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Archives at The Museum of Flight


World War, 1939-1945

 Subject
Subject Source: Library Of Congress Subject Headings
Scope Note: Non-preferred terms: European War, 1939-1945 ; Second World War, 1939-1945 ; World War 2, 1939-1945 ; World War II, 1939-1945 ; World War Two, 1939-1945 ; WW II (World War, 1939-1945) ; WWII (World War, 1939-1945)

Found in 187 Collections and/or Records:

Part 1, 2019 March 11

 Item
Interview Summary In this two-part oral history, Paul L. Weaver is interviewed about his decade-spanning career as an aircraft mechanic and pilot. In part one, he describes his military service with the U.S. Navy; his career with the Boeing Company during the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s; and his involvement in the Pacific Northwest aviation scene. He also shares stories about other aviation enthusiasts and the early days of the Pacific Northwest Aviation Historical Foundation (PNAHF), the predecessor of The...
Dates: 2019 March 11

Polocz, Joseph -- oral history interview, 2014 October 22

 File
Interview Summary World War II veteran Joseph Polocz is interviewed about his military service and his expertise in mechanics and machine restoration. He describes his wartime experiences as a member of the Royal Hungarian Army and Royal Hungarian Air Force, his time in a French prisoner-of-war camp, and his post-war life as a laborer in Germany and France. He then discusses his immigration to the United States and his technician career with Philco and RCA. The interview concludes with an overview of Polocz’s...
Dates: 2014 October 22

Raleigh, Donald -- oral history interview, 2019 July 08

 File
Interview Summary World War II veteran Donald Raleigh is interviewed about his wartime service with the United States Navy. He discusses his gunnery officer assignments aboard the USS Maryland (BB-46) and USS Wilkes-Barre (CL-103), circa 1941-1946. He particularly highlights his experiences during the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941. Standing watch aboard the Maryland that morning, he was a first-hand witness to the Japanese attack on Battleship Row. He also describes his later assignments in the...
Dates: 2019 July 08

Scarff, John Bowen -- oral history interview, 2017 May 06

 File
Interview Summary U.S. Navy veteran John Bowen Scarff is interviewed about his father, Wayland Labatt Scarff, and about his military service after World War II. He discusses his father’s career at the fledgling Boeing Company in the mid-1910s and his work at Boeing Plant 1, also known as the Red Barn. Scarff also provides an overview of his military service in the postwar period, including his enlistment at Sand Point Naval Air Station (Washington) and his aviation machinist training at Norman Naval Air...
Dates: 2017 May 06

Stockard, Betty Riley -- oral history interview, 2014 March 19

 File
Interview Summary Retired stewardess Betty R. Stockard is interviewed about her career with United Airlines. She discusses her experiences in the airline industry during the 1940s, such as the interview and training process, memorable encounters with passengers, and her flights along the West Coast and to Hawaii. She also recounts a story in which she served as a wartime courier for an important package. Other topics discussed include her childhood and college years in Montana; her thoughts on the Douglas...
Dates: 2014 March 19

Taylor, Dick -- oral history interview, 2014 February 13

 File
Interview Summary Aeronautical engineer Richard W. “Dick” Taylor is interviewed about his 50-year career at the Boeing Company, which spanned the 1940s to the early 1990s. He discusses his experiences as a test pilot and design engineer for the company and describes notable projects from his career, including his work on the B-47 Stratojet, Boeing Model 377 Stratocruiser, and Model 737 and his development of ETOPS (Extended Range Twin Engine Operations). He also touches on his service as a U.S Army liaison...
Dates: 2014 February 13

Wygle, Brien S. -- oral history interview, 2013 November 13

 File
Interview Summary Test pilot Brien Wygle is interviewed about his decade-spanning career in the aviation industry. He describes his flight experiences prior to his work at Boeing, including his RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) service as a transport pilot during and after World War II and his time as an airline pilot with Queen Charlotte Airlines. He then discusses his test pilot career at the Boeing Company and his involvement with various aircraft, including the Boeing B-47 Stratojet, B-52 Stratofortress,...
Dates: 2013 November 13

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