Scope and Contents

Porath (b. 1921) recalls his childhood in Hyrum, Utah and describes joining the Seabees as a Third-Class Petty officer. He served in the Pacific, including Guadalcanal, New Guinea, Okinawa, and New Caledonia. He speaks at length about life aboard a ship. 80 pages.

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Pugmire (b. 1923) recalls growing up in Paris, Idaho, and Logan, Utah prior to enlisting in the WAVES in 1944. She trained at Hunter College and was assigned to the post office of the Naval Training Center in San Diego, California. 36 pages.

Scope and Contents Roos (b. 1919) reminisces about his childhood and education in Utah, including his ROTC experience. He was attending West Point when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, and he speaks at length about his experiences there. He was assigned to an engineering unit with the responsibility for turning the island of Guam into a military base. After the war he transferred to the Army Air Corps and earned a masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Iowa. He later served in Germany,...

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Sandberg (b. 1922) recalls growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he graduated from West High School in 1941. He attended the University of Utah and completed an aircraft engine mechanic training in Ogden before being drafted into the army in 1942. He received training in radio operation and special weapons before attending primary flight school. He worked on early radar. 32 pages.

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Schade (b. 1915) recalls his childhood in Dresden, Germany, and being drafted into the army in 1939. He served in Italy, where he was wounded and then taken prisoner by the Americans. Because he had been trained as a singer, Schade spent much of his time entertaining the American troops. He emigrated to America in 1955. 41 pages.

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Seegmiller (b. 1915) discusses ranching in southern Utah, his LDS mission in the central states, and his experience in the army as a ground crew member on a B-25. He served in North Africa, Italy, and Corsica. 43 pages.

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Smith (b. 1923) joined the Air Force in December 1942. He trained in Santa Ana, Visalia, Merced, and Stockton, California. He was sent to Ardmore, Oklahoma, where he trained in a B-17. He recalls his experiences while stationed in Lavenham, England; discusses missions, strategies, fellow crew members, being shot down over Cologne, and his internment in Stalag Luft Three. 57 pages.

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Sorensen (b. 1922) recalls his childhood on a cattle ranch in Utah, working on the construction of the Topaz Japanese Relocation camp, and joining the U.S. Marines in December 1943. After training as a gunner and being assigned to a flight crew, Sorensen was assigned to the Pacific Theater of Operations. He talks at length about his combat experiences. He also talks about returning to civilian life and suffering from what would come to be known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. 95 pages.