- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of R. Don Comstock, Jr.
- Creator:
- Gardner, Robert D.
Comstock, R. Don, Jr., 1921-2010 - Date of Original:
- 2004-11-04
- Subject:
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
Liberto, V. A.
King, J. W.
Dorman, Robert L., 1920-2010
Hanna, Avery (?)
Naumann, Casper
Hirtsher (?), Mark
Santo Tomas Internment Camp (Manila, Philippines)
Bilibid Prison (Manila, Philippines)
United States. Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, Columbia University
United States. Navy. Fleet, 7th
Lykes Brothers Steamship Company - Location:
- Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay, -10.0226491, 151.5800288
Philippines, Samar, 11.833333, 125.0
United States, Florida, Escambia County, Pensacola, 30.42131, -87.21691
United States, Georgia, 32.75042, -83.50018
United States, Georgia, Atlanta Metropolitan Area, 33.8498, 84.4383
United States, Louisiana, Orleans Parish, New Orleans, 29.95465, -90.07507 - Medium:
- video recordings (physical artifacts)
mini-dv - Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/quicktime
- Description:
- In this interview, Don Comstock remembers his naval career in the Pacific during World War II. He enlisted in the Navy's V-7 program, was sent to Columbia University, becoming first a deck officer, then a gunnery officer and then working his way up to ship's navigator. He traveled from San Francisco, California, to Australia with stops in Townsville and Brisbane riding a train they dubbed "The Toonerville Trolley" before joining his ship in New Guinea. His ship's mission was to keep the fleet supplied; sometimes they picked up liberated American POWs and transported them to Luzon. Another journey required them to navigate through the San Bernardino Straights, which featured a fast-moving current. He describes in great detail the features of his ship, and recalls sailing back to the United States under the Golden Gate Bridge which was decorated with a banner that said "Welcome Home, Well Done." He reports that he kept contact with many of his shipmates and recounts his career after the war.
Don Comstock was an officer in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/342
- Additional Rights Information:
- This material is protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.
- Extent:
- 31:57
- Original Collection:
- Veterans History Project oral history recordings
Veterans History Project collection, MSS 1010, Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center - Holding Institution:
- Atlanta History Center
- Rights:
-
