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David Strickler

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The engineer battalion boarded a rickety Liberty ship that was commanded by a retired Merchant Marine captain who had been summoned back to service. This old salt really hated the Navy. Fortunately, they had escort, which came in handy when a Japanese sub appeared. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (5:02)

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As combat engineer Davis Strickler watched Navy personnel drop and ruin a crane they were unloading, he knew he had to step in and show these guys how it's done. The Navy officers were suitably impressed. This was at Tinian, which was also where a buddy of his showed up with a jug of sake. Was it safe to drink? (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (5:02)

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David Strickler recalls a big storm he rode out when his engineering unit was being transported from Tinian to Okinawa. Once there, he had to contend with mud and snipers. He also saw a spectacular kamikaze attack in the harbor. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (4:49)

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The rumor was that they were going to China. This didn't sit well with David Strickler and the others in the engineering outfit who were on Okinawa. Somehow, he and some buddies managed to get to Tinian and get papers for home. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (3:08)

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After his time in the Pacific theater, Marine David Strickler was posted to the Naval Air Station at St. Simons Island, where he was in charge of the base police. He returned to his construction roots when he was transferred to Quantico and finished his time in the Marines managing projects there. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (3:55)

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Marine combat engineer David Strickler remembers several incidents related to that time honored tradition for servicemen, trying to find a good, stiff drink. (This interview made possible with the support of RICHARD G. MCDANOLDS.) (4:42)

Daymon Mathis

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After taking over Hitler's hometown of Berchtesgaden, Germany, Daymon Mathis recalls discovering maternity barracks for Hitler Youth children. (1:00)

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Daymon Mathis describes "beginning to know what war was" while making his way through France after landing at Normandy on D-Day and taking shrapnel from a German artillery round seven days later, for which he earned a Purple Heart. (7:33)

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Daymon Mathis shares some of the combat and horrors he experienced during the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. They moved into battle outside of Bastogne on the night of December 16th. Out of gasoline and food, they dug further into their foxholes to try and keep from freezing to death. After coming fire, and being separated from his platoon, he recalls the difficult task of identifying men he'd served with for years. (8:18)

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As a member of a glider team, Daymon Mathis describes making a glider drop behind German lines in Holland and the ensuing combat that lasted around 60 days, a mission for which he earned both a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart medal. (8:40)