James Fleck
Colin Fleck
Mr. Thomas
US History Per. 5
11 May 2006
Interview with James Fleck
C: Where were you stationed during World War II?
J: San Francisco was the place where I was in boot camp. I was stationed aboard the AKA-1, which was a cargo ship. We delivered gasoline to the Philippines for the aircraft and food to Iwojima.
C: What was your job?
J: I was a diesel machinist. I also helped paint everything gray because the navy ships at that time were all gray.
C: Were you involved in any major battles?
J: No not really, but we were attacked once by Japanese planes flying over but there was no damage.
C: Do you have any interesting stories?
J: Well, our ship was the last ship out and back in from every mission because we were on what was called the Captain’s gig. We were the captain’s escort to wherever he needed to be. At one time our assignment was to pick up the 12th air force from Korea and move them to the Philippines. They were, you know an occupying force and they were pretty happy to be leaving Korea.
C: What places in the Pacific do you remember visiting?
J: Well we visited Okinawa and also Hiroshima. We visited Iwojima; do you know what I Iwojima was?
C: No what was it?
J: That’s that famous picture of the three or four guys pushing up the American flag.
C: Where else did you visit?
J: The Solomon Islands and we never really stopped at the Marshal Islands but we passed right by.
C: Well is there anything else that you want to add or remember, were there any famous high ranking officers that you came in contact with?
J: No, not really.
C: Thank you.