Interview with Clarence Gunther, September 21, 1987

Interview Summary

Clarence Gunther served as a gunner in the Navy. He was aboard the USS Farragut during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was wounded twice in the first few minutes of fighting. Gunther describes the confusion of the Americans during the first wave of the attack, their delayed response during the second wave, and the destruction in the aftermath. He recalls the scene along Battleship Row, including burning and sinking ships, and sailors swimming through fuel-oil fires. Gunther also survived a kamikaze attack aboard the USS St. George, off the coast of Okinawa. He discusses the attack and briefly mentions other actions in the Pacific, including the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Interview Keyword

military service experience War Veterans World War II World War II veterans

Interview LC Subject

Gunther, Clarence Gunther, Clarence--Interviews Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941 World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, Japanese World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American

Interview Rights

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.