Oral History Interview with Rolland Briar, December 6, 2008

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Robert Simmons. Simmons joined the Navy in July 1943 and received basic training in San Diego. He received electro-hydraulics training and was assigned to the USS Davis (DD-395) as a gunner’s mate, his battle station in the lower forward handling room, sending up five-inch shells. He participated in the invasion of Normandy, providing support to troops landing on Omaha Beach. After escorting the USS Texas (BB-35) back to England and attempting a return trip with supplies, the Davis hit a mine and was sent to Scotland for repairs. Simmons returned to the States, where he was diagnosed with asthma and given a medical discharge. He claims to have not suffered any psychological impacts from witnessing drownings at Normandy, but his wife recalls that Simmons would become so nervous watching news reels that they would often leave the theater early together. Description: The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Rolland Briar. Briar joined the Navy in 1940 and received basic training at Great Lakes. Upon completion, he was assigned to the USS Dixie (AD-14) where he was chosen as staff for the Commander of Pacific Fleet Destroyers (ComDesPac). The staff was moved to the USS Whitney (AD-4), which Briar was aboard during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was ordered below decks until the bombing ended, but he still heard the explosion of the USS Arizona (BB-39). When he went topside later that afternoon, he saw terrible smoke and fire throughout East Loch. He spent the next month assigning survivors to new ships. Briar was then sent to Northwestern to study business administration under the V-12 program and was assigned to Saipan as an aviation supply clerk. Although he planned on making a career in the Navy, he disliked Saipan so much that he asked to be discharged soon after the war ended. Although he planned on making a career in the Navy, he disliked Saipan so much that he asked to be discharged soon after the war ended