Veterans recall end of World War II and atomic bomb use
Buchheit and Pfeiffer describe securing battleship areas after Japan's surrender on Sept 2 1945 and witnessing Hiroshima’s devastation. They discuss kamikaze threats, the decision to use atomic bombs, and returning home to family, work, and peace after years of war. Pfeiffer dies at 83.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Enola Gay
Hiroshima
Japan
Buchheit
Iowa
West Union
Missouri
Navy man recalls big event aboard USS Burdo in wartime harbor
William Beckley, 84, a former hospital corpsman from Tipton, recalls the USS Burdo leading an underwater demolition team as World War II ended. He describes preparing for an imminent attack, the 1945 surrender, and postwar life including two marriages, children, and a nursing home career. He later expressed that the atomic bomb should have been used earlier.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William Beckley
Burdo
San Diego
Japan
Beckley
Tipton
Indiana
Navy
Navy Seals
Hawaii
Sasebo
U.S
Surrender Ends Harsh War Lift for Army S Sgt Pfeiffer
Charles Pfeiffer of Cedar Rapids 23 an Army staff sergeant prepared to invade Japan through Tokyo harbor He had seen heavy action on Okinawa His unit G Company 106th Infantry started with 217 men and 77 survived He recalled tough battles with bamboo sticks or machine guns and feared high casualties on both sides
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chapman
Nagashima
Tokyo
Brooklyn
Italy
Irvin Chapman
Army Air Force
la Verne
Iowa
Cedar Rapids
Rockwell Collins
Charles Pfeiffer
Japan
Okinawa
106Th Infantry
Pfeiffer
Sailor helped secure Japanese mainland before surrender
Navy Communications Mate Carl Kintzel served on the USS Wisconsin in World War II and volunteered in August 1945 to secure the Japanese mainland before the surrender ceremony. He described discovering Yokosuka hill tunnels, supported using atomic bombs, and noted MacArthur predicted up to 2 million casualties. He later built a fallout shelter for his family during the Cold War.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dick Hogan
Carl Kintzel
Wisconsin
Kintzel
Cedar Rapids
Japan
MacArthur
U.S.S.R
Solon man recalls joy as Japan surrenders ends WWII
Kenneth Thompson, 79, of rural Solon, who turned 20 the day Japan surrendered, recalls how Truman became his hero as his Army unit helped disarm Japan. He volunteers that many Japanese pilots died in raids and that after surrender the people were grateful and welcoming.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dick Hogan
Kenneth Thompson
Solon
Japan
Harry Truman
Thompson
Iwo Jima
Waterloo
frightened as kamikaze attacks haunt WWII veteran
Roy Rippel, 88, of Vinton, a former USS Kitkun Bay seaman second class, recalled the October 1944 kamikaze raids and shelling that left him recovering in Idaho. He said he was scared and lost many friends, later becoming a Benton County conservation officer before retirement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dick Hogan
Roy Rippel
Vinton
Farragut
Idaho
Japan
Kitkun Bay
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Great Plains Gas/National Propane
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Army/Air Force
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Les Brown
P.A
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Enuay
Dick.hogan
Gazettecommunications.com
William Beckley Tipton
C.R. Sailor
Yokosuka
Collins Radio Electrical
John Paul Schafer
the Gazette
Roy Ripper
Benton County
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