- Collection:
- Veterans History Project: Oral History Interviews
- Title:
- Oral history interview of Robert E. McCann
- Creator:
- Bruckner, William Joseph, 1944-
McCann, Robert E., 1926-2020 - Publisher:
- Atlanta, Ga. : Kenan Research Center
- Date of Original:
- 2016-03-14
- Subject:
- World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
World War, 1939-1945--Prisoners and prisons, Japanese
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean
World War, 1939-1945--Atrocities
World War, 1939-1945--Amphibious operations
Liberty Ships
Typhoons
United States. Navy. Amphibious Force
Saint Paul (Ship)
Franklin (Aircraft carrier) - People:
- Kuribayashi, Tadamichi, 1890 or 1891-1945
- Location:
- Guam, 13.47861, 144.81834
Japan, Iwo Jima, 24.78516755, 141.324132661137
Japan, Okinawa, 26.53806, 127.96778
United States, California, San Diego County, Coronado, 32.68589, -117.18309
United States, Hawaii, Maui, 20.8029568, -156.310683316022
United States, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County, Wilkinsburg, 40.44174, -79.88199 - Medium:
- oral histories (literary works)
- Type:
- Moving Image
- Format:
- video/mp4
- Description:
- In this interview, Bob McCann recalls his service in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II. He remembers his growing up years during the Great Depression and how his father would put cardboard in his children's shoes because they could not afford to buy new shoes. An uncle advised him to join the Navy when he was 17 and he describes amphibious training in Coronado, California. He became the coxswain of a Higgins boat crew that participated in the invasion of Iwo Jima. He describes evacuating wounded Marines and recalls seeing the USS Franklin and the USS Saint Paul sailing away for repairs despite horrific battle damage. He remembers being in "Halsey's Typhoon" in 1944 and describes that experience. He recalls taking on Japanese prisoners as well as rescuing Nationalist Chinese troops. His ship participated in the landings at Okinawa and he remembers being the first American ship in Yokohama Harbor after the war. He describes his homecoming and his post-military family and life. He returned to Iwo Jima many years later where he met the grandson of Japanese General Tadamichi Kuribayashi and finally felt forgiveness toward the Japanese for the loss of his friends in combat.
Coxswain; shakedown cruise; perspective drawing; Boat #23; Boat #26; Higgins boats; USS Napa (APA-157); broach; beach master; hospital ship; dry dock; Eddy Test; "Halsey's Typhoon"; first loader; points; skeleton crew; Mt. Suribachi
Bob McCann served in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II. - Metadata URL:
- http://album.atlantahistorycenter.com/cdm/ref/collection/VHPohr/id/812
- 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:
- 1:13:23
- 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:
-
