Oral history interview with Wesley S. Todd [sound recording], 1997.

ArchivalResource

Todd, Wesley S., 1921-. Oral history interview with Wesley S. Todd [sound recording], 1997.

Oral history interview with Wesley S. Todd [sound recording], 1997.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/56210941

Wesley Todd, a Wauwatosa, Wisconsin native, discusses his service as a Marine Corps fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II. A student at the Citadel Military Academy (Charleston, South Carolina) when the war began, Todd talks of learning to fly through the Hawthorne Flying Service, his freshman orientation course, cadet training, and joining the Navy V5 program during his junior year. He mentions regional tensions, being considered a "Yankee," and not being allowed to eat one night after a showing of "Gone With the Wind." He received pre-flight instruction in Iowa City (Iowa), primary training at Glenview, advanced flying in Corpus Christi (Texas), and his commission as a Marine Corps second lieutenant. Volunteering to fly fighter aircraft, he learned to fly F4U Corsairs in the Mojave Desert. He speaks briefly of his first assignment to a torpedo-bomber squadron in Jacksonville, Florida. Joining the USS Essex, he comments on flying strikes against the Tokarizawa and Koisumi airfields near Tokyo, providing air cover for the landing at Iwo Jima, and covering the landing at Okinawa. He details the Okinawa campaign and tells of dropping important messages on the USS El Dorado during the struggle for Iwo Jima. Todd explains how they got coordinates for their targets, describes the process of landing on an aircraft carrier, and touches upon his fears of flying over land. Also discussed are techniques for flying close air support, helping rescue survivors of sinking ships, and learning he had completed all his missions. Using a fictitious person with the initials of the place where he was going in his letters, Todd tells how he was able to let his folks know where he was. He reveals what life aboard ship was like and touches upon his discharge when the USS Bunker Hill was hit by a kamikaze attack and returned to the United States for repair. He tells how elated people were on V-J Day in Hollywood (California). The interview closes with Todd verbalizing his use of the G.I. house loan and his fleeting interest in veterans organizations.

Sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 50 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.Transcript : 17 p.Military papers : 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)Master sound recording : 1 sound cassette (ca. 50 min.) : analog, 1 7/8 ips.

Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center