Flamethrower COMBAT on IWO JIMA with a WWII MARINE | Don Graves

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Born and raised in Detroit, Don Graves quit high school after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Filled with a sense of duty he tried to enlist in the Marine Corps, but had to wait until he turned 17 in 1942.
In training at Camp Pendleton Graves was assigned the flamethrower as his weapon. On February 19th, at 8:00 in the morning, Graves was helped over the side of his landing craft and hit the beach of Iwo Jima in the third wave.
Graves would encounter ferocious combat from a determined enemy on Iwo Jima. The Japanese had carved deep defense tunnels all over the island, including into Mount Suribachi, a volcanic cone at the southern tip of the island that dominated the island from above.
Interview recorded on December 11, 2023
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Video Credits:
Director of Photography - Victor Danos
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[@americanveteranscenter]

HISTORY LOVERS - before you comment, be sure to subscribe to this KZbin channel and ring the notification bell so you never miss a future upload!

[@user-kf8wb2cq4f]

These videos from the "Greatest Generation" are literally..priceless.💪🇺🇸🙏

[@cameronsichmeller6759]

This guys pushing 100years old and he sounds like he ain't even 70. He's definitely young at heart

[@cluelessinky]

My dad just turned 100. He fought on Iwo Jima and was wounded after 9 days on the island. He was awarded the Silver Star for attacking and eliminating a machine gun nest. He’s a great guy and I’m blessed to have him and my mom with us. God Bless the USA

[@azzyx8870]

"We heard so much about 5 or 6 fellers putting the flag up, that's not true...

[@wannabe_sailor_777smith6]

For a 99 year old this guy is still as sharp as a tack. God bless him !

[@mohawkgaming8788]

I want to live in a America were citizens love our nation like this great man....I miss it...and this guy almost brought tears to my eyes

[@seancrouse9623]

This man is a national treasure.

[@matthewishunting]

Notice how his hat says "Survivor" not "Veteran". That shows you how grateful he is to be alive but also shows his heart towards the very few Japanese who also survived from their perspective. Very subtle, but it shows you how much a human he is.

[@Cozza69]

What a badass. Anyone that fought the Japanese and survived are a rare breed.

[@RioBow]

Words seem cheap after hearing this brave man talk.

[@MikeyRightNow]

What a speaker. Seriously. You just want to listen to this guy talk all day.

[@mv3029]

I’ve met Don a few times. He is a great man and one of the last of the greatest generation. He is a true hero and I’m happy that the story of his time on Iwo Jima in his own words and those of other veterans will be preserved for future generations to hear. Semper Fi

[@christianworthinton8000]

The torch saved many lives... It took balls to be the man carrying it! God Bless.

[@EVAASIVEOne]

Youre an absolute beast of a man. A King. Never to be forgotten through your stories of service and strength. Thank you.

[@walterwayne5405]

Semper Fi Don. My dad was with you , 5th Marine Div, 26th Marine Regiment.

[@paulg6142]

Its crazy how sharp this guy is. You see politicians much younger than him who's job is to speak publicly and cant speak as well as him.

[@drewwestenbarger535]

The amount of pride this guy displays telling these stories is amazing. I could listen to his stories for hours. Such a great interview, I say do more with interviews with Don! 😊

[@firefighter2000]

I never get tired of hearing Mr. Graves talk of his experiences.❤

[@user-jt5ub7vc4g]

Hard times require harder men. Semper fi Marine