Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Manuel Castro Perez Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Service Unit/Ship: Navy Amphibious Service, 38th Task Force
- Location of Service: Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Seaman First Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/10017
Manuel Perez enlisted in the Navy in 1943, despite the initial reservations of his wife, and the pain of leaving his two small children. A recent immigrant to the United States, he felt a sense of duty to his new country; he chose the Navy because he wanted to see some action in the Pacific. He got his wish while working on a small Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) ship: he and his crew witnessed some of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific while patrolling the waters off Tinian, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, and Pelelieu.
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayReasons for his decision to enlist; persuading his wife that he should join the Navy. 00:01:22.2 - 00:02:50.8
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PlayWhere his ship traveled; seeing Japanese civilians jumping off the cliffs in Saipan; going to Tinian. 00:05:43.5 - 00:07:49.1
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PlayThe first time his ship sustained a casualty; seeing a demolitions expert being blown up in front of him. 00:13:51.3 - 00:15:01.5
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PlayGoing through a typhoon while off the coast of Pelelieu; difficulty of battle on Pelelieu; his ship sent to navigate and patrol the shallow waters the large ships couldn't get to; dodging mines and coral reefs. 00:15:57.0 - 00:17:22.4
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PlayLimitations of facilities on a small ship; having to rinse clothes with salt water; running short of supplies; scavenging supplies; dealing with constant pressure. 00:17:22.6 - 00:19:17.8
About this Item
Title
- Manuel Castro Perez Collection
Names
- Diaz, Jesse M.
- G. Hoberman / L. Rogaski
- Perez, Manuel Castro
- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Sacramento, CA
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Perez, Manuel Castro
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Hispanic
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Service Unit/Ship: Navy Amphibious Service, 38th Task Force
- Location of Service: Pacific Theater
- Highest Rank: Seaman First Class
- Dates of Service: 1943-1945
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: Digital Betacam [1 item] -- Digitized Copy (collected 2003-04-28)
- Video: MiniDV [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003-04-28)
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Reference copy (collected 2003-04-28; 2006-01-06)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/10017
Online Format
- image
- video