WWII Recorded Memories, September 4, 2022

In the 1990s, Robert Vincent recorded his memories of his service in World War II. This oral history consists of nine sessions.

Session 1, January 8, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 31:24 (62.29 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from January through February 1945. Vincent describes leaving Oregon, and arriving Fort Lewis in Washington on January 22, 1945, and a few days later traveling to Camp Roberts in California to join the 94th Infantry Training Battalion. Vincent recalls specific aspects of his training, including a 10-mile hike, gas mask drills with tear gas, and practicing with bazookas and grenades. Vincent also reflects on daily life as a draftee, mentioning food, receiving care packages, and attending Sunday church services. Vincent speaks about Bill Wilson, a fellow soldier who he became close with during the training, and kept their friendship while in Japan.

Session 2, January 8, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 31:25 (62.43 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from March to April/May 1945. Vincent talks about food rations druing the training. Vincent recalls visiting San Francisco during a three-day pass and undergoing various weapons trainings, including bayonet and infiltration courses. Vincent also describes recreational activites like going to theaters, PX, and company parties. Vincent received his overseas bag with his name and serial number on April 15, 1945. After the war in Europe ended, his company continued training. Vincent also noted that a new law prevented soldiers under 18 and a half from being sent overseas, impacting himself.

Session 3, January 8, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 1:01:53 (124.7 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from June to September 1945. Vincent was sent to Camps Howes, Texas, on June 17, 1945, and then left to Fort Ord, California. On July 11, 1945, Vincent departed fron San Francisso on a troop ship headed to Manila. Vincent describes his military life in the Pilippines, including seeing his brother, Walt Vincent who had been stationed in the South Pacific. Vincent arrived in Manila on July 28, 1945. Vincent shares his impression on Manila. The WWII ended while Vincent was in the Philippines. Vincent recalls that there was no celebration but just confusion about future assignments. Vincent arrived on Mndanao island on September 30, 1945.

Session 4, April 14, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 32:34 (65.52 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from October to November 1945. Vincent was assigned to the 533rd boat battalion in Mindanao before being sent to Japan. Vincent left Mindanao, stopped briefly in Leyte, and arrived in Japan on October 28, 1945. Vincent describes his interaction with Japanese people, visiting schools, and other assignments. Vincent was transferred to the Transportation Corps, where he participated in hauling supplies from ships.

Session 5, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 31:39 (63.58 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from November to December 1945. Vincent took a day off on his 19th brithday on November 14, 1945. Vincent describes exploring an unscathed island. For Thanksgiving 1945, Vincent joined friends from Oregon for a Thanksgiving dinner. Vincent talks how he spent the Christmas Day.

Session 6, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 30:30 (60.46 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from December to March 1946. Vincent recalls his Christmas dinner menu and his train trip to Wakayama Prefecture, where he trained new recruits. Vincent recounts multiple trips back to Kure in early 1946. By Feburary 1946,. Vincent became a squad leader. In March 1946 Vincent received all his back pay. Vincent' team moved to Miyoshima in March.

Session 7, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 30:33 (60.66 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from March to May 1946. Vincent talks about his recreational activities, such as enjoying shows organized by the United Service Organizations (USO), hiking, playing basketball and swimming. Vincent' team was sent to Tokyo, and stationed in a former Japanese aviation school, about 18 miles south of Tokyo. Vincent reflects on Japan's post-war atomosphere, including friendly Japanese people, church visits, and witnessing children scavenging for food. In April 1946, Vincent dislocated his shoulder and spent a week in a hospital. Vincent was given the option to stay behind but chose to rejoin his team for the move to Korea, departing from Yokohama shortly after. Prior to heading to Korea, Vincent had one-day sightseeing trip to Tokyo.

Session 8, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 48:34 (96.33 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from May to July 1946, in Korea. Vincent describes landing in Incheon, and being stationed near Seoul in poor living conditions. Vincent recalls that his life in Korea was tougher than the one in Japan, with limited food supplies and little to past time. Vincent got an office job at the Korean land office, where he helped processing land surveys with interpreters. Vincent began doing reovery fieldwork, which he preferred to office work. Vincent became a crew chief and received his own jeep. Vincent observes the Korea's local life, including how schools operated and the daily routines of Korean people.

Session 9, 1992, MPEG-4 Recording length: 13:08 (26.07 GB), 1 video recording

Interview with Robert E. Vincent. Vincent discusses his military experience, referring letters he wrote to his family that the family preserved. This session covers his experience from August to December 1946, in Korea and the United States. Vincent reflects on his final months in Korea and his return home in September 1946. Vincent recalls how Korean people, especially children, crowded around Vincent's team whereever they went. He returned to the U.S. in early September, taking a ship back to San Franciso via a northern route. Vincent returned Oregon, dislocated his shoulder again, and eventually underwent surgery after Christmas 1946. Vincent reflects positively on his Army experience, saying it helped him mature, and he took advantage of the G.I. bill.