Fort Custer (Mich.)

Content Description

This collection relates to Allen H. Crawford who served in the U.S. Army Air Force as a bombardier and navigator in the 401st Bomb Group in the European Theater of Operation during World War II. This collection contains an oral history transcript where Crawford details his numerous bombing missions over Germany from late 1944 through the end of the war.

Scope and Contents This World War II collection relates to Sgt. James H. Vander Laan, who served in the United States Army Air Force and was assigned to the 511th bomber squadron in the 351st Bombardment Group. During his service, he trained as a ball-turret gunner and radio operator on a B-17 bomber. The collection consists of documents, letters, photographs, and memorabilia. The documents detail where James H. VanderLaan was stationed, inducted and discharged from service. The letters from James H. Vander Laan are addressed from Germany during his time as a Prisoner of War and are dated from November 7, 1943-November 5, 1944. The photographs are of James H. Vander Laan with his wife Marion Madeley and a...

Content Description

This collection relates to Richard Knight who served in the U.S. Army in the 11th and 5th Infantry Divisions in the European Theater during World War II. This collection contains an oral history transcript where Knight discusses his service in Iceland, Ireland, and France. He also discusses his experience as a prisoner of war in the 12A work camp which was liberated by the Russians.

Scope and Contents

This collection relates to Thurston Macon who served as a Corporal in the United States Army with 799th Military Police Battalion during World War II. Within this interview, Macon describes his basic training at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan, his trip to Australia on the USAT Willard A. Holbrook. He describes his guard detail for General MacArthur in Brisbane, Australia, and Manila, as well as his personal interaction with MacArthur. Macon was also chosen as an honor guard for the Yamashita trial in late 1945.

Scope and Contents

The James R. Pemberton oral history interview transcript includes his time as a sergeant in the 103rd Infantry Division, 410th Regiment, Company K, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Squadron. He served as an engineer in France, Germany, and Austria from 1943-1945 and participated at D-Day and Battle of the Bulge. He documents his experiences during the war in regards to his military training, losing friends, taking German prisoners, how he earned his Bronze Star Medal, specific events in which he participated, and his pre/post-war activities.