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Oral History Interview with Cleon Stewart, March 18, 1993

Description: Interview with Cleon Stewart, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Tulia, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (known as the "Lost Battalion"). Stewart discusses joining the National Guard, training and the Louisiana Maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific in November, 1941, diversion to Java after December 7th, Japanese air strikes and the invasion, the American surrender and initial internement by the Japanese, experiences in internment at … more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: March 18, 1993
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Stewart, Cleon
Partner: UNT Oral History Program

Oral History Interview with William Smeltzer, August 3, 1996

Description: Interview with William Smeltzer, a Army WWII veteran and Navy contractor from Wrightsville, Pennsylvania. Smeltzer discusses quitting high school and moving to California in 1940, experiences working at Mare and Pearl Harbor Navy Yards as a civilian contractor before and after the start of the war, the raising of the sunken USS Oklahoma (BB-37), being drafted into the Army and infantry training, assignment to the 45th Infantry Division and participating in the drive into Germany, the end of the… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: August 3, 1996
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Smeltzer, William
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with M. T. Harrelson, May 9, 1985

Description: Interview with M. T. Harrelson, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas, who was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Harrelson discusses National Guard training and operations before the war, deployment to the Pacific and diversion to Java, the Japanese invasion, surrender and initial confinement, internment at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, and the end of the war.
Date: May 9, 1985
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Harrelson, M. T., 1919-
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Thomas A. Whitehead, February 2, 1977

Description: Interview with Thomas Whitehead, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Wichita Falls, Texas. Whitehead discusses his experiences as a member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, the "Lost Battalion" captured on Java in March 1942, including: joining the National Guard; participation in the Louisiana Maneuvers; departure for the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane; assignment to Sangosari Airfield near Malang; the surrender of American forces; internment at Tanjong Priok and Bic… more
Date: February 2, 1977
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Whitehead, Thomas A.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Thomas Spencer, February 5, 1979

Description: Interview with Thomas Spencer, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Joplin, Texas. Spencer discusses his experiences with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, the "Lost Battalion" captured on Java in March 1942, including: joining the service; training; deployment to East Asia; diversion to Brisbane and Malang; the Japanese attack on Java; the American surrender; experiences in internment and labor at Tanjong Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, several camps on the Burma Railway… more
Date: February 5, 1979
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Spencer, Thomas
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with George P. Lawley, November 3, 1973

Description: Interview with George P. Lawley, an Army WWII veteran and POW from Odessa, Texas. Lawley discusses his time with the so-called "Lost Battalion" on Java and his experiences as a Japanese prisoner-of-war, including: joining the National Guard in 1940 and training, deployment for East Asia with 2nd Battallion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment; diversion to Java at the start of the war; the Japanese attack and his unit's capture; and his experiences in internment and labor at Tanjong Priok in Batavia… more
Date: November 3, 1973
Creator: Teague, William J. & Lawley, George P.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, June 9, 1981

Description: Interview with Granville T. Summerlin, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Hughes Springs, Texas. Summerlin discusses his experiences as a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, or the "Lost Battalion" of the 36th Infantry Division, including: being drafted in 1940 and training; deployment to East Asia and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th; assignment to Sangosari Airfield, Malang, Java; the Japanese assault and American surrender; internment and labor at T… more
Date: June 9, 1981
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Summerlin, Granville T.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Mynila Billingsley, October 13, 1977

Description: Interview with Mynila Billingsley regarding her experiences while at Kaneohe naval Air Station with her husband Lieutenant Commander Oliver Billingsley on December 7th, 1941 during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
Date: October 13, 1977
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Billingsley, Mynila
Partner: UNT Oral History Program

Oral History Interview with Arthur B. Clark, September 29, 2000

Description: Interview with Arhtur B. Clark, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Abilene, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery. Clark discusses joining the National Guard, training and maneuvers, deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and surrender to the Japanese, experiences in internment at Tanjong Priok in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, labor on the Burma "Death" Railway, and liberation. The interview includes an appendix with a refere… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: September 29, 2000
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Clark, Arthur B.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
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