John T. Roshto Interview (2007)
World War II Oral Histories
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Interview
Place Covered: Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, Philippines, Canal Zone, Panama
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2007-09-20
Duration: 01:04:38
Subjects: Roshto, John T. | World War II | Military | Veterans | World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal narratives | Merchant marine -- United States | Civilian Conservation Corps (U.S.) | Ships | World War, 1939-1945 -- Naval operations, German
Contributors:
- Roshto, John T. Interviewee
- Lefebvre, Marian Interviewer
Description
An oral history interview conducted on September 20, 2007, with John T. Roshto, a member of the Merchant Marines during World War II. He discusses: his service in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) before the war; joining the Merchant Marines; the preparations made to ships before they could sail; refueling submarines around the world; his experience of a shipping accident on the Mississippi River; the high number of German submarine attacks off the coast of Florida; his travels in the Pacific; the murder of a chief cook on one of his ships; witnessing the sinking of a German submarine in the Gulf of Mexico; getting lead poisoning; working in the Panama Canal Zone; and meeting his wife after the war. He also shares his passports and photographs from World War II.