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Leading in the Pacific: The Story of General Herbert George Sparrow Tim Rogan Mr. Alex Haight OH February lO"', 2006 ROG 2006 Table of Contents Inteniew Release Form 2 Statement of Purpose 3 Biography 4 Historical Contextualization: World War H and the Pacific Theater 6 Inteniew Transcription 17 Inteniew Analvsis 41 Appendix 46 Time Indexing Recording Log 52 Worlts Consulted 53 EPISCOPAL SCHOOL American Centnry Oral History Project Interviewee Release Form I, Irg/Go^T Ix^^f^ -^yfc^^^'Vhereby give and grant to St. Andrew's (interviewee) Episcopal School the absolute and unqualified right to the use ofmy oral histor)' memoir conducted by on / / 7/^Q . 1 understand that (student inter\'icwer) ^"^ (date) the puipose ofthis project is to collect audio- and video-taped oral histories of first-hand memories ofa particular period or event in histoid as part ofa classroom project (The Americau Centiiry Project). I understand that these intei'views (tapes and transcripts) will be de]iositcd in the Saint Andrew's Episcopal School library and archives for the nse by future students, educators and researchers- Responsibility for Ihe creation of derivative works will be at the discretion ofthc librarian, archivi.st and/or project coordinator. I also understand that the tapes and transcripts may be used in public presentations including, but nol limited to, books, audio or video documentaries, slide-tape presentations, exhibits, articles, public performance, or presentation on the World Wide Web at the project's web site www.americancentnryprojeet.org or successor technologies. In making this conlract I inidcrstand that I am sharing with St. Andrew's Episcopal School library and archives all legal title and literary property rights which 1 have or may be deemed to have in my interview as well as my right, title and interest in any copyright related to this oral history inter\'iew which may be secured under the laws now or later in force and effect in the United States of America. This gift, however, does not preclude any use that I myself want to make ofthc information in these transcripts and recordings. I herein warrant that I have not assigned or in any manner encumbered or impaired any ofthe aforementioned rights in my oral memoir. The only conditions which 1 place on this unrestricted gift arc: 1. 2. 3. 1 Signature of Intervicwee/Donor Mc'"]^^ yP\ ^f\b{' c^ft\^ Date SS04 Postoak Road • Potomac, MD 20854 • Phone 301-983-5200 • Fax 301-983-4710 • ww^v.saes.org Rogan 3 Statement of Purpose The purpose ofthis interview is to gain the perspective of General Herbert George Sparrow, a World War II veteran involved in the Pacific Theater. In order to fiiUy understand the subject of World War II. the first hand account ofa veteran provides information that textbooks and other resources are nol able provide. World War II was a defining moment within the United States' history and h is imperative that the oral history ofthe event be recorded so future generations can gain a better understanding of the war. Rogan 4 Biography of General Herbert George Sparrow Herbert George Sparrow was born in Boston. Massachusetts in 1910. General Sparrow grew- up WMlh a father in the militar)'. His father's occupation led to the family constantly moving from place lo place every year or two. Because of his temporary lifestyle, he never played on many teams or did many recreational activities as a child. Then at the age of fourteen. General Sparrow losl his father because ofa naval accident off Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1924. He had to continue on without the benefit of a father figure in his life. General Herbert Sparrow always knew that he wanted to live a mililary life. Wanting to follow in his father's footsteps, he would become a career military man. For High school in Washington. He continued from 1927-1929, finishing high school, in Stanton, Virginia at the Stanton Military Academy. General Sparrow eiuoUed in 1929 to the Militaiy Academy at West Point, one ofthe finest militaiy colleges in existence. After four years he graduated in 1933 from West Point and continued on going lo the Rogan 5 Commanding General Staff College, and to the Aimy War College. The lessons he learned while in these schools were going to become very importanl for General SpaiTow when he would sen'e in World War II. On December 7. 1941 General Herbert Sparrow's life changed forever, having married his wife, June, just a few years earlier. He discovered that the United Slates was attacked by Japan and that America was now at war. At this point he had been an English instructor back at West Point. General Sparrow would continue to work in the Pacific until 1946 when he returned lo the United States with a Job at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. Fle worked there for a few years until getting a job at Fort Benning. General Herbert Sparrow would continue in the military until 1973. By the end of his service he had been in WWII, the Korean War and Vielnam achieving a rank of two stars General. In addition tlu'oughout his career he has received several Distinguished Sen'ice medals from the Army. He has had three children, two girls and one boy, and he now currently resides in Mclean, VA. Rogan 6 Historical Contextualization: World War II and the Pacific Theater A World War II veteran, Robert Rasmus, recalls his graphic experience from the war, "I took off my field jacket and turned the anns inside out. We poked rifles tlu'ough the arms and fashioned a stretcher. We gol the sergeant on ours and, jeez, half his head was blown off and the brains were coining oul on my hands and my uniform. Here's the mania's boy, Sunday school, and now Fm really in it" (Terkel 184). World War II is the largest military conflict the world has ever experienced including many different people from many countries. In total the w-ar lasted close to six years, and around 100 million people became active in the military during those years. Aboul 50 million people were killed because of World War II and ofthe dead over 4 million were Poles. 6 million were Jews, 15 million were soldiers, and 20 million were Russian civilians. World War II is also unique in that it is the only war to ever see use ofa nuclear weapon. It was a fighl between "autocracies vs. democracy" and the contenders were fascists, conimunists, and the democracies (Ambrose i). It was a war in two parts, the European Theater and the Pacitlc Theater, with each half unique and equally devastating. It is therefore important to understand the perspective of World War II as a major, global conflict consisting of two devastating parts. The origin of World War II within the European Theater can be traced back to the ruins ofthe WWI. Germanv was severelv niinisheH fnr it'^ itn/nU/pmi^nt in ^x/\A/i iiMti-* reparations and restrictions placed the military. The Treaty of Versailles took all of Germany's colonies, one-eighth of if s European temtories, one-tenth of if s European Populalion, a majority of if s steel and iron shipping, terminating the Gemian Navy and Air force and limited the Army allowing a 100,000 man limit (Calvocoressi 43). Using Rogan 7 the hard times lo his advantage Hitler came to power through the Nazi Party and became Chancellor of Germany. Now empowered, Hitler decided to maneuver around the Treaty of Versailles. He did this by letting the Sturm Abteilung (SA). soldiers loyal to the Nazi Party, grow in size. Stephen Roberts comments 'There is no doubt that Germany has the largest army outside Russia ...No reasonable observer can doubt that, if Hitler organizes his thirty-six divisions and trains 300,000 conscripts a year, in a few years he will have the finest army in Europe" (Roberts). In March of 1938, with his newly acquired power Hitler invaded and seized Austria with little resistance al all. Flitler justified this as unification of y\usiria and Germany rather than a take over. At this point however England and France did nothing in response. This response was known as appeasement, where one side gives in to another's demands in order lo avoid conflict. Recognizing France and England's response, Flitler turned his allenlion to the Sudetenland along the Czech-German border. To address this issue the Munich Conference of 1938 was called together, however Czechoslovakia did not have a representative there. The actions of Germany and appeasement of England and France are considered the precursors to World War II. It is the invasion of Poland in which Germany takes too much and England and France take action. The German invasion nf Poland wa«; <;\vift nn^^'pi-fnl nnH Hpc-tiin-t^/f^ r\" September f, 1939 Hitler invaded Poland using blitzkiieg, or "lighting war", whicli consisted of heavy air raids followed by rapid ground advancement. Hitler captured Poland quickly wilh strong resistance only from Warsaw, which did nol surrender until September 27"*. This came as a shock to the world, even the German people did not ftilly Rogan 8 understand. 77?^ New York Times slated on September 1. 1939 "When Herr Hitler made his announcement Berlin's streets were still deserted...there were no outward signs that the nation was finding ilself in the firsl stages of war" (World War II: The Axis Assault, 1939-1942 83). Hitler desecrated Poland and its people assuring his victoiy and establishing his power. The Soviet did nol invade until September 17* reaching the Gennans in two days.

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