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
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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. After the two countries met within Poland, Gennany retreated to the agreed boundaries finalizing the invasion. Upon hearing this news France and
England both declared war on Germany on September 3. 1939. England and France took on the label Allied Powers as in World War 1.
After the war had been going on for a couple of years in Europe, the Allies would invade the mainland ihrough France. The Allies had been ]}reparing for an invasion such as Overlord since 1942 (Keegan 319). One ofthe first steps the Allies took was misleading the Gennan forces. Using captured spies the German's turned focus away from the actual attack spot, Normandy, and onto the naiTowest part ofthe chamiel. D-
Day conimenced on June 6, 1944. liundreds of thousands of Allied forces would gather to invade Normandy creating the largest sea borne invasion in history. A lieutenant involved in the aftermath of D-Day recalls "There were Gennans ahead of us and
Gennans in the back of us. Americans over there ahead of these Germans. There was no slraighl front line. It was a mess" (Terkel 166V
After the success ofthe invasion, the Soviets were closing from the east eveiyday.
Hitler tried to cover up the Holocaust camps he had created and he, himself, was forced to leave his head quarters at Rastenburg. On February 4, 1945 Cluuchill, Roosevelt and
Stalin all came together at Yalta to discuss what to do with Europe after the War (Keegan Rogan 9
542). By March 1945 the USSR had secured Eastern Europe and was moving to Berlin.
On April 25, 1945 the advancing Allied annies met in Berlin for the first time. On April
28''' Mussolini was killed and hung upside down, then on April 30"' Hitler killed himself within the bunker he had been living in. On May 7, 1945 Germany fonnally surrendered and by May 8^'^ all mosl all German forces had surrendered creating V-E Day, Victory
Day in Europe. The European Theater saw many battles and many deaths, the Nazi regime rose and fell but World War II was not only fouglit in Europe. Another half of the war was fought in the Pacific. In order to understand World War 11 the events ofthe
Pacific Theater must be addressed.
Prior to World War II Japanese aggression had led lo great tension within the
Pacific. In 1931 Japan invaded the Chinese area of Manchuria creating hostility in Asia.
Then in 1937 Sino-Japanese war erupts because Japan wants lo take over as much of
Eastern Asia as il could. Tensions between Japan and the United Slates began to escalate as well. The Great Depression stnack the United States and the world very hard. The
Depression pul 20-30 million people out of work, halved the volume of international trade, destroyed national banks and by the end of October 1929, investors losl $40 billion dollars (Calvocoressi 45). In order to compensate some loses the U.S. placed high protective tariffs on trade and began cutting exports with Japan whicli only made the
Depression worse for .lanan. In 1939 the TI S did Tint rpnpw thp 1011 T i^-Tm-^Qn T,•pr,t^' nf
Conunerce and Navigation and the U.S. then passed the Export Control Act, which destroyed Japans access to resources to oil, scrap metal, and olher war materials. In May of 1940 Roosevelt agreed to a secret volunteer air division know as Cheimault's Flying
Tigers. The Tigers would eventually shoot down 600 Japanese planes, sink many Rogan 10
Japanese ships, and stall the Bunna invasion. Then on September 27, 1940 Japanjoined
Germany and Italy in the Tripartite Pact making the tluee nations the Axis Powers
(Keegan 135). Making tensions worse the United States signed the Lend-Lease Act of
1941 saying that it would give aid to the Allies, the direct enemy of Japan. Following this Japan occupied the regions of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia all of which make up
Indochina. The U.S. and Britain saw this as aggression on the part ofthe Japanese and a foreshadowing of what was to come.
Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku. of Japan, had been developing a plan to attack the
United States since January 1941. On November 8" he gave the confirmation for the
Pearl Harbor attack. On December 7. 1941 Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor attacking in two waves. The New York Times wrote on December 8'' about Pearl Harbor.
"Sudden unexpected attacks on Pearl Flarbor, Honolulu, and other United States possessions in the Pacific yesterday by the Japanese air force and navy plunged the
United Slates and Japan inlo active war" {World War II: The Axis Assault, 1939-1942
246). In total 2, 402 Americans were killed. In addition to Pearl Harbor, Japan attacked
Guam, Philippines, Wake Island and Midway Island. The following day, on December
8"', President Roosevelt addressed congress demanding a declaration of war, and it passed almost unanimously. Roosevelt's words, in his Address to Congress, became the emblem for Pearl Harbor declarinp. "Decemher 7 1Q41- a Hntp whirh "'ill li^'p in infamy" (Hofstadter 401). Britain declared war on Japan on the same day. On December
I f' Germany declared war on the United States, making the U.S. one ofthe Allied
Powers at war with the Axis Powers. The Pacific Theater had begun. Rogan 11
After Japan's attacks on December 7", Japanese forces began invading the Pacific and establishing its power. On February 15"' Singapore fell lo the Japanese, then on
March 9"^ Java fell to the Japanese Empire, and Japan continued on to take the
Philippines on April 9"'. Japan took territories again and again demonstraling its force.
However Colonel James Doolittle led an attack on April 18, 1942 againsl Tokyo (Keegan
270). Using highly modified B-25 bombers Doolittle organized the planes lo bomb
Tokyo. The New York Times wrote on that Saturday "enemy bombers appeared over
Tokyo for the first time in the current war" (World War II; The Axis Assault, 1939-1942
294). The planes successfiilly bombed Tokyo bul all crash-landed bul more importantly the raid showed the world that Japan could be wounded. Japan had captured a vast quantity of Southeast Asia by the spring of 1942. In May, Japanese forces were ordered to take over Tulagi and Port Moresby. The U.S. intercepted this message and decided to protect Port Moresby because Japanese forces had landed on Tulagi before Americans could get there. On May 7, 1942 American and Japanese forces fought initiating the
Battle ofthe Coral Sea (Keegan 273). This naval fight was waged exclusively in the air, which was a first in war histoiy. Although both sides suffered greatly, the U.S. did succeed in defending Port Moresby from takeover. The Japanese realized that the United
Slales must be stopped so Isoroku decided to gather large forces and attack the island
Midwav. The Americans hepan fiahtino nn Tnnp '\ 1040 h\' lirrtitK' KomKimi Toi-vo.inc-Q caniers. Japan responded by bombing Midway Island the following day. Americans then sent a series of airplane wave attacks that were repulsed quickly. However a group of U.S, dive-bombers nailed tliree Japanese aircraft earners all loaded with planes, gas and munitions. By the end ofthe afternoon a fourth Japanese carrier was destroyed. The Rogan 12
Battle of Midway was over that day and the Japanese suffered mass casualties in comparison to the Americans (Keegan 271). The Battle of Midway changed the war in the Pacific shifting Japan from the offensive to the defensive. Japan gained much territory in its conquest but w^ould in time lose all its gains.
The war in the Pacific moved soulh as Japan focused on keeping its gains in the
Solomon Islands. Guadalcanal was the central island within the chain of islands. On
August 7, 1942 the Allies launched and amphibious attack receiving little resistance at first and the U.S. even captured an airstrip. In October however Japan began sending large amounts of troops and their "fight lo the death*' strategy made il difficult for the
U.S. lo quell the attacks. The Battle of Guadalcanal finally ended in February 1943, when Japan had to abandon the island (Keegan 291). While Guadalcanal was going on
Australia and the U.S. launched and attack on New Guinea on November 16, 1942. The
Allies secured most ofthe island by January of 1943 but the Japanese kept fighting into
1944. England did not have as much luck and on March 8, 1942 Rangoon fell lo the
Japanese. Rangoon remained under Japanese control, and then in mid-1943 new Allied leadership organized and advancement. On August 4, 1944 Myitkyina fell to the Allies, a few months later the Burma Road was reopened in January 1945. With these successes the Allies recaptured Rangoon on May 3, 1945. The Allies mainlained attacks on the
Japanese territories keenine Janan under attack- Near the Marine T<;lnnH<; tho RQHIP of the Philippine Sea took place from June 19-20, 1944, the Allies succeeded devastating the Japanese air power. In the Philippines during October 20* and December 31,1944, at the Battle of Leyte, Japan lost tens of thousands more soldiers than the United States did (Keegan 554). The United States was gaining momenUim and Japan began to rethink Rogan 13 its strategy. On February 19, 1945 the U.S. Marines launched an amphibious assault onto the Island of Iwo Jima, The U.S. sunounded the base of Ml. Suribachi in the first day.
After four days of intense fighting the marines reached the summit on February 23^ placing an American Flag on top. The Baltle of Okinawa was the last large-scale battle in the Pacific (Keegan 563). On April 1. 1945 the United States began amphibious landings but the Japanese had planned to attack the large naval fleet using kamakazie. suicide tactics. The Japanese would crash their entire planes into the ships in order to try and do more damage. The kamakazie strategy failed and fighting would continue until
June 2 f. The Americans lost aboul 19.000 soldiers but the Japanese losl aboul 100.000 soldiers and close to 100.000 civilians. Although the Allies were taking back all the territory gained by Japan. Allied commandei's were worried about the extent the Japanese would go to in order to avoid losing the war. The Allies decided they would turn towards extensive bombing in order to achieve success in the Pacific.
While the Allies were closing in on Gerinany in Europe, the U.S. Air Force began heavy bombs campaigns on major Japanese cities during March of 1945. Now that the
U.S. had the new B-29, bomber raids on cities like Tokyo became very possible and successftil. From July 17"' lo August 2. 1945, Truman, Churchill and Stalin met in
Potsdam, Germany. Of the issues discussed the surrender of Japan was addressed. They wanted unconditional SlirrPlldpr dpmilitariynfinn nnH t-pnlfippinpiif of l-atioi-ioca lon/^n.-cM"
This meeting ofthe Allied heads would be known as the Potsdam Declaration (Keegan
578). Meanwhile during the summer of 1945 the United States successftilly tested and atomic bomb. The testing and development had been kept secret and known as the
' Ati Associated Press photographer captiu'ed the image of marines raising the flag on Ml. Suribachi. which became the basis for the statue at the Iwo Jima war memorial. Rogan 14
Manliallan Project. President Truman decided that using the bomb on Japan and ending the war quickly would save more lives on the Japanese and Allied side, instead ofa ground invasion of Japan. On August 6. 1945 a B-29 called Enola Gay dropped the first atom bomb on Hiroshima. The blast leveled the city killing 80.000 people instantly.
Hiroshima was wiped off the map and the world learned what happened to it 16 hours later when the U.S. released a statement saying what took place. On August 9" the second Atom bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, devastaUiig the city. On August 15. 1945
Emperor Flirohito announced Japan's accordance with the Potsdam Declaration. The formal surrender of Japan was signed on September 2. 1945 on the USS Missouri. This ended the Pacific Theater and concluded World War II. The Allies had won the war, but both the Axis Powers and the Allies suffered great loses.
The Historiography of WWII has changed over the decades. Stephen Ambrose in
1997 feels the war caused dealh and destruction but did not answer the Rindamental issue it was started over which was, wiiich political governing is besl. The Cold War continued for fifty years after and Communist govenunenls are still in place that are not different from those in World War II (Ambrose i). In 1989, Peter Calvoressi stated that the general interpretation ofthe war fell into two parts that the war was all Hitler's fauh or Hitler and many others for similar reasons, got involved (Calvocoressi 1). His point of view identifies the oriein and death nf the war with the hpoinnina nnH thp P^-\A P.? thp M^-^;
Empire. Studs Terkel, in 1997, refers to WWII satirically as "The Good War", because ofthe manipulation of American youth, and he states that World War II is becoming more and more distant being forgotten about as the time passes. Terkel feels this is bad Rogan 15 because the war changed "the face ofthe United States and the world" (Terkel 161). He continues on to say:
In 1945, the United States inherited the earth....at the end of
World War II, what was left of Western civilization passed inlo
the American account. The war had also prompted the country
to invent a miraculous economic machine that seemed to grant
as many wishes as were asked ofil. The conlinenlal United
States had escaped the plague of w^ar, and so il was easy
enough for the heirs lo believe that they had been anointed by
God. (Terkel 167)
In 2003. Howard Zimi slales that the United Slales did not lake the proper action in
WWII. The delayed reaction to Hitler and genocide was a bad choice and was more concerned about maintaining an imperial hold on the world (Zimi 301-302). Many historians through the years vary opinions greatly about WWII showing the diversity of historical interpretation.
Il is of critical importance lo study and learn from WWII because il shaped the world people live in today. Many global conflicts or resolutions that have taken place since 1945 have had ties or past connections from WWII, showing the importance of that war. World War II also showed all the asnprts nf hnman riviliT-atinn ^'hpthpr it nr-^c honor, destruction, or barbarianism but it also showed heroism, camaraderie and detenninalion. All the amazing things that WWII was composed of fascinates people to this day. The United States became a world power tlii'ough tliis war making America the country it is today. In closing it is imporlant to sUidy and leam about World War II Rogan 16 because it affects the world today. To undersland the present requires and understanding of World War II and this is why knowing the w'ar is so important. Rogan 17
Inteniew Transcription Interviewee/ Nanator: General Flerbert George Sparrow Interviewer; Tim Rogan Location: Arleigh Burke Pavilion Date; January 7. 2006
Tim Rogan: This is Tim Rogan and I am interviewing General Herbert Spanow as part of The American Century Oral Hislory Project. The interview took place on January 7,
2006 at Arleigh Burke Pavilion. First I want to start off and find out a little bit about you.
Whal was your childhood like?
Herbert Sparrow: I was the son ofa naval officer, and so we traveled a good deal.
Every year or two we'd be in a different place. My father losl his life in a naval accident off Vera Cruz, Mexico in 1924. And from then on I grew^ up without the benefit ofa father. I went lo school, the firsl two years of high school at Central High in Washington, and then I went for two years lo a mililary school. Stanton Mililary Academy in Stanton,
Virginia. And they spell il Stanton and pronounce it "Stantan" (Laughs). I entered the
Mililary Academy al West Point in 1929, graduated in 1933. After that I went to the
Commanding General Staff College, and to the Army War College, and that's the extent ofmy educafion.
TR: So vou had the militarv dirouehout vnnr whnle life vnn ImH q •^'pv^' ftmnn coiuiection with thai. Did you know at a young age that you wanted lo be participating in the military? Rogan 18
HS: Yes, I did because I wanted to follow in my father's footsteps. And I was not able to get in the Naval Academy because my eyesight wasn't good enough, but I did qualify for
West Point.
TR: Did you enjoy the education and the Iraining that you got there?
HS: Yes.
TR: Whal were some ofthe things that you did as a kid for fun. for recreation?
George Sparrow: As a child? [to Herbert Sparrow]
HS: I didn'l participate much in any recreation, football, baseball, that sort ofthing.
TR: Moving on to World War II. I have some questions about before the War and whal your life was like. In 1939 on September V\ Hifier invaded Poland. What was your reaction to hearing about Hitler's invasion in Europe at that time?
HS: I think we all saw war loomintr un on the hnriynn n<; n lil'plihnnH Fnt tt-ip tiiinn timt participated il was the Japanese raid on Pearl Harbor, where the American fleet was based. And that really kicked off the action of World War II. And it was fought in two main theaters, the European Theater, where I did not participate, and the Pacific Theater, where I did. Rogan 19
TR: Did you ever think that the Uniled States was going to be part of World War II before Pearl Harbor?
HS: Yes, we saw it coming sooner or laler.
TR: Did you think that there was a large sliift in the mentality ofthe United States after
Pearl Harbor, towards the Japanese?
HS: That united our country, if il wasn't united before, it was after December 7".
TR: I know that you graduated from West Point inl933, what was your training like for when you were actually going to go to war. when did you know that 3'ou were going to be participating in World War II?
HS: I was back at West Point as an English instructor, and at the time of Pearl Harbor, we heard about it one Sunday afternoon, a friend of mine called up and said "Get on your radio, the Japanese have struck Pearl Flarbor." I had been stationed in Hawaii at Scofield
Barracks . and so it was verv renl tn me when thpv madp thnt mn-cp
TR: Where did you first travel to when moved out of West Point and into the War?
" Scofield Banacks is a U.S, militaiy location on the island of Oahu containing Pearl Harbor. Rogan 20
HS: The w^esl coast, San Jose. I joined the 7" Army Corps in the G3 Section, and we wenl on desert maneuvers in the Califoniian desert. Then the Commanding General received orders which took him to Hawaii as the Army Coimnander in the Pacific area, and he look two or three men with him. his staff, and I was one.
TR: So you then went to Hawaii?
HS: Yes.
TR: And then what hapj^ened after you went to Hawaii?
HS: I joined the 25"' Division at Guadalcanal and went up with Ihem to the Philippine
Islands, and look part in the landing al Lingayen Gulf And then in the fighting all the way down the way down in Manila.
TR: What was your role, what was your job when you were in there?
HS: I was an Observer, and I went with division artillery ofthe 25"' Division. So I had a iob there, on that staff
TR: Do you remember w'hal the different types of artillery, and different pieces of equipment you used? Rogan 21
HS: Yes, well the standard artillery that time, light artillery, was a 105imn, and medium artillery was the 155[mni]. and then they had heavier artillery at 240imn.
TR: And so you said that the fight did go on definitely where you were, what were your impressions ofthe fighting?
HS: Well, I kept my head down. (Laughs) Which is a pretty good idea to do.
TR: Was that your first combat experience?
HS: Yes. I was very glad to have il and I had actively sought it. because a regular army officer who came out the other side of World War II with no combat experience would be at a professional disadvantage from there on oul .
TR: Aside from the professional advantage, was there any motivation or patriotic drive that some ofthe people had to go to baltle?
HS: Yes, the two together, that responded to my emotions and gave me professional exnerience.
TR: I understand that you spent time in Guadalcanal and that you were there, were there any other major battles that you experienced that you remember?
Military personal that experience fighting are prone to highei positions after the war is over. Rogan 22
HS: We were fighting all the way down the Luzon Island, from the Lingayen Gulf to
Manila. And I saw' as much ofthe fighting there as I could, that was w'hat I was sent to do.
TR: And so you stayed there for the majority ofthe war?
HS: Yes.
TR: Along that coast.
HS: But when we gol to iManila 1 was transferred lo 14"' Arni>' Coips and served wilh them for a wliile.
TR: And when you were with the 14" Ai'iny Corps did you remain in the same position, were you an observer?
HS: Yes. They said "you can have a jeep and driver and go wherever you want" to me.
GS: So vou weren't commandino anv nnnnlp
HS: No. No I was not. Rogan 23
TR: What were some ofthe reactions you had lo Nazi bombings of English cities in the
1940's. and to the European w'ar?
HS: Bombing of cifies is pretty inhumane but in war time it'sjust about bound to happen.
And you have to accept it when you can't do anything about it.
TR: Did you ever think that the bombings were every going lo reach the mainland United
States? Like New York City or D.C?
HS: Yes I thought they might bul the Atlantic Ocean is a pretty big barrier, and the
Germans wouldn't be in a position lo do much offensive t^ighting there.
TR: Did you ever think that al one point in the War that the Allies might lose, that the
United Slates and Britain and Russia?
HS: No, never.
TR: You had confidence in the Allies.
HS: Yeah, I was confident we'd win; it was hard to estimate how long it might take.
There were too many intangible factors and we were up against a pretty tough enemy. Rogan 24
TR: How long did you think that the War was going to last when you were involved in it?
HS: I really didn't have any idea. If you had asked me then I would have said four or fives more years.
TR; What were some of your reactions to the Uniled Stales dropping the Atom bombs on
Japan, at Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
HS: That was a great uplift for us because it really meant an end to the war in the Pacifie and the European War was winding down too .
TR: You mentioned the European War W'inding down, how did the pacific feel, because you were in the pacific campaign, about V-E Day, hearing aboul that, the victoiy in
Europe?
HS: Oh, we were happy about it. Couldn't have been otherwise.
TR: So that gave a strone moral boost to vou euvs.
HS: Yes.
•• V-E Day took place on May 8, 1945. Rogan 25
TR: Some historians, for example Studs Terkel refers to World War II as "The Good
War", and how's your reaction to calling it "The Good War'", do you think that that is an appropriate title?
HS: No war is a good war, but the things seemed to go by the book in World War II.
And it was very much what we'd expect going tlu'ough the War College, and nothing to surprising until the Atom bomb.
TR: Did you think that your Iraining, you mentioned through War College, prepared you well for whal you were going to experience out in the field.
HS: Yes. I think so.
TR: Studs Terkel, the same historian, also says that he feels that World War II is becoming more and more ofa distant thing and is becoming forgotten as time goes on.
Do you think that's true?
HS: Yes, I think it probably has, afler all ifs more than fifty years ago. And sixty some odd vears. So 1 don't think it's in neooles minds verv mnrh and thp opnprntlnn ttint'c growing up now never had much reason lo think aboul it. So it's fading,
TR: Did you think that ifs important for people to keep going back to World War II and remembering what happened? Roean 26
HS: The imporlanl thing for our counlry is not to be caught unprepared. And that means maintaining an appropriate level of defense in the Army, Navy and Air Force.
TR; So you think that having a strong level of preparedness is a good thing that the country should do?
HS: Oh yes, yes.
TR: With certain things like the World War II Memorial\ have you ever been to it?
HS: Yes. I doif I remember very much about it bul I did visit il and I think my picture was taken with one ofthe attendants.
GS: This is the new memorial that's been pul up in the last couple of years?
HS: Yes.
TR; As a veteran, did that make vou hannv knowine that the war vnn serviced in was being recognized?
HS: Yes, I think ifs very appropriate, we've memorialized most of our wars from the
Revolufion and the War of 1812 and the Civil War.
The National World War 11 Memorial was established on the national mall on April 29, 2004. Rogan 27
TR: What were some ofthe relationships that you built during your campaign in World
War II, did you make any long life friends?
HS: I had friends and as you moved from one place to another you'd be associated with different people. And of course, on our side, they were all friendly. (Laughs)
TR: That's true. Do you know any still to this day?
HS: They're nol many left lo tell the truth. Fm 95 and I was probably, (pause) I was born in 1910. so when World War II came around in 1941,1 would have been 31.
GS; Did you keep up with some ofthe people that you've met al World War 11.
HS: Yes.
GS: Throughout the years I know that you have, right, just that some of them have passed away in the last five or ten years
TR: Who were some of your friends; do you have any memorable stories with them?
HS: No, nol especially. I guess one ofthe best friends I had was ?Alston Raymond
Jacklioffer? and he and his wife became good friends of ours after the war. Rogan 28
TR: When you were in the War, this is something that goes on nowadays, what did you
guys do for celebrating different holidays, like if Cluistmas or New Years rolled around?
Whal would you guys do in the military?
HS; Eat three meals a day. There were no special celebrations. The Christmas I remember was when 1 was aboard ship on the way to the Philippines. The worst aspect ofthe war. in many ways to me was the loneliness and the absence of your family. My w'ife June .settled in Charlottesville. Virginia and stayed there for the duration ofthe war.
We w^ere separated, all lold, aboul llu'ee and a half years, that's a long time.
TR: Did you ever get to go home; did you ever get a break while you were in the Pacific?
HS: Yes, I got one, there was a relatively quiet period in June of 1945 and I got leave to go back home, and that leave expired and when I got back to Hawaii I found that I was assigned to go to Japan with the 98"' Division.
TR: What did you do when you were in Japan?
HS; I was Chief of Staff of the Division.
TR: What was your job as Chief of Staff, what would you do? Rogan 29
HS: Directing ofthe staff and the plamiing operations.
TR: Where were you located in Japan, where did you stay while you were there?
HS: We wenl ashore at Wakayama in a wet landing, meaning we went lo shore in small
boats and gol pretty wet doing it. (Laughs) Then my Headquarters, my division was
Headquarters in Osaka, and that's where I stayed for aboul six monlhs. till the spring of
'46.
TR: Was there fighting going on around you while you were in Japan?
HS: No, Japan had surrendered.
TR: At that point?
HS; Yes. We went in as occupation forces.
TR; What was your interpretation of fighting the Japanese w4ien you were in the Pacific?
HS; I don't biowjust how lo answer that question. The Japanese were the enemy, an of course you attribute lo the enemy many ofthe evil things that happen in war. Rogan 30
TR; I know^ that the Japanese use the Kamikaze fighting styde, to fighl to the very death, was that intimidating at all to the Americans.
HS: I was never near any ofthe actions in which they attacked.
TR: Did you ever hear any stories about some ofthe other battles from any of your friends, like MicKvay, Iwo Jima?
HS: Not much. No.
TR; So you were stationed there and then you would anange everything as the Chief of
Staff
HS: Yes.
TR; In 2003, another historian Howard Zinn says that the United States did nol take proper action in World War II and that the delayed reaction to Hitler and genocide was a bad choice and that the war was more concerned aboul maintaining an imperial hold on
HS: I think I would disagree.
TR; Why do you say that? Rogan 31
HS; I don't fault our policy; I think we generally followed sound policy throughout.
TR: If you had to say why the United States was fighting in World War II. what \vould you say the United States was fighting for?
HS: We don'l lake things like Pearl Harbor lying down. So we're fighting in a sense for our integrity as a nation.
TR: When was the first lime that you heard aboul the Holocaust in Europe?
HS; I don't remember.
TR: What was your first impression upon hearing about die genocide and the Holocaust ftoni Hitler?
HS: Prett)' shocking. And a sad conuiientary on Hitler and his regime.
TR • T Of f 1 D-^-xl tllot i'ni> \t'Cifr- fitftifir-r^A A. A done something more, did you think that there was anjlhing that the Allies could do?
HS; I don't know we could have done more at the lime, but it was a brutal thing. No. Rogan 32
TR: As the Holocaust is going on in Germany, the United States had the intenuiient of
the American Japanese. What did you think at the time upon the Japanese internment?
HS: I really didn't think much aboul it at all. And we found the Japanese in Hawaii were
interned. Most of them were good American citizens, and as shocked by what the
Japanese did as the rest of us were. But that didn't keep them from being interned.
TR: Did you know anyone that was interned?
HS: No, no.
TR: What was your interpretation of F.D.R. during World War II, did you like w4iat he was doing with the war?
HS: Yes, I think we did. He was the President and Commander in Chief, and our loyalty and support had to go to him, and I don't think we were critical of him.
TR: Was there anything the F.D.R. ever did that you or other soldiers ever disagreed
HS: Probably, I donT remember what they were. Rogan 33
TR: Some historians consider some of F.D.R.'s actions like a dictatorship and parallel to
Flitler. Do you agree?
HS: During a war and an emergency, the responsibility as Commander and Chief is the main responsibility that he has. And I don't feel critical of him at all.
TR: How did you feel when F.D.R. died?
HS: A degree of sorrow' but the president is a long way from wJiere 1 was. It was a distant event.
TR: Did you feel disconnected from the rest ofthe United States and the rest of what was going on?
HS: No, I think the country was pretty well uniled behind the war effort. I think that's probably what you meant by speaking of that as "The Good War" because there was that unified resolution.
TR* Ynii mpntinnpH tlint \'r\n WTOVP itt IrjiAin In /-m/^m-soti/An oftrt,. i-I-i.-. >,•.-.,- ...U-,* A,A —-•. think that the United States was going to do after World War II?
HS; I don't know that I had many ideas. I went from Japan lo the Pentagon and to the
Army General Staff A senior officer on that staff, who knew me, asked me ifi would Rogan 34 like to come, and I would have taken anything lo get back lo my family, so I accepted and we bought a house in Arlington and I worked in the Pentagon for about thi-ee years and then wenl to Fort Benning^.
TR; After World War II, as you know the Atomic bombs were used on Japan and that was the only war to use Atomic bombs. Did you think that the Cold War was going to be started because ofthe United Slales after World War II?
HS; No, but it seemed to come about rather naturally because of anti-antagonistic attitude on the part of Russia, w"e may have been part of that too.
TR: During the War what were your feelings on being allied with Russia?
HS: I wasn'l especially enthusiastic about it, bul I wasn't anywhere near the area where we were working with the Russians.
TR: A lot of people feel that there was tension belween Stalin and F.D.R., tlu'ough the
Democracy and the Communism, do you agree with that?
HS: Yes, I think there probably was some mutual distrust but they were allies by war circumstances
Fort Benning is located in Georgia. Rogan 35
TR: Did you ever think after World War II that a major war was ever going lo start up again?
HS; That's the history ofthe world and so I didn't think another war was impossible. It's a question of when and where?
TR: When Japan in 1931 invaded Manchuria, did you ever think that the United States was going to be at war with Japan, before Pearl Harbor?
HS; No.
TR: Did you ever hear about any tensions between the Japanese and the United States?
HS; No, I wasn't aware ofil.
TR; Is there anything that you want to talk about, is there anything that you think i should know of your participation ofthe war?
well everything I might have to tell you.
GS; Maybe your most, strongest memory, or most scary moment Rogan 36
HS; There's one moment that Fll always remember. I was with the 25"^ Division, as an
observer, and we heard about a patrol, an American patrol, that had been sunounded and
cut off And they sent a small party to relieve them, and I went with the small paity.
And when we joined them it was nearly dark, and we dug in. And I was in a "slip", what
they called a "slip trench" meaning a long, rectangular trench, and not very deep. And as
it turns out, not as deep as I wished it had been, because the Japanese shelled us during
the night. And if a shell every landed in your trench, you were pretty w'ell done for. So I
remember lying, in the bottom of that trench which was nol far below ground level, and
putting my helmet back over the back ofmy neck hoping that il would give me added
protection. And 1 told the Lord if he'd let me get oul of thai one, 1 wouldn't deliberately
exposed myself again. So. someone heard my prayer. I was frightened, but not very
frightened.
TR; How long did you have to slay there, how long were you in the trench?
HS: All night and moved oul the next day. The Japanese had a party on the hill crest,
adjacent to where we were. And they shelled us during the night.
T"!? • lllfl •t'OU nif^f^f lltt n'ltli tho A i-ndfl/Tjiio tKof ttni />iil- nPPO
HS: Yes. That's where I was when I was in the trench.
TR: And then you were able lo make your way back? Rogan 37
HS: Yes.
TR: Were you ever involved in any other battles as heated as that, or any ones that were memorable?
HS: No. I witnessed a number including the Siege of Manila and the river crossing and the ?Panzing? River by our infantry, in small boats.
GS; Tell us about each oflhose. Can you give us a little detail around each oflhose?
TR; What was Manila like?
HS: Manila was a city under siege. But I didn't see much ofthe street fighting.
GS: And the other one you mentioned the river crossing?
HS: The American troops cut across, and shortly afterward 1 did too.
TR; Is there anything I missed asking you, that you feel is important for me to know to understand World War II? Rogan 38
HS; Just that such wars are more than possible, they are likely. And I couldn't possibly predict when but Fm pretty sure about the "if.
TR: What was your reaction to September 11, 200 L did you have a strong comiection with Pearl Harbor?
HS: No. 1 had no more knowledge of that than any olher television viewer.
TR; Do you have any further questions?
HS; No.
TR: 1 guess that's pretty much all I need to know. I want to say thank you again to both of you for helping me put this all together, I really appreciate it.
HS: Tim, I hope you got what you wanted, and if you have fijrther questions you can address them to me and I'll try lo answer.
GSr What wa<: tllP liifTlilirrlit r^f \^/r.vM W/o.- IT f^v wo-.O WTo r.fo..f^.1 *^ .,^1. most memorable battle, what were some ofthe positive highlights? Rogan 39
HS: (Pause) Thai's a hard question to answer. The best moment of World War II, for me, was when il ended. And 1 got back to my family for a while, and then there was another separation when I went to Japan. And my family never went to Japan.
GS: And you. (lo Tim Rogan) I don't know if you mind if I ask cause Fm interested, (to
Herbert Sparrow) You mentioned one slory about crossing a river and getting the infantry across, this was in the Philippines?
HS; Yes.
GS: Where were the Japanese positioned?
HS: They were over in the city of Manila, on the other side ofthe ?Panzing? River, and our mission was to drive them out. And we did that by getting our infantry across in boats.
GS; How did you tactically pull that off? Did you have sets of boats mnning up the middle and infantry going around the side?
HS; No. It wasn't a very wide river. And then they went directly across.
TR: I guess that's it. I just want to thank you both for doing this all this I really appreciate it. Rogan 40
HS: You've invoked a lot of memories for me.
TR; This has all been very helpftil.
--End-- Rogan 41
Inten'iew Analvsis
General Spanow reflects on his most tenifying moment in the Pacific, "There's one moment that Fll always remember ...I remember lying, in the bottom of that trench which was not far below ground level, and putting my helmet back over the back ofmy neck hoping that it would give me added proteclion. And I lold the Lord if he'd let me get oul of that one, I wouldn't deliberately exposed myself again. So. someone heard my prayer" (Rogan 36). This passage was taken from the oral account ofa World War II veteran. Oral History consists of collected personal stories of historical importance through interviews that have been recorded. What makes oral llistory and these interviews significanl are the questions that are answ^ered such as how and why someone did something and what their motivations and objectives were. It is important because it collects the answers to questions that have not been asked, yet providing matchless infonnation that would be lost. Historian Donald A. Ritchie stresses these points recognizing that oral history is special and an important part of historical research
(Ritchie 36). Historians must recognize the importance of oral history, "oral histoi'y, when used carefully and judiciously, along with other sources is an invaluable tool that helps us to re-create a sense ofthe past" (Wheeler). Therefore, the historical importance ofthis interview is the recorded point of view, of an American World War II veteran,
the Holocaust.
The interview with General Herbert George Sparrow covered many different topics involving the war. The firsl major point brought up was what life was like for a career military man because Herbert Sparrow spent his entire college years and career Rogan 42 involved in the Army. He was in the Pacific Theater of World War II and described how the Uniled States saw war coming before Pearl Harbor. The interviewed continued onto whal life was like when the tlueat of bombs was present. Flerbert Spanow describes how people just needed to accept the reality and that there was nothing you can do. lie continued to discuss his reaction to the Atom bombs. The World War II Memorial was discussed and Flerbert Sparrow had visited it and he felt it was good to have a memorial especially with so few WWII veterans still alive. General Sparrow lold how life in the
Pacific was difficult when holidays rolled around because you had no family there with you. He then discussed fighting the Japanese in the Pacific, General Sparrow says that he viewed them simply as the enemy and that is all you can do in the war. He also syni])athized with the Japanese-American intermnent prisoners because "mosl of them were good American citizens" and had nothing lo do with Pearl Harbor (Rogan 32). The
General also shared his views on the Holocaust and what he felt America's policy was toward il. The interview confinued and reached the topic of F.D.R. and General Sparrow expressed how he supported the president and was not critical of him. He also spoke about how being in Alliance with the USSR was uneasy but not very tumultuous. Many major points of World War II were discussed in the interview with General Herbert
Sparrow providing a spectrum of infonnation on Worid War II.
Atom Bombs. The inhumane death of one people to save another people is hardly justified by many. It was once considered that dropping the bombs saved 500.000
American lives but historian Howard Zimi disagrees with this statistics. He stales "These estimates of invasion losses were not realistic and seem lo have been pulled oul ofthe air Rogan 43 to justify bombings that, as their effects became known, horrified more and more people"
(Zinn 309). Wilh the fabrication of these numbers historians such as Gar Alpero\4iz argue that these rumors were largely supported by the government to gain suppori for the cruel bombing of Japanese cities. He states "it would be \'ery surprising indeed if the widespread and continued belief in the mistaken notion that the atomic bomb had been needed to prevent massive loss of life had simply occurred without official encouragement" (Alperovitz 12). However when General Sparrow" was asked about the
Atom Bombs he was pleased about whal happened sixty years ago. He stated "that was a great uplift for us because it really meant an end lo the war in the Pacific" (Rogan 24).
For a soldier in the Pacific Theater, having the bombs dropped was a saving grace. It became guaranteed that neither he nor any more of his friends were going to be lost to the war. It is easy for a historian in the present day lo look back at Hiroshima and Nagasaki and be upset wilh United Stales' decision, but for a Pacific Theater veteran the Atom
Bomb was the one thing standing between the American soldier and plausible death.
The Holocaust was a large component of World War II and over the recent years the way in which the United Slates handled the genocide has been debated. One argument states that the United Stales did not do enough about the genocide and in resuh banned more Jews. Howard Zinn argues "Roosevelt failed to lake steps that might have
Others believe that the United Slates could not have done more to help out the Jews and the country had its mind on winning a war. General Sparrow coinnieiits on the Flolocaust saying "I don't know we could have done more at the lime, bul it was a brutal thing"
(Rogan 31). The Holocaust was indeed bad which neither side debates but it is whether Rogan 44 the US did enough lo help the Jews that is under question. Looking at the steps the United
States took, it is clear that the countrj' did not go completely out of its way to help the
Jews, but the soldier's perspective asks 'why should the country concern itself with other people if there own men are dying?' General Sparrow staled that the President has one job and that was all Roosevelt should have been concerned with. He says '"during a war and an emergency, the responsibility as Coimnander and Chief is the main responsibility that he has. And I don'l feel critical of him at all" (Rogan 33). The debate on the United
Slates' actions towards the Holocaust is clearly difficult because so many varying issues are involved.
World War II has ended over sixty years ago and there are less and less veterans ofthe war every year. Firsl hand accounts ofthe war are hard to find and some argue that the war is being forgotten about. It is distressing lo think that an event like World War II, that shaped so much of our modern world, is being so easily forgotten. Historian Studs
Terkel acknowledges this and says that the war is becoming deeply forgotten. Fle says
"it appears that the disremberance of World War Two is ...disturbingly profound"
(Terkel 161). Terkel addresses that the remembrance of WWII is fading quickly. When asked about his opinions General Sparrow agreed saying that something as old as WWII is bound to drift from memories. General Sparrow states "I don't think it's in peoples
think about it. So ifs fading" (Rogan 25). It is clear that as time progresses, past events, even ones as important as World War II, are fading with time.
Many people look at World War II and question the motives and involvemenl of the United States. Historian Stephen Ambrose looks al World War II and sees it as one Rogan 45 ofthe greatest campaigns and actions that America has ever taken. He looks al the
American soldier and sees a sense of pride and integrity saying, "the American citizen soldier knew the difference belween right and wrong, and they didn't wanl to live in a world in w-hich wrong prevailed" (Ambrose). General Sparrow sei-ved in World War II and w4ien he was asked why the U.S. was fighting in World War II he had this to say,
"we don't lake things like Pearl Harbor lying down. So we're fighting in a sense for our integrity as a nation" (Rogan 31). General Sparrow agrees wilh Ambrose in that the
American soldier knew^ what was right and fought for it. Both points of view look at
America's actions as the correct steps to have taken.
This interview has clearly been beneficial lo understanding the history of World
War 11. Gaining the insight and story of another World War II veteran is very important because the war itself was so important. General Flerbert Sparrow was involved in the
Pacific Theater tlii-oughout the war, therefore providing a unique insight to a soldier's perspective of WWII. Flis opinions on the major parts ofthe war are documented in this inten'iew^ which further aides the overall understanding of World War II. Rogan 46
Appendix I
Till-: NKW YORK I IMl.S, IRID.W, SKI'll-.MnKR I, l''3"' GERMAN ARMY ATTACKS POLAND; CITIES BOMBED, PORT BLOCKADED
Hitler Gives Word; In a Proclamation He Accuses Warsaw of Appeal to Arms
By OTTO D. TOLISCHUS
BliRLIN, Fridnv, .Sept. i--Charging chat Ger 'l"he cc)mmandcr-ln-chlcf of ihe air force many had been attacked, Clhancellor Hitter at issued a decree etlectlve inimedlatelv prohibit 5:11 o'clock this morning issued a proclamation ing the passage of any airplanes over Cierman to die army declaring ihat tVoni now on force will territory excepting those nf" the Reich air force be met with force and calling on the armed forces or the government. "to fulfill rlieii Jntv to the end." This morning the na\;il authorities onlered The text of the proclamation reads: all Cieinian mercantile ships In the Baltic Sea noi to run ro Danzig or Polish ports. To the defense forces: Anti—air raid defenses were mobilized The Polish nation relused mv cllorts lor a thvoughour rhe country earlv this morning. peacclnl regulation ol neighborly rela- \ formal t.leelaratlon of" war against Poland rions; instead it has appealed to weapons. had 1101 vet been declaivd up ro 8 o'clock Germans in Poland are persecuted with |3 A.M. New Y(frk limel this moiiilng and the a bloody terror and are driven from their question ol whether the two coimtries are in a homes. The series of border violations, slate of active belligerency is still open. which are unbearable lo a gieat power, l-'oreign correspondents ar an olhclal confer prove that rhe Poles no longer are willing ence at the Reich Pres.s Minlstrv at Stjo o'clock to respect the German frontier. In order to 13:30 A.M. New 'I'ork time] were rold that thev put an end to this frantic activitv no other would receh'e e\'erv opportiuiitv to tacililate the niean.s is left 10 me now than 10 meet lorce transmission of dispatches. Wireless stations with force. have been instructed to speed up comnnmlca- Geiman defense forces will carry on the tions and the Ministry is Installing additional battle for the hontn^ ot the living rights ol batteries ol" telephones. the reawakened German people uidi rirtn The Reichstag has been simnnoned to meet at determination. 10 o'clock [5 A.M. New York time] to receive a
ol ihe great tradition ot eternal German The Hitler army order Is iiuerpreted as pro soldiei'v, to do his \.\[.\\.\' until the end. viding, lor the time being, armed defense of the Rememhei- always in all siiuarions you tlennan trontlers against aggression. The action are the representative.s ol National Social is also suspected ot lorclng international diplo ist Greater Germany! matic action. Long live our j">eople and oui" Reich! The Germans announced that foreigners Berlin, Sept. 1, ly^y. remain in Polish territory at their ow'n risk. .\DOLFlin"Ll-.R Idvlii" over Polish territory as well as the Rogan 47
Gfrm.ni iraj^oiii p:is! .1 u^npmt duy'tng thf Si-pmnhi'r /t)_?i) hir.isinii ol I'ohiiid. maritime areas Is forbidden by the Cieinian The government area was completelv authorities and anv \'lc)lators will be shot down. deserted, aiul the two guards doing sentry duty When I leri' lliilei- made his aimoimcerneiu In front f)l" rhe Chancellery remained their usual Berlin's streets were still deserie*.! excej^'t lor the mute s\-mbol of' authority. It was oniy when ofri- com'entional earlv ti'allle, and theiv were no otii- elal placards conraining rhe orders 10 rhe popti- waid signs that the nation was hnding itsell in hice began lo appear on the billboards that earlv the tii-st sta Article on Poland Invasion Rogan 48 Appendix II Guadalcanal 1943 Appendix III Rogan 49 Iwo Jima 1945 Appendix IV Rogan 50 Hiroshima 1945 Appendix V Rogan 51 Tokyo at the end of WWII Rogan 52 Time Indexing Recording Log 1. Intend ewer; Tim Rogan 2. Interviewee: General Flerbert George Sparrow 3. Date of Interviev/: January 7. 2006 4. Locafion of Interview: Arleigh Burke Pavilion in McLean. VA 5. Recording Formal: CD Minute Topic in Discussion Mark 2:00 Military Schooling 4:00 Pearl Harbor starting WWII 6:00 Realities of Pearl Harbor Attack 8:00 Role of Observer in the War 10:00 War Experience 12:00 Bombing of Cities 14:00 Atom Bomb Reaction 16:00 WWII becoming more distant 18:00 WWII Memorial 20:00 Friends in the War 22:00 Being away from Family 24:00 Fighting the Japanese 26:00 The U.S. is Fighting for Inlegrily 28:00 Japanese-American Internment 30:00 Separation from the U.S. 32:00 Possibilily of Cold War 34:00 Possible Japanese War before Pearl Harbor 36:00 Battle Recollection 38:00 Remembering other Battles 40:00 Comparison of September 11'" 42:00 Philippines River Crossing Rogan 53 Works Consulted Alperovitz, Gar. The Decision to Use the Atomic Bomb: and the Architecture of an American Myth. New York: Vintage Books. 1995 Ambrose, Stephen E. Citizen Soldier: The US Amiv from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge lo the Surrender of Gennany. New York: Touchstone. 1998 Brinkley, Douglas. The World War II Memorial: A Grateftil Nation Remembers. Washington, D.C; Smithsonian Books. 2004 Brinkley, Douglas. World War II: The Axis Assault. 1939-1942. New- York: Times Books Henry liolt and Company, LLC. 2003 Calvocoressi, Peter, et al. Total War: Causes and Courses ofthe Second World War. New York: Pantheon Books. 1989 Gilbert. Martin. The Second World War: A Complete Historv. New York: Hemy Holt and Company. 1989 Hofstadter. Richard. Great Issues in American History: From Reconstruction lo the Presenl Day. 1864-1981. New York: Vintage Books. 1982 Keegan, John. The Second World War. New York: Penguin Group. 1989 Ritchie, Donald A. Doing Oral Historv: A Practical Guide. New York: Oxford University Press. 2003 Roberts. Stephen Henry. The House that Hitler Built. Metbnen. 10'^Q Sparrow, Herbert George. Interviewed by Tim Rogan. 7 January, 2006 Sulzsberger, C. L. New Historv of World d War II. New York: Penguin Group. 1997 Terkel, Studs. Mv American Century. New York: The New Press. 1997 Rogan 54 Wheeler, William Bruce, et al. Discovering the American Past: A Look at the Evidence. New York. 1985 Zinn, Howard. A People's History ofthe United States. New York; The New Press. 2003