Skip to Main content

Find Stories

Media 17

Cruise Charter “Into the Wind” from F.G. Acosta, F.G. Acosta
Photos taken from the Cruise Charter “Into the Wind”. 

E. C. Swafford: Artifacts from World War II, Ernest Carroll Swafford
The items in this collection are selected from the Ernest C. Swafford collection. They represent menus collected by Mr. Swafford during his military service in the Second World War.

E. C. Swafford: Images from World War II, Ernest Carroll Swafford
The items in this collection are selected from the Ernest C. Swafford collection. They represent images collected by Mr. Swafford during his military service in the Second World War.

Garlend Armstrong’s Photographs and Memorabilia, Garlend Armstrong
This collection includes photos from Armstrong’s time serving in the Navy during World War II as well as a few tokens he collected.

Interview with Caesar Melendez, Caesar Melendez
Interview with Caesar Melendez, a native of Marfa, Texas who served in the U.S. Navy. Melendez was stationed in Hawaii for much of his time serving, though he often travelled on the U.S.S. Willamette. Aboard the Willamette, he saw many other countries, including Australia, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, Japan, and more. 

Interview with Garlend Armstrong, Garlend Armstrong
In this interview, Garlend Armstrong, a World War II veteran, recounts his experiences in the Pacific Theater. He guided landing craft and was involved in troop transport and rescue operations. He entered the service in 1944 and left in 1946.

Interview with J. W. Young, J. W. Young
J. W. Young recounts his experiences serving aboard the U.S.S. Yancey during the Korean War.

Interview with Rodney Reagan, Rodney E. Reagan
Mr. Reagan discusses his service in the U.S. Navy during the Second World War. He also mentions his time in the Philippines.

Interview with Ronald McWilliams, Ronald McWilliams
In this interview, Ronald McWilliams talks about his years of service in the United States Navy and, later, the United States Air Force. He speaks to his experiences as a medic on a hospital ship and talks about the educational benefits of military service.

Interview with Steve McNeal, Steve McNeal
In this interview, Steve McNeal recounts over twenty years of service in the United States Navy as a member of the intelligence community. McNeal emphasizes the close and enduring friendships he made during his service and mentions the many different countries he explored while in the Navy.

Interview with Virgilio Flores, Virgilio Flores
In this interview, Flores discusses some of his most vivid memories of the war including the actions for which he earned the Silver Star. After his combat experience with the Army, Flores underwent medicinal training as an officer with the Navy to become a doctor.

Korean War Images by J. W. Young, J. W. Young
J. W. Young took these images during the Korean War.

“Peril on the Sea” by Michael Gonzales, Jr., Michael Gonzales, Jr.
A personal account from Michael Gonzales Jr., who served as the Navy Combat Information Center watch supervisor aboard the minesweeper U.S.S. Dextrous during the Persian Gulf War.  

“The Forgotten History; The Mining Campaigns of Vietnam 1967-1973” by Michael Gonzales, Jr., Michael Gonzales Jr.
Chief Michael Gonzales, Jr. reveals the importance of the naval mining operations during the Vietnam War.

“The Norfolk Incident” by Michael Gonzales, Jr., Michael Gonzales, Jr.
Chief Michael Gonzales, Jr. recounts a harrowing incident off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia.

“The Warrington Incident” by Michael Gonzales, Jr., Michael Gonzales
Chief Michael Gonzales, Jr. recounts how two naval mines caused heavy damage to the U.S.S. Warrington.

“Torpedo in the Jungle” by Michael Gonzales, Jr., Michael Gonzales, Jr.
Chief Michael Gonzales, Jr. recounts an incident of the Vietnam War where he had to arm a naval mine in the jungle.

People/Units 10

F.G. Acosta, Navy Reserves


Virgilio V. Flores, Army Navy 

Michael Gonzales, Navy 
Mineman Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare)

Steve McNeal, Navy 

Ronald McWilliams, Air Force Navy Reserves

Caesar Melendez, Navy 
Enlisted (Boatswain’s Mate)


Ernest Carroll Swafford, Navy 
Yeoman, Third Class

J. W. Young, Navy