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Oral History Interview with James W. Huffman, April 11, 1990

Description: Interview with James W. Huffman, a Navy WWII veteran and POW from Los Angeles, California, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Huffman discusses joining the Navy; service aboard the Houston and changes in training as war neared; early operations in the war; the Battle of Sundra Strait and sinking; surviving in Java; capture by the Japanese; various experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, Thanbyuzayat, several camps on the Burma Railway, a… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: April 11, 1990
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Huffman, James W.
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

Oral History Interview with E. Benjamin Dunn, November 16, 1999

Description: Interview with E. Benjamin Dunn, a Army WWII veteran and POW from Gorham, Illinois, who was captured by the Japanese on Java with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Dunn discusses training in the Army, transfer to 2-131 and deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and being captured, experiences in internment in Batavia and later Changi Prison Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, and liberation.
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: November 16, 1999
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Dunn, E. Benjamin
Partner: UNT Oral History Program

Oral History Interview with Melvin R. Baird, 1998

Description: Interview with Navy veteran Melvin R. "Pancho" Baird. It includes a combination of interviewing and reading from Baird's personal correspondence about his pre-World War II experiences with the U.S. Asiatic Fleet and his later experiences in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Baird talks about his stationing aboard the destroyer USS Alden as a radioman, the grounding of the SS President Hoover off of Hoishito Island, the Sino-Japanese War, liberty ashore various Asian port cities, events o… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: August 18, 1998
Creator: Baird, James & Baird, Melvin R.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program

Oral History Interview with Geoffrey Bryson Fisken, May 1, 1993

Description: Interview with Geoffrey Fisken, a veteran of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, concerning his experiences as a combat pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Fisken discusses the fall of Singapore, Guadalcanal operations, air combat against Japanese Zeros, and his release from duty in December of 1943.
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: May 1, 1993
Creator: Daniels, John & Fisken, Geoffrey Bryson
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Charles A. Cates, March 14, 1974

Description: Interview with Charles A. Cates, a businessman, U.S. Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Cates talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1943-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and his libe… more
Date: March 14, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Cates, Charles A., 1908-
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Ray Robinson, June 25, 1979

Description: Interview with Ray Robinson regarding his experiences in the military and as a prisoner of war of the Japanese during World War II. He was part of the Texas National Guard, 36th Division, 131st Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, also known as the "Lost Battalion." He was captured on the island of Java in March of 1942 and spent the duration of the war thereafter as a prison of war in camps in South East Asia and in Japan.
Date: June 25, 1979
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Ray Robinson
Partner: University of North Texas
open access

Oral History Interviews with Charley L. Pryor, 1972-1973

Description: Interview with Charley L. Pryor, a Marine WWII veteran and POW from Lubbock, Texas, who survived the sinking of the USS Houston (CA-30). Pryor discusses the sinking of the Houston, his capture, experiences in imprisonment at Serang, Java, experiences at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and Changi Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, American air raids, and liberation.
Date: 1972-11/1973-02
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Pryor, Charley L.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with George Burns, March 12, 1974

Description: Interview with George Burns, a postal worker, farmer, U.S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion," about his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Burns talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1945), and hi… more
Date: March 12, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Burns, George, 1917-
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

Oral History Interview with Thomas Jenny, April 3, 2013

Description: Interview with Thomas Jenny, a Marine Corps and Air America pilot from Miami, Florida, who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Jenny discusses his interest in aviation, entering the Naval Flight Training Program, flight training, joining the Marine Corps, assignment to Korea, working for Pan-Am, joining Air America, and flying a variety of aircraft and missions from Thailand and Laos.
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: April 3, 2013
Creator: Ferguson, J. Michael & Jenny, Thomas
Partner: UNT Oral History Program

Oral History Interview with William "Jake" Wehrell, April 23, 2013

Description: Interview with William "Jake" Wehrell, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Air America Pilot conducted for the Air America Oral History Project. He discusses his childhood and education in New Jersey and Central College; decision to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Korean War; experiences while stationed at El Toro, California, Japan, Cherry Point, NC, Parris Island, SC, and Beaufort, SC, and aboard an aircraft carrier; decision to join Air America; experiences while stationed in Taiwan, Bangkok… more
Access: Restricted to UNT Community Members. Login required if off-campus.
Date: April 23, 2013
Creator: Ferguson, J. Michael & Wehrell, William
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with W. L. Starnes, April 2, 1974

Description: Interview with W. L. Starnes, a businessman, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Starnes talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Saigon and Da Lat, French Indo-China (194… more
Date: April 2, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Starnes, W. L., 1919-
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 Jack Moss, July 19, 1970

Description: Interview with Jack Moss, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran from Amarillo, Texas, who served and was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion.") Moss discusses joining the the Guard and deployment to the Pacific, the fall and capture of Java, his experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, internment at Changi Camp in Singapore, partaking in forced labor on the Burma-Thailand "Death" Railway, and liberation.
Date: July 19, 1970
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Moss, Jack
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Keith Naylor, April 2, 1971

Description: Interview with Keith Naylor, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Vernon, Texas, who was captured with 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion") on Java by the Japanese. Naylor discusses joining the Guard, deployment to the Pacific and the war's start, operations at Malang on Java, the American surrender, experiences in internment at Tanjung Priok and Bicycle Camp in Batavia, transfer to Changi Camp in Singapore, work on the Burma Railway, internment at Chungkai an… more
Date: April 2, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Robert Gregg, March 24, 1971

Description: Interview with Robert Gregg, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas, who was captured with the 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery (the "Lost Battalion"). Gregg discusses mobilization and deployment to the Pacific, the fall of Java and his capture, internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia and Changi Camp in Singapore, building the Burma-Thailand "Death" Railway, and liberation.
Date: March 24, 1971
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Gregg, Robert
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with James W. Gee, March 13 and March 19, 1972

Description: Interview with James W. Gee, a sales executive, a Marine Corps veteran, and a survivor of the sinking of the U.S.S. Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Gee talks about the sinking of the Houston (1942), his capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), the hell ship to Japan (1944), coa… more
Date: [1972-03-13,1972-03-19]
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Gee, James Wallace
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Luther G. Prunty, 1986

Description: Interview with Luther Prunty, civil servant, Army veteran, and member of the "Lost Battalion." The interview includes Prunty's personal experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Prunty talks about the Fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp, Changi Prison Camp, building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway, American air raids, and liberation.
Date: October 20, 1986
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Prunty, Luther
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Lawrence Brown, March 13, 1974

Description: Interview with Lawrence Brown, a Texas National Guard WWII veteran and POW from Decatur, Texas. Brown was a captured member of 2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery Regiment (the "Lost Battalion"): he recounts working during the Depression; mobilization; deployment to the Philippines and diversion to Brisbane after December 7th, 1941; arrival at Sangosari, Java; the Japanese invasion and American surrender; experiences in internment at Bicycle Camp in Batavia, Changi Camp in Singapore, several w… more
Date: March 13, 1974
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Brown, Lawrence
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with J. B. Heinen, Jr., October 29, 1973

Description: Interview with J. B. Heinen Jr., an independent oilman, U. S. Army WWII veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard), and a member of the "Lost Battalion." Heinen discusses his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II, including the fall of Java and capture; Bicycle Camp, Batavia, 1942; Changi Prison Camp, Singapore, 1942; building the Burma Thailand Death Railway, 1942-44; Kanchanaburi, Thailand, 1944; and his liberation in Bangkok.
Date: October 29, 1973
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Heinen, J. B., Jr.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Weldon O. Western, February 16, 1987

Description: Interview with Weldon Western, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Western discusses the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Saigon, French Indo-China (1945), American air raids, and … more
Date: February 16, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Western, Weldon O., 1914-
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with Willie V. Jordan, June 1987

Description: Interview with Willie Jordan, an Army veteran (2nd Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, Texas National Guard) and a member of the "Lost Battalion," concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Jordan talks about the fall of Java and his capture, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Bangkok, Thailand (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: 1987-06-01/1987-06-03
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Jordan, Willie V., 1922-
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
open access

Oral History Interview with John W. Wisecup, July 28, 1987

Description: Interview with John Wisecup, a Marine Corps veteran and a survivor of the sinking of the USS Houston, concerning his experiences as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese during World War II. Wisecup talks about the sinking of the Houston (1942), his capture and imprisonment at Serang, Java, Bicycle Camp in Batavia (1942), Changi Prison Camp in Singapore (1942), building the Burma-Thailand Death Railway (1942-1944), Kanchanaburi, Thailand (1944), Changi Jail (1944-1945), and his liberation.
Date: July 28, 1987
Creator: Marcello, Ronald E. & Wisecup, John W.
Partner: UNT Oral History Program
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