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Oral History Interview with Geoffrey Fisken, May 1, 1993

Description: 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… more
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Fisken, Geoffrey
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Rogers Aston, May 4, 1993

Description: The National Museum of the pacific War presents an interview with Rogers Aston. Aston joined the Navy in July 1942 and was assigned to USS LST-446 as a gunnery officer. They delivered trucks to Guadalcanal on his first cruise. He recalls a time USS LST-446 came alongside the USS Kanawah (AO-01) to help fight its fires after it was hit. Aston relates several anecdotes about operating an LST in the Solomon Islands. He recalls meeting Admiral Nimitz one day at Pearl Harbor. He also remembers hauli… more
Date: May 4, 1993
Creator: Aston, Rogers
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Zenji Abe, May 4, 1993

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Zenji Abe. Zenji was born in Honshu on 18 August 1916 and graduated from the Japanese Naval Academy in March 1937. He received a year of training on various combat vessels as a midshipman. In March 1938 he was promoted to ensign and assigned to the destroyer Uzuki. In August he was sent to flight school and became a dive bomber pilot. After serving aboard the Soryu, he was transferred to the Akagi as a squadron leader of Val… more
Date: May 4, 1993
Creator: Abe, Zenji
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ray Hunt, March 19, 1995

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ray Hunt. Hunt joined the Army Air Corps in early 1939. After training, Hunt became an aircraft mechanic and went to the Philippines in November, 1941. He was captured on Bataan and made a prisoner of war. Hunt describes his experiences on the Death March. Along the way, he escaped and was aided by Filipinos until he was healthy enough to join a guerrilla band in Tarlac. Hunt describes his activities and the command structure of … more
Date: March 19, 1995
Creator: Hunt, Ray
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ben Blaz, October 8, 1994

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Ben Blaz. Blaz was born on Guam in 1928 and recalls aspects of his education on the island prior to World War II. He then recounts the arrival of the Japanese forces in December, 1941 and how they treated the Chamorro people. His family fled Agana to some property in the hills outside of town and raised crops during the war years. Blaz was recruited to help build and maintain airfields for the Japanese. He describes his life on G… more
Date: October 8, 1994
Creator: Blaz, Ben
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Alpha Bowswer, March 12, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alpha Bowser. Bowser earned a commission through the Naval Academy in 1932. He went to sea aboard the USS Texas (BB-35). Afterwards, he went to artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Bowser recalls a detail where he accompanied President Roosevelt to Georgia. When World War II started, Bowser was assigned to the 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division as an artillery officer. He describes the landing he made during the invasi… more
Date: March 12, 1998
Creator: Bowser, Alpha
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

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

Oral History Interview with Marion E. Carl, May 3, 1993

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Marion E Carl. Carl joined the Marine Corps in 1938. He served as a flight instructor for a fighter squadron in Quantico, Virginia. In September 1941 he joined Marine fighter squadron VMF-221 in San Diego, flying Brewster Buffalos. In November they went to Hawaii. On 8 December 1941 they went to Midway. In June of 1942 he flew a Wildcat in the Battle of Midway and provides details of this experience. From there he was evacuated b… more
Date: May 3, 1993
Creator: Carl, Marion E
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with David Braden, October 8, 1994

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with David Braden. Braden was called to active duty in the Army Air Forces from his university’s ROTC program in February 1943 and went to Sheppard Field in Wichita Falls, Texas. He trained to be a navigator. In January 1945, he flew to Saipan and joined the 870th Bomb Squadron, 497th Bomb Group. He flew combat missions against the home islands of Japan and comments on the initial poor results. He also describes an incident in which t… more
Date: October 8, 1994
Creator: Braden, David
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Wade Holcomb, August 21, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wade Holcomb. Holcomb joined the Navy in 1938. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he was in the radio shack on the USS Crosby (DD-164) at San Diego copying code. He was transferred to the Electronics Material School in late 1943. Upon completion of the course, Holcomb became an instructor at various locations throughout the US. When the war ended, Holcomb stayed in the Reserves, serving during the Korean War.
Date: August 21, 1998
Creator: Holcomb, Wade
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with C. M. Hudspeth, May 3, 1993

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with C M Hudspeth. When the war started, Hudspeth was in law school at the University of Texas. In early 1942, he applied for and was given a commission as ensign in the Navy without receiving any training. His first assignment was in a coding room at the Eight Naval District Headquarters in New Orleans. In early 1943, Hudspeth was transferred to Noumea to the South Pacific Area command as a communications officer. In early 1945, he t… more
Date: May 3, 1993
Creator: Hudspeth, C. M.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with William Akers, April 6, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William Akers. Akers joined the Navy I n1944 and trained at San Diego. After training he went to an air station in California before being assigned to CASU 53 and going to Guam. From there, Akers went to a seaplane base on Saipan aboard the USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71). On Saipan, he serviced aircraft by refueling and rearming, etc. Akers was discharged in 1946.
Date: April 6, 1997
Creator: Akers, William
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Bob Layher, September 8, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Bob Layher. Layher was a member of the first squadron of the American Volunteer Group (AVG), nicknamed the Flying Tigers. While stationed in Rangoon in January 1942, the group sent Pete Wright into the air to scare off an enemy bomber. Wright's plane malfunctioned on the approach, and he veered off the runway, killing a captain. On 5 March 1942, Layher nearly lost control of his own plane during a close formation drill. The … more
Date: September 8, 1998
Creator: Layher, Bob
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with George Bailey, July 17, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Bailey. Bailey was a crew chief with the Flying Tigers. He recalls that many of the mechanics in his crew were not well trained when they arrived, but they learned from him quickly. He describes the dangers presented by various landing gears. He discusses the personal lives of the crew, staff, and pilots, both during the war and after.
Date: July 17, 1997
Creator: Bailey, George
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with William Schaper, July 19, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Schaper. Schaper joined the Flying Tigers as a crew chief and was soon promoted to hangar chief, handling all the heavy maintenance that could not be done on the field. Part of his job included salvaging carburetors and engines from crash sites. He recalls that many of the mechanics in his crew were not well trained after transferring in. Finally, he laments that much of the history around the AVG is obscured and for… more
Date: July 19, 1997
Creator: Schaper, William
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi, June 17, 1996

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents oral interviews with Tex Hill, Joe Robert and Dick Rossi. Hill and Burken go into great detail regarding an issue of LIFE Magazine with a picture of General Claire Lee Chennault on the cover and a drawing of a panda bear dressed like a cowboy, as Hill was a member of the Panda Bear squadron of the Flying Tigers. Burken then visits with Joe Robert about a print that Joe is looking to sell and a LIFE Magazine that Joe is featured in, sitting on the … more
Date: June 17, 1996
Creator: Hill, Tex; Robert, Joe & Rossi, Dick
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Ken Jernstedt, September 10, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Ken Jernstedt. Upon completion of flight training at Pensacola, Jernstedt joined the third squadron of the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force (AVG), nicknamed the Flying Tigers. In this interview, Jernstedt describes the social complexities of the group, such as Pappy Boyington's unruly behavior as an experienced Marine who was unsatisfied with his rank with the AVG. He also recounts accidental encounters with… more
Date: September 10, 1998
Creator: Jernstedt, Ken
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Vernon Hanks, March 7, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Chaplain Vernon Hanks. Hanks was born in Sterling, Kansas on 21 November 1908. He joined the National Guard doing drills with horse-drawn caissons and French 75s while attending Sterling College in Kansas. He graduated in 1931 and then attended the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, graduating in 1940 with a Master of Theology. Hanks joined the Navy after Pearl Harbor and received orders for Naval Chaplains School (NCS), No… more
Date: March 7, 1998
Creator: Hanks, Vernon
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Frederick Rosen, February 27, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Frederick W. Rosen. Rosen was born in Kings County, New York 9 September 1917. Graduating from the University of Georgia in 1939 he entered the US Navy in 1941. In October 1942 he reported for duty at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Center, Melville, Rhode Island, where he met John F. Kennedy. Upon completion of the limited training he was assigned captain of PT-207 in Squadron 15. He tells of the boats being loaded onto the… more
Date: February 27, 1997
Creator: Rosen, FrederickW.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with George Charland, December 7, 1998

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with George Charland. Charland initially provides details of his family history and growing up. He joined the Marine Corps in 1939. He completed boot camp at Camp Elliott in California and provides details of his training. In June of 1941 he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Defense Battalion, H & S Company in Hawaii. He was serving guard detail at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, 7 miles west of Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 December 19… more
Date: December 7, 1998
Creator: Charland, George
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Iliff D. Richardson, February 22, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Iliff Richardson. Richardson was commissioned in the Navy in 1940 and assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 as the executive officer of PT-34. After the loss of his boat in April 1942, he joined a band of Filipino guerrillas. Richardson tells of setting up radio transmitters and of the unusual features of the operations and equipment used. At the request of General Douglas MacArthur he plotted the Japanese mine fields in… more
Date: February 22, 1997
Creator: Richardson, Iliff D.
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Barry Atkins, February 20, 1997

Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Barry Atkins. In 1928, Atkins was appointed to the Naval Academy and graduated in 1932 and was assigned to the USS Tennessee (BB-43). He was aboard at Long Beach, California during the 1933 earthquake. After that, he was transferred to the USS New Mexico (BB-40). his next assignment took him aboard the USS Mahan (DD-364). In 1941, Atkins was assigned to the USS Parrott (DD-218) in Manila Bay. He was aboard the Parrott during… more
Date: February 20, 1997
Creator: Atkins, Barry
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Eddie Albert, May 1, 1993

Description: 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 re… more
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Albert, Eddie
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation

Oral History Interview with Jack Jacobson, January 1, 1993

Description: 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 missio… more
Date: January 1, 1993
Creator: Jacobson, Jack
Partner: National Museum of the Pacific War/Admiral Nimitz Foundation
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