National Museum of the Pacific War Oral History Collection - 119 Matching Results

Search Results

Oral History Interview with Al Quackenbush, October 10, 1999

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Al Quackenbush. Quackenbush joined the Navy in 1931. He served as a First Class Ships Cook on the USS Tangier (AV-8). He is a plank owner of the Tangier and provides details of starting up the crew when it was first commissioned. His battle station was the .50 caliber gun on the forward mount. He discusses the training on the ship and activities prior to and on 7 December 1941. On the day of the attack, Quackenbush helped pull sa… more
Date: October 10, 1999
Creator: Quackenbush, Al
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alan Pilot, August 10, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Alan Pilot. Pilot joined the Army in January 1943 and received basic training at Camp Howze. He received further training in Louisiana for the European Theater and then in California for the Pacific Theater. In January he left for Camp Old Gold at La Havre, where he served as a combat medic, supporting Companies E, G, and H of the 343rd Infantry, 86th Division. His unit relieved the 8th Division and fought in Cologne, where … more
Date: August 10, 2010
Creator: Pilot, Alan
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Albert Jenkins, October 10, 2017

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Albert Jenkins. Jenkins joined the Army in early 1942 and was mistakenly sent to Australia before he completed basic training. Once there, he was attached to the 35th Fighter Group as an armorer. Jenkins shares several anecdotes about his time in the service in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines. Jenkins returned to the US and became an instructor before the war ended. He was discharged in January 1945.
Date: October 10, 2017
Creator: Jenkins, Albert
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Andrew Bofinger, March 10, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Andrew Bofinger. Bofinger joined the Naval Reserves in October of 1941, and was called to active duty on 15 December 1941. He served as Boatswain’s Mate Second Class, and worked on the offshore patrol in sailing vessels searching for Japanese subs. In June of 1943 he received a direct commission as ensign, and was assigned as Skipper aboard the minesweeper, YMS-93. In early 1944 they traveled to Hawaii, then the Marshall Islands … more
Date: March 10, 2006
Creator: Bofinger, Andrew
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Angelo Gagliano, February 10, 2010

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Angelo Gagliano. Gagliano joined the Navy in August 1942. He describes his experiences in basic training at Newport, Rhode Island. Gagliano was assigned to an air service unit and then transferred to the USS Langley (CVL-27). He became an aviation storekeeper and also served as an ammunition handler on a 40mm gun. Gagliano describes a time when he was a passenger on a TBF that catapulted off of the ship and how he blacked-ou… more
Date: February 10, 2010
Creator: Gagliano, Angelo
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Anna Gatti, March 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Anna Gatti, nee Cocchi. Gatti graduated from Boston University as a French major in 1942. While volunteering at a settlement house, she met her future husband, Corry, who was a student at Harvard. In 1942, Corry was drafted into the Army. In 1943, Gatti joined the Navy’s Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES). She completed Meteorology School in New Jersey and served as Aerographer, Third Class on a base in Califo… more
Date: March 10, 2015
Creator: Gatti, Anna
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Anthony F. Cooper, January 10, 2012

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Anthony F. Cooper. In January, 1941, Cooper was drafted into the Army. Cooper trained as an ammunition specialist. As such, he was trained to set up ammunition supply points in combat zones. After training, Cooper was assigned to the 54th Ordnance Ammunition Company. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Cooper was stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. From there, Cooper's unit went overseas t oEngland to prepare for t… more
Date: January 10, 2012
Creator: Cooper, Anthony F.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Arthur McQuiddy, December 10, 2002

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Arthur McQuiddy. McQuiddy completed Civilian Pilot Training in 1940. He joined the Navy on 8 December 1941. McQuiddy served as a Naval Aviator beginning November of 1942, flying PBYs with Patrol Squadron 23, a Navy fixed-wing, anti-submarine and maritime patrol squadron. He completed patrol and rescue missions over the Solomon Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Peleliu and Iwo Jima. He also completed a s… more
Date: December 10, 2002
Creator: McQuiddy, Arthur
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ben Schurmeier, April 10, 2018

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Schurmeier. Schurmeier joined the Navy in early 1942. He served as a B-24 pilot with Photographic Squadron 1 (VD-1). Beginning in the spring of 1944 they traveled to their base at the Naval Air Station on Guam. They completed patrol and photo reconnaissance missions around the Pacific Islands, including Truk, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Japan. Finley was discharged around October of 1945.
Date: April 10, 2018
Creator: Schurmeier, Ben
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Benjamin Nicks, February 10, 2017

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Benjamin Nicks. Nicks enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January of 1941. He received his wings in April of 1942. Nicks was in the 120th Observation Squadron in the 130th Field Artillery Squadron. He flew border patrol missions for a year between Mexico and the United States. He was assigned to Mountain Home Air Base, Idaho to serve as a B-25 instructor until the spring of 1944. He was then transferred in May of 1944 in McCo… more
Date: February 10, 2017
Creator: Nicks, Benjamin
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bernard Kuse, June 10, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernard Kuse. Kuse joined the Army Air Forces in August of 1942. He served as a radio operator with the B-17 bombers in the 601st Bomb Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. They were assigned to Nuthampstead, England. Kuse flew 36 combat missions over occupied Europe from August through December of 1944. They traveled to Bastogne, Germany and Czechoslovakia. During his missions, he sustained one minor flak wound, and was an … more
Date: June 10, 2008
Creator: Kuse, Bernard
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bernice Harriet Wallis George, February 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bernice Harriet Wallis George. George served with the US Navy Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) beginning October of 1942. She was trained for a highly secret project designed to crack the German Enigma encryption. She then was assigned to Washington, DC, where she worked on the prototype decryption devices called bombes. George continued her work through December of 1944.
Date: February 10, 2015
Creator: George, Bernice Harriet Wallis
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Dean, April 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Dean. Dean was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma on 7 September 1924 and graduated from high school in 1942. Upon being drafted in 1943, he was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for thirteen weeks of basic training. While there he was selected to attend the Army Specialized Training Program at Colorado State College at Fort Collins. Soon after he entered the program, it was discontinued and he joined the 80th Infantry Divisio… more
Date: April 10, 2015
Creator: Dean, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Freeman, November 10, 2005

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Freeman. Freeman was born in Chapman, Kansas on 5 September 1922. Upon enlisting in the Army Air Corps in 1942, he was sent to Maxwell Air Force Base, Georgia for basic training. He tells the various training planes he flew prior to receiving his commission. Upon graduation he was sent to Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington where he began on the job training as the co-pilot of a B-17 bomber. Freeman recalls his various… more
Date: November 10, 2005
Creator: Freeman, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bill Price, May 10, 2013

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bill Price. Price joined the Navy in 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Oakland (CL-95) as a first loader on a 40-milimeter. Standing beside the gun with no protective shield, he was vulnerable to enemy fire. After a year and a half, Price was transferred to the storekeepers division, where he maintained five storerooms of dry goods. When the kitchen placed an order, de… more
Date: May 10, 2013
Creator: Price, Bill
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Burle Hawthorn, August 10, 2006

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Burle C. Hawthorn. Hawthorn joined the Navy around 1943. He served as an aviation metalsmith aboard USS Chandeleur (AV-10), a seaplane tender, in the Pacific Theatre. Beginning in early 1944, they transported men, aviation equipment, torpedoes, bombs and other cargo throughout the South Pacific islands. Hawthorn shares stories of taking Marines to Guadalcanal, New Hebrides, and Palau. They provided tender services for several pat… more
Date: August 10, 2006
Creator: Hawthorn, Burle
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with C. James Erickson, August 10, 2018

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C James Erickson. Erickson enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program in January of 1944. He completed radio training. Erickson was assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 343rd Regiment, 86th Infantry Division. They completed additional amphibious training in California. His training was complete in the fall of 1944. Soon thereafter his company was sent to Europe to participate in the Battle of the Bulge. They traveled into… more
Date: August 10, 2018
Creator: Erickson, C. James
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with C. T. Cummings, July 10, 2007

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C T Cummings. Cummings joined the Navy in October of 1941. Prior to his enlistment, he had received extensive mechanical training in the Civilian Conservation Corps, working with blueprint layouts, structural steel and mechanical drawings. In January of 1942, Cummings served aboard the USS Lafayette (AP-53). The ship caught fire shortly after his arrival, and had to be scrapped. Around August, he served aboard the USS Jamestown (… more
Date: July 10, 2007
Creator: Cummings, C. T.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Calvin Patterson, October 10, 2003

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Calvin Patterson. Patterson joined the Navy in 1943. He completed Radar School and Fire Fighter School and was assigned to serve as an instructor aboard a radar training ship, USS Moosehead (IX-98). They traveled up and down the Mexican coast, taking recent radar school graduates for experiential learning aboard the ship. Patterson was later assigned to a Coast Guard radio station in California. In February of 1944, he was transf… more
Date: October 10, 2003
Creator: Patterson, Calvin
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Meacham, October 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Charles Meacham. Meacham was born in Roanoke County, California in 1925. At the age of 17, he dropped out of high school and joined the Marine Corps. Upon completion of boot camp, he volunteered for the Marine Raiders. In 1943, Meacham was assigned to Company K, 3rd Marine Raider Battalion. He tells of serving in combat on Bougainville, Guam and Okinawa and the use of Navajo Code Talkers and war dogs during various operations. He… more
Date: October 10, 2015
Creator: Meacham, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Scheffel, May 10, 2000

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Scheffel. Scheffel grew up in Oklahoma and enlisted in the Army ROTC in 1940. He was called up in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. He was allowed to finish out his senior year of college and was married in March 1942. He embarked on the Queen Elizabeth from New Jersey in September 1942. As leader of 200 men, he landed in Scotland and drove with them to Whittington Barracks where they joined with the British 51st Highlanders.… more
Date: May 10, 2000
Creator: Scheffel, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Charles Woodruff, September 10, 2008

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Charles Woodruff. Woodruff joined the Navy in January 1943 and received basic training at Great Lakes. He was then trained on small amphibious landing craft at Little Creek. Upon completion, he was assigned to USS LST-218 as coxswain of an LCVP and was sent to Tarawa. Once the island was secured, he carried a load of construction equipment and personnel to shore, returning with a few casualties, as there was a doctor on the … more
Date: September 10, 2008
Creator: Woodruff, Charles
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Clifford Kantz, November 10, 2015

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clifford Kantz. Mrs. Marion Kantz assists with the interview. Kantz entered the US Army Air Forces October 1941. He received training at Sheppard Field, Texas and served as a flight officer flying B-24s. He went on to Fort Benning and served as a C-47 pilot. Kantz became an aircraft commander in the 100th Troop Carrier Squadron, towing and dropping gliders and paratroopers. They were stationed in Nottingham, England. When th… more
Date: November 10, 2015
Creator: Kantz, Clifford
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Clint Libby, January 10, 2007

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Clint Libby. Libby was born in New Zealand in September 1946. During the war, his father was stationed there as a United States Marine. His grandmother remembers the Marines as well-mannered and generous. Their presence was a welcome relief to the local population, who feared a Japanese invasion. In fact, in the early years of the war, his mother had an emergency plan in place which involved riding a bicycle to a truck which… more
Date: January 10, 2007
Creator: Libby, Clint
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
Back to Top of Screen