April 07, 2014 | Vol. 20 No. 30

 

 

Paul Boller to appear on TV's "History Detectives" June 28
Published: 6/20/2011

Boller

Retired TCU history professor Paul Boller, a Japanese translator during World War II, will discuss his experiences on PBS June 28.

On Tuesday, June 28, Paul F. Boller, best-selling author and TCU professor emeritus of history, will appear on an episode of “History Detectives,” a television series that appears on PBS at 8 p.m. CDT.

 

Dr. Boller was a Navy intelligence officer during World War II on the staff of Admiral Chester Nimitz, both at Pearl Harbor and at Guam, during U.S. bombings of Japan.

 

He was trained to speak Japanese and served as a translator for the Navy, assigned to the department of psychological warfare. Boller worked to help prepare leaflets that were preemptively dropped on cities before they were bombed, warning citizens to evacuate.

 

The television episode will focus on the deciphering of a WWII propaganda leaflet, with Boller’s help and expertise.

 

“History Detectives” is devoted to exploring the complexities of historical mysteries, searching out the facts, myths and conundrums that connect local folklore, family legends and interesting objects.

 

Each hour-long episode of “History Detectives” features three investigations that delve into family legends, local folklore and stories behind potentially extraordinary objects in everyday American homes, cities and small towns. Follow the twists and turns of each investigation and find out more about the historical events that shaped America.

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