Louis Graziano, Last Living Witness to the German Surrender, World War II

[@Alex-bc6et]

Happy Birthday Sir. Thanks for your service! Much love and appreciation!

[@cklg88]

You boys need to appreciate this man and all these WWII Veterans have gone through. When men came together and showed no fear. Thank you, Sir.💗

[@marcusdelk7708]

Thank you for your call to action sir. As a young man who aspires to join the Marines, I can say that it is the Men of the Greatest Generation who inspire me to fight for America.

[@GolDRush007]

That ladies and gentle ladies this is a real man, did what his country asked of him and more and still has enough integrity to share the story

[@bernardhager3943]

They dont make guys like u anymore champ thank u

[@donnapayton4805]

Thank you Sir. You are a True American . I Love you and I Thank God You and Your Wife were able to Share so Many Awesome Memories. God Bless You and Your Family. Forever Grateful. Happy Birthday You are Awesome.

[@eamo106]

Guys like me , 60 years old, should have been doing what you are doing in the 80s . Recording history with Vets , younger and brighter of memories. Thank you for this series of interviews.

[@berzerker1100]

True, But even then some Vets still didn't want to Talk about their experiences.

[@kevind3185]

@@berzerker1100 my grandfather was a World War 'll veteran also. Fought for Patton's 3rd Army 94th Infantry Division he was awarded a Silver Star and a Purple Heart. Passed away Spring 2013. He had nightmares about the war till the day he died.

[@rb67mustang]

It's great to hear Mr Graziano's story. It's too bad these men weren't interviewed before they were. I know he knows what he's talking about, but I think it would have been better maybe 10 years ago than now. I also know that many of our veterans don't want to relive their stories because of the friends they lost and what they were required to do. So, I'll end it by thanking Luciano Louis Graziano for his service to the USA and to thank him for the freedom he has allowed all of his fellow Americans on Memorial Day 2020.

[@MadDawg91108]

What a great story.....and a true hero. My grandfather was a flight engineer / top turret gunner on a B-17 during WWII...and a POW. He is the last surviving member of his flight crew. Several years ago, we sat down and video taped his story. It was the first time I had ever heard it as he never spoke of his days in the war to us grandkids when we were growing up. I am glad you were able to interview Mr. Graziano and record his story for all of us to hear. Thanks for sharing and God bless all those who have served.

[@grahamrooney9196]

You should add your grandfather's video to KZbin, we would all be grateful to hear his story and thank him for his sacrifice.

[@mitchellculberson9336]

Amen#

[@latinolox]

MUCH RESPECT MR.GRAZIANO!! THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE.. THIS VETERAN IS AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING....

[@phondo2]

Happy 100th Birthday Louis! I was born in Buffalo, NY 6/6/65. The Anniversary of D Day. Have a great Birthday!

[@crystalheart9]

Great interview with this wonderful man. Thank you for your service and your stories. My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge and had gotten his feet frost bitten as well and had trouble with them ever since. He said he almost froze to death and he and his buddy would sit on each other's feet to keep them from freezing.

[@telle5390]

A

[@alexscolavino1566]

Thank you so much for your service and thank you so much for that story may God-bless you

[@ctheflower7818]

GOD Bless you dear Sir ❤️🇺🇸❤️ We are so Thankful for you and do Very Proud of you ❣️🇺🇸❣️ Thanks A Million from the bottom of our Hearts 💜🌹💜

[@mitchellculberson9336]

Thank you for your service,sir,from a grateful nation.

[@patricknolan4517]

What a man what an American.

[@-.Steven]

A most excellent video! What an honor to listen to this great Patriot! I'm sending him a birthday card, late, but I'm sending it! Thank you Veterans Chronicles!

[@para1324]

Full on respect sir. Thank you for sharing your service memory’s. 👍🇺🇸 My Father fought in the Pacific campaigns also Army. I served my time in the 82nd Airborne 1st 505th. I was glad and not surprised you had the issued clacker in your coat pocket. Those things saved some lives especially in Normandy the night preceding the morning invasion. May God continue to bless you and family.

[@tuffgongc9]

Incredible. I'm watching this video randomly & he says he was born & raised in East Aurora NY, which is where I have more or less lived my entire life. Its not a big place. I had no idea.

[@sandranatali1260]

My family was a military all the way. My brother was in the submarine service, saw action in Los, where we shelled Los around the clock for 3 days. He told this story to us, one evening when he had to much to drink. We never knew about this action taking place. He retired, and had a successful career. My cousin did 3 tours in Vietnam, then worked until the end of his tour in the army. Highly decorated, but his life didn't go well on civilian life, he spent 6 years on prison, because he was driving under the influence, an accident happened, causing the death of his girlfriend. My Grandson joined the Army, he was in the Special Forces for years, serving many tours in Afghanistan. Eventually he gave up his comission, and stayed in, under the army. He then started medical school, and is still in medical school One of his jobs in the forces was as a medic, which is why he wanted to help people.

[@dcash7018]

Williamsville ftw

[@scoireamerica1609]

Thank you sir for your service.

[@lynnwood7205]

An amazing interview. The father of one of my college roommates in the the mid 1970's was one of the rangers who opened the gap off Omaha beach as this man described.

[@Bonesiethecat]

Usually, questions like "And then what happened?... what did you do next? ... how did you feel about that?" are the awkward questions of an unknowledgeable/weak journalist who is not on their game. But in rare instances like this interview, they are the best ones to ask. Love this interview! I was hanging on every syllable.

[@kingofthecatnap5422]

A fascinating man, thank you!

[@jimhmod]

Thanks for whomever puts these together!! This is the my first of many future reminders of the Greatest Generation other than my Dad which also was in the army during WW2. RIP Dad!!

[@richardmorrish]

Thank you for making these important interviews. It is part of history which needs to be preserved. As the connection between this generation and the future generations breaks it will create the space for history to be replicated. These should be part of every history lesson.

[@jamescole8049]

This was wonderful. Thank you.

[@joshwise9894]

Thanks for your service! Amazing story.

[@nickbristol3457]

Thank You!

[@HissingKitty2008]

Please tell me where we can find his book. I could listen to him talk all day. This gentleman is tough! The mold was broken after this generation, these men are incredible and such an inspiration! Thank you for your Service Sir! And there are not enough words for us to express our gratefulness for our freedom. Made joy find you every morning when you wake up!

[@camseymour8680]

incredible story from an incredible man!

[@ddjsta]

Good job Greg . Thank you

[@kevind3185]

He is exactly why that generation is called the greatest generation

[@doncarlos6314]

Wonderful. Thank you!

[@davidkimmel4216]

Very interesting gentleman. Great video. Thanks so much.

[@-.Steven]

I've watched it twice! Just Great!

[@jesterflight8593]

I love this man & his story, my dad read every book about WW2 , he loved it. He was a combat Marine in Korea, who never fought Koreans, but was shot & stabbed by Chinese & accidentally burned w/3rd degree burns 65% of his body by US Marines? Dad always laughed when he told the story, because we were Mexicans born in Texas as cotton, vegetable , and fruit pickers, so his brother Marines called him the “ Texican wetback” because the government had a Immigration operation where they picked up my dad in the 40s, and almost deported him even though he spoke perfect English, but they told him that we looked like Asian mixed with “INGINES”, and sure enough his brother Marines saved his life after other Marines got him accidentally ,thinking he was Chinese or North Korean , sprayed him with a flame thrower, but he loved his brother Marines kept him alive. Because they called him & his family farmers & sharecroppers, and dad would correct them, and say that him & 17 brothers & sisters were only cotton pickers, to be a share cropper you must take a part of farming crops & then you get a percentile after harvest, but when your a cotton picker you barely make enough to feed yourself & always owe money to the company store. Dad said he loved joining the Marine Corps in 1948, but his mother signed because he was 16, yet he got 3 squares a day & a bunk, and a small check. He said he loved sleeping in a Quonset hut ,because it was the first time he slept in a house that wasn’t a dirt floor. The Marine Corp was the only service who would take my father, because he was 16 & still in the 8th grade, and when he filled the document with the truth, that he was a cotton picker & a janitor at the city slaughter house, the Navy, Air Force, Army wouldn’t take him, but the Marine recruiter said “ son your exactly what we want, a strong back & a weak mind, you’ll be a perfect rifleman for the front line”. He ended up going to Vietnam in 1965 because he stayed in the reserve’s after he got out of the Navy hospital ship in Korea, but passed away from Agent Orange that he caught in Vietnam when he got back in 1967, he was only a Sergeant with 3 stripes & a deer with antlers (buck sergeant ), and stayed with that rank when he retired from Marine reserves in 1969 the Corps took the deer off, only staying w/3 stripes, they didn’t use buck sergeant in Vietnam , but he stayed as a city police since 1954, after going stateside from Korea. Achieving 40 years in ,as a city police, he had only risen to senior corporal by 1996, however was allowed to stay in after his retirement in 96, and they permitted him to keep working, as a city police ,as long as he stayed in good shape, he passed away in 2015 @ 83 he was still a city police , but died in the VA hospital from lung cancer he got, according to his doctor from agent orange. He could have got a VA pension, but he didn’t want to leave his job, because he passed the Texas Police academy with only a 8th grade education, yet he always read lots of books, his parents kept him picking cotton & watermelons ,so he could earn money to help feed his 17 brothers & sisters, yet he loved the Marine Corps & being a city policeman. My dad only went to Korea & Nam, but he bought all the Time Life books of WW2 because he had 3 brothers in WW2, and continued to read every book he could about WW2, he would have loved your story sir, thank you for your service & thank you for protecting our country, it sounds like you worked for William Donavon commander of the Office of Strategic Services OSS, real James Bond operations! Thanks again, God Bless you & your family, Sir.

[@thomasmorrissey4123]

Thank you so much for your father's story of a real American hero. I'm moving my family down to Texas soon. I am sure there are many Texans who are like your father and they will remind me of him every time I encounter one of them. God bless your father a rest in peace and the perpetual light of the Lord shine upon him.

[@johngrogan7585]

Thank you Sir

[@tonynapoli5549]

Great story thank you 👌

[@magistrumartium]

2:29 He was a smart young man, switching from working as a mason to working at a beauty shop. Damn! Why didn't I think of that? Would have met so many more women! But then he was on Omaha Beach, hell on earth. It bothers me that so many people I know are totally negative about the military in general; they have no sense of gratitude for what men like this did. (Imagine if Hitler had not been stopped!)

[@neuroticnastrothomas189]

I can't wait to be interviewed about my part in WWII. I hope I serve as courageous and dignified as these men among men.

[@davidkimmel4216]

Thanks

[@johnobrien9718]

Thank you sir....

[@charlesmulhern3349]

Louis. Unbelievable, man. 🤜

[@MemphisJones]

Great guy, Happy Birthday Mr. Graziano Feb 6 is his 101st birthday.

[@marcusdelk7708]

Let us never forget the Men of the Greatest Generation like him, and I feel honored to live and see the last living man who witnessed the German surrender.

[@michaelray2981]

my Father in-law is 97 years old and commanded a group of tanks in Patton's division . his tank was the first to receive the wave of German troops that surrendered

[@stulynn2005]

When all Americans came together for a common cause and were proud to do so

[@emmgeevideo]

Stu Lynn And we had a President who called on the country to unite in common sacrifice. He didn’t belittle his Republican colleagues, accuse the press of fakery, or call people foolish, childish names. It wasn’t all sweetness and light back then, despite our warm memories. But there was a certain basic decency across the board that has been lost.

[@toatatoa]

USA financed the Nazis.

[@emmgeevideo]

toatatoa oh pul-ease... What strain of organic smoking plant are you inhaling?

[@ppumpkin3282]

@@emmgeevideo Yes, we didn't have a fake media back then, or self interested politicians who sold out to China, Ukraine, and the defense industry. If you want to know why decency was lost look at Schumer, Pelosi, Schiff. Those are the politicians that have been ruling the roost for over 20 years. Look at the Kavannagh hearings or the Bork hearings, the FBI, and the deep state. Race baiting and identity politics have been going on for years. Let's not pretend decency is a late casualty, it's been going on for years, it's just never been challenged before. Don't be a joke, get woke.

[@ppumpkin3282]

@@toatatoa We should have fought Russia, they were the real threat. Stalin killed more people than Hitler, and so do Mao, who Stalin helped defeat the Chinese Nationalists.

[@charris5700]

Wow he's been through alot. From Omaha beach on and through the frigid Arden bulge, taking charge of vital engineer projects, chatting it up with Top Brass. He has a strong spirit and slick mustache ✌🇺🇸

[@Stellar12316]

I would like to know why you would dislike this

[@tedmccarron]

Nazis.

[@bigvinnie3]

@@tedmccarron I think ww2 was mostly pointless I mean England and France declared war to try to keep Poland free and independent. 6 years and 500,000 dead Americans 500,000 dead English and commonwealth and millions of dead French people and people from the Benelux later Poland is still occupied by a brutal dictatorship and England and all of western Europe is in ruins oh and its not like we stopped the holocaust it was over pretty much long before troops ever marched in to the Reich. I think there's a very good argument to be made that the west should have stayed out of it and let Hitler and the commies wear each other out. But anyway my point is that argument doesn't work for the US because Germany declared war on us(dumb move to support an ally that wasn't that great though i guess hindsight is 20/20) not the other way around.

[@osekerenfinda641]

@@bigvinnie3 curious fact added that Germany also declared war on the USA!! Hitler was working on a plane capable to bomb the USA!! Haven’t the USA intervened the whole Europe and North Africa spoke German nowadays!! Lol

[@ricky4145]

@@bigvinnie3 Idiot

[@Max90421]

@@tedmccarron you disliked the video because of nazis, what?

[@thomasbowden3746]

These men and women of the WW2 era, deserve another life in a time of great peace and prosperity, that lasts thru their lifetime and releases them of the memories that plague their minds, and allow those lives to live uninterrupted amongst family and friends. To be accepted in what we know as heaven.

[@michaeldulmage8449]

Back in the 40's fort drum was called pine camp

[@Spirosbotos]

These guys fought to save Europe

[@2steelshells]

I hope this present generation can appreciate this can't say it enough,greatest generation! All gens to come will be measured against,God bless all of them that are left.

[@elaineheath-ward4976]

He is blessed with an eidetic memory!

[@sandranatali1260]

There still some great men in the military but like these who fought in WW2, who are now hearing from them. Maybe some day, we'll hear from those, who are fighting to keep our freedoms. At times we do hear from our soldiers, but not enough, so the younger people will know.

[@richardthornhill4630]

Interesting. There many little details left out. The gentleness of ladies hairdresser, the "can do" of American ingenuity, the deadliness of a warrior, and finesse of a gentleman.

[@chocolatefrenzieya]

Again, WHAT a treasure.

[@2147B]

Was he in the signal battalion? After hearing he set up telephone wire. My great grandfather was a 1st lieutenant officer for the 97th signal battalion. He earned a bronze star for establishing communication across the rhine river. I would love to hear stories that tie in to my grandfather

[@CreatorCade]

Mind like a steel vault on this one.

[@jim99west46]

What unit, rank? Unusual not to detail that as the story goes along...

[@M1GarandMan3005]

What division was he in?

[@JarethGarza]

Classified

[@Cybermat47]

That’s a weird story about the French shopkeeper. You’d think they’d be happy to be paid to provide resources for the liberation of their own country. Maybe they were a Nazi sympathiser, or had family in one of the French Waffen-SS units?

[@hmong_keeb_kwm]

Classified secret mission that he promise to not tell of the detail. At his age he still haven't told anyone and would take it to his grave wow... Once i get drunk you can get everything out of me lol... No torture just give me beer and ill crack... I need help.

[@austinporter6701]

Man I thought he was going to tell us oh well

[@markbowles2382]

in the last days of the 2nd ww (in Europe), the continent was so fractured logistically that there were official surrenders on the 7th, 8th, and 9th I think in different places, with different signers on behalf of the vanquished, actually it ended on April 30 with the suicide of the leader of the NSDAP... even today we know only very little about things in war time, any war, save for the poor souls fortune to have to take part in it, prayers and rip to them all, pop trained at Ft.Benning Ga., came back with a bronze star, he said if you participated in 5 major battles you automatically were a canidate in those days, but he never talked about the war other than to say, "It was bad", I could tell it was something that he would rather forget, and as more and more things come out about it, I can certainly understand why.

[@bridykes9986]

Thank you for your service sir!!! And I'm very irritated at the negative ppl saying that he's inflating the story or this or that ect. The guy wrote a damn book he obviously isn't lying im sure record's could prove most of what he's saying other than his personal experiences he speaks of im not sure if u have ever been around ww2 vets ( I did in hone care cna work) I had 2 men one was in Philippines during ww2 and one was in Germany the one that was in Germany could talk for hours about being over there and I loved listening to him my other lil man wasn't to about talking about the war unless it was about a specific woman he met in Philippines lol he carried a picture of her in his wallet even after he met Nd married his wife lmao he was something else he passed at 95 my point being Maybe not everything he's saying is all together where he's older doesn't mean he's lying I honestly believe all these men In these interviews why would they stretch the truth regardless we owe them respect alot of places would be speaking german otherwise 🇺🇸

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Love the way he requisitioned his supplies from the stingy Frenchman ala a 45.

[@rickojames]

I'm guessing his classified mission to England was to help construct Patton's Ghost Army.

[@marquisjohnson7431]

Besides segregation and Jim Crow.. This is when America 🇺🇸 was Great 👍 all men and women coming together to fight a common enemy 👏 risking their lives for all Americans to complain and cry today about dumb $hit... Well done sir Thank You and God Bless 🙏

[@charlesdobbs4570]

Why are these interviews done when the Vet is older. Because they don't want to relive the War and won't talk about it, is it Declassified material? Just curious why we wait to talk to these vets.

[@4Him4u2]

They don’t make men like this anymore. Or, do they? I pray we never have to find out.

[@ferdberffle]

At his age, I'm not surprised but he seems a bit confused. Nevertheless, thanks for letting us hear his story.

[@danerickson1632]

Sounds better than Biden.

[@ferdberffle]

Yeah true...

[@TERoss-jk9ny]

Dan Erickson : This MAN deserves to be heard, even if he’s slow’ed down a bit. Biden needs to rot in a jail cell.

[@vivians9392]

He sounds great to me...not confused!

[@phaedrabacker2004]

I think he was doing some classified work. No mention of a lot of things. Nothing wrong with his memory. Were you ever in the military? I was.

[@dustineaton1827]

🇺🇸 the usa love comment ya were looking for ❤

[@SuperDiesel71]

Orb at 23:11. Someone watching over him.

[@lgninjalo]

Okay, what was the damn secret mission?

[@prestonphelps1649]

They don't make just anybody a masters seargent..... Especially in ww2..... Someone recognised he had skills.

[@davidbagley1783]

Aloha

[@CLBLATT]

Wonder if he was at Fort Indian Town Gap????

[@dr.barrycohn5461]

Good old US of A can do fellow. And he did.

[@boarzwid1002]

Had to be camp smith in ny that he couldn’t remember it’s not far from West Point

[@dustineaton1827]

Idk about the last theres still more pple that saw the final surrender right?

[@charlesdobbs4570]

OMG, I can see the lady acting like a chicken. You Do what you got to Do to survive. Would of loved to have met Her.

[@SlaughterSkorzenyJamesViceroy]

wonder if they realized that was worth it helping the wrong side ? Look now , doesn't seem they did a good job but helping pizza partys and islas bonitas groups and organizations 🤦🤷

[@oustandingsitter6106]

The. Last. One.

[@ReyBanYAHUAH]

Always remember to repent of your sins (sin is transgression of YAHUAH’S LAW: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, & Deuteronomy) And Have Belief On YAHUSHA HAMASHYACH. HE Died and Rose three days later so that you can be forgiven of your sins! HE Loves you! Come to HIM!🙂

[@1dedrer]

I call BS! @ 11:00 in. This guy sounds like every movie from Dday to present. No way his story is accurate to history. I’m not saying he doesn’t think it or believe it but it is just rubbish.

[@justinr2408]

These would be great interviews without the therrible interviewer.

[@apburner1]

Is no one going to point out that most of the story is... umm... inflated... a lot?

[@danushaforknneer2749]

Thank you for your service Sir!

[@Juse2409]

@ensitu he has no clue what he's talking about. The exact information the public has is any that's become declassified, or those old hyped up war effort videos. Kind of like how the whole battle of the bulge is such a patriotic American victory, but thanks to people around the world telling their stories like this gentleman we come to find out that if it wasnt for countless British lives the Northern end of that line would've been flanked and history completely different. This is why we need these old guys stories. They get to tell what our government never told us. Things too hard to hear, or things they felt would downplay the American effort. This guy has NO PROOF a single word of what this amazing man said isn't true. These are HIS memories, of things that happened to HIM.

[@phaedrabacker2004]

Back when men were men and women were women.

[@chanilewis6002]

Now people these days don't know what gender they are or what these men and women went thru for them to be able to do stupid things that happen I In this country now.

[@tedmccarron]

Two thoughts: He was mistaken when he said that Bastogne was cut off for six weeks. Although the entire Battle of the Bulge lasted that long Bastogne was only surrounded for 5 days. Unfortunately one of those days was Christmas. I'm really surprised that a heterosexual male in the 1940s would want to be a beautician. I thought that would be embarrassing to a guy, sort of like selling Mary Kay cosmetics.

[@Juse2409]

They were only "completely" surrounded by December 21st. They could've been cut off before then. He is also old and people make mistakes in speech they may not catch. For all we know he meant to say 6 "days" and he accidentally said weeks. I don't expect even someone trying to inflate a story would purposefully make such a huge mistake in information.

[@falconmoose1589]

There is a thing and things that is/are not believable here. I know he is old, but just, no.

[@bridykes9986]

Which parts? He probably can prove most of it but curious

[@lmklmk1512]

The imminent inventory qualitatively owe because exchange extraorally consider excluding a wiggly violin. abstracted, temporary sheep