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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

World War II Scouts and Raiders Oral Histories

Dates: 7-9 May 1992

This collection contains oral histories conducted by Captain James M. Thompson, USNR with veterans who served in the Navy Scouts & Raiders unit during World War II. The Scouts and Raiders unit was a predecessor of the Navy SEALs.

Barnes, Jim
Dates: 7 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Personal recollections of Jim Barnes, a former officer in World War II Scouts and Raiders. Topics discussed include training at Fort Pierce, FL; field training operations; assignment to USS ROCKY MOUNT (AGC-3); and amphibious operations. 

Brown, Russell W.
Dates: 7 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview with Mr. Brown, an enlisted member of the Navy Scouts & Raiders, recounts his experiences during World War II.  Topic discussed include his participation in training for amphibious landing in Operation TORCH and experiences aboard. 

Burchfield, Isaac J.
Dates: 8 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview with Mr. Burchfield, an enlisted member of the Scouts & Raiders, recounts his experiences during World War II.  Topic discussed include enlisting in the Navy and his duties leading up to scouts & raiders.

Chapin, Sid
Dates: 8 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview with Mr. Chapin, a former officer in the Scouts and Raiders, recounting his experiences during World War II.  Topics discussed include his training at Fort Pierce, FL; his participation in the Normandy Invasion and in landings.

Lang, Lewis
Dates: 7 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Personal recollections of Lewis Lang, an officer in the Scouts and Raiders during WWII. Topics: midshipman's school, Scouts and Raider training at Fort Pierce, FL, physical training and field exerices, and Advanced Naval Intelligence School. He also recounts assignment to APA: BEACHMASTER, JOOD, Okinawa and B-29s on Tinian and Saipan.

Loll, G. William 
Dates: 7 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview with Mr. Loll, an officer with the Navy Scout and Raiders, recounts his experiences during World War II.  Topics discussed include  his training at Fort Pierce, FL; Amphibious Rogers; Advanced Naval Intelligence School, NY

Phinney, Ernest
Dates: 8 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview of Ernest Phinney. He describes his naval career:  a scout and raider team operation in Japanese-occupied China to get a ""missionary,"" during end of World War II; special missions during Korean War; Spring of 1961, special mission in Cuba/Bay of Pigs invasion.

Stoddard, Orville F.
Dates: 8 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview with Mr. Stoddard, a former officer in the WWII Scouts & Raiders, recounts his experiences during World War II. Topics discussed include training at Fort Pierce, FL and advanced intelligence school at the Henry Hudson Hotel, NY.

Weissman, Aaron
Dates: 9 May 1992
Subjects Discussed: Interview with Mr. Weissman, an enlisted member of the Scouts & Raiders, recounting his experiences during World War II. Topics discussed include his training at Fort Pierce, FL; his assignments to USS APPALACHIAN and Camp Pendleton, CA.

Published: Mon Mar 22 11:12:37 EDT 2021