Affichage de 267 résultats

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9888#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Donald E. Anderson was born on April 5, 1922 in Milaca, Minnesota. He joined the National Guard in 1939 at the age of 16. Anderson entered World War II assigned to the 34th Division Field Artillery and spent most of his service in North Africa and Italy. After being discharged from service in 1945, Anderson opened a restaurant as well as worked as a postal worker. Anderson passed away on August 29, 1999 at the age of 77.

Transcript Summary: Donald E. Anderson described his experiences serving with the Minnesota National Guard in the 34th Division Field Artillery during World War II. Stationed in North Africa and Italy, Anderson discussed his frustration with “ninety-day wonders” Anderson also experienced taking German prisoners, as well as interacted with civilians in Italy. He was also present when the body of Mussolini was hanging from a building. After the war, Anderson describes his endeavors which included opening a restaurant. Anderson discussed his struggles in life going into the service, how he considered himself to be a “screw-up” and credits his time in the military for helping him sort that out. Anderson concluded the interview by presenting his frustrations with the preparedness of the United States during the war, and how he would have corrected it.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8584#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Edward V. Anderson was born on April 14, 1923, in DeKalb, Illinois. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942 at the age of 19, and served as a B-24 pilot in Europe during the last months of World War II as a second Lieutenant. After his service, Anderson returned to the University of Illinois to finish his undergraduate education, and married his wife, Lucy Cleveland Johns, on September 27, 1947. They had five children: David, Howard, Carol, Joyce and Timothy. Anderson earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh. He worked as a mechanical engineer until his retirement in 1983. Anderson died on March 13, 2011 at his home in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, at the age of 87.

Transcript Summary: Edward V. Anderson described his experiences as a B-24 pilot during World War II. He enlisted in 1942 and graduated from pilot training in Lubbock, Texas, in May 1944. Anderson was part of the wave of replacement crews sent to the European theatre in early January 1945 and stationed in Seething, England. He discussed the pilot training he went through while in the United States, as well as the 13 missions he flew while in Europe. In his first mission, he described having to crash-land his airplane in a Belgian field after running out of fuel. While flying his second mission, the plane lost two engines and his crew member was hit by flak shrapnel shot by German anti-aircraft defenses. After the war, his crew was low on points, so they were reassigned to participate in the Japanese Theater of war, but Japan surrendered before they had to ship out. Anderson detailed the daily routines for missions as well as training flights for pilots during WWII and briefly summarizes his life after the war.

Interview by John Carter

https://collection.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9837

Biographical Information: Stanley Biniek was born in Raczyce, Poland on November 3, 1912. Biniek and his family were separated in 1939 into concentration camps by the German Army. Biniek spent over three years in Buchenwald before escaping with two other prisoners. After 72 days of travel, Biniek made it safely to Luxembourg, where he married his wife Victoria Adaszak in 1948. Biniek and his wife moved to Minnesota in 1952, and he worked for Woodcraft Industries and St. Regis Paper Mill. He had two daughters and one son. Biniek passed away on June 7, 2008 in Foley, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: Stanley Biniek discussed his experiences during World War II, primarily his time held in Buchenwald concentration camp. These experiences included witnessing prisoners being sent to killing chambers and the side-effects of those on the camp’s water supply. Around Christmastime in 1943, Biniek describes how he and two other prisoners carried out an escape plan and successfully got out of Buchenwald using items from their Red Cross care packages. Once freed, the men traveled only by night for 72 days until safely arriving in Luxembourg. A man they were traveling with had gotten caught inside of a German family’s home, and when Biniek attempted to break him out, the man was shot and killed by the family. Biniek concluded the interview by describing how he wants to forget his time in the concentration camps, and that he does not understand those that disagree that the Holocaust really took place.

Interview by Karen Wenz

Irwin Henry Block was born on September 3, 1920. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps/United States Air Force on September 14, 1942 at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. Block attended basic training at Camp Pendleton in Oregon and machine shop training in Ontario, California. Block was stateside for the duration of the war and was never deployed to the European or Pacific theaters. He did serve in Korea during the Korean War. After the war, Block was married and was the step father to three. He passed away on June 21, 1993. No oral history File includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/26/

Biographical Information: Emmett L. Crouch was born on September 22, 1920, in Richmond, Alabama. Crouch was raised in the District of Columbia and lived there until he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942. He was a fighter pilot in the South Pacific during World War II. Crouch married his wife, Jean, in December 1945, and had two children, John and Kerry. Couch left the Air Force after eighteen years of service at the rank of Major, but was later promoted to Lieutenant Colonel for the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Couch died on December 5, 2011, in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Transcript Summary: Emmett L. Crouch described his experiences as an Air Force officer during World War II. He enlisted in 1942 and graduated from pilot training in San Antonia, Texas, in 1944. Crouch described his involvement in World War II, primarily talking about the South Pacific. He was stationed in Saipan, Guam, and Okinawa. He discussed his involvement as a B-24 pilot in the Marcus Island Raids in Saipan. While on a mission, Crouch and his crew witnessed the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945. At the end of the World War II, Crouch was a part of the liberation of Japanese prisoners of war, flying them back to the Philippines for relocation. Lastly, Crouch detailed his life after WWII and his duties while in the Air Force Reserves.

Interview by John Carter

Thank you to the Minnesota Digital Library for digitizing the audio for the interview, as well as the creation of the transcript.

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8535#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Clair A. Dziuk was born April 5, 1907 in Benton County, Minnesota, where he was raised. He married his wife, Ethel, in 1931, and had eight children. Dziuk worked for Benton County and in the construction of the Alcan Highway in Canada and Alaska from 1941 to 1943. When he returned from the Alcan Highway project, Dzuik returned to work for Benton County. He died September 12, 1993.

Transcript Summary: Clair A. Dziuk described his experiences as a tractor driver, while working on the Alcan Highway from 1941 to 1943. Alcan Highway began in Dawson’s Creek, British Columbia, Canada and ended in Delta Jackson, Alaska. Dziuk explains that the pay incentive for this type of work was significant, he went from making 35 cents an hour working for Benton County to $1.50 an hour working on the highway. He recounts his experiences in Canada and describes the day to day life of building the highway, from working with Canadians and the Army, camp life and the wildlife of Canada.

Interview by David Overy

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9843#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Bohn E. Fawkes was born on September 2, 1919 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was part of the ROTC program when World War II began, and was called to active duty shortly thereafter. Fawkes was a B-17 pilot with the 8th Air Force and participated in bombing raids at Schweinfurt, Stuttgart, and Hamburg. He flew 25 missions before returning to the United States and serving as a flight instructor. Fawkes left the military in 1962 to become a stock broker. He passed away on February 17, 2007 and is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Transcript Summary: Bohn Fawkes discussed how he was an ROTC student at the University of Minnesota that completed his master of chemical engineering degree when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. His ROTC involvement meant he was called to active duty initially in antiaircraft battery, but he took up the opportunity to attend flight school and be a pilot. Fawkes picked up his B-17 in April 1943 and along with forty other planes, flew to England. When flying the bombing raid on a manufacturing facility in Schweinfurt, Fawkes discussed the four hour battle and the analysis of meeting enemy resistance from a pilot’s perspective. Of 25 missions flown, Fawkes flight log indicates only one where his plane did not receive any combat damage. On a particular mission to bomb a manufacturing center in Stuttgart, Fawkes describes having his plane shot-up so badly by German fighters that he lost multiple engines and had to emergency land in the English Channel. All ten of Fawkes’ crew made it out of the airplane and safely back to England, and Fawkes would become the first American pilot to accomplish that. Fawkes and his crew celebrated returning from their 25th mission by “buzzing” the control tower for the air field and they fired off flares from the plane. Unfortunately, this was done while a two-star general was in the control tower, and he was not pleased and their flares set an ammunition tent on fire. After returning to the states, Fawkes was stationed at Rapid City Airbase in South Dakota as a B-17 flight instructor, and eventually transferred to a B-29 training instructor in Fairmount, Nebraska. Fawkes was preparing to return to combat in the Pacific Theater with the B-29 when the war concluded.

Interview by John Carter

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8600#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Marvin R. Fellman was born in Red Lake, Minnesota, on November 15, 1919 and raised in Pipestone County, Minnesota. After graduating from Pipestone High School in 1937, Fellman went to Macalester College for a year and a half when he was drafted in the United States Army. He was assigned into the 82nd Airborne in the European theater, where he participated in the invasion of Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of the Wobbelin concentration camp. In 1949, Fellman joined the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he would serve as a Battery commander of the 47th Division during the Korean Conflict. He received many awards and decorations for his military service including the Purple Heart, Army Occupation Medal (German), European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, and the Minnesota Medal of Merit. Fellman married his wife, Marjorie, and had five daughters. Fellman died in September 2012.

Transcript Summary: Marvin R. Fellman described his experiences as an infantryman in the United States Army during World War II. After graduating from Pipestone High School in 1937, Fellman went to Macalester College for a year and a half, until he was drafted in the United States Army. He was assigned into the 82nd Airborne in the European theater. Fellman described his combat experience in Normandy, the invasion of Holland, and the Battle of the Bulge. He discussed his participation in liberation of the Wobbelin concentration camp and his perceptions of the German people. After the war, he and his infantrymen marched in the New York City victory parade in 1946. In 1949, Fellman joined the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he would serve as a battery commander of the 47th Division during the Korean Conflict. Lastly, Fellman discussed his thoughts and feelings toward the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

Interview by David Overy

Kenneth James Foldoe was born on June 4, 1922. Foldoe was entered into the United States Army in January 1943 and attended training at Camp Roberts in California. He was stationed at the Schofield Barracks on the Hawaiian Islands, where he joined E Company, 2nd Battalion of the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division. From the Hawaiian Islands, Foldoe spent three months in Australia, and then was deployed to New Guinea and the Philippines. In a detailed retelling of his time in the Pacific theater, Foldoe gives a glimpse into the gruesome scenes that he saw during combat. Foldoe was married three times with six children. He passed away on November 8, 2020.

No oral history

File includes archival material

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8525#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Clifton L. Gawtry was born on September 29, 1923 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and graduated high school in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1941, Gawtry enlisted in the United States Navy in the V-5 program and became a flight instructor. In 1944, he married his wife, Alice, and had four children. From 1949 to 1963, Gawtry served in a reserve squadron until he retired. He died on April 2, 2000 at the age of 76.

Transcript Summary: Clifton L. Gawtry described his experience as a flight instructor for the United States Navy during World War II. After various flight schools for eighteen months, Gawtry became a flight instructor in Jacksonville and Pensacola, Florida. Gawtry recounted his experiences and comments on various aspects of flight and flight instruction. He was in a reserve squadron stationed in Pensacola, Florida from 1949 to 1963, until he retired.

Interview by Kris Wiggs

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8630#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Walter J. Gerzin was born on September 4, 1916, in Chisholm, Minnesota. In 1939, he graduated from St. Cloud State Teacher’s College and enlisted into the flying cadet program of the United States Air Force. When World War II broke out, Gerzin flew bombing missions in North Africa, the Middle East, and India. In 1943, Gerzin was assigned to train pilots in Washington state, and later in Florida. He served in the United States Air Force for twenty-one years before leaving to become a teacher. On September 30, 2013, Walter J. Gerzin died at the age of 97.

Transcript Summary: Walter J. Gerzin described his experiences as a bomber pilot and flight instructor in World War II. In 1939, he graduated from St. Cloud State Teacher’s College and enlisted into the flying cadet program of the United States Air Force. After his training, Gerzin flew anti-submarine patrols off the East Coast, until he was assigned to Project X. He described the bombing missions in North Africa, the Middle East, and India. Gerzin was a member of the 513th Bomb Squadron, which was detailed by Captain Rowan T. Thomas in ­Born in Battle: Round the World Adventures of the 513th Bombardment Squadron. In 1943, Gerzin became a squadron commander and trained pilots in Walla Walla, Washington and Avon Park, Florida. Gerzin flew twenty-five bombing missions, earning himself an Air Medal and a Silver Star along the way. Lastly, he discussed the positive outcomes of being a twenty-one year veteran of the Air Force. Moreover, that military service allowed him to travel and live all around the world and gain self-discipline and respect for others.

Interview by David Overy

Snapshots taken when in military service

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8515#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Donald C. Grant was born on February 16, 1913, and was raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1928, at age 15, Grant lied about his age and joined the National Guard of the United States. In 1937, Grant made second lieutenant in the United States Army and went on active duty during World War II. In 1941, Grant married his wife Norma, and had three children. He also served active duty stateside during the Korean War. In 1967, then Governor Harold LeVander chose Major General Grant to head the Army National Guard’s 47th “Viking” Infantry Division from 1963 to 1971. Throughout his military career and after, Grant was employed by the Western Electric Co. He worked his way up from floor sweeper to retiring at warehouse supervisor. Grant died in June 1998.

Transcript Summary: Donald C. Grant described his experiences as an artillery officer in the United States Army’s 151st Field Artillery during World War II. In 1928, at age 15, Grant lied about his age and joined the National Guard of the United States. In 1937, Grant made second lieutenant in the United States Army and went on active duty during World War II. While stationed in North Africa, Grant received a Silver Star for role in the Battle of Hill 609. Grant discussed his experiences in Italy at the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Battle of Anzio and the harsh realities of being an artilleryman. Lastly, Grant described his thoughts and feelings about military service impacting civilian life.

Interview by David Overy

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9840#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Stewart Gross was born in New England, North Dakota, on November 9, 1921. He moved to Minnesota when he was less than one-year old. He graduated from St. Cloud Technical High School in 1939 and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp. Gross served in both the Pacific and European Theatres as a navigator/bombardier, first with the 20th Fighter Pursuit Group and 14th Fighter Group (China) in 1942-1943, and later in 1944 with the 321st Bomber Group (Italy, Corsica) and the 10th Bomb Division. Near the end of the war, he was transferred to the 15th Air Force. After the war, Gross re-enlisted and was stationed first in Garden City, Kansas, then later in Alaska with the 7th Weather Group. Gross left the military in May 1948. Gross passed away on December 25, 2013.

Transcript Summary: Stewart Gross described his experience as a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp. After graduating high school, Gross had hoped to go to West Point, but did not get the Congressional appointment. Instead, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Crop because at that time West Point took 100 individuals per year out of the regular army. Gross ended up as an alternate. Gross enlisted into pilots school, but “washed out” after about four months. He then trained as a radio operator, in aerial gunnery, and basic navigation. In early 1942 he was sent to China. Gross was stationed in Chungking under Major General Chennault and was initially part of the Chinese/American provisional wing, where bomber groups would include both American and Chinese soldiers. His missions were primarily interdiction, meant to disrupt the Japanese supply lines. Gross discussed the chronic shortages of fuel, food, medical supplies and ammunition, and the difficult living conditions. While in China, Gross was shot down twice, once by anti-aircraft and the second time by Japanese fighters. During that second mission there were numerous casualties in his bomber group. Seven of the twelve aircraft were lost. Gross left China in November 1943, having flown 85-90 missions. In November 1944, after a year stationed in the U.S., Gross was sent to Italy to join the 321st Bomb Group in Corsica and then was moved to the 10th Bomb Division as a fighter bomber vector near Florence, Italy. In the spring of 1945 Gross was wounded during a supply run in Yugoslavia when his plane was hit, killing the co-pilot. After the war in Europe ended, Gross was transferred to the 15th Air Force. He re-enlisted and was stationed first in Garden City, Kansas, and later in Alaska. Gross left the military in May 1948. In addition to describing his training and military missions, including the danger of being trapped in a burning plane as a turret gunner, Gross also described life and living conditions while stationed in China, attitudes toward the Chinese people, and his difficulties working with those in command.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/50

Biographical Information: Harold Hammerbeck was born August 3, 1917 in Little Falls, Minnesota to George and Clara (Jensen) Hammerbeck. Hammerbeck enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard on October 4, 1938, and was assigned to the 109th Quartermaster Company. He was mobilized to active duty on February 10, 1941, and was on one of the first ships to head to Europe on January 12, 1942. Hammerbeck was shipped to North Africa in January 1943, where he participated in the campaigns in Tunisia and Kasserine. He received a battlefield commission on August 30, 1943. After the North Africa campaign, he participated in the invasion of Italy. On May 7, 1946, Hammerbeck married his wife, Leone Stein. He remained a member of the Minnesota National Guard until his retirement on September 27, 1977. Hammerbeck passed away on September 30, 1998 and buried in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: Colonel Harold Hammerbeck described his experiences during World War II as a member of the 109th Quartermaster Regiment in the European Theatre. He explained his decision to join the Minnesota National Guard with many friends from his hometown of Little Falls, Minnesota. His unit was mobilized for active duty on February 10, 1941. He was part of one of the first set of troops to be deployed to Europe in January 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He spent a year training in Ireland before being deployed to North Africa around Christmas time in late 1942. Hammerbeck described Africa as being extremely hot, with little to no air defense, and explained that there were German troops were everywhere. Hammerbeck described his experience in Africa as “dehumanizing.” He recounted his participation in the Tunisian campaign including seeing at least a dozen German Gotha gliders along the beaches. Hammerbeck recalled how he received a battlefield commission following the Tunisian campaign. He remembered the native peoples that he encountered in North Africa. He described his experiences during the Battle of Kasserine Pass. After North Africa, Hammerbeck was sent to Italy. He was one of the first troops to arrive at Salerno, where he recalled firing directly on the Germans. Afterwards, he moved towards Naples and participated in the Battle of Anzio. Hammerbeck described being called to Lake Como to help with the disarming of the German 14th Core. He also participated in the siege at Cassino. After leave in the United States in late 1944, he returned to Italy. He gained an appreciation for what he had at home from his time during World War II. He described being angry with Patton for his distaste of National Guard Troops, who called them “Boy Scout Troops.” Hammerbeck ended his interview about his worst experiences (deaths), funny experiences (drunk officers), regrets that he had in serving during WWII (had no regrets and felt privileged to serve), and his thoughts of the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Interview by David Overy

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/4/

Biographical Information: James Louis Johnson Sr. was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on August 22, 1917. In 1938, Johnson joined the National Guard, serving in both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He began his military career as a driver for 34th Division Tank Company under the 194th Tank Battalion Commander Ernie B. Miller. While serving in the military, he received the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal. In 1940 before he left for training, James married Irene C. Tepley Johnson. After leaving the military, they moved to Rice Lake near Brainerd in 1954. They had two children – Jim Jr. and Gary. Johnson passed away on February 8, 2005.

Transcript Summary: Johnson discussed joining the National Guard in 1938. He trained at nearby Camp Ripley where he was part of the 34th Division Tank Company. They were mobilized in 1941 to Fort Lewis in Washington state to form the 194th Tank Battalion. He recounted his experiences, including his relationship with Ernie Miller. Johnson chronicled his time in the only tank company in the Aleutians, Alaska, during World War II. Here he served as part of the 602nd Tank Company under General Simon Bolivar Buckner and spent 27 months he was there, leaving in November 1943. He even had dinner with Bob Hope when the entertainer was visiting Alaska. While serving in Alaska, he left to train as a pilot but decided he didn’t like it, so he returned to his armor unit. Johnson left for the Philippines in May 1945 and came home at the end of the year. In 1947, the unit reorganized as the 47th Infantry where they started the 194th Tank Battalion headquartered in Brainerd. In 1949, he went to work temporarily as a field training supply officer. In November 1951, Johnson was deployed to Korea until November 1952, where he served on the front lines. He discussed the difference between the Korean War and World War II as well as experiences as a captain for Battalion S2 in Korea. He recounted life as a tanker over his military career.

Interview by David Overy

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8538#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Chester Judd was born on April 2, 1916, and served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II. He was stationed in England from September 1944 to late 1945 and was a B-17 copilot on 35 missions. He returned to the United States and flew C-47 cargo planes to transport wounded veterans to hospitals across the country. After the war, Judd became a farmer. He died on November 15, 1995.

Transcript Summary: Chester Judd was born on April 2, 1916, and served as a first lieutenant in the Air Force during World War II. He described his training in the U.S. first as a medic but then as a pilot once he switched to the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in England from September 1944 to late 1945 and was a B-17 copilot on 35 missions. Judd described camp life, including food and lodging, and explains how the planes were organized for actual missions. He described several combat experiences and how pilots and crew dealt with the strain, particularly flying his final mission. Judd returned to the United States and flew C-47 cargo planes to transport wounded veterans to hospitals across the country. After the war, Judd became a farmer. He died on November 15, 1995.

Interview by Daniel Lewis

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8498#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Born on June 25, 1919, Lloyd Klosowsky was married and a father when he was drafted into the Army shortly after the start of the war. He saw extensive action throughout the European theater. He was involved in the North African campaign, D-Day landing in France, and the Battle of the Bulge. He managed to escape serious injury even though he was wounded during D-Day and nearly lost his feet at the Battle of the Bulge. Klosowsky, as part of the 90th Division, helped pursue a German Panzer Corps into Czechoslovakia until the Germans surrendered. The 90th then prepared to invade Japan until receiving word that the war ended. Klosowsky returned to Duluth after his discharge from the service in December 1945. He died in Stillwater, Minnesota, on November 27, 1996.

Transcript Summary: Lloyd Klosowsky described his job and family life before the war and his attitudes when war was declared. He described his infantry training in Texas and his travel across the Atlantic Ocean on the ship Queen Elizabeth. Working his way to North Africa, Klosowsky, as part of the 90th Infantry Division, acted as rear guard to the later days of the campaign. There he guarded POWs, experienced frequent artillery barrages, and had the first of his encounters with General George Patton. He was then shipped back to England to prepare for the D-Day invasions. Wounded at D-Day, he spent four days in hospital before returning to his unit. The details of his D-Day landing and injury are the part of the interview that is missing. After the landing, Klosowsky participated in the liberation of France, the invasion of Germany, and eventually entered Czechoslovakia. During this year, Klosowsky experiences frequent combat situations including capturing German soldiers, attacking fortifications, street combat and open-field engagements, and the Battle of the Bulge. At the Bulge, Klosowsky almost lost his feet to frostbite and spent several weeks in hospital before being able to rejoin his unit. Klosowsky shared many anecdotes about combat and his interactions with foreign troops, the enemy, civilians, and his fellow troops (including officers, Lieutenant Vernon Jordan and General George Patton). Throughout the interview, Koslowsky gave his opinion about these different groups including the SS and Hitler Youth. With the German surrender, the 90th Division trained for an invasion of Japan until the end of the war. At the end of the interview Koslowsky shared his reunion with his family and his efforts at readjusting to civilian life.

Interview by David Overy

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/16/

Biographical Information: Arne Kowalzek was born on September 7, 1920 in Morrison County, Minnesota. Kowalzek graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Business Education and Social Studies in 1942. In 1950, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Minnesota with hopes of becoming a teacher. After graduation from St. Cloud State, Kowalzek enlisted in the Navy and was trained at Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago. During his service, he was assigned as an Aerographers Mate aboard the USS Texas. On July 1, 1949 Kowalzek returned home to marry his wife, Echo, and teach business administration at Little Falls High School for 32 years. He retired from teaching in early 1984. Kowalzek died on September 11, 2005 at the age of 85.

Transcript Summary: Arne Kowalzek described his experiences in aboard the USS Texas as part of the D-Day invasion in June 1944. He remembered the troop transport ships going by his ship. Kowalzek also discussed his experiences arriving in Plymouth, England soon after the bombings of that city by German V-1 rockets. He shared a story of meeting a little girl in Plymouth, who had lost her hands in the bombings, as well as giving British workers sugar at tea time. He also related his experiences with Japanese kamikaze planes in the Pacific. He said his ship was never hit by one. Kowalzek also remembered hearing broadcasts from “Tokyo Rose” when the USS Texas was in the Pacific. Kowalzek ended the interview by discussing his thoughts about the war in Vietnam and the protesters and recent American military actions in Panama and Granada. Alternate spelling of name is Arnulf Kowalczyk and taken from records here at St. Cloud State.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/1/

Biographical Information: Rosemary Perkins Krauel was born on September 20, 1921 in Ogilvie, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Cloud School of Nursing in June of 1942. Krauel soon joined the United States Navy as a nurse and was sent to Great Lakes Naval Station and later San Diego Naval Station. After the Navy, Krauel returned to Minnesota and worked at the St. Cloud Hospital until she retired in 1986. On on June 19, 1946, she married her husband John and had five children: John, Mark, Charles, Kathryn, and Mary Jo. Krauel passed away on December 20, 2005 and buried in St. Cloud’s Assumption Cemetery.

Transcript Summary: Rosemary Perkins Krauel described her experiences as a naval nurse during World War II. She recounted her basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station as well and the outbreak of Rheumatic fever in Farragut, Idaho that resulted in her transfer there. Krauel described her working and living conditions while at Great Lakes Naval Base and San Diego. She talked about her San Diego hospital receiving casualties from the Pacific Theatre. Krauel also discussed off duty time and leaving the service to go back to Minnesota.

Interview by Nancy Baker

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/6/

Biographical Information: David Lamphere was born on December 9, 1922 in Lincoln, Nebraska and grew up in Lynd, Minnesota. As a paratrooper in World War II and a member of the 511th Parachute Regiment, the first foreign combat unit to set foot on the Japanese mainland in over a thousand years, Lamphere made two combat jumps in the Philippines. On October 2, 1949, he married Frances Konold, with whom he had four children. Lamphere later married Judith (Gunkelman) Bucholz on March 28, 1983. Working in the banking industry for over 40 years, he retired from Plaza Park Bank in Waite Park, Minnesota in 1987. Lamphere passed away on December 3, 2015 and was interred at Fort Snelling.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on September 15, 1989, David Lamphere described his experience as a member of the511th Parachute Regiment during World War II. Lamphere volunteered in 1942, joining the newly formed 11th Airborne Division. His first of two combat jumps as a member of G Company took place in 1944 at Tagaytay Ridge approximately 60 miles south of Manila. Following this, he spent what he called the longest 30 days of his life on Leyte. His second combat jump was at Aparri on the northern tip of Luzon, where he says the fighting was even fiercer. After the war ended, Lamphere took part in the occupation of Japan from August-December 1945. While there, he says their duties consisted largely of gathering weapons and munitions, as well as removing propaganda posters from schools. He spoke about his and his comrades’ relationship with the Japanese, especially some interpreters they spent time with. Those relationships were positive. Lamphere also shared his thoughts on the difference between his own combat experiences and their long-term impact on him, and those of soldiers who fought in Vietnam.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/9/

Biographical Information: Gerald Lundberg was born on August 12, 1919. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, Lundberg joined the Minnesota National Guard while still in high school. In World War II, Lundberg fought in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany as a forward observer in the 995th Field Artillery Battalion. He married his wife Lorraine before rejoining the National Guard in 1951. Upon his return from service in Korea in the 49th Field Artillery Battalion of 47th Division, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He died September 3, 1999 and buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Anoka, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: Gerald Lundberg joined the Minnesota National Guard while still in high school. Promoted to sergeant upon departure from Fort Dix, New Jersey, for North Africa, he sailed with 7,000 other soldiers (two of which were his brothers, William Lundberg, and Kenny Lundberg). As a staff sergeant in the 995th Field Artillery Battalion, Lundberg always went ahead of the battalion and completed their survey. When the battalion or the batteries were going into position, they were out looking for observation posts, from which they would then observe the fire. Landing in Italy near Magnano, and spent a few weeks atop an observation post near Monte Cassino. He recalled one particularly bloody engagement there where both sides called a truce and mingled while they collected the casualties. At Monte Cassino, Lundberg recalled that he fired the first artillery round into the famous monastery’s abbey. In 1969, he returned with his wife to Monte Cassino and the abbey had been completely rebuilt. Receiving a battlefield commission in France as a second lieutenant, he was awarded a Bronze Star. He spoke of his sense of purpose in World War II in comparison with the lack of purpose in the Korean War. After leaving the Army as a first lieutenant in 1945, Lundgren rejoined in 1951 and was promoted to captain. After completing advanced artillery training at Fort Sill, he went over to Korea in the fall of that year as a part of the 49th Field Artillery Battalion of 47th Division. Returning from Korea after nine months, he was made a lieutenant colonel.

Interviewed by David Overy

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8616#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Paul V. Meyer was born on May 18, 1918, and raised in Mankato, Minnesota. In 1935, Meyer graduated from Mankato High School and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. He attended Mankato Business College and graduated from Mankato State College. Meyer married his first wife, Wilda Gifford, in 1940 and had four children. Meyer spent most World War II stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. He and his unit were sent to Alaska to defend Fort Greely and build infrastructure. Meyer was discharged from the National Guard in 1946 and rejoined soon after, eventually retiring from the service in 1974 at the rank of major general and as Commander of the 47th Infantry Division, ending 39 years of service to his county. Outside of his military career, Meyer partnered into the family business, Meyer & Sons, an appliance business in Mankato, Minnesota. After Wilda’s death in 1997, Meyer married his second wife, Doris Beyer, in 2000. Meyer died on January 10, 2016, at the age of 97.

Transcript Summary: Paul V. Meyer described his experiences in the Minnesota National Guard as an infantryman during World War II. He enlisted in 1935 and was inducted into the Army in June 1941. He discussed his unit’s duties at Fort Greely in Alaska - defend the most northern U.S. military base and to build infrastructure. In addition, he described the day to day life on the base, along with living conditions, road construction, hunting, and leisure activities, as well as the boredom. Meyer also discussed his interactions with civilians, natives, and regular army personnel, adding that each relationship was more different than the next. Meyer stressed that his experience in the National Guard was positive and his only regret was not staying in longer.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

Part 1: https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/45/

Part 2: https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/46/

Biographical Information: Reuel H. Pietz was born June 19, 1921 to Henry and Martha (Kobs) Pietz in Westbrook, Minnesota. He volunteered as soon as he was able to after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His service began with the Navy Cadet program and he was commissioned with the Marine Corps where he served as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Following World War II, Pietz was a flight instructor in Jacksonville, Florida. He was then deployed to China as a legal officer, and then was a photo reconnaissance pilot during the Korean War. He was a Geography faculty member at St. Cloud State from 1965 to 1991. On February 8, 1945, Reuel married Mary Dierks and they had two children, Eric and Pamela. He passed away on September 3, 2008 and buried in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Transcript Summary: Lieutenant Colonel Reuel H. Pietz described his time as a fighter pilot in the Pacific Theater during World War II, a flight instructor after World War II, a legal officer in China, and a photo reconnaissance pilot during the Korean War. Pietz recounted volunteering for military service as soon as he could after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He described taking part in the Navy Cadet program, and how he appealed to be commissioned with the Marine Corps after his training was completed. After his commission with the Marine Corps, Pietz did flight training at both Wold-Chamberlain in the Twin Cities and Corpus Christi, Texas. After this training was completed, he summarized his assignment to San Diego. Pietz deployed overseas in 1943 and participated in the Pacific Theater of war. He described the different types of planes that he flew during his deployment. He said his favorite plane to fly was the Corsair. Pietz described returning home after his fourteen-month deployment in November 1944, and when he returned home he married his wife. He remembered being present for the Japanese surrender at the end of the war as he was in the process of traveling to China. Pietz spent the remainder of his interview describing his experiences as a flight instructor in Jacksonville, Florida, his time as a legal officer in China, and as a photo reconnaissance pilot in the Korean War.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9876#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Joseph Plakut was born in Swan River Township, Minnesota, on March 17, 1921, entered the Army in October 1942. He was trained as an airplane mechanic and .50 caliber machine gunner on a bomber plane in England. On his first mission, his plane was shot down and he spent the remainder of the war in a German prison camp. Plakut married his wife Anna Maciej on June 11, 1946 and they had X children: Richard, JoAnn, Kathleen, and David. Plakut passed away on June 24, 2005 at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.

Transcript Summary: Joseph Plakut discussed his experiences during World War II. Plakut began his service by attending airplane mechanic school, and moved to a base in Laredo, Texas where he trained as a .50 caliber machine gun operator in a P-6 aircraft. After training, Plakut eventually was sent overseas to England. Plakut discussed how his first mission was to bomb a German plant at Bremen with incendiary bombs and their fighter plane support ran low on fuel and had to turn back. This is when German planes shot up the bomber Plakut was on, and he was forced to bail out of the aircraft without any previous parachute training. Upon landing, Plakut had gotten stuck in a tree and suffered damage to his legs, making walking very difficult for three weeks afterwards. He was placed in the care of a German farmer and found his pilot and co-pilot from the airplane. The farmer had then turned the three men over to the Gestapo, and because officers and enlisted men were separated in prison camps, Plakut was removed from the two pilots. Once Plakut arrived at the prison camp, he talked about constant efforts and plans of escape by the prisoners, one attempt was a five-month effort to dig a tunnel. Plakut also discussed their efforts to hide an American pilot from the Gestapo, such as hiding him in the floorboards of their building as well as the latrine to avoid bloodhound detection. Plakut also discussed general prisoner interactions with other inmates and the German guards, as well as the Red Cross contributions and witnessing the Russians struggle from not agreeing to the Geneva Convention. During a camp evacuation march in 1945, Plakut and the rest of the surviving prisoners were liberated by the American 3rd Armored Division. After the war concluded, Plakut returned to Minnesota and was discharged from service. Plakut concluded his oral history with a discussion about how his treatment as a prisoner and the treatment of prisoners in Iraq were very different experiences.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/37/

Biographical Information: (Gerrit) Donald Pluimer was born June 18, 1921 and grew up in a small town outside of Milaca, Minnesota. At the age of 21 he joined the US Navy right after Pearl Harbor, following in the footsteps of his brother who joined the US Army. During World War II, Pluimer was part of a small convoy ship’s crew and acted as a signalman. Life on his ship took him throughout the South Pacific. After being discharged in October 1945, Pluimer received on-the-job training provided by the GI Bill to become a photographer. Pluimer married Tille Eerdmans on Mary 24, 1946 and settled in Milaca to raise five children. Pluimer died on October 3, 1999 at the age of 78 and was buried in Pease Cemetery in Mille Lacs County, Minnesota.

Interview Summary: (Gerrit) Donald Pluimer recounted his experience within the US Navy during World War II onboard a small convoy ship. He spoke of his basic training at the Great Lakes Navy base near Chicago and how his training never consisted of firing arms. After being dispatched to Miami, Florida, he was stationed in Cuba at an anti-submarine base. Here he taught himself Morse code and flag code. Returning to Florida, he joined the crew of small convoy ship. He spoke of how small the crew was and how they bonded quickly. The ship made its way to Panama and into the South Pacific. Pluimer described the crew’s encounters with Japanese aircraft, torpedoes, and submarines, as well as missions to retrieve US pilots whose planes went down. He talked about the lack of food on long journeys and the actions that men took to obtain food. Plumier ended the interview with his thoughts on the current conflicts at the time of interview.

Interview by Richard Olson

Includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/39

Biographical Information: Bronko Smilanich was born July 21, 1921, in Chisholm, Minnesota, to Louis and Kate (Rapaich) Smilanich. He volunteered for service in the Air Force in October 1942 and sent to Europe in November 1943. He was honorably discharged after his recovery as a prisoner of German war camp for thirteen months. Smilanich received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for his service as well. He then worked as a master bricklayer until retirement. Smilanich married Bessie Konstad on January 30, 1943 and they had three daughters – Patricia, Lynda and Gail. Smilanich died on April 20, 2001, and buried at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.

Transcript Summary: Bronko Smilanich described his experience as a tail gunner in the Air Force during World War II. He trained at Tyndall and Buckley Field, in Miami, Florida. Here he trained as an airplane gunner. In November 1943, Smilanich was deployed to the European theater. Smilanich recounted the “twenty or so” missions that he took part in. He recalled being shot down in April 1944, and having to “abandon ship.” Smilanich landed in the middle of a German training camp, directly on top of two German soldiers. He described in great detail his life as a POW in a German prison camp near Krems, Austria. Smilanich remembered the harsh conditions of the camp, as well as his extreme weight loss. Smilanich expressed his feelings while being marched toward France by the Germans when the Russians took Vienna. He concluded the interview by describing his time recovering from the harsh environment of the German prisoner of war camp at a hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, after the war.

Interview by David Overy

Includes archival material

https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/worldwar_oh/33/

Biographical Information: Raymond (Swede) Swedzinski was born in Taunton, Minnesota on March 6, 1921. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corp following the World War II draft and later completed his training as a B-24 co-pilot. Swedzinski was assigned to the 15th<span> </span>Air Force stationed in Spinazzola, Italy where he completed 37 missions between April and July 1944. During his last mission on July 19, 1944, Swedzinski and his crew were shot down and spent 42 days behind enemy lines with the French resistance. Raymond returned to the United States as a heavily decorated veteran. In July 1945, he married his wife Irene in which they raised four children together. They lived in Taunton and farmed. Swedzinski remained an active member of his community until his death on July 26, 2000. He is buried at the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery in Taunton. Swedzinski received the following awards for his military service: Distinguished Flying Cross, Victory WWII, Air Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, European Theater Operations, and the French Cour de Gurre.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on February 3, 1990, Raymond (Swede) Swedzinski discussed with his life prior to the World War II draft and his fascination for aircrafts. As the draft approached Swedzinski knew his draft number was approaching, so he joined the Air Force Cadets to learn to fly. Swedzinski recalled his initial failure of the eye exam, resulting in becoming an aircraft mechanic. He was not satisfied with performing maintenance and took the eye exam a second time and passed. Swedzinski detailed his experiences during training, earning his wings, his assignment, and flight course to Italy, as well as his crew in which he was assigned co-pilot. In Italy, Swedinski’s crew was assigned to the 460th and the 762nd Bomb Squadron. Here he recalled missions to bomb strategic German factories and other important Axis strongholds. Swedzinski recalled in much detail about the day his crew was shot down over France in July 1944 and the events that followed. He and his crew spent 42 days in hiding with the French resistance. They were finally liberated after the Allied forces pushed the Germans out of France from the south. The crew made their way back to their base where they were sent back to the United States. After some rest, Swedzinski spent the rest of World War II flying gunners and became an instructor. At the end of the interview, Swedzinski discussed the Vietnam War and the draft evaders.

Interview by David Overy

First tape missing.

Includes archival material

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9894#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Norman James Thomas was born February 29, 1924 in south Minneapolis. After graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He was deployed to the South Pacific with the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron and later the 13th Air Force Service Command Headquarters. He flew several types of airplanes, primarily C-47s, on 140 missions in Australia, New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, the Solomon Islands, the Adele Islands, the Halmaheras, and the Ryukyus. In the Philippines, Thomas flew missions in support of the OSS—what became the CIA—and the Filipino resistance. Shortly after being discharged in January 1946, he met Marjory Brady, and the two were married on June 28, 1947. Thomas remained a reservist for five years after the war until finding a job as a corrections officer at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud. He worked there for thirty years and retired in 1979. After Marjory passed away on March 3, 1984, he later remarried Lorraine Noyes on June 30, 1989. During his work and retirement years, Thomas was a member of St. Cloud VFW Post 428, Waite Park American Legion Post 428, and St. Cloud Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 622. He passed away on September 17, 2006 and was survived by two sons and two grandsons.

Transcript Summary: Norman Thomas described his experiences serving as a C-47 pilot in the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron and the 13th Air Force Service Command Headquarters in World War II. Here he flew missions in Australia, New Guinea, the Dutch East Indies, the Solomon Islands, the Adele Islands, the Halmaheras, the Ryukyus, and the Philippines. In the interview, Thomas detailed the several steps that he went through as a recruit during pilot training, crediting that training with saving his life. He also described the nature of the missions he flew in the South Pacific, including several in support of the OSS, which became the CIA, and the Filipino resistance in the Japanese-occupied Philippines. Thomas detailed several noteworthy experiences, including retrieving VIPs and delivering ammunition and supplies to surrounded infantry, as well as times when he narrowly avoided crashing. Thomas chronicled his life after the war, including his thoughts on how the war had changed him and his south Minneapolis home, his initial struggle to find a job, his thirty-year career at the Minnesota Correctional Facility – St. Cloud, and his continued love for flying.

Interview by John Carter

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:9873#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Albert Wedell was born September 29, 1911 in Milaca to Andrew and Hilma Wedell. He spent most of his life around Milaca, though his family briefly relocated to Amery, Wisconsin, when he was 19, and he worked in the Dakotas as a farmhand in the late 1930s. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and trained in California. He was assigned to the repair division of the U.S.S. Louisville, on which he served in the Aleutian Islands and the South Pacific. While in the Navy, Wedell married Velma Swenson on March 14, 1945, and was honorably discharged on October 27, 1945. After the war, he ran a dairy farm near Milaca for 45 years and served on the Chase Brook School Board, the local telephone and creamery boards, and the county ASCA. Wedell passed away on March 16, 2000 and was buried in Borgholm Cemetery in Bock, Minnesota. He was survived by his wife, two sons, two grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Transcript Summary: Albert Wedell described his experiences in repair division on the U.S.S. Louisville during World War II. He summarized his experiences while training in Southern California and his service near the Alaskan Aleutian Islands and in the South Pacific. He discussed the armaments of the ship, the conditions aboard, men he met in the crew, and some of the attacks on the ship by Japanese ships and aircraft. Wedell also shared some of his thoughts on the training he received, the quality of Japanese servicemen, and the benefits of military service.

Interview by Richard Olson

Includes archival material

Alan R. Woolworth went right into Signal Corps Radio School following his high school graduation in June 1942. He was inducted into the military at Fort Snelling on February 15, 1943. Because of the lack of deployment, Woolworth chose to transfer into an infantry position and sent as a replacement to the European theater. He joined the 79th Division and was in combat from June 1944 until May 1945. Woolworth was active in the advance through Germany until the end of the war. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Alan R. Woolworth was a longtime employee at the Minnesota Historical Society. He passed away on August 13, 2014.

No oral history.

Archival material available

Two 90 minute audio cassettes

One 90 minute audio cassette

One 90 minute audio cassette

One 90 minute audio cassette and one 60 minute cassette

Two 90 minute audio cassettes

One 90 minute audio cassette

One 90 minute audio cassette and one 60 minute cassette

Two 90 minute audio cassettes

One 90 minute audio cassette

Two 90 minute audio cassettes

One 90 minute audio cassette

One 90 minute audio cassette

One 90 minute audio cassette and one 60 minute cassette

Two 90 minute audio cassettes