Oral History Interview with James O. Stiles

Partial Transcript: "It is Thursday, October 11, 2007....."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Stiles describes his early life growing up in Louisville, KY. He lived in an area near Shawnee park and attended Louisville Male High School. In World War II Mr. Styles was a member of the Fifth Air Force (5 AF).

Keywords: 22nd Bomb Group; 408th Bombardment Squadron; 5th Air Force; Boy Scouts of America; Louisville Male High School; Louisville, KY; Pacific Campaign; Segregation; Steven Foster Grade School

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Area; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "What did your parents do and how many siblings did you have?"

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Stiles describes life in Louisville, KY during the 1930s and 1940s. He enjoyed the schools he attended even though he had to travel by streetcar. Schools were segregated by sex and race at that time in Louisville. There were many parks and churches near the are where Mr. Stiles grew up. There were three boys in the family with Mr. Stiles being the oldest.

Keywords: Army Air Corps; Fifth Air Force; Louisville, KY; Male High School; School Segregation; Shawnee Junior High School; Shawnee Park, Louisville, KY; Steven Foster Grade School; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Area; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "We all were in the service. I was in what they call the Air Force or Air Core and B-24s."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Stiles enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 when he turned 18. Both brothers also served during WWII. Over a period of ten years all three sons were involved in the war. All three sons returned home at the end of the war. Love of country was instilled in Mr. Stiles as a young person through the Boy Scouts and public school.

Keywords: 1937 Flood; 408th Bomb Squad; Army Air Corps; Atom bomb test; Boy Scouts of America; Louisville, KY; Male High School; World War II

Subjects: B-24 (Bomber); World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "I remember sitting in the assembly in Male the Monday after Pearl Harbor and we listened to President Roosevelt give his speech."

Segment Synopsis: After hearing the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor Mr. Stiles along with most of his friends were ready to enlist. Most of his peers chose the Air Corps. He credits this willingness to serve to the ROTC program and the Boy Scouts. Many of Mr. Stiles friends went on to lead successful lives after the war. The attack on Pearl Harbor was the deciding moment that united most Americans with regards to the war effort.

Keywords: 1937 Flood KY; Army Air Corps; B-24 Bombers; Enlistment World War II; KY Veterans; Louisville, KY; ROTC; World War II

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

Partial Transcript: "My extended family, my grandfather and grandmother, lived in the Highlands on Ransdell Avenue and we came through the flood of 1937"

Segment Synopsis: The 1937 flood was a catastrophic event in KY. After six months of clean-up Mr. Stiles family was reunited with his family who had been displaced during the flood. Mr. Stiles details the clean-up process he experienced as a twelve year old in 1937. It was a time when the whole community came together to help each other.

Keywords: 1937 Flood; Louisville, Ky; World War II

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

Partial Transcript: "Think back to the day of your enlistment...if you can recall that day...tell me what happened."

Segment Synopsis: After Thanksgiving of 1942, Mr. Stiles and his friends decided to sign up for the Army Air Corps. Male high school had prepared them well as they all completed the exams with ease. Upon hearing that the Army was going to end the Air Corps program the young men were very disappointed. However, this did not turn out to be true and the young men were able to sign up for the Army Air Corps in December of 1942. The lack of airports available in the United States led to a delay in training. In January 1943 Mr. Stiles reported to Columbus. OH where he boarded a troop train for basic training.

Keywords: Army Air Corps; Columbus, OH; Enlistment; Federal Reserve Bank; Louisville, KY; World War II

Subjects: World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations; World War, 1939-1945--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews

Partial Transcript: "We were not called officially until January of 1943. Max and I were sent to Columbus, OH."

Segment Synopsis: Reporting to Columbus, OH for basic training Mr. Stiles then boarded a troop train to Miami Beach, FL where he was housed in the Princess Anne Hotel. The military at the time was short on housing for troops so they used hotels and college campuses. This was an enjoyable time. Off the coast of Miami ships could be seen burning as they were attacked by German U-boats. Aerial Coast Guard blimps were running rescue missions. Mr. Stiles did not receive any flying or rifle training at this time.

Keywords: Aerial blimps; Basic Training; Coast Guard; Columbus, OH; Gas Mask Training; Miami Beach, FL; Princess Anne Hotel; U-boat attacks

Subjects: Basic training (Military education); Gas masks--United States.; Military training camps; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.

Partial Transcript: "And I was sent to Kutztown Teachers College in Kutztown, PA...."

Segment Synopsis: While staying in Kutztown, PA at the Teacher's College Mr. Stiles was trained in map making, geography, English, and social studies. While visiting a friend in New York City he was able to see the SS Normandie ship in New York Harbor after the ship had been attacked. Mr. Stiles was able to tour New York City and enjoyed the USO meeting place in Times Square.

Keywords: Basic Training; Duke University; Kutztown; Kutztown Teachers College; New York Harbor; SS Normandie; Times Square; USO; World War II

Subjects: Military training camps; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "We got on a train and went back to Kutztown, then next week we were sent to San Antonio."

Segment Synopsis: A three day train ride from Kutztown, PA through Canada and Kansas took Mr. Stiles to beginner flight school in Pine Bluff, AK. During the eight week training program he learned about radio communications and Morse Code. Mr. Stiles trained on the PT-19 trainer airplane. Prior to entering the service Mr. Stiles had never even driven a car. He describes how he felt the first time he was able to fly.

Keywords: Army Air Corp; Aztec Theatre; Flight School; Pre-flight School; PT-19; Red Cross; San Antonio; World War II

Subjects: Military training camps; World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews

Partial Transcript: "And after that we were sent out to air fields and I was sent to beginners flying school at Pine Bluff, AK."

Segment Synopsis: After completing pre-flight school Mr. Stiles traveled to Pine Bluff, AK for Beginning Flying School where he would learn how to fly and land solo. Prior to this training Mr. Stiles had never driven an automobile so his ability to judge distance was limited. The flight instructor decided Mr. Stiles would be more suited for the position of Navigator instead of Pilot.

Keywords: Basic Training; Beginner Flight School; BT-14; Independence, KS; KY Veteran; Pine Bluff, AK; PT-19; Solo flights; T-6; US Army Air Corps; World War II

Subjects: Basic training (Military education); Military training camps; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "Before I went to navigation school I went to aerial gunnery school in Harlingen,TX."

Segment Synopsis: Training continues for Mr. Stiles at the Harlingen Aerial Gunnery School in Texas. Trainees tried to hit clay targets while riding on a train in order to simulate shooting while flying. After spending about eight weeks in Texas. Mr. Stiles was sent to Navigation School at Selman Army Airfield.

Keywords: Aerial Gunnery; Celestial Navigation; Harlingen,TX; Monroe, LA; Navigation; Selman Army Airfield; World War II

Subjects: Aerial gunnery; Celestial navigation; Navigation; Selman Field Navigation School (Monroe, La.); World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Kentucky.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews

Partial Transcript: "So you spent a year enlisted thinking you were going to be a pilot and at the end of the year you are going to be a navigator."

Segment Synopsis: After spending a year in training to be a pilot. Mr. Stiles is reassigned to the position of navigator. In Monroe, LA he learned celestial navigation and weather navigation. At the age of 20 in September 1944 Mr. Stiles earned his wings. March Field in Riverside, CA was the next assignment for training where Mr. Stiles met the ten man crew of his B-24 Bomb Crew.

Keywords: B-24 Crew; C-47 Troop Carrier; Celestial Navigation; March Field; Monroe, LA; Navigation Training; Riverside, CA; Selman Field; World War II

Subjects: B-24 (Bomber); Celestial navigation; Flight schools; Military training camp; Selman Field Navigation School (Monroe, La.); World War, 1939-1945; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews

Partial Transcript: "Around February I guess we finished our training and got our orders to go overseas.."

Segment Synopsis: Upon receipt of orders to go overseas Mr. Stiles an his B-24 Group ferried a brand new plane from Mather Air Field to John Rogers Field in Oahu. The flight took 12 hours. After a short layover the group headed for Kanton Island.

Keywords: Aerial Operations; Army Air Corp; B-24; John Rogers Field; Kanton Island; Mather Field; Oahu; Sacramento, CA; World War II

Subjects: B-24 (Bomber); Mather Field (Calif.); World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Papua New Guinea.; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "From there we flew from Oahu to Kanton Island...."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Stiles recalls his thoughts landing in Tarawa Island where a terrible battle had occurred months before. Even though he had never been overseas before he remembers feeling businesslike. After years of training Mr. Stiles felt prepared to do his job.

Keywords: B-24 Bombers; Kanton Island; KY Veternas; New Guinea; Tarawa Island; U.S. Army Air Corps; US Army Air Corps; US Marines; World War II

Subjects: New Guinea.; Tarawa, Battle of, 1943; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--New Guinea; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American.; World War, 1939-1945--Veterans--Kentucky--Interviews; World War, 1939-1945.

Partial Transcript: "When we were in New Guinea, they were flying missions out of there and we flew two out of there..."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Stiles recalls his first bombing mission in New Guinea. There was very little anti-aircraft fire or resistance. The most memorable thing for Mr. Stiles was the concussion rings from the 2000 lb bombs the B-24 was carrying. He reflects on his admiration for the US Army Infantry and the Australian servicemen.

Keywords: 2000 lb bombs; Australian Memorial; B-25; Concussion rings; Friendly fire; Kamikaze; KY Veteran; New Guinea; Pacific Campaign; World War II

Subjects: B-25 (Bomber); Friendly fire (Military science)--United States--History--19th century--Anecdotes; Kamikaze; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American--Anecdotes; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Japan; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--New Guinea; World War, 1939-1945--Pacific Area--Aerial operations, American

Partial Transcript: "After the war was over when we dropped the Atom Bombs and we went up to Okinawa two memorable things happened."

Segment Synopsis: Mr. Stiles recalls three tragic accidents occur due to careless operations. Transporting American POWs that had been in the Bataan Death March was a memorable and emotional moment. After dismissal from the Air Corp Mr. Stiles returns to Louisville.

Keywords: Atom Bombs; B-24; Bataan Death March; Bomb Bays; Clark Field (Philippines); Edwards Air Force Base; Flight Accidents; Japanese Coal Mines; Louisville, KY; Okiniwa; POWs; Prisoners of war--America.; Tokyo; Troop Carrier; World War II

Subjects: Clark Field (Philippines); Edwards Air Force Base (Calif.); Prisoners of war--America.; World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American; World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Area; World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American; World War, 1939-1945.