Oral History Interview with Wayne Chambers, December 6, 2001

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Wayne Chambers. Chambers joined the Naval Reserve in September of 1940. He completed the V-7 Officer Training Program. Beginning September of 1941, he served in the Engineering Department aboard USS Henley (DD-391). They were moored in East Loch at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked. In May of 1942 they rescued survivors of USS Neosho (AO-23) and USS Sims (DD-409), sunk during the Battle of the Coral Sea. They protected Marines landing on Guadalcanal, and remained in the area screening ships bringing in supplies and reinforcements. In June of 1943 Chambers transferred to the USS Quincy (CA-71). In June of 1944 they participated in the invasion of Normandy. In that same month they traveled to Cherbourg, France providing bombardment of the batteries surrounding the city in conjunction with the Army ground assault. Chambers returned to the US and was discharged in December of 1945