Experiencing combat

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Hatch, Norman Filming on Tarawa
Norman Hatch [Annotator's Note: a photographer in the 2nd Marine Division] was on the airstrip on the second day [...
Roy, William Filming Yorktown
William Roy captured film of Japanese bombers attacking the ship [Annotator's Note: USS Yorktown (CV-5)] that was not...
Maki, Howard Final Combat in Italy
Howard T. Maki found that the Purple Heart [Annotator's Note: the Purple Heart Medal is award bestowed upon a United...
Burchell, Raymond Final Days in Normandy
Raymond Burchell remembers 10 June [Annotator’s Note: 1944]. The commander asked Burchell if he remembered where they...
Kirkpatrick, Teddy Final Mission and Going Home
The B-17 [Annotator's Note: Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bomber] bomber crews typically did not fly every day;...
Celaya, Adolfo Final Mission of the Indianapolis
Adolfo V. Celaya sailed to Tinian [Annotator’s Note: aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35) delivering key components of...
Murphy, Paul Final Mission of USS Indianapolis (CA-35)
Paul J. Murphy [Annotator’s Note: a fire controlman aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35)] sailed to San Francisco [...
Marshall, James Final Missions
James "Jim" Marshall and his unit [Annotator's Note: 499th Bombardment Group, 73rd Bombardment Wing, 20th Air Force]...
Schneider, Richard Final Missions and Discharge
Richard "Dick" Schneider became a spare tail gunner after the loss of his former crew mates. It was not his preference...
Rackham, Milton Final Patrol in the Pacific
[Annotator’s Note: There is someone off camera helping the interviewee with answering questions throughout the segment...
Ebersole, William Final Thoughts
William Ebersole feels that The National WWII Museum, New Orleans, Louisiana is good tribute to the war and the people...
Billingsley, James Final Thoughts
James Billingsley was in the mountains fighting and going down a gulley [Annotator's Note: in the Philippines]. Machine...
Ram, Walter Final Three Missions
Walter Ram and his fellow crewmates had to wait for another airplane before continuing their bombing missions. A female...
Votrobek, Jr., John Final War Patrol Going Home and Discharge
On 5 July [Annotator's Note: 5 July 1945], after refuel and refit in Perth [Annotator's Note: Perth, Australia], John...
Colburn, George Finding a Young Japanese Kid
[Annotator's Note: George Colburn and the 3rd Marine Division went ashore on Iwo Jima, Japan on 23 February 1945 and...
Loges, Richard Finding Courage and Dachau
The lowest point of Richard "Dick" Loges' service [Annotator's Note: with Company H, 2nd Battalion, 180th Infantry...
Boeke, Robert Finding Dachau
Robert Boeke [Annotator's Note: with the 341st Infantry Regiment, 86th Infantry Division] was a part of the 9th Army or...
Haslauer, Warren Finishing Up on Guam
Warren J. Haslauer [Annotator's Note: with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division] was...
Cristiano, Nick Fire Bombing Japan
Nick Cristiano says his crew were nice boys. He was anxious to go on his first mission [Annotator's Note: January 1945...
Pierce, William "Bill" Fire Missions on Okinawa
William Pierce recounts the lack of success for the 37mm gun in Europe. He discusses a Marine Medal of Honor recipient...
Kneflin, Charles Firebombing Tokyo
[Annotator's Note: Charles Kneflin was a tail gunner on a Boeing B-29 Superfortress very heavy bomber in the 53rd...
Rupp, Robert Firing 26,000 Rounds in Ten Days
[Annotator's Note: Robert Rupp was in Consdorf, Luxembourg with the 3rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 9th Armored...
Laster, John Thomas Firing in Anger
John Laster said he would not like to go back through it, but his service during World War 2 was quite an experience,...
Schmittgens, Leo Firing on Shuri and Okinawin Civilians
Leo William Schmittgens recalled that one day [Annotator's Note: one day while he was taking part in the Battle of...
Willford, Sandford First Air Combat
After one mission, Sandford Robert Willford [Annotator's Note: a fighter pilot with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th...
Amsden, Ben First Air Strike Missions
The F6F Hellcat [Annotator's Note: Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter aircraft] was very tough [Annotator's Note: when...
Ganitch, Michael First Attack Wave at Pearl Harbor
Michael Mickey Ganitch enjoyed the sights and sports in Pearl Harbor. He was a bit of a loner because he did not drink...
McCorriston, James "Fran McCorriston" First battle
James Francis McCorriston was happy to be aboard a fighting ship like the USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). The first place...
Asbury, Richard First Big Air Battle
[Annotator's Note: Richard Asbury went to England and was checked out in the North American P-51 Mustang fighter...
Goodwin, Hersey First Bombing Mission
Hersey Goodwin does not remember his first mission [Annotator's Note: with the 11th Bombardment Group, 7th Air Force]....
Galbraith, Wendell First Bombing Mission
As a replacement aircrewman, Wendell Galbraith was received with open arms. One of the raids in August [Annotator's...
Sykes, Ralph First Combat
After a couple days, Ralph Sykes crossed the river [Annotator's Note: Roer River] on a pontoon boat. His first combat...
Armentaro, Louis First Combat
Leyte [Annotator's Note: Leyte, Philippines] was lousy to Louis J. Armentaro because it was hot. He spent a week there...
Moskin, Alan First Combat
The first time Alan Moskin realized he was in combat and war, something hit the top of his head. There were mortar and...
Ledesma, Trinidad First Combat
Trinidad Ledesma received orders to ship out from Fort Ord [Annotator's Note: in California] at around three or four o'...
Malec, Henry First Combat
Henry Malec, along with three or four other men, was transported by truck to his first combat experience. It was very...

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