Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Paul Edward Plesha Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 184th Infantry Regiment; 37th Infantry Regiment; 148th Infantry Regiment
- Location of Service: Camp San Luis Obispo, California; San Diego, California; Aleutian Islands; Dutch Harbor (Alaska); Camp Hood, Texas
- Highest Rank: First Sergeant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/12705
Arriving at Dutch Harbor at midnight in June, 1942, First Sergeant Paul Plesha barely had time to sleep before he woke to the sound of a ship firing--and the start of combat with the Japanese. In recounting the battle, he recalls instances of losing men under his command, friendly fire, and enemy planes flying so close to the ground that he could see the pilot's face. He spent the next 20 months in the Aleutians, coping with frigid conditions and lack of infrastructure, before returning to the States.
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayArriving at Dutch Harbor at midnight the night before the attack; waking to gunfire. 00:05:35.0 - 00:07:22.0
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PlayFormulating a battle plan; staying close to the ground; losing one man; watching a Japanese Zero plan fly overhead and seeing the pilot's face. 00:07:23.0 - 00:10:44.0
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PlayBackground on invasion of Attu. 00:13:44.0 - 00:15:34.0
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PlaySent back to Attu; landing unopposed; high rate of friendly fire because his troops weren't expected; losing two men. 00:16:06.0 - 00:20:17.0
About this Item
Title
- Paul Edward Plesha Collection
Names
- Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Sacramento, CA
- Plesha, Paul Edward
- Cooper, Doug
- G. Hoberman / L. Rogaski
Home State
- California
Headings
- - Plesha, Paul Edward
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Form
- VHS
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 184th Infantry Regiment; 37th Infantry Regiment; 148th Infantry Regiment
- Location of Service: Camp San Luis Obispo, California; San Diego, California; Aleutian Islands; Dutch Harbor (Alaska); Camp Hood, Texas
- Highest Rank: First Sergeant
- Dates of Service: 1940-1945
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2004-02-24)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/12705
Cite as
- Paul Edward Plesha Collection (AFC/2001/001/12705), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Part of
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Aleutian Islands
- Camp Hood, Texas
- Camp San Luis Obispo, California
- Dutch Harbor (Alaska)
- San Diego, California