Stories by Media
Stories by Location
The War, Ken Burns’ seven-part documentary series directed and produced by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, was the most-watched PBS series of the past 10 years. It explored the history and horror of the Second World War from an American perspective by following the fortunes of so-called ordinary men and women who become caught up in one of the greatest cataclysms in human history.
WILL-TV’s Central Illinois World War II Stories was developed in conjunction with the Ken Burns’ series.
Visit The War web site on PBS.org
Share Your Story
PBS is gathering WWII stories from viewers across the United States. Upload your story to PBS for sharing with all other viewers. If you need assistance, contact Mary Barrineau or Jack Brighton at 217-333-1070.
This project supported in part by:
Clark Lindsey Village
Ecowater Systems
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #601
Strawberry Fields
Steamatic
WETA
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
WILL Stories
In stories on WILL radio, television and the Web, WILL looks at the war from many perspectives: men in battle on land and at sea, Japanese-American families in internment camps, conscientious objectors, women in the service, African-Americans at Chanute Air Force Base, German POWs in Hoopeston.
Oral History Interview: Ralph Rinehart of Decatur
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Ralph Reinhart grew up in the Midwest and until becoming a part of World War II, had never seen the ocean or been in a ship. After going through basic training and learning on a cannon and other artillery from WWI, he was sent to Australia where he served with a boat company in a variety of positions, from deck hand to tug boat skipper. The company moved through the South Pacific islands following a number of major battles, securing the areas and moving equipment. Reinhart kept a journal so he would remember his time in the service and the men with whom he served. He speaks movingly of being lucky enough to live through the war and returning with 300 men he calls friends.
RealVideo archive:
Wartime Decatur
Aird on WILL-TV's "Prairie Fire" on April 10, 2008
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In World War II, soldiers from Decatur, Ill., served in North Africa, Italy, the Philippines and Germany. Local volunteers rolled bandages, collected food, and recycled bales of paper and heaps of scrap metal. Citizens planted victory gardens and bought war bonds and savings stamps. Dan Guillory’s book, “Wartime Decatur: 1832 & 1945” documents the vigorous wartime culture based on community involvement and a strong sense of patriotism. Prairie Fire talks to Guillory about his stories of service both on and off the battlefield. Then producer Denise La Grassa recounts the experiences of Decatur’s Carl Mocabee, who was a master sergeant in the Army stationed in the Philippines and New Guinea. He received a Purple Heart and Silver Star during his service.
RealVideo archive:
Illinois' Tuskegee Airmen
Aired on Feb. 19, 2008, on WILL-AM
The story of the Tuskegee Airmen began as an experiment and ended by proving the ability of many African-American servicemen. The military’s first black pilots withstood animosity to fight America’s enemies overseas while continuing to fight racism on the home front. This story by WILL-AM’s Jeff Bossert looks at the paths taken by two of the first members of the Army Air Corps’ 99th Pursuit Squadron. Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul was the first training ground for these officers. AM 580’s Jeff Bossert spoke with the widows of two men, Bill Thompson and Ellsworth Dansby, who helped pave the way for many others:
Audio archives:
Play Now:RealAudio archive | downloadable MP3
Decatur Veteran's Diary Details Three Momentous Days
Ralph Rinehart, a skipper of small craft such as tugboats and landing craft during World War II, kept a diary. Here, in an excerpt, he describes hearing about the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Had Japan not surrendered, Rinehart was to have been in the fifth wave of the invasion of Tokyo planned for October, 1945.
8/12/1945 In the Philippines
At 10 p.m., Nick Pucci, who had spent the evening downtown, returned to our tug with the news that an entire city (Nagasaki) had been destroyed by a single bomb. We assured Nick, who was highly excited, that he must have got some bad whiskey. However, a boat next to ours confirmed via their radio that the news was indeed true. Thus began the three most momentous days of my life.
The First to Enlist for Chanute's All-Black 99th Pursuit Squadron
Eunice Dansby Gingrey of Decatur, Ill., describes the early flying exploits and World War II experiences of her late husband, Tuskegee Airman Ellsworth Dansby Jr.
Oral History Interview: Merle Roughton of Decatur
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Merle Roughton was 17 in 1940 when he joined the 106th Cavalry Regiment Illinois National Guard, which was called into service in November of 1940. He served in France with the 106th Cavalry – Mechanized from June 1944 to October 1945, and he remained in the 106th Cavalry until 1952. Throughout WWII, Merle Roughton served primarily with the same group of Urbana, Ill., friends that joined the Cavalry together. They landed at Normandy, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and finally served with Patton’s Third Army.
RealVideo archive:
Audio archives:
Play Now:RealAudio archive | downloadable MP3