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Hugh McNeil

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Navy enlistee Hugh McNeil joined the crew of a brand new LST in New Orleans, which promptly was damaged by a green officer and missed out on the convoy to Pearl Harbor. That meant the ship had to sail all the way there alone, with no escort. Once there, McNeil was witness to the widespread destruction of the surprise attack. The recruits were awed and frightened by the power of the enemy they faced. (7:39)

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Hugh McNeil describes what life on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific theater was like. As an Aviation Machinist's Mate, his job was to prep the aircraft for flights. A terrible typhoon and the suicide of a friend made for some unforgettable memories, and life on board was so tough and lonely, he learned to play the harmonica as a relief from the stress. (6:45)

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He had a family by then, but Hugh McNeil was called back into service for the Korean War. This war was tougher on him than World War II because he was older and worried about his family. Serving on a carrier where the napalm was prepared and the Corsairs launched, his efforts helped stem the tide of the Chinese swarming over the Yalu River. Back in civilian life, he had to deal with PTSD, a condition which didn't even have a name yet. (6:35)

Hugh Morgan

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It was 1943 and Hugh Morgan was just out of high school when he was drafted and sent to train as a truck driver for the Quartermaster Corps. During basic training, he sneaked out of town on a weekend pass for a very special reason. (5:07)

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Hugh Morgan's Quartermaster unit was making its way by ship to India when it stopped in Tasmania. He made fast friends among the locals and a lady who had lost her son in the war, told him, "When you get where you're going, give 'em hell for me!" His destination? The edge of the Himalayas near the Burma border. (6:13)

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At the edge of the Himalayas, Hugh Morgan was responsible for trucking supplies to the air field where brave pilots made the dangerous journey "over the hump" for delivery to Chinese forces fighting the Japanese. The flights were considered impossible with the aircraft of the time but the operation was highly successful. (4:46)

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Hugh Morgan's Quartermasters unit was a non-combat outfit, but they loaded their guns and readied to fight the Japanese during a scare at his base in India. The mosquitoes were a bigger problem and he contracted malaria almost as soon as he arrived, not to mention the earthquake during their first night there. (5:43)

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In India, Hugh Morgan's unit was responsible for moving and loading ammunition and bombs heading to allies in China. He recalls two accidents, a deadly explosion and a fire that consumed a fuel dump. He was scheduled to make the long journey himself over the Burma Road when the war ended. (4:10)

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Hugh Morgan's return home from India was a long voyage across the Indian Ocean, through the Suez Canal and on to England. Finally headed across the Atlantic, a terrific storm caused the Captain to ask for a vote. Should they continue? When they did reach the Statue of Liberty, a wonderful sight greeted them. (3:24)

Hughes Davault

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Hughes Davault remembers serving as a fighter squadron medic and witnessing terrible plane crashes. (Interview contributed by Russell Gray) (5:29)