Oral History Interview with Muriel Usselman, June 13, 2022 transcript

Oral History Interview with Muriel Usselman, June 13, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Muriel Usselman. Usselman was a child living in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Her father worked as an electrician and the family lived on base. She recalls what she witnessed during the attack on 7 December as well as her experiences in the following days. She returned with her family to the Mainland in 1944.
Date: June 13, 2022
Creator: Usselman, Muriel
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Muriel Usselman, June 13, 2022 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Muriel Usselman, June 13, 2022

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Muriel Usselman. Usselman was a child living in Hawaii when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Her father worked as an electrician and the family lived on base. She recalls what she witnessed during the attack on 7 December as well as her experiences in the following days. She returned with her family to the Mainland in 1944.
Date: June 13, 2022
Creator: Usselman, Muriel
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jay Rutherford, June 25, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Jay Rutherford, June 25, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jay Rutherford. Rutherford joined the Navy in early 1943. He served as a Boatswain's mate aboard USS Harris (APA-2). In April, they traveled to the Aleutians, participating in the Battle of Attu. In December, after the Battle of Tarawa, they went to Pearl Harbor. While there, Rutherford had unexpected blindness, was treated and remained in service aboard the Harris. They participated in the Battle of Kwajalein in January 1944. Then, Rutherford was transferred to Pearl Harbor, and served with a flotilla under Rear Admiral Eugene Coffin. Later, he was assigned to the USS USS LCI(R)-644, where he participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Rutherford continued his service with the occupation forces in Yokohama, Japan. He returned to the US in February of 1946 and received his discharge.
Date: June 25, 2019
Creator: Rutherford, Jay
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Jay Rutherford, June 25, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Jay Rutherford, June 25, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Jay Rutherford. Rutherford joined the Navy in early 1943. He served as a Boatswain's mate aboard USS Harris (APA-2). In April, they traveled to the Aleutians, participating in the Battle of Attu. In December, after the Battle of Tarawa, they went to Pearl Harbor. While there, Rutherford had unexpected blindness, was treated and remained in service aboard the Harris. They participated in the Battle of Kwajalein in January 1944. Then, Rutherford was transferred to Pearl Harbor, and served with a flotilla under Rear Admiral Eugene Coffin. Later, he was assigned to the USS USS LCI(R)-644, where he participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After the war, Rutherford continued his service with the occupation forces in Yokohama, Japan. He returned to the US in February of 1946 and received his discharge.
Date: June 25, 2019
Creator: Rutherford, Jay
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019

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.
Date: June 23, 2019
Creator: Judah, Russell J
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Russell J. Judah, June 23, 2019

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.
Date: June 23, 2019
Creator: Judah, Russell J
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom joined the Navy around June of 1943. He served with the deck crew aboard USS Mississippi (BB-41). In November of 1943, they bombarded Makin Island, providing fire support. He talks of the mass casualties amongst the crew members during combat. Dahlstrom shares his experiences through the Battle of Surigao Strait in October of 1944, the Battle of Lingayen Gulf in January of 1945 and the kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa in mid-1945. He was aboard the Mississippi in the Tokyo Bay, during the signing of the surrender documents. They returned to the US and Dahlstrom received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: June 15, 2019
Creator: Dahlstrom, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Dahlstrom, June 15, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Dahlstrom. Dahlstrom joined the Navy around June of 1943. He served with the deck crew aboard USS Mississippi (BB-41). In November of 1943, they bombarded Makin Island, providing fire support. He talks of the mass casualties amongst the crew members during combat. Dahlstrom shares his experiences through the Battle of Surigao Strait in October of 1944, the Battle of Lingayen Gulf in January of 1945 and the kamikaze attacks during the Battle of Okinawa in mid-1945. He was aboard the Mississippi in the Tokyo Bay, during the signing of the surrender documents. They returned to the US and Dahlstrom received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: June 15, 2019
Creator: Dahlstrom, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Erfurth, June 14, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Erfurth, June 14, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Erfurth. Erfurth joined the Army Air Forces in 1943. He completed Armament and Aerial Gunnery training. He served as a B-24 Armorer with the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bombardment Group. They deployed to England and Erfurth completed 27 bombing missions over Germany and France. He received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: June 14, 2019
Creator: Erfurth, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Erfurth, June 14, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Erfurth, June 14, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Erfurth. Erfurth joined the Army Air Forces in 1943. He completed Armament and Aerial Gunnery training. He served as a B-24 Armorer with the 8th Air Force, 392nd Bombardment Group. They deployed to England and Erfurth completed 27 bombing missions over Germany and France. He received his discharge in late 1945.
Date: June 14, 2019
Creator: Erfurth, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vincent Wayne. Wayne joined the Army around late 1942. He served with the 98th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Hawaii. In 1944, they shipped out to Saipan and helped take over an airport with little resistance from the Japanese. After the war ended, they traveled to Honshu, Japan and were stationed at Osaka College. Wayne speaks about his time in Japan after the war and what he witnessed. Wayne and his squad were assigned to install telephone poles and phone lines for the Japanese people. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.
Date: June 9, 2019
Creator: Wayne, Vincent
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Vincent Wayne, June 9, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Vincent Wayne. Wayne joined the Army around late 1942. He served with the 98th Infantry Division. He was deployed to Hawaii. In 1944, they shipped out to Saipan and helped take over an airport with little resistance from the Japanese. After the war ended, they traveled to Honshu, Japan and were stationed at Osaka College. Wayne speaks about his time in Japan after the war and what he witnessed. Wayne and his squad were assigned to install telephone poles and phone lines for the Japanese people. He returned to the US and received his discharge in February 1946.
Date: June 9, 2019
Creator: Wayne, Vincent
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Kayhart, June 5, 2019 transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Kayhart, June 5, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Kayhart. Kayhart joined the Army in December of 1942. He completed training in radar and radio engineering. He served with the 3116th Signal Service Battalion. Kayhart’s headquarters were in Hawaii. He set up an underground radio station, installing and fine tuning all radio transmitters. He completed the same work on Iwo Jima in order to have direct communication with the Pentagon in Washington, DC, with San Francisco and with all of the Orient. Kayhart and his crew completed the installation on the island during the battle, and shares details of his experiences. He returned to the US and received his discharge in March of 1946.
Date: June 5, 2019
Creator: Kayhart, Charles
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Charles Kayhart, June 5, 2019 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Charles Kayhart, June 5, 2019

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Kayhart. Kayhart joined the Army in December of 1942. He completed training in radar and radio engineering. He served with the 3116th Signal Service Battalion. Kayhart’s headquarters were in Hawaii. He set up an underground radio station, installing and fine tuning all radio transmitters. He completed the same work on Iwo Jima in order to have direct communication with the Pentagon in Washington, DC, with San Francisco and with all of the Orient. Kayhart and his crew completed the installation on the island during the battle, and shares details of his experiences. He returned to the US and received his discharge in March of 1946.
Date: June 5, 2019
Creator: Kayhart, Charles
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Howard Stearns, June 19, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Howard Stearns, June 19, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Stearns. Stearns joined the Army in July of 1946. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division, 5th Cavalry Regiment. In December he traveled to Yokohama, Japan aboard the USS General W. M. Black (AP-135). Stearns was assigned to the 4th Replacement Depot in Japan, and worked as a non-commissioned officer, overseeing a supply room during the occupation of Japan. Stearns also transported war criminals by vehicle to the war crime trials, sat in on the trials, then escorted the criminals back to the Sugamo prison in Tokyo. He returned to the US and was discharged in November of 1947.
Date: June 19, 2018
Creator: Stearns, Howard
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Howard Stearns, June 19, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Howard Stearns, June 19, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Howard Stearns. Stearns joined the Army in July of 1946. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division, 5th Cavalry Regiment. In December he traveled to Yokohama, Japan aboard the USS General W. M. Black (AP-135). Stearns was assigned to the 4th Replacement Depot in Japan, and worked as a non-commissioned officer, overseeing a supply room during the occupation of Japan. Stearns also transported war criminals by vehicle to the war crime trials, sat in on the trials, then escorted the criminals back to the Sugamo prison in Tokyo. He returned to the US and was discharged in November of 1947.
Date: June 19, 2018
Creator: Stearns, Howard
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Hanley, June 14, 2018 transcript

Oral History Interview with Robert Hanley, June 14, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Hanley. Hanley joined the Navy in January of 1941. He served as a Pharmacist’s Mate aboard the USS Houston (CA-30), providing general first aid and administering shots to the soldiers. In February of 1942 they participated in the Battle of Sunda Strait, where the Houston was sunk. Hanley describes his experiences through the sinking of their ship, getting captured by the Japanese, surviving in the POW camp and providing medical care for his fellow captives. In 1945 he was sent to a camp in Thailand working in a medical pool. He was liberated there and returned to the US and was discharged in February of 1947.
Date: June 14, 2018
Creator: Hanley, Robert
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Robert Hanley, June 14, 2018 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Robert Hanley, June 14, 2018

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Hanley. Hanley joined the Navy in January of 1941. He served as a Pharmacist’s Mate aboard the USS Houston (CA-30), providing general first aid and administering shots to the soldiers. In February of 1942 they participated in the Battle of Sunda Strait, where the Houston was sunk. Hanley describes his experiences through the sinking of their ship, getting captured by the Japanese, surviving in the POW camp and providing medical care for his fellow captives. In 1945 he was sent to a camp in Thailand working in a medical pool. He was liberated there and returned to the US and was discharged in February of 1947.
Date: June 14, 2018
Creator: Hanley, Robert
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Reed, June 27, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with James Reed, June 27, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Reed. Reed was drafted into the Army in June 1945, while he was in ninth grade. He later received his diploma in 1949. He went to Sheppard Field, Texas, Ft. McClellan, Alabama and Ft. MacArthur, California for training. In California he was a medical technician, though received no formal training. He worked in a separation center, taking blood pressure. He was in the 9th Service Command and the 6th Army. He also worked as a longshoreman in San Pedro. From there he was shipped up to Camp Beall, California where he worked the remainder of his Army career as a medic, driving an ambulance and giving shots to inductees coming into the Army. He was discharged in December 1946 and he worked for the Pure Oil Station, and then later at the Veterans Hospital in Montgomery. He used his G.I. Bill to go to business school in Montgomery, Alabama while working at the Veterans Hospital.
Date: June 27, 2017
Creator: Reed, James
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with James Reed, June 27, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with James Reed, June 27, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with James Reed. Reed was drafted into the Army in June 1945, while he was in ninth grade. He later received his diploma in 1949. He went to Sheppard Field, Texas, Ft. McClellan, Alabama and Ft. MacArthur, California for training. In California he was a medical technician, though received no formal training. He worked in a separation center, taking blood pressure. He was in the 9th Service Command and the 6th Army. He also worked as a longshoreman in San Pedro. From there he was shipped up to Camp Beall, California where he worked the remainder of his Army career as a medic, driving an ambulance and giving shots to inductees coming into the Army. He was discharged in December 1946 and he worked for the Pure Oil Station, and then later at the Veterans Hospital in Montgomery. He used his G.I. Bill to go to business school in Montgomery, Alabama while working at the Veterans Hospital.
Date: June 27, 2017
Creator: Reed, James
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harmon Moody, June 24, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Harmon Moody, June 24, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harmon Moody. Moody quit high school and joined the Navy when he was 17 in early 1945. After recruit training, Moody was assigned to USS John W. Weeks (DD-701). Moody recalls a kamikaze attack. He also recalls going ashore at Nagasaki. When the war ended, Moody received his discharge and went into radio engineering.
Date: June 24, 2017
Creator: Moody, Harmon
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Harmon Moody, June 24, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Harmon Moody, June 24, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Harmon Moody. Moody quit high school and joined the Navy when he was 17 in early 1945. After recruit training, Moody was assigned to USS John W. Weeks (DD-701). Moody recalls a kamikaze attack. He also recalls going ashore at Nagasaki. When the war ended, Moody received his discharge and went into radio engineering.
Date: June 24, 2017
Creator: Moody, Harmon
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Denzil Rogers, June 7, 2017 transcript

Oral History Interview with Denzil Rogers, June 7, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Denzil Rogers. Rogers enlisted in the Army in November, 1944 and trained for the infantry in Arkansas. In April, 1945, he landed at Leyte where he joined the 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. He went to Japan with the Americal Division and was soon transferred to a military police outfit. Rogers remained in Japan until rotating to the US in October, 1946. He was then discharged.
Date: June 7, 2017
Creator: Rogers, Denzil
Object Type: Sound
System: The Portal to Texas History
Oral History Interview with Denzil Rogers, June 7, 2017 (open access)

Oral History Interview with Denzil Rogers, June 7, 2017

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Denzil Rogers. Rogers enlisted in the Army in November, 1944 and trained for the infantry in Arkansas. In April, 1945, he landed at Leyte where he joined the 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division. He went to Japan with the Americal Division and was soon transferred to a military police outfit. Rogers remained in Japan until rotating to the US in October, 1946. He was then discharged.
Date: June 7, 2017
Creator: Rogers, Denzil
Object Type: Text
System: The Portal to Texas History