Oral History Interview with Eugene Roos

Partial Transcript: "This is Thursday October 25th, 2007. I am Leanne Diakov and I am interviewing Eugene Roos at St.Paul United Methodist Church in Louisville, KY about his naval service in World War II.

Partial Transcript: "Mr. Roos, I'll ask you to just start by telling us a little bit about yourself before the war."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos discusses his early life and family. He was born in Rockford, IL but lived a short time in Orange, MA. Mr. Ross grew up during the Great Depression and like most families was impacted by the unprecedented levels of unemployment. In 1931 his family moved back to Rockford, IL.

Keywords: Bank Run:; Franklin D. Roosevelt; Great Depression; New Deal; Orange, MA; Rockford, IL; Wall Street Crash of 1929

Subjects: Rockford (Ill.); World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.

Partial Transcript: "What kind of education did you have?"

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos discusses how fortunate he felt to have been able to attend the University of Illinois and Miami University of Ohio during a time of great financial duress for the nation. Upon hearing of the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 he began his quest to enlist in the United States Armed Forces. While attending Miami University in Ohio he enlisted in the Navy.

Keywords: Miami University; U.S. Navy; University of Illinois; World War II Enlistment

Subjects: U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.

Partial Transcript: "What made you decide to enlist in the Navy?"

Segment Synopsis: After hearing the news of the Pearl Harbor bombing in 1941, Mr. Roos tried to enlist three different times. As did many young men at the time he even tried to join the Royal Canadian Air Force prior to Americas involvement in the war. In spite of flat feet and blood pressure issues he was finally able to enlist in the U.S. Navy in October 1942.

Keywords: Miami University Ohio; Pearl Harbor; U.S. Navy; University of Illinois; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.

Partial Transcript: "Thinking back to the rush party where you heard the news of Pearl Harbor...can you describe that?"

Segment Synopsis: The general mood after Pearl Harbor according to Mr. Roos was positive. Americans were eager to join the war effort and expected to be victorious. The U.S. was ill prepared for the war so the time between enlistment and call for duty was about one year. Even though most of America was feeling pretty positive about the war, Mr. Roos' parents were not happy that their son had enlisted.

Keywords: Columbus, OH; Enlistment; Pearl Harbor; U.S. Navy; World War II; World War II Pacific Theatre

Subjects: Rockford (Ill.); U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--United States--Interviews.

Partial Transcript: "So, when and then how did you get called up?'

Segment Synopsis: On May 12, 1943 Eugene Roos received a letter advising him to report for duty at Monmouth College in Illinois. He was excited to be in the Navy V-5 training program. Because of ROTC training in High School Roos was prepared for life in the Navy and quickly became a company commander.

Keywords: Monmouth College; Rockford, IL; U.S. Naval Training; U.S. Navy; V-5 Training Program; World War II; World War II Pilots

Subjects: Navy-yards and naval stations, American; U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Training of--United States; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--United States--Interviews.

Partial Transcript: "How long were you at Monmouth?"

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos' intensive training in the V-5 program began at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The thought of flying was exhilarating to Mr. Roos and he was fortunate enough to have some completed so private flying lessons prior to his Navy Training. He began his training on single engine airplanes.

Keywords: Cub Airplane; Laramie, WY; Single Engine Planes; University of Wyoming

Subjects: U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Training of--United States.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--United States--Interviews.

Partial Transcript: "And where did you go after Laramie?"

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos continued Naval Pilot training in 1943 at St. Mary's College of California near San Francisco. This training was all ground and physical education. News of the Guadalcanal Campaign was encouraging and morale was still high. Communication with family was rare but Mr. Roos was able to enjoy a short trip home for Christmas in December 1943.

Keywords: Guadalcanal Campaign; St. Mary's College of California; U.S. Navy Pilots; V-5 Navy Training Program; World War II

Subjects: U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Training of--United States.

Partial Transcript: "At point did they decide, I guess where did you go after that?'

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos transfered to the Naval Air Station Livermore to complete a more intense primary training program. This training program involved aerobatic maneuvers to prepare for emergency landings. Training continued to advance.

Keywords: N3N Single Engine; NAS Livermore

Subjects: Navy-yards and naval stations, American.; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Training of--United States.

Partial Transcript: "So after St. Mary's, in this more complicated flight training you had there, then where did they decide to send you?"

Segment Synopsis: Advanced training continued for Mr. Roos at NAS Corpus Christi. At this point in his training he was able to chose multi-engine airplanes as the type he wished to fly. Training continued to intensify as he learned about night flying,RADAR, Radio navigation, and mechanics. Finally training concluded on November 1, 1944 and Mr. Moore earned his wings and commission.

Keywords: King Ranch; multi-engine patrol bomber; NAS Corpus Christi; U.S. Navy; World War II

Subjects: Navy-yards and naval stations, American.; U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Training of--United States

Partial Transcript: "So after Corpus Christi you got your wings and now you are commissioned...right?"

Segment Synopsis: After 18 months of Naval Pilot training Mr. Roos received his wings and was commissioned to NAS Jacksonville. Training at this point focused on PBY planes and land based bombers. During this time Mr. Ross married his wife Joyce.

Keywords: Naval Air Station Jacksonville; PBY Planes; Sea Planes; St. John's River

Subjects: Navy-yards and naval stations, American.; U.S. Navy Operations in World War II; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Training of--United States

Partial Transcript: "Then after Jacksonville we went to another great seaport, Hutchinson, KS."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos was transferred to the Naval Base in Hutchinson, KS for training on the B-24 "Liberator" bomber. The Navy modified the aircraft and called it the PB4Y-1. Training focused on the transition to heavy planes, night flying and cross country flights.

Keywords: B-24 Bomber; B-24 Liberator; Cross Country Flights; Hutchinson, KS; Night Flying; PB4Y1; Square Search Exercise; Tactical Bombing

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky.; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--United States--Personal narratives; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Illinois--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "After Kansas, no we went to Miami...let's back up to there."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos reflects on his training in Miami, Fl. He states that it was a redundancy of previous training though there was some more advanced flying. This was a very positive time for all news indicated that the tide was turning in the war. There is a brief discussion on a fellow veteran hesitant to discuss his experience as well as Mr. Roos' own hesitancy due to lack of actual war time experience.

Keywords: Aerial Operations; Aerial Training; B-24 Bomber; Celestial Navigation; Miami; Night Flying; U.S. Navy; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky.; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--United States--Personal narratives; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Illinois--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "And from Miami where did they send you?"

Segment Synopsis: Training continues on the Navy Privateer in San Diego. During this time Mr. Roos and his wife were able to live next door to his uncle who was an Officer in the Navy. The war was rapidly moving to a close. Mr. Roos and fellow service men were organized into a crew and they expected to stay together through the end of their service. Just as training was coming to completion the Atomic Bombs were dropped on Japan.

Keywords: Atomic Bombs; Camp Kearny; Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer; Modified B-24 Liberator; San Diego

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Illinois--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "Do you remember where you were when you heard about those bombs?"

Segment Synopsis: While stationed in San Diego Mr. Roos heard the news regarding the bombing of Japan with the Atomic Bombs. Mr. Roos reflects on the feeling of knowing that things would never be the same after the use of the bombs. Meeting the point level required to leave active service Mr. Roos elected to leave the Navy and return to school.

Keywords: Atomic Bombs; Naval Air Operations; U.S. Navy; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky.; World War, 1939-1945--Naval operations, American; World War, 1939-1945--United States--Personal narratives; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "When the war was over there just weren't many days and they had assigned point levels how long and what kind of service you had been in..."

Segment Synopsis: After leaving the Navy Mr. Roos returned to school at the University of Wisconsin compliments of the GI Bill. Mrs. Roos stayed in Rockford to finish her degree. Mr. Roos received a degree in Accounting.

Keywords: Demobilization; GI Bill; Navy Air Operations; U.S. Navy; University of Wisconsin; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Illinois--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "I always like to ask at the end, tell me when you reflect back on your service and that time in WWII, what did that mean for the rest of your life?'"

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Roos reflects on the 30 months he spend in the U.S. Navy. As a member of the Reserves he was able to continue flying on a limited basis. He remembers his service in the Navy as some of the best times of his life.

Keywords: Navy Air Operations; U.S. Navy; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Illinois--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans.; World War, 1939-1945.