Scope and arrangement

Capt. Zirkle, a native of Washington, D.C., recounts his early background, his attendance a prep school, and his experiences at the U.S. Naval Academy. He describes an episode involving the transport of code books by train across the United States, his assignment to the USS CALIFORNIA, and his assignment to the USS MASSACHUSETTS after the sinking of the CALIFORNIA at Pearl Harbor. Comments pertain to involvement in the North African invasion, their attack upon a French battleship, his service in WESTPAC with Task Force 38 and 58, and his departure from the MASSACHUSETTS for flight training.

Interview #2 focuses on flight training at Corpus Christi, Texas in 1943, assignment to the USS GUAM for the remainder of W.W. II, flying assignments off the USS MIDWAY and USS CORAL SEA, duty as skipper of ASW squadron flying off CVEs, attendance at War College, assignment to TICONDEROGA, and duty at the Pentagon.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Gift of Joseph C. Zirkle

Processing information

Encoded by Apex Data Services

Copyright notice

Repository does not own copyright to the oral history collection. Permission to cite, reproduce, or broadcast must be obtained from both the repository and the participants in the oral history, or their heirs.

Metadata Rights Declaration

General note

1917-1950s

Key terms

Personal Names

Zirkle, Joseph C.

Corporate Names

California (Battleship : BB-44)
Guam (Cruiser)
Massachusetts (Battleship : BB-59)
United States Naval Academy--History
United States. Navy--Aviation
United States. Navy--Officers--Interviews

Topical

Pearl Harbor (Hawaii), Attack on, 1941
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Africa, North
World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean

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