Luger Rig Captured from SS Officer: Amazing WW2 Veteran Story

In this episode, we honor the life and service of John Halada - a WW2 veteran with an amazing capture story.

[@georgepoulos2096]

We need too hear these stories, they’re part of our history.

[@reggierico]

What a fantastic story of a true hero and patriot. Thanks for putting this presentation together. My grandfather, Stephen E. Flynn, MD, was a ship's surgeon in the Pacific theatre. He was the 2nd physician on the cruiser USS Columbia. During the battle for the Philippine Sea, (I think), they were hit by 3 Kamikaze's in 24 hours. After the first hit, my grandfather and several Corpsmen were directed by the head surgeon to bring wounded back to sick bay for treatment. While my grandfather was stabilizing some sailors, the 2nd Kamikaze hit the ship, right in the area of the sick bay, destroying it and killing the head surgeon and several Corpsmen and wounded already there. So, for the next 24 hours, my grandfather performed triage and surgery on the open deck of the ship, while under continuous fire, including the third Kamikaze hit. He only had his doctor's bag and the first aid kits from the other Corpsmen, as all the equipment in the sick bay had been destroyed. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal with Valor for his actions. When he returned from the war, my uncles, who eventually became physicians as well, said that he was never the same man as before the war.

[@Love_rainy_days]

Thank you, Tom for this great story, I love this video, my dad was a POW in WW2. He joint the Iowa National Guard 34th Infantry Division at age 17 with his brother who was age 19, and my dad SGT. The 34th Infantry Division was the first US Army Division sent to England. My dad was captured in North Africa in Nov of 1942. After the war my dad was stationed in Bad Tolz, Germany. He married a German woman my mother, her brother was a POW in the US. My mother's brother was in the German Army Tank Corp (panzer corps) and he was captured at Normandy, and was sent to the USA to Arizona to a POW camp. We must never forget the brave men and women who gave their all for our country. Thanks for the great videos and great guns.

[@0023bobby]

These stories are a very important part of our history. My father was a WWII vet, Marine Corp Iwo Jima, he had lots of stories he would share with me. They are the greatest generation!

[@VR-ym8ys]

When you lob a grenade, it comes down almost vertically and does not bounce off like when you throw it. It is more accurate that way.

[@jeanmeslier9491]

At the end of WWI, a Great Uncle was supervising captured Germans piling their weapons. An officer held out something as he went by. My Uncle took it, it was a small beautiful pen knife, (for trimming goose quills to write with). The officer said in perfect English, "Please take this it was a present from my Mother. I don't want it destroyed."" The Uncle gave it to my Grandmother I still have it.

[@55commander]

My dad was combat medic in the ETO. He brought back a bunch of firearms. One Luger, three P-38's, a Mauser rifle and a M1 carbine with ammunition for all of them. After VE day he was assigned to a MP/ Riot squad in the American Sector of Berlin until February 1946. By the time he went home to Northern Idaho no one was inspecting duffle bags. Dad kept the Luger and gave his father and two brothers the P-38's, we are no sure where the rifles went. The P-38's are long gone but the Luger and holster are in my safe. Great story about Mr. Halada.

[@Bumper776]

My neighbor which died in 1998 was a WWII veteran who told me that while guarding German POWs in Italy one of them remarked that he would sure like to see the "American belt-fed artillery".

[@daffidavit]

I would like to tell a story of my Uncle "Pete" who earned the Silver Star while in No. Africa during "Operation Torch" while under the command of General George Patton. The story will seem like I'm bragging about my uncle "Pete", but in truth, I will be. If I can get an invitation from anybody here who wishes to hear about his heroic event, I'll be most honored to tell it. Otherwise, it will just be another event in history that will go unnoticed.

[@jeremykaleschenkoikov6993]

I think this would be even more interesting if we had the story of the SS officer as well.

[@loiskeller2614]

I am so happy to hear my Grandfather’s story told! One small error is my Grandfather (John Halada) was Czech and spoke Slavic from an early age. The languages were very similar so he quickly learned German. He lived in Florida but was buried in Pennsylvania next to his wife Lois. Another fun tidbit, when he escaped there was one night he had to hide in the loft of a barn. Two German soldiers entered and one started climbing the ladder to where John was hidden. He thought he was going to have to try and kill the soldier. The soldiers were both drunk and before the one got all the way up the ladder the other told him to get down before he broke his neck. Luckily, he turned around.

[@ogstopper]

A wonderful, compelling story of an American hero. Respect to John Halada, may he Rest In Peace.

[@th.burggraf7814]

First of all, I am German and I appreciate the fair way in which this American veteran described his war experiences. I have lots of respect for this decent man and the American armed forces in general. Although almost every male member of my family actually fought in WW2, but none of the few survivers considered Americans as enemies, because all of them fought against Russians on the eastern front. I was born in 68, but from a very early age I heard their stories about the war on every single family reunion and became interested in. When my Grandfather passed away, I was almost 20 years old, my Grandma gave me a cigar-box with some medals and - - - a gun.

[@JustinOpinionChannel]

Extremely good video. Thanks for honoring this man and all who served.

[@donsmith7613]

We lived in Lewisburg, Pa, center of the state. My dad was drafted at age 32 from a civil service job, married and two small children. He spoke 7 languages, was fluent in German, French, Spanish and English. He was assigned to be a driver and interpreter for a Colonel and he, too, brought home a German Luger, a 1940 made weapon with all matching serial numbers which I now have. He returned after the war uninjured and in great shape. As I recall he only had 10 weeks of basic training before being sent to Europe. His brother, my uncle, unmarried, enlisted, was commissioned and served as a company commander in New Guinea. Wounded, he received a Purple Heart, Silver Star and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. I had 4 cousins all brothers who enlisted from Woodmont, Ct. George the oldest went in the army, Fred, next in line Navy, Ed, the third brother enlisted in the Army Air Corps, became a gunner on a B-24 which was shot down over Germany and became a prisoner of war in Stalag 17 for about 2 years (His name is mentioned in the book written by another prisoner) , and the youngest Roger who at 16 enlisted and served in the navy. All of the above returned home and lived normal and healthy lives following wars end. Only one of the six mentioned served in the Asian theatre. None are alive today.

[@lisaburnett3368]

Fantastic service story. We all have memories of family who served their country with great honour. We should never forget their service.

[@11RICKSTER]

What a wonderful and well done story. As a Vietnam era Veteran I really need to thank everyone that was involved in its presentation. So good of the presenter / speaker to show so much respect for the military folks.

[@verncommet1798]

Love the story my grandfather was a glider pilot in Europe I loved listening to his stories growing up he was a remarkable man as many of these soldiers. I also have a ac 41 Walther that was a vet bring back in the original holster presented to a neurosurgeon that operated on the airborne soldier that captured it. I’m honored to be the care taker. Keep up the work

[@scenarioL113]

Thanks for sharing! BOTH my Grandfathers fought in WW2. One in the US Navy and the other in Italian Air Force. I remember my grandfather in the Navy (USS Kendrick DD-612) would tell me that he was balding bc the shell casings were so hot and he would sweat and have to wipe his forehead with his hands. His battle station was to clear the shell casing as they were piling up and they were so hot that his hands were burning and thus burned the hair off his forehead LOL... I never got to meet my Grandfather who fought for Italy Vincenzo Scelsi KIA. After Mussolini was overthrown the Germans took as many Italian soldiers prisoner as they could capture. These Italian prisioners were not treated as POWs they were treated as traitors and sent to concentration camps. My grandfather suffered the fate as did so many others and was starved and beaten to death at the end of the war in a concentration camp. My father was later adopted by his Aunt who lived in America and started a new life here and a new last name. All of my family on my fathers side is in Italy to this day, I have been born and raised here in America but I am proud of ALL of my family on both sides of the worst war in history. It was a bad time for all and should NEVER be forgotten especially the suffering of the civilians. I know my Grandmother with 5 children who now had no father and no food in the ashes of war-torn Italy suffered horribly. She sent her youngest to live with her sister in America and that is how I am to be in this world. Sometimes I wonder that if the Germans did not kill my Grandfather then my father would have never met my Mother and I would have never been... I am sad and grateful... war is hell

[@andreasvenator]

I like the approach you have in showcasing these VFW bios. The human story behind the bragadocio is what we have in common. I too as an investment banker would have enjoyed Mr. Halada´s stories, for sure. I grew up in Potomac, Md., went to the Deutsche Schule, got an MBA in Finance and went to work for Commerzbank in Capital Markets origination in Frankfurt in the Eighties. I joined a pricy hunt club and shortly afterwards was invited to a Deutsche Bank Corporate event in Wiesbaden. After dinner someone introduced me to two elderly gentlemen sipping their cognac in a fireside chat. It turned out they were both former tank commanders from the Battle of Prochorowka. Made me later feel like Forrest Gump stumbling through history when I read about their wartime activities...they were Rudolf von Ribbentrop and Franz Staudegger. I very much appreciate the rigorous work you go through. What Dr. Brett Johnson does for early Porsche 356s you guys do for 20th century German weapons. Good job! Provenance does decide price!