Oral History Interview with William McLemore, July 30, 2009

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with William McLemore. McLemore joined the Navy in March of 1934. Beginning in November he served aboard the USS Augusta (CA-31), with Chester Nimitz as the Commanding Officer. McLemore???s job was swabbing down the decks and serving as twin 50mm gunner. They traveled to Chang Jiang, China, Shanghai, the Solomon Islands, the Philippines and Australia. He provides some details of his experiences in China and Australia. He was discharged from the Navy as Seaman First Class in 1938 and reenlisted as a coxswain in May of 1942. He was assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 8 aboard PT-121, and operated on the south coast of New Britain. Their boat was destroyed by Australian aircraft on 27 March 1944. He later served aboard the liberty ship SS John B. Floyd as a coxswain. They traveled to Cairns, Australia. He was discharged in December of 1945