Video: Collections: Iowa's WWII Stories
On December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II. By the time the war ended on August 15, 1945, almost every person on earth was affected in one way or another. Iowans who were at home had major roles to play in winning the war as well. Their sacrifice helped determine what kind of conditions, both political and social, would exist once the war was over. More than 276,000 Iowans went into military service during World War II. 8,398 never returned. Iowa Public Television's collection of veteran's oral histories is a tribute to those Iowans who put their lives on hold for more than three years to fight against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy and Japan. This collection preserves the memories of some of those Iowans who served on the home front and the battlefront.
-
Heavy Rains Slow Allied Advance
This is a portion of a newsreel shown to general audiences describing how the weather slowed the advance of 5th Army in June of 1944. 03:39
-
U.S. Bombers Pave Way for Pacific Invasion
This is a portion of a newsreel shown to general audiences describing the campaign in New Britain near New Guinea and Makin Island in the Gilbert Island chain in November of 1943. 03:47
-
U.S. Army Air Corps Policy
This is an excerpt from a film used to describe the United States Army Air Forces policy in Europe. The film begins with descriptions of actions taken in March of 1944. The film appears to be one used ... 04:43
-
Stepping Stone To Japan
This is a film used to describe what the United States Army Air Forces were doing to win the war in early 1944 in the Marshall Islands. It is not clear if it was only used for American forces as a training ... 04:55
-
Review of the War in Europe
Produced sometime in 1946, this film is a retrospective of the war in Europe. It includes footage of Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin meeting in Yalta in early 1945, battlefield action in Europe, and ... 05:10
-
Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor
This segment shows film of the attack on Pearl Harbor from the Japanese perspective. This film was captured from the Japanese Imperial Government and shown to audiences in the United States sometime ... 02:47
-
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps
In this series of short films, WAACs are seen on a parade ground at a training base and on parade through a downtown business district. In the last film clip, the woman inspecting the troops is Colonel ... 01:38
-
Color film of Japanese General Yoshijiro Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff, signing the Instruments of Surrender. September 2, 1945
In this short silent film, Japanese General Yoshijiro Umezu, Chief of the Army General Staff, signs both copies of the Instrument of Surrender. When the ceremony was completed, one copy was given to the ... 00:16
-
Color film of the second flag raising on Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima February 23, 1945
In this short silent film, the U.S. flag is raised for the second time on the island of Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945. 00:55
-
World War II Veteran: Willis Haddix
Willis Haddix served as ground support attached to the second Air Corps in 1944 and 1945. He was attached to the quartermaster and worked in the laundry. 05:10
-
World War II Veteran: Bob Benson
Bob Benson was farming with his father on 200 acres near Story City. The army deferred him. When it was his time to go, Bob joined the Navy and served aboard the U.S.S. Chincoteague, a seaplane tender ... 08:21
-
World War II Veteran: Jack Smith
Jack Smith says his service really began in High School. He had 3 years of junior ROTC and knew he wanted to fly. He joined the Navy and flew Wildcats and Hellcats. 12:56
-
World War II Veteran: Vincent Martinez
Vincent Martinez served as a first class petty officer 1943-1945. When the war ended, he liked the Navy, and reenlisted. During the war, he could not tell his parents where he was. He sent letters ... 02:02
-
World War II Veteran: Maurice Vasquez
Maurice Vasquez served as a ship fitter second class on a net tender.They moved around the southern Solomon islands, Guadalcanal and Tulagi area in the Pacific securing harbors, putting out nets and laying ... 02:54
-
World War II Veteran: Anthony Navarro
Anthony Navarro was born in Durango, Mexico. He was a Sergeant 1880 aviation engineers. He worked on the Burma Road in the China-Burma-India theater. 10:29
-
World War II Veteran: Samuel A. Vasquez
Sam Vasquez was a sergeant with the 8th field artillery of the 25th infantry – the “Old Hawaiian Division”. He served at Luzon Island in the Philippines. Sam talks about the dangers of being in the jungles ... 08:14
-
World War II Veteran: Elizes Chaves "Al"
Elizes Chaves was born and raised in Davenport. He volunteered for the service in September, 1942 because he was mad at the Japanese. He trained in aviation mechanics at Corpus Christi, Texas and then ... 07:50
-
World War II Veteran: James Peavey
James Peavey was a professional tap dancer in Davenport before the War. He went to intelligence school, and was with the Eisenhower command. He worked in Washington D.C. and in Japan in counter intelligence.... 10:20
-
World War II Veteran: Ivan W. Crees
Ivan Crees was a farm boy from Atalissa, Iowa. He served in Africa and Italy in the military police. 07:06
-
World War II Veteran: Lonnie Conger
Lonnie Conger hitch-hiked 60 miles to Des Moines to enlist in the Navy. He trained as an aviation mechanic and served with the fighter squadron aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid. 10:18
Downloads and Plug-Ins
This section of IPTV.org uses free plug-ins to enhance your experience.
More technical information can be found on our Downloads and Plug-Ins page.
