National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 180 Matching Results

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Oral History Interview with Alex Vraciu, October 9, 1994

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alex Vraciu. Vraciu was born in East Chicago, Indiana on 2 November 1918. He graduated from DePauw University in 1941, where he received civilian pilot training. He joined the Navy and in February 1943. He joined fighter squadron VF-6, flying the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat as wingman to Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare. He entered combat in August 1943, flying off the USS Independence (CVL-22) to make strafing run… more
Date: October 9, 1994
Creator: Vraciu, Alex
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Allen Havron, July 9, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Havron. Havron joined the Army in January 1943. He was trained at Ft. Bliss as an anti-aircraft crewman in a unit that became the 487th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. His unit was sent to New Guinea. He describes meeting the native people and the flora and fauna that he encountered. He was then detached to the 158th Regimental Combat Team for a landing on Noemfoor Island. Havron earned a Bronze Star for his actions… more
Date: July 9, 2010
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes 21 seconds
Creator: Havron, Allen
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Allen Havron, July 9, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Allen Havron. Havron joined the Army in January 1943. He was trained at Ft. Bliss as an anti-aircraft crewman in a unit that became the 487th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. His unit was sent to New Guinea. He describes meeting the native people and the flora and fauna that he encountered. He was then detached to the 158th Regimental Combat Team for a landing on Noemfoor Island. Havron earned a Bronze Star for his actions… more
Date: July 9, 2010
Creator: Havron, Allen
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Arwin Bowden, March 9, 2000

Description: Interview with Arwin Bowden, a marine during World War II. He begins by discussing his training in San Diego and New Zealand before the Battle of Tarawa. He describes being wounded in the battle, the casualties he saw, and being shipped back to Pearl Harbor for treatment before joining the battle of Saipan. He describes ancedotes about Japanese killing themselves rather than surrendering, eating food from a garden watered from rainwater running down from outhouses, the wages he made, and the ti… more
Date: March 9, 2000
Duration: 1 hour 1 minute 03 seconds
Creator: Cox, Floyd & Bowden, Arwin J.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Arwin Bowden, September 9, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arwin Bowden. He begins by discussing his training in San Diego and New Zealand before the Battle of Tarawa. He describes being wounded in the battle, the casualties he saw and being shipped back to Pearl Harbor for treatment, then joining the battle of Saipan. He ancedotes about Japanese killing themselves rather than surrendering, eating food from a garden watered from rainwater running down from outhouses, the wages he ma… more
Date: September 9, 2000
Duration: 1 hour 58 seconds
Creator: Bowden, Arwin
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Arwin Bowden, September 9, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Arwin Bowden. He begins by discussing his training in San Diego and New Zealand before the Battle of Tarawa. He describes being wounded in the battle, the casualties he saw and being shipped back to Pearl Harbor for treatment, then joining the battle of Saipan. He ancedotes about Japanese killing themselves rather than surrendering, eating food from a garden watered from rainwater running down from outhouses, the wages he ma… more
Date: September 9, 2000
Creator: Bowden, Arwin
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Barbara Cameron, August 9, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barbara Cameron. Cameron describes her experience on the home front as a child whose older brothers were in the military. Her brother Roger was in the Navy and her brother Victor joined the Coast Guard. Victor wrote home and said that being in the service was much easier than working as a farmhand during the Depression. Cameron’s father worked ten-hour days, seven days a week, making airplane propellers for General Motors. H… more
Date: August 9, 2001
Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes 24 seconds
Creator: Cameron, Barbara
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Barbara Cameron, August 9, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barbara Cameron. Cameron describes her experience on the home front as a child whose older brothers were in the military. Her brother Roger was in the Navy and her brother Victor joined the Coast Guard. Victor wrote home and said that being in the service was much easier than working as a farmhand during the Depression. Cameron’s father worked ten-hour days, seven days a week, making airplane propellers for General Motors. H… more
Date: August 9, 2001
Creator: Cameron, Barbara
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bennet Reed, December 9, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bennet Reed. Reed was born in Tom Green County, Texas in 1923. In 1943 he was drafted and entered the Navy. Reed was sent to Keyport, Washington to torpedo school. In September he was sent to Guadalcanal and assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 5. In January 1944 Reed was assigned to the USS PT-65 [Editor Note: PT-65 was in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 4, a training unit in Rhode Island]. He relates that the boat drive scr… more
Date: December 9, 2001
Duration: 40 minutes 29 seconds
Creator: Reed, Bennet
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bennet Reed, December 9, 2001

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bennet Reed. Reed was born in Tom Green County, Texas in 1923. In 1943 he was drafted and entered the Navy. Reed was sent to Keyport, Washington to torpedo school. In September he was sent to Guadalcanal and assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 5. In January 1944 Reed was assigned to the USS PT-65 [Editor Note: PT-65 was in Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 4, a training unit in Rhode Island]. He relates that the boat drive scr… more
Date: December 9, 2001
Creator: Reed, Bennet
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bernard McKeone, December 9, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard McKeone. McKeone was born in Omaha, Nebraska on 29 September 1927. In 1944 he joined the Marine Corps and went to San Diego for two months of boot camp followed by a period of training as a mortar man. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 8th Marine Regiment, he boarded the USS Collins (AP-147) bound for Tinian. He landed on the island by means of an LCVP. McKeone recalls a personal encounter where he captured a Japa… more
Date: December 9, 2014
Duration: 46 minutes 37 seconds
Creator: McKeone, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bernard McKeone, December 9, 2014

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bernard McKeone. McKeone was born in Omaha, Nebraska on 29 September 1927. In 1944 he joined the Marine Corps and went to San Diego for two months of boot camp followed by a period of training as a mortar man. Assigned to the 2nd Marine Division, 8th Marine Regiment, he boarded the USS Collins (AP-147) bound for Tinian. He landed on the island by means of an LCVP. McKeone recalls a personal encounter where he captured a Japa… more
Date: December 9, 2014
Creator: McKeone, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bill Hardin, November 9, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Hardin. He was born in Brock, Texas 25 December 1921. His three other brothers served in the military during World War II. Two were killed in action. After graduating from Howard Payne College at Brownwood, Texas, Hardin entered the Naval Officer’s Candidate School program and was sent to Columbia University for sixteen weeks of training. Upon being commissioned, he was sent to San Diego for small boat training. While t… more
Date: November 9, 2005
Duration: 58 minutes 20 seconds
Creator: Hardin, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Hardin, November 9, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Hardin. He was born in Brock, Texas 25 December 1921. His three other brothers served in the military during World War II. Two were killed in action. After graduating from Howard Payne College at Brownwood, Texas, Hardin entered the Naval Officer’s Candidate School program and was sent to Columbia University for sixteen weeks of training. Upon being commissioned, he was sent to San Diego for small boat training. While t… more
Date: November 9, 2005
Creator: Hardin, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Bill Meyers, November 9, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Meyers. Meyers entered the Naval ROTC program at the University of California in 1930. Beginning in 1932, he served two years as Quartermaster aboard the SS Monterey. He returned to college in 1934, received his commission through the NROTC in 1936, and graduated in 1937. In 1940 he served as the Gunnery Officer and Assistant Navigator aboard the USS Aldebaran (AF-10). They transported cargo between the West Coast and the Ha… more
Date: November 9, 2000
Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes 49 seconds
Creator: Meyers, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Meyers, November 9, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bill Meyers. Meyers entered the Naval ROTC program at the University of California in 1930. Beginning in 1932, he served two years as Quartermaster aboard the SS Monterey. He returned to college in 1934, received his commission through the NROTC in 1936, and graduated in 1937. In 1940 he served as the Gunnery Officer and Assistant Navigator aboard the USS Aldebaran (AF-10). They transported cargo between the West Coast and the Ha… more
Date: November 9, 2000
Creator: Meyers, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Burl Bonnell, July 9, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Burl Bonnell. Bonnell joined the Army Air Forces in April of 1941. He served as an aircraft mechanic with the 20th Carrier Group. They deployed to Africa in July of 1943, where Bonnell worked as a crew chief in a Ferrying Command. He was discharged in October of 1945.
Date: July 9, 2002
Duration: 16 minutes 58 seconds
Creator: Bonnell, Burl
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Burl Bonnell, July 9, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Burl Bonnell. Bonnell joined the Army Air Forces in April of 1941. He served as an aircraft mechanic with the 20th Carrier Group. They deployed to Africa in July of 1943, where Bonnell worked as a crew chief in a Ferrying Command. He was discharged in October of 1945.
Date: July 9, 2002
Creator: Bonnell, Burl
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Carl Gorman, October 9, 1994

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Carl Gorman. Gorman was working for the US government as a Navajo interpreter when the war started. He heard the Marines needed Navajos for a special assignment, and was among the first 30 selected. After basic training, at Camp Elliott, Gorman and his group codified the Navajo language for communications usage. Once the code was in place, the Navajos were attached to the First and Second Marine divisions and sent to Guadalc… more
Date: October 9, 1994
Creator: Gorman, Carl
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Carter Wheelock, November 9, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carter Wheelock. Wheelock joined the Navy in 1943. He served as a Radarman aboard USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). He participated in every naval battle the ship went through from mid-1943 through the end of the war, traveling to the Aleutian, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, the Philippines, and Okinawa. He was discharged in 1946.
Date: November 9, 2002
Duration: 1 hour 13 minutes 52 seconds
Creator: Wheelock, Carter
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Carter Wheelock, November 9, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Carter Wheelock. Wheelock joined the Navy in 1943. He served as a Radarman aboard USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). He participated in every naval battle the ship went through from mid-1943 through the end of the war, traveling to the Aleutian, Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Saipan, Guam, Peleliu, the Philippines, and Okinawa. He was discharged in 1946.
Date: November 9, 2002
Creator: Wheelock, Carter
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Cecil Young, October 9, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil Young. Young was born in Bowie, Texas on 2 October 1919. After graduating from high school in 1937, he attended Abilene Christian College on a football scholarship. After graduating from college in June 1941, he began a coaching career. He entered the Navy in June 1942 as a Chief Petty Officer and went to Norfolk, Virginia for two weeks of boot training. He then went to Little Creek, Virginia for three months of amphib… more
Date: October 9, 2003
Duration: 58 minutes 18 seconds
Creator: Young, Cecil V.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Cecil Young, October 9, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Cecil Young. Young was born in Bowie, Texas on 2 October 1919. After graduating from high school in 1937, he attended Abilene Christian College on a football scholarship. After graduating from college in June 1941, he began a coaching career. He entered the Navy in June 1942 as a Chief Petty Officer and went to Norfolk, Virginia for two weeks of boot training. He then went to Little Creek, Virginia for three months of amphib… more
Date: October 9, 2003
Creator: Young, Cecil V.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
transcript

Oral History Interview with Charles Allen, October 9, 2004

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Allen. Mr Allen went into the Marine Corps in September 1942, took boot camp in San Diego, and then was stationed in Santa Anna at the lighter-than-air base as a guard. In September 1943, he was sent to Noumea, New Caledonia and from there to New Guinea where he was put in the First Marine Division, HQ Company, 1st Battalion. His first introduction to combat was when they landed on the southern tip of New Britain. Al… more
Date: October 9, 2004
Duration: 49 minutes 01 second
Creator: Allen, Charles E.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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