Oral History Interview with Ngaire Duncan

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral monologue by Ngaire Duncan. Duncan was born in New Zealand and lived in Wellington during the war. When American troops arrived, it brought relief to the locals, who feared a Japanese invasion. Duncan met a Marine named Jack at a social club, and the two began dating. Jack proposed, and Duncan accepted. But her mother disapproved, and Duncan reluctantly broke off the engagement. Jack returned to the States and started a family, later retiring as a lieutenant colonel. Duncan remembers the war years fondly, and how well young women were treated by the troops