D-Day HERO Shot Down 6 Planes, Surprised and Destroyed Nazi Tanks | Irving Locker

Irving Locker stands just 5'1" tall, but despite being short in stature, he felt compelled to serve after Pearl Harbor and participated in some of the fiercest battles of World War II.
On June 6, 1944 Locker was one of the 156,000 soldiers to storm the beaches of Normandy, landing at Utah Beach and provided anti-aircraft cover for the invasion. Six months later, Locker was a 19-year-old Staff Sergeant moving through the hedgerows of France.
During the brutal winter of 1944, Locker participated in the Battle of the Bulge by provided air and artillery cover for Allied troops desperately trying to fend off the last major German offensive of WWII.
As his unit moved into Germany, Locker helped liberate the Gardelegen Concentration Camp. As a Jewish-American Soldier the liberation of the camp had a profound and lasting impact on his life.
Interview recorded on June 27, 2023
Video Credits:
Editor - Daniel Taksas
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
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[@americanveteranscenter]

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[@codys925914]

When will you remove the war criminal George Bush's comment "good will prevail"?

[@ShellbackUSN]

God bless this man. From one Veteran to another, thank you for your service! Freedom isn’t free and God bless America!

[@danrieke9988]

As I told a group of people once, "I was not a hero. But I served in the company of 224 of them." D.V. Rieke, STG-3, USS Turner Joy (DD-951), Vietnam War and Cold War Era.

[@gillianbullock2456]

What a humble man ……..freedom isn’t free, such a profound statement especially in light of today’s World.

[@djchinot7229]

As a 31 yr old, im fascinated with history. It all started at the age of 7. Thank you for your service

[@slvr951]

The men and women of WWII were without a doubt the best generation. Both my Grandfathers fought, one in Europe, the other in the Pacific. My grandmother built bombers in Fort Worth. I miss them all.

[@darrengilbert7438]

Mr Locker was really a great storyteller. He speaks very well and made his story interesting. He has an amazing memory to be his age. I really respect his sacrifice and his service.

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for your service, sacrifice and courage for freedom and our nation ❤🇺🇸🩵

[@BotsWeekendCovers]

I could sit and listen to this heros stories all day. A sincere THANK YOU to all our veterans, your sacrifice never we unnoticed. I pity our youth today as they have no idea why they can speak and act the way they do.

[@jonnybo5890]

My grandfather may have talked to this man during the Normandy landing.. He was a radio man and landed on utah beach as well.

[@RBLevin]

Ditto my father. He was a medic.

[@Leo_Pard_A4]

My grandfather was already there.

[@4thamendment237]

​@@Leo_Pard_A4Was meinst du damit, dass er schon da war? war er deutsch?

[@slackdaddy1912]

What a life, from rags to riches while being rich all along………a true hero! I’m sure he made a wonderful dad!

[@dinxsy8069]

I sure hope this chaps kids and grandchildren, maybe even great grandchildren appreciate his stories and contribution to the history of the US and world

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

These interviews are awe inspiring. This generation were tough as nails, not just the men, ALL of them. Two generations down and im worried like hell for the next gen. Thank you for the content! Thank these brave Patriots for their service.

[@sonnyjs15]

Thank you guys for documenting our beautiful American history. Truly.

[@dougf1592]

Best quote “freedom is not free.”

[@DSToNe19and83]

Never was… it’s always paid in blood

[@lestercoons3962]

Alot of people today take it for granted. They feel entitled. Like so many before and after me, I paid a price for freedom...I understand what it costs...

[@keepinitsk8a516]

I can hear these stories all day, thank you for capturing them before they weren’t lost to history.

[@lingmingching1]

Thank you for sharing this. Thank you, Mr. Locker.

[@asullivan4047]

Interesting and informative. Special thanks to veteran staff sergeant Locker. Sharing personal information/combat experiences making this documentary more authentic and possible. Fighting/perishing/surviving knowing certain death/debilitating wounds were often times possible. That's true grit style determination to succeed.

[@user-zq3hc9ip6x]

It's about Gratitude. God bless brave men who fought for us when we couldn't.

[@johndilday1846]

This was a wonderful story. My father was in the 127 AAA gun Battalion in the motor pool company. He cross-trained with the machine gunners.

[@mirquellasantos2716]

Thank you for your service, hero.

[@richardthornhill4630]

Wonderful story of his experiences. Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

[@Jordan-D26]

My grandfather was in life magazine, standing in the barn he talks about with two other men. Showed me it before he passed and I still have the magazine.

[@Droodog127]

the Gardelegen page on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has that picture I think

[@MurCurieux]

I am only here b/c of men like this. Thank-you sir, from the bottom of my heart.

[@squint04]

Deepest thanks for your service sir!!

[@chriscolemusicalsound]

it’s important that we keep this generation’s memories alive after they pass into history.

[@kennethcaine3402]

Great video with a brave Hero, such a great memory of everything. Some things you can't forget.

[@chillis28]

Much respect Sir!

[@johngrogan7585]

Well said To Thank God and the armed forces. We need to remember this please. Men and women died for our freedom. So thankful for this mans story

[@jgonzalez101]

I thank Almighty God for using men like Sargent Locker who served our Country with courage, dedication and honor! " Freedom isn't free!"

[@Feathermason]

I didnt speak German, but my Luger did' ....BRILLIANT!!

[@strazed1]

what an intelligent man

[@loetzcollector466]

My father has two (Imperial) Lugers inherited by my Great-Uncle who acquired them "over there". Rolling barrages brought out the Hun's altruistic nature. They were happy to exchange their sidearms for a safe bed guarded by Doughboyz. After that, he went back home to Southern Pennsylvania and rode his Harley. True story.

[@user-ms3ow5iq9w]

Nothing but respect and gratitude for any American service member who has fought for our freedoms we enjoy.

[@sandranatali1260]

What a wonderful person! Yes, I am grateful for the freedom that was given to me.

[@PhotoDesigner1]

.... Good "Officer Material" .... always looking out for "his men". ...... KUDOS

[@fijillian]

I loved that his Luger spoke fluent German 😂

[@saveriosalemme5366]

The guy remembers all his training after more than 60 years. I can’t remember what I had for dinner yesterday.

[@dimebagdarrell6564]

I have lost a lot of people. 32 years old I have literally lost %95 of my family no joke. I hate so bad I can taste it. I just love this man though. Thank you for everything hero

[@LBGirl1988]

What a wonderful man! Thank you, American hero and freedom fighter!!! ❤🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️

[@sixplymaple1262]

Badass Mr. Locker!

[@faborwick5887]

These men and the constitution is what makes us free, we must show our respect and appreciation by exercising and defending those rights from those that deny us of our rights in the name of tyranny

[@JefferyAshmore]

You are correct sir, but my fears are we no l 7:25 onger have these men and women to stand up.

[@JDMacko23]

God bless these hero’s, makes me proud the be an American….they selflessly volunteered to bring freedom to strangers. Much Respect! 🫡

[@gixxer951]

Thank you for your service sir. Your advise at the end is the truth thank you

[@F1Hopeful]

AMEN!!!!!! Thank God and heroes such as this humble man for the freedom we enjoy today. Subesewuent generations have forgotten a fact: freedom is not free. It has a price, at times terrible, but that price must be paid in order to stay free.

[@scottroder5516]

Thanks for your words Ssgt Locker, you are a witness to the hell of WW2. Thank you for your service. May god bless you.

[@starjunkie5328]

These were REAL men. Not the whining, marginalized, lazy, complaining, neutered variety we're stuck with today. What good/use are they now?

[@susnasongbird1277]

🙌🙌🙌

[@DSToNe19and83]

“We shot at tanks, we shot artillery and we shot at aircraft” So basically he shot at anything that moved! 🍻

[@togo3624]

Thank you! Amazing guy!

[@anlerden4851]

Thank You so much for your service and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA Dear American Sir. All You won great victory against Nazis.🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪🙏👍

[@warwarneverchanges4937]

You learn something new every time from these videos, I never thought that they used "long tom" as AA AT and regular Artillery so it was even more equal to the German 88

[@brianford8493]

Locker is a stud of the highest level

[@onlyGodcanfixtheUSA]

I’ll never be half the man this guy was.

[@lappin6482]

true hero 🤝

[@richh5824]

True hero! Thanks so much!!!

[@subterfusion4005]

This guy saw the reality of the concentration camps and started clicking that Luger. Dont blame him a bit, in fact, i thank him. God Bless You Locker!

[@andypbj267]

I'm a veteran of the US Army. These men were my childhood heros. And it is insane, the amount of inhumanity that one man can inflict on another. It hasn't changed. We still have attempted genocide. I could make the argument that Ukraine is suffering a genocide right now. But I digress, this is an amazing story from an amazing human being who thanked his God daily and lived a happy and thankful life.

[@THIS---GUY]

Ukraine military openly wear na zi insignia and the slogan Slava Ukraini - Heróyam sláva! Ukrainian version of He il Hi tler - Si eg he il And both used the same salute and cadence Hard to imagine These ww2 vets would be anything but neutral and care for either side of that conflict

[@andypbj267]

@@THIS---GUY Fortunately you are mistaken and noone believes that except the people falling for Russian Propaganda. A good friend of mine was killed in Ukraine last month. He verified, no NAZIs before he was killed. What's interesting is how much the Russians are acting like NAZIs and how much Putin is acting like Hitler, trying to give his people the "living space" he claims belongs to them.

[@jim99west46]

What a brave guy

[@4thamendment237]

I can't imagine the depth of horror this young Jewish man experienced upon liberating that concentration camp. OF COURSE he can recall those details all these decades later -- how could he possibly forget??

[@BlackCat-nv5sf]

Amazing story Thankyou for telling

[@michaelpuente3352]

What a hero god bless this man!! It’s sad our government desperately wants to be at war to fill the pockets of the military complex with little regards to the lives of our young men and women.

[@Tricksofatrade]

Thank you for your service kind sir. !!

[@JohnnyD45]

American Hero!!🇺🇸🦅

[@rennie400]

Bless you brother in arms ❤

[@apostlepaulvining5688]

I had the privilege meeting a woman in Chicago a survivor of the concentration camp of Auschwitz,She showed me the numbers tattooed on her arm. what an amazing woman and the life story she had.

[@henrypadilla7763]

Sir thank you for your service may you find peace in your soul I salute you an all service members who went to war to fight for the freedom we share may GOD BLESS YOU ALL AN GIVE YOU PEACE PFC H PADILLA CLASS OF 68 MARINE CORP

[@truthseeker5847]

My father was first wave marines on Normandy beach. One of his experiences were depicted in the movie "Normandy." My stepdad was at Pearl when it was bombed. Stationed on the USS Solace. 3 Uncles in assorted European campaigns. One of them was at the Okinawa invasion. All of them came home with a hero's welcome, but all of them said that the true heros were the ones who didn't come home.

[@charlesmullins3238]

Best of the best…

[@josefhyatt2780]

Luger....the first universal translator. When I was in Baghdad, my M9 Beretta worked for Arabic. 😂

[@dick-parker]

His health at that age is almost unbeliveable, he took really good care of his mind and body. I thank all veterans, freedom isnt free

[@kenlandon7803]

I'm glad you made it back home in one piece Irv.

[@jamesross1799]

Fascinating.

[@michaelmcmanus5736]

Thank you ❤🇺🇸

[@tedbeaver2394]

AWESOME !! 🇺🇸

[@haroldadkins770]

Great man hero God bless you sir

[@dbach1025]

I bet his kids stayed in line. All he had to do was wink over at the German speaking Luger. Lol. What a wonderful NCO and even more wonderful of a man.

[@EASTSIDERIDER707]

The Greatest Generation.

[@tjrich4020]

A picture of the gun would be nice.

[@jgambe78]

That's what you came away with? Just Google a picture of a luger lazy

[@barryrammer7906]

They should show this in schools today. Most schools are taught to hate America..

[@gideonsward]

2023 minus D-day was June 1944 = 79 years and 2 months ago + 18 years old recruitment = 97 years +, this man dosen't look that old. AI age detection site say he's around 81?

[@michaelcurtis2389]

Love this one.

[@k.h.walker2378]

If you close your eyes he sounds like a 17-year-old kid.

[@deezynar]

Smart man.

[@TheFunkhouser]

And that was one of the lesser hit beaches! Think of Omaha or Gold and Juno! >_

[@joedudderduke]

❤❤ Love the vids ❤❤

[@ethanezell9949]

Does anyone have any information on what AAA gun he is talking about I am unable to find more information on it

[@jgambe78]

Looks like it's a 90 mm gun M1/M2/M3 en.wikipedia.org/wiki/90_mm_gun_M1/M2/M3

[@jgambe78]

Checks all the boxes as it's 19k lbs has a 15ft barrel and fires 43lb shells(2lbs short)

[@DSToNe19and83]

The thumbnail got me regardless! 🇺🇸

[@happysingle6240]

I live in a free country because of REAL men like this, and at the same time utterly ashamed of our president and his crooked son....

[@mirquellasantos2716]

I'm more ashamed for the pedophile and rapist president we used to have, Trump.

[@craigaust3306]

Of course, Trump is getting indicted for no reason

[@christopherch7307]

👍❤️👍

[@danmaggert7119]

well put thank you for your service GOD is good

[@williamhoward9493]

Wonder what Millimeter of gun he was shooting, I'm guessing a 90MM!

[@joesmith323]

what caliber was the gun he was describing?

[@DSToNe19and83]

I’m gonna assume a 90mm m1. Could be very wrong though.

[@johndilday1846]

The standard AAA gun at that time utilized a 90mm shell. It was an enlarged (same dimensions as) version of the 30-06 cartridge that was the standard rifle cartridge for the US military at that time. My father was also in a AAA battalion and he explained to me when I was young that due to wartime exigencies the military simply enlarged the 30-06 cartridge to the size of the 90mm to save time and effort on making a functioning antiaircraft artillery shell since they already knew that the cartridge would be balanced and function well because the 30-06 did the same.

[@REBELSCL]

A true American

[@SanctusBellator777]

Oi vey

[@gringling57]

Bravo Zulu Doc

[@otpyrcralphpierre1742]

They don't make Men like this anymore. Maybe, MAYBE, if Men like THIS told their story to EVERY high-school student, kids today would understand that FREEDOM ISN'T FREE! Maybe. Maybe.

[@PalCabral]

❤

[@milt6208]

The German citizens knew what was going on. And when SS camp guards were caught, if they ended up being shot while trying to escape so be it.

[@THIS---GUY]

I hate the myth of clean wehrmacht and oblivious citizens They rounded them up and openly stole their property and belongings

[@sethwallace4878]

Three Nazis walked into a BAR….

[@SlimothyNate3218]

It’s ironic that both the axis and a considerable amount of people in allied countries were prejudice against Jewish people

[@THIS---GUY]

I Would love to know what these vets think of ukrainians openly rocking na zi insignia and the gov and zelensky sharing pics of them on social media Slava Ukraini - Heróyam sláva! Ukrainian version of He il Hi tler - Si eg he il And both used the same salute and cadence Hard to imagine These ww2 vets would be anything but neutral and care for either side of that conflict These men are heroes to me i cannot side with anyone who openly wears n azi insignia F russia just hard to not be neutral