Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Howard Bernstein Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Squadron VPB-135
- Location of Service: Attu Island (Aleutian Islands)
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/16713
Like so many pilots during World War II, Navy Lieutenant Howard Bernstein began flying planes without ever having set foot in one as a civilian. Enlisting on December 7, 1942, he fought hard to fly: initially failing the eye examination for new pilots, he ate carrots and drank milk for a month, in order to improve his eyesight and pass the test on the second go. Arriving in the Aleutians, he flew bombing missions from Attu to the Kuril Islands situated northwest of Japan; at around 750 miles, these were considered extremely long flights. In his interview, he stresses the importance of remembering the casualties of World War II as well as the victories.
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayDeciding to apply for the Navy pilot program; failing depth perception test; eating lots of vitamin C; interviewing with Naval officers. 00:13:02.3 - 00:18:11.9
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PlayIntroduction to flying; going up in an airplane for the first time. 00:28:38.4 - 00:29:32.0
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PlayReceiving special training for flying in bad weather; purpose of bombing missions. 00:41:06.8 - 00:45:26.3
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PlayRemembering the tragedies, losses and fear of the war; losing cousin at Pearl Harbor; childhood friends who died while serving. 00:51:54.5 - 00:54:21.7
About this Item
Title
- Howard Bernstein Collection
Names
- Arends, Don
- Bernstein, Howard
- Thompson, Dave
- Palm Springs Air Museum
Home State
- Illinois
Headings
- - Bernstein, Howard
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Form
- DVD
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: Navy
- Unit of Service: Squadron VPB-135
- Location of Service: Attu Island (Aleutian Islands)
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant
- Dates of Service: 1942-1946
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Video: DVD [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2003; 1999-12-31)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/16713
Cite as
- Howard Bernstein Collection (AFC/2001/001/16713), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video