National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 269 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Aaron Mendoza, September 7, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Aaron Mendoza. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended torpedo school and was assigned to an aircraft torpedo lab at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. There he filled warheads with air so the torpedo could be retrieved after test fires. Torpedoes that passed quality control would then be filled with explosive warheads and loaded into underground silos. After 14 months, his unit was disp… more
Date: September 7, 2012
Creator: Mendoza, Aaron
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Aaron Mendoza, September 7, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Aaron Mendoza. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He attended torpedo school and was assigned to an aircraft torpedo lab at Kaneohe Naval Air Station. There he filled warheads with air so the torpedo could be retrieved after test fires. Torpedoes that passed quality control would then be filled with explosive warheads and loaded into underground silos. After 14 months, his unit was disp… more
Date: September 7, 2012
Duration: 30 minutes 25 seconds
Creator: Mendoza, Aaron
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with August Hodde, November 7, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with August Hodde. Hodde joined the Navy in July 1943. He completed gunnery school, and served as a 40mm gun instructor through early 1944. Around November, Hodde served as a gunner’s mate aboard USS Hugh W Hadley (DD-774). At battle stations, he was gun captain on the portside twin 40mm. Beginning February of 1945, the Hadley escorted HMS Ranee (D03). Hodde describes their role during the Battle of Okinawa in April, helping protect a… more
Date: November 7, 2013
Duration: 39 minutes 39 seconds
Creator: Hodde, August
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with August Hodde, November 7, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with August Hodde. Hodde joined the Navy in July 1943. He completed gunnery school, and served as a 40mm gun instructor through early 1944. Around November, Hodde served as a gunner’s mate aboard USS Hugh W Hadley (DD-774). At battle stations, he was gun captain on the portside twin 40mm. Beginning February of 1945, the Hadley escorted HMS Ranee (D03). Hodde describes their role during the Battle of Okinawa in April, helping protect a… more
Date: November 7, 2013
Creator: Hodde, August
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bernie Broussard, September 7, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernie Broussard. Broussard initially served in the Merchant Marine and describes his only mission where he had a close call with a submarine and how it led to his decision to leave. He joined the Navy in December 1942 and was trained as a bombardier. Broussard served on PBYs for the remainder of the war. He describes an emergency landing on the way to Hawaii and the delivery missions they performed while operating out of Ka… more
Date: September 7, 2006
Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes 20 seconds
Creator: Broussard, Bernie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bernie Broussard, September 7, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernie Broussard. Broussard initially served in the Merchant Marine and describes his only mission where he had a close call with a submarine and how it led to his decision to leave. He joined the Navy in December 1942 and was trained as a bombardier. Broussard served on PBYs for the remainder of the war. He describes an emergency landing on the way to Hawaii and the delivery missions they performed while operating out of Ka… more
Date: September 7, 2006
Creator: Broussard, Bernie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Merley, July 7, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Merley. Merley joined the Merchant Marine in March of 1945. He enlisted as a cook and describes his training and his work. He describes his kitchen supplies of food. In May of 1945 they traveled aboard the USS Cape Johnson (AP-172) to the Mariana Islands. They traveled to Manila to unload supplies and then transported troops. He was discharged around December of 1945.
Date: July 7, 2005
Creator: Merley, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Billy Tune, July 7, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Billy Tune. Tune joined the Navy right after he finished high school in May 1943. He was assigned to USS President Polk (AP-103) and was aboard it when it was torpedoed. He somehow managed to get ashore at Tarawa and stayed with the Marines there for five days. Then he wound up at New Caledonia as a stevedore until he entered the hospital with asthma.
Date: July 7, 2005
Duration: 56 minutes 50 seconds
Creator: Tune, Billy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Billy Tune, July 7, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Billy Tune. Tune joined the Navy right after he finished high school in May 1943. He was assigned to USS President Polk (AP-103) and was aboard it when it was torpedoed. He somehow managed to get ashore at Tarawa and stayed with the Marines there for five days. Then he wound up at New Caledonia as a stevedore until he entered the hospital with asthma.
Date: July 7, 2005
Creator: Tune, Billy
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bob Bloomfield, February 7, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Bloomfield. Bloomfield joined the Navy in 1942 as a Naval Aviation Cadet. In June of 1943 he received his wings. Beginning around August, Bloomfield joined Fighter Squadron Six (VF-6), with Butch O’Hare. He served as tail-end Charlie of O’Hare’s division, flying the Grumman F6F-Hellcat. Bloomfield participated in the carrier raids around Marcus Island and Wake Island. He later served as a wing man to Harry Harrison. In late 1… more
Date: February 7, 2010
Duration: 2 hours 21 minutes 36 seconds
Creator: Bloomfield, Bob
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bob Bloomfield, February 7, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Bloomfield. Bloomfield joined the Navy in 1942 as a Naval Aviation Cadet. In June of 1943 he received his wings. Beginning around August, Bloomfield joined Fighter Squadron Six (VF-6), with Butch O’Hare. He served as tail-end Charlie of O’Hare’s division, flying the Grumman F6F-Hellcat. Bloomfield participated in the carrier raids around Marcus Island and Wake Island. He later served as a wing man to Harry Harrison. In late 1… more
Date: February 7, 2010
Creator: Bloomfield, Bob
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Buck Ward, December 7, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Buck Ward. Ward joined the Navy in 1944 and received basic training in San Diego. He received aviation communication and gunnery training on the West Coast. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Hornet (CV-12) where he served as a Helldiver radio gunman. He flew missions over Chichi Jima and the Philippines. After the war, Ward was stationed for R&R on Guam, where at night he heard Japanese holdouts sneaking into the c… more
Date: December 7, 2011
Duration: 33 minutes 45 seconds
Creator: Ward, Buck
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Buck Ward, December 7, 2011

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Buck Ward. Ward joined the Navy in 1944 and received basic training in San Diego. He received aviation communication and gunnery training on the West Coast. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Hornet (CV-12) where he served as a Helldiver radio gunman. He flew missions over Chichi Jima and the Philippines. After the war, Ward was stationed for R&R on Guam, where at night he heard Japanese holdouts sneaking into the c… more
Date: December 7, 2011
Creator: Ward, Buck
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Ray, February 7, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ray. Ray was born 12 July 1923. He joined the Marine Corps in July of 1942. In late 1942, he traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii aboard USS Henderson (AP-1), and was assigned to the 6th Defense Battalion on Midway. He was in charge of a 90mm anti-aircraft gun on Sand Island. Ray was on the island through late 1944, and shares details of his time and life on the island. He was then transferred back to Parris Island, South Carolin… more
Date: February 7, 2015
Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes 23 seconds
Creator: Ray, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Ray, February 7, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Ray. Ray was born 12 July 1923. He joined the Marine Corps in July of 1942. In late 1942, he traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii aboard USS Henderson (AP-1), and was assigned to the 6th Defense Battalion on Midway. He was in charge of a 90mm anti-aircraft gun on Sand Island. Ray was on the island through late 1944, and shares details of his time and life on the island. He was then transferred back to Parris Island, South Carolin… more
Date: February 7, 2015
Creator: Ray, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Charlie Boswell, December 7, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Boswell. Boswell was born in Coryell County, Texas 4 September 1921. He quit high school, joined the Navy and went to boot camp in San Diego. Upon completing boot training he was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) as a member of the crew in the engine room. During battle stations, he served as an ammunition handler for a five inch gun. He was aboard the ship on 7 December 1941 and he describes his activities durin… more
Date: December 7, 2004
Duration: 42 minutes 50 seconds
Creator: Boswell, Charlie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charlie Boswell, December 7, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charlie Boswell. Boswell was born in Coryell County, Texas 4 September 1921. He quit high school, joined the Navy and went to boot camp in San Diego. Upon completing boot training he was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43) as a member of the crew in the engine room. During battle stations, he served as an ammunition handler for a five inch gun. He was aboard the ship on 7 December 1941 and he describes his activities durin… more
Date: December 7, 2004
Creator: Boswell, Charlie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Chester Gacek, September 7, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Gacek. Gacek joined the Navy in 1943. He was trained as a radioman and was assigned to the USS El Dorado (AGC-11). Gacek was aboard during the invasion of Okinawa and mentions how he recorded messages received in Morse Code. He was in Manila when the Japanese surrendered and describes transporting Japanese officers onboard the USS Okala (ARST-2) to war crimes trails.
Date: September 7, 2003
Duration: 21 minutes 50 seconds
Creator: Gacek, Chester
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Chester Gacek, September 7, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chester Gacek. Gacek joined the Navy in 1943. He was trained as a radioman and was assigned to the USS El Dorado (AGC-11). Gacek was aboard during the invasion of Okinawa and mentions how he recorded messages received in Morse Code. He was in Manila when the Japanese surrendered and describes transporting Japanese officers onboard the USS Okala (ARST-2) to war crimes trails.
Date: September 7, 2003
Creator: Gacek, Chester
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Chris Hutchinson, March 7, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Chris Hutchinson. Hutchinson joined the Navy Women's Reserve in 1944 and trained at Hunter College in the Bronx. Her first assignment was in communcations in Wahsington DC until the Navy realied she was not old enough to serve in the WAVES. She was discharged, but reenlisted in MArch 1945 when she was old enough and went to San Diego. She worked in the disbursing office. She also clerked in an office at Great Lakes training cente… more
Date: March 7, 2014
Duration: 22 minutes 42 seconds
Creator: Hutchinson, Chris
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Chris Hutchinson, March 7, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Chris Hutchinson. Hutchinson joined the Navy Women's Reserve in 1944 and trained at Hunter College in the Bronx. Her first assignment was in communcations in Wahsington DC until the Navy realied she was not old enough to serve in the WAVES. She was discharged, but reenlisted in MArch 1945 when she was old enough and went to San Diego. She worked in the disbursing office. She also clerked in an office at Great Lakes training cente… more
Date: March 7, 2014
Creator: Hutchinson, Chris
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Cliff Robertson, December 7, 2001

Description: Transcript of an oral interview with Cliff Robertson. Robertson was a crewman on a small, old freighter (SS Admiral Cole) about 150 miles out of Iloilo (in the vicinity of Philippines Islands) when his ship was bombed by a Japanese 4-engine amphibious plane - the same time Pearl Harbor was being bombed. Although their ship was damaged by the bombs, they got to Zamboanga and then were in the China Sea when the USS Houston (CA-30) was sunk. They finally got out down through Tora Straits and then … more
Date: December 7, 2001
Duration: 51 minutes 26 seconds
Creator: Robertson, Cliff
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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