Camp. In December of 1943 his wife, along with other women from Santo Tomas, were brought to Los Baños and allowed to live together as a family. Brush provides vivid details of their rescue in February of 1945.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Prudence Burns Burrell. Burrell was an African American woman who enlisted in the Army Reserve and served as a medical nurse in World War II. She was stationed in Australia, Java, New Guinea and the Philippines. She provides some details of her work in these areas and with the natives. She also shares experiences of racial discrimination. She completed her degree in public health at the University of Minnesota. She then served as a nurse aboard SS America. Upon returning home she became the first black instructor at Mission High School in San Francisco, teaching health and participating with the Future Nurses of America organization.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Prudence Burns Burrell. Burrell was an African American woman who enlisted in the Army Reserve and served as a medical nurse in World War II. She was stationed in Australia, Java, New Guinea and the Philippines. She provides some details of her work in these areas and with the natives. She also shares experiences of racial discrimination. She completed her degree in public health at the University of Minnesota. She then served as a nurse aboard SS America. Upon returning home she became the first black instructor at Mission High School in San Francisco, teaching health and participating with the Future Nurses of America organization.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eddie Albert. Albert was born in Rock Island, Illinois on 22 April 1908 and joined the Navy in 1942. Following officer training at Cornell University, he was shipped to the South Pacific. Albert recalls spending a night in November 1943 with Lieutenant Colonel Evans Fordyce Carlson (of Carlson’s Raiders fame) in a hole during the Battle of Tarawa. After the battle he relates that he was called to Washington, DC for duties relating to public relations and was sent around the United States selling war bonds. He recalls that by the end of the war he also had produced at least six war-related training films.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Eddie Albert. Albert was born in Rock Island, Illinois on 22 April 1908 and joined the Navy in 1942. Following officer training at Cornell University, he was shipped to the South Pacific. Albert recalls spending a night in November 1943 with Lieutenant Colonel Evans Fordyce Carlson (of Carlson’s Raiders fame) in a hole during the Battle of Tarawa. After the battle he relates that he was called to Washington, DC for duties relating to public relations and was sent around the United States selling war bonds. He recalls that by the end of the war he also had produced at least six war-related training films.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Geoffrey Fisken. Fisken joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1939 and by 1941 was in a fighter squadron at Singapore flying Brewster Buffaloes. Fisken recalls the Japanese arrival on the Malay Peninsula and defending the Allied base at Singapore against superior Japanese air forces. He eventually evacuated to Australia, and then returned to New Zealand by April, 1942. In 1943, his new squadron moved up to Guadalcanal. Fisken shares several anecdotes about his time flying combat and patrol missions. In late 1943, Fisken was declared unfit for flying (as a result of previous wounds) and was mustered out of the service. He returned to New Zealand and continued farming.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Martin Clemens. Clemens was born in Aberdeen, Scotland in 1915 and, after attending Cambridge University, joined the British Colonial Service and was posted to Guadalcanal in 1938. After Pearl Harbor, Clemens became the only British colonial authority on Guadalcanal and, in February 1942, was assigned coast watching duties prior to the Japanese invasion in May. After the Japanese invasion, he was forced to relocate from his village to a location in the jungle, where he describes his activities in conjunction with island volunteers in gathering intelligence and transmitting radio signals to British and Australian listening posts. When the Allied Forces landed on Guadalcanal in August 1942, Clemens provided volunteer scouts and laborers to Colonel Carlson of the Second Raider Battalion. He also recalls his encounters with General Vandegrift, who awarded him a Military Cross following the battle.