Title: Joseph C. Zirkle oral history interview, June 25, 1993 and June 25, 1995

Identifier: OH0137   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/21612)

Description: Oral History Interview of Capital Joseph C. Zirkle. Captain 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 Class of 1941. 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, duty at the Pentagon, and duty at Naval Air Station Whiting Field. Interviewer: Donald R. Lennon.