Interview with WWI US Navy Veteran Lester Hillegas

While Veterans Day is always a time for us to honor those who have served in wars, this November 11th is especially notable because it also marks the 100th anniversary since the end of World War I. Instead of posting an interview with a World War II veteran, we wanted to share a superb interview posted by YouTube user ly776 that was recorded in the 1980s. Lester Hillegas served in the U.S. Navy during World War I and died in 1989.

To all of our veterans, we want to extend our sincerest appreciations for your military service.

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Interview with Lee Hutchinson

Of all the interviews with World War II veterans that we have watched, this might be the first time we have found one who was a radio operator on a B-17.  Watch his compelling interview with WHAS11 below.

 

National POW/MIA Recognition Day 2018

Posting a tweet in a blog like this is a first for us. We felt the video was so well done that it had to be shared. Click on the link that starts with pic.twitter.com to watch the DPAA at work and remember those who have not yet returned home. A couple of those stories can be found here and here.

 

“Until they all come home."

On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we present to you the story of the @dodpaa and their quest to bring our service members home. #POWMIADay #USArmy video by the DMA Army Team. pic.twitter.com/ILUQzuE50i

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) September 21, 2018

Profiles in Valor: Corporal Frank Hall

A few years ago, World War II veteran Corporal Frank Hall was interviewed by the American Veterans Center. In this interview, he talks about his time as a Marine in the Pacific Theater, the survivor guilt he felt for many years after he came home and what helped him cope with it.

An interview with World War II veteran Julius Haberman

We found an excellent interview by WWII Veterans History Project with Julius Haberman, a former member of the 69th Infantry Division who served in the European Theater in World War II. Among his experiences was an encounter with prisoners in a concentration camp. Listen to his story below.

Oral History: Doolittle Raiders

Not long after the daring Royce Raid occurred, the Allies would surprise the Japanese with another raid that wound up on the front page of newspapers across the U.S. With the anniversary of the Doolittle Raid next week, we wanted to share a couple of stories from The National WWII Museum’s interviews of two men who were there.

Holocaust Survivor Israel Arbeiter Visits Auschwitz

Tomorrow is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a day to remember the victims of the Holocaust and a reminder to never let something like it happen again. In 2012, the World War II Foundation went to Auschwitz with survivor Israel Arbeiter. In this video, Arbeiter shares his memories of his time at the concentration camp. For a more in-depth look at his experiences, watch his raw interview with the World War II Foundation.

 

Your Army in the Making: The Carolina Maneuvers 1941

Between August and November 1941, the U.S. Army scheduled a series of war games for military forces to prepare for combat. The Carolina Maneuvers took place in November 1941. This interesting video from the U.S. National Archives contains footage of setting up for the maneuvers as well as some of the action in the field.

Baseball Players Who Served During World War II

We found this great tribute video by the American Veterans Center about baseball players who put their careers on hold to serve their country during World War II. Watch it below.

“People of the Philippines, I Have Returned”

It had been more than two years since General Douglas MacArthur was ordered to leave the Philippines as the Japanese captured the islands. At the time, he promised to return, and he fulfilled his word on October 20, 1944 when he waded to the shore of Leyte. Back on New Guinea, the 312th Bomb Group and other units began receiving lectures and booklets about the Philippines. It wouldn’t be long before they would pack up and move to the islands.

Below is some footage from the landing as well as Gen. MacArthur’s speech to the Filipino residents.