About
The focus of this web site is World War II in the Pacific; World War II because I lived on the island of Saipan in the Marianas, where for five years I researched and wrote my first book, "Saipan: Oral Histories of the Pacific War" followed by three others also on the subject of the Pacific War. All four books are the product of both archival research and oral history interviews.
Since January 2004, we have lived in New Plymouth, New Zealand, where I continue to write.
Read more »Books
At War in the Pacific: Personal Accounts of WWII Navy and Marine Corps Officers
More than 16 million Americans served in the military during World War II, and nearly 3 million of them spent time in the Pacific theater. Before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States looked to graduates of the naval academy to fill its need for qualified officers.
Read all books »Oral Histories
Norman Stanton: "I hated the war and the navy"
Mr. Norman Stanton was born in 1924, in Oakland, California. He was one of six children, four of whom were boys. His two older brothers, Joe and Walt, went into the Navy before Pearl Harbor. His forth brother had a medical deferment, and Mr. Stanton en
Read more »Proud to be Maori - Bert Wipiti
Bert Wipiti, the first Maori airman to leave Aotearoa for active duty after he joined the RNZAF in 1941. A war hero who was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his efforts. Watch on Maori Television
Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific War
Pacific War - Over Sexed, Over Paid & Over Here Low
by Bruce M. Petty aboard Sun Princess, May 2017
Luganville Pacific War Remembered LBurrafato
Espiritu Santo--supply & support base in WWII. Narrated by Bruce M. Petty. Filmed by Leanardo Burrafato.
Pacific War Missing in Action
by Bruce M. Petty aboard Dawn Princess, May 2012
Latest articles
My article is featured in Naval History - "Jump-Starting Japanese Naval Aviation"
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My article is featured in October 2019 WWII History - "Kiwi, Moa, and the Sinking of I-1" where a pair of minesweepers teamed up to sink a Japanese submarine off Guadalcanal
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My article is featured in WWII History - "NROTC Success" where Naval ROTC graduate William C. Myers served in World War II and went on to remain a career naval officer
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