PACIFIC COMBAT: A Marine's Fight on Saipan & Okinawa

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Watson Crumbie Jr. was 16 years old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The day he turned 18, Watson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps wanting to avenge those lost at Pearl.
In June 1944 Watson found himself with the 2nd Marine Division heading towards the beaches of Saipan. He would spend twenty straight days in combat as a demolitionist tasked with clearing enemy bunkers and caves.
After Saipan, Watson became part of the 6th Marine Division during the invasion of Okinawa. Again acting as an assault demolitionist he would spend the entire 82 days it took to capture Okinawa fighting on the island.
Watson Crumbie Jr. passed away on February 14, 2023 at the age of 97
Interview recorded on December 15, 2022
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[@americanveteranscenter]

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[@AikonikBoy]

I greatly appreciate this channel and every story it has amplified with its platform throughout the years. With utmost respect I must state that placing the Patreon endorsement in the middle of the interview is incredibly jarring and detrimental to the experiences being relayed in my humble opinion. if possible, perhaps these would be placed at the beginning or end of the video as opposed to in the middle?

[@liamregan4975]

My grandfather was bayoneted at Saipan. Obviously he was sent home after but I’ve recently began to think about how exactly he made it out, and the fact that his friends most likely saved him and possibly gave their lives in doing so. Francis Casey died in 1979 but I’ll always remember what he, the marines, and the rest of the allied forces that fought so bravely.

[@tristanfilomeno4860]

my grandfather was at bulge/ got the French Medal of Honor/ Italy/ and DDay. He died in 2004. It’s possible. Don’t be an ass

[@bradmarkell12167]

@@tristanfilomeno4860 how is he being an azz?

[@tristanfilomeno4860]

@@bradmarkell12167 I’m talking too you

[@charliedicanio3063]

​@Tristy please explain yourself, why was he being an ass???

[@julienperez9983]

@@charliedicanio3063 psychotic weirdo on the internet man let it go

[@0themanticore0]

Don't know if you or anyone commenting knows, but, letting you know anyway just in case. Watson Crumbie passed away on the 14th of February. RIP. ☹️🇺🇲

[@badxradxandy]

As a nurse, it's remarkably rare to find a man like him who is so sharp and well spoken. I hope he is doing well today and please thank him for sharing his story, he really went through something.

[@glenvalley4326]

He was a lucky man!!!

[@arintheseatsesh6242]

Maybe where you left your wallet. You never forget your service.

[@dynamicduck8777]

My wife's grandfather fought in the Pacific Theater (Iwo Jima) and also Korea. He retired from the Marine Corps and wrote a book about the experience. He passed away in 2020 at 101 before I ever got the honor of meeting him. You, sir, are another one of my heroes and a reason to have hope for our country at a time when we're lost and need real men as heroes.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

How soon did you guys meet get engaged and get married?

[@frankdodgee]

What was his name and what title is the book?

[@JefferyAshmore]

What was his name and book title please?

[@ajdominguez1002]

Would love to read that book

[@tomortman4850]

My Dad was wounded on Saipan. Wife and I went there in June this year on the 79th anniversary. It was something I wanted to do since I was a kid. Was introduced to a gentleman who as a 12 year old hid in a cave with his family until rescued by 3 Marines. He lived on sugar cane for 3 weeks until saved by the Marines. He took my arm and told me over and over "I love the US Marines they saved my entire family".

[@tommychew6544]

Like he said it might have been some kind of record to have not gotten a purple heart from WWII and Korea and to have been a front line Marine. Semper Fi we fellow Marines look up to you more then you will ever know!

[@maryannallen9885]

My mom was an army nurse on Saipan and Okinawa. I wish I would’ve asked her questions too late now.😢

[@travismayes4547]

I went to Saipan during the pandemic. No tourist, just my wife and I all alone at the battlefields. As a Marine myself all I could think about was the ones that came before me. Semper Fi Marine.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

It’s still going on, regulations are just looser.

[@JediMentat]

Oorah

[@jyellowhammer]

Rah!

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

This man is what a true *American Hero* looks like!! 🇺🇸 God Bless him and his buddies who fought in the Pacific Theater during WW2!! He's part of *The Greatest Generation To Have Ever Walked The Earth* !!!! This Generation literally saved the world and we owe them so much gratitude and respect and we most definitely need to get all of their stories on record for future generations to learn from!! Thank you so much for uploading this video and for giving these brave and courageous men and women a voice and for them to be able to tell everyone what they endured during WW2!!!

[@drats1279]

the future generation is here, it's called millennials and they are whiney, worthless, useless basement dwellers.

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

@@drats1279 I hate to admit it but you speak the truth...this Generation is not even a quarter of what the Generation that fought in WW2 is.... If that type of war were to break out again we'd be so screwed!!

[@kittygutierrez6180]

AMEN & AMEN!!

[@trog.lodyte]

This generation got it done, they weren't lazy narcissistic morons offended because you misgendered them

[@paulredinger5830]

You forget about WWI? Or the soldiers that freed our country from British control?

[@scottbee501]

My uncle was killed in Saipan and my dad, his brother, was an 18 yr old bombadier/navigator on a B-24 Liberator. Amazing young men.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

Was your uncle marines or 27th division?

[@tex346]

@@roderickstockdale1678 Son of a 27th soldier. They were all heartbroken when General Smith was relieved.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

@@tex346 why? He had a good heart but the zone needed securing and he wasn’t pushing the task. He was leaving the marines open on both flanks to get trapped!

[@tex346]

@@roderickstockdale1678 He did not fail to push the task. His men knew the truth that they had much more difficult central terrain and any General , other than "Mad Dog", knows the front moves generally at the speed of the slowest advancing unit. Richardson and Nimitz supported General Ralph C. Smith as did the Pentagon and Smith was sent to another command.

[@Jeff-jl2xc]

​@Tex he absolutely failed to push the task just ask the men who were there

[@julietroutman8119]

Here's a soldier who is 97 years old - it doesn't sound like he's forgotten much does it? He has such detail to tell. Thank you for your service, Mr. Crumbie. RIP

[@deanpapadopoulos3314]

It’s remarkable how someone who has seen he’ll is still cogent and well. Thank you from the region you helped secure.

[@rocknepoovey4381]

As so as long KZbin allows it

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Way better than listening to a Joe Brandon speech huh?

[@johnwayne3085]

Unfortunately young Americans would just call him an old white supremacist (with no cause) and show him no respect. It's a really disgusting social climate in the US right now. Very sad here in 2023.

[@j.pershing2197]

​@@johnwayne3085 Not mine. Plenty of MidWest folks love our Veterans. Those city brats now...they suck

[@Jeff-jl2xc]

​@John Wayne no that's just children kid

[@davebarlow7217]

My dad was there, God bless you and all that were there! He never talked about his war experiences. Lost dad to a heart attack in February of 1979. I was 14. You are a special breed. Bless you..

[@tommalone4310]

My Grandfather, Lesley F. Malone, 6th Div, 29th Regiment, 1st Battalion, Co. A, was KIA June 5th, 1945 on the Oroku Peninsula. He had been previously wounded near Sugar Loaf Hill.

[@RichardSmith-ew3xz]

If you would like to read a first hand account of US Marines in the Pacific during WW2, I highly recommend -With The Old Breed by Marine Corp Veteran Eugene B Sledge. A stunning description of combat. A powerful book.

[@ryanhuisman5381]

I own this book. I attest it is an eye opening first hand account of what front line Marines went through. Pelileu was the roughest if I remember right.

[@jimjustice581]

They started with 1,000 men on Saipan, and left with 200!!! 80% casualties! And not a scratch on him. And he fought in six more battles and, thankfully, is here to tell us his story. God had already written your book, and has been patiently been waiting for you to tell us about it. Thank you, sir, for your brave and honorable defense of America. 😊

[@ericmailander3361]

And that's not to mention those lightly wounded or scars such as PTSD to the survivors.

[@glenvalley4326]

He is a very Lucky man. Lady Luck was watching over him.

[@ppumpkin3282]

Confusing because he said his first battle was Saipan, then Okinowa, and I'm pretty sure there weren't six more battles, so I wonder what he meant, he said he was taken to Guaducanal, and later Guam for training. I wonder if he's is counting several battles on Okinowa?

[@haroldcrumbie126]

@@ppumpkin3282. He was adding in his time in Korea as well.

[@nazztynatenugglife5891]

I was born in 1977, and my grandfather moved away before I could have a conversation with him about his experience in WW2. But I was lucky enough to have had many a conversation, with a friend of mines father. The Big V, Virgil Skoglund who was a tank gunner in Patton's 3rd army, from North Africa to Bastogne where he was wounded and sent home. There aren't words to describe what those Men and Women did for the World. I let Virgil know how thankful I was, that we had Men like him who were ready to do whatever it took to make the World a safer place. R.I.P Virgil Skoglund, I think about you a lot

[@dhooter]

Just seriously stop and think about what these men did. And I say that as a Marine myself. Absolutely unbelievable the intestinal fortitude. Pure guts and grit.

[@DashPar]

This should be mandatory watching for all high school and College aged people!🇺🇸❤️🙏🏻 Freedom is NOT free!

[@MidMo4020]

My grandpa was in the 2nd marine division on Saipan, Tinian, and a couple more islands I can’t remember the names of. I love to run into these interviews of guys who were on those same places. Grandpa died when I was nine, so I never got to hear any stories. He was a very respected man in our little farm town, and to this day I’ve NEVER seen anything sharper than the Marine Corps honor guard the day of his funeral. 🇺🇸

[@rumrich]

Well if he was a 2nd Marine and joined at the start of the war he could have been on Guadalcanal and Tarawa. Apparently they were landed on Okinawa very late in the battle to relieve other marine units. There are a lot of good books on the 2nd Marines, one I just read is 76 hours about the battle of Tarawa.

[@MidMo4020]

@@rumrich I know he didn’t get to Okinawa. I’m pretty sure it was malaria that got him. I’d hafta ask my aunt. But I know when he came back he had to spend a month in quarantine somewhere in Hawaii for thirty days. I wish I could remember his unit numbers. It gets confusing. My uncle said he only talked about the war with the guys at the feed store.

[@remigiocater2930]

My dad was only 17 and was sent to Darwin by the time he got there they were finnished these guys are scary even at an old age they don't mess around reminds me so much of my dad sad to see them get old glad I heard this

[@goddessomai9177]

My wife's grandma lived through the battle of Okinawa. She was a civilian and lost all of her family and friends during the campaign. She accepted me a United States Marine with open arms and a big hug. She never blamed the USA for her loss only the Japanese Imperial forces. She only talked about the war 2 months before she passed. Oki baba we miss you! You were amazing! Rip.

[@thetoolmat8632]

Felt like I was listening to my Dad! - he was on Okinawa and up north then up on Sugarloaf hill fighting for his life and buddies, dragging wounded back off to the rear at night and reloading up on ammo and grenades from an Amtrak that was knocked out, that went on for 5 Days, wounded by friendly fire (phosphorus) and fighting the forces in droves at close quarters, even met a group of men (Japanese) that tried to get that guy off the mountain and they lost so many trying to do so (now that was a trip meeting and hearing from them) great interview, and God Bless them all.

[@marygray2334]

I love these videos they really give you a perspective on what happened in WWII.

[@drats1279]

Also the difference between the young men of that day and the whiney, worthless millennials of today.

[@Drew151Proof]

Incredible story sir! I just watched the Pacific on hbo again recently. I was Army but I really have so much respect for the marines. Marines are warriors. Semper Fi

[@Blap552]

Same here Mr. Campos. Some of our Schneider driver instructors at Fontana were from 29 Palms and for some reason the Marines have influenced me. I have the U.S.M.C. Bulldog flag in my living room and I listen to Marine Mindset Prospectus as well.

[@AnthonyKM]

My grandfather drove the Higgins craft and landed marines at saipan attack transport apa-20 uss president hayes. A great generation of men that did extraordinary things. Thank you to all our veterans 🇺🇸

[@charlessaint7926]

Soon there will be none left. Go out and find them. Record them. Preserve their memory. I donate to your cause to ensure this is carried out.

[@americanveteranscenter]

Thank you Charles, we work hard everyday to do just that. We had the opportunity to interview three Iwo Jima veterans last week. We could not do this without support like yours.

[@ob1257]

This boys, is what a legend truly is.

[@huntingtonbeachsasquatch]

Thank You For Protecting Us Sir. God Bless You!

[@sgtmajtrapp3391]

Sir, you're an American Hero as were all of the Greatest Generation for you not only preserved OUR FREEDOM but save the WORLD from the horror of the evil Axis. We and the world live in freedom because of your courage and determination. Well done gyrene. (My dad was a PHARMACIST Mate 2n class in WW2 he too had a friend who died on the USS Arizona like many of his shipmates he is still aboard.

[@marcusdelk7708]

I send my gratitude to this veteran for his brave service. I also send my salute. 🇺🇸

[@johnveglio4433]

You could listen to these stories every day, try to imagine what it was like, but you will never understand till you actually get into combat. That's what my ROTC commander told us back in the 70's. He was a Captain in the 101st, and did everything you saw in Band of Brothers, I saw him once in his dress uniform, it amazed me he could walk straight with all those medals on his chest, all the way up to his shoulder !!!!

[@theinsane4469]

I served In Guam for a year, Saipan is a terrifying (from a invading force perspective). There are still bits of skeletons at the bottom of some of the cliffs.

[@justicemeter347]

These are priceless captured pieces of living history. My Dad may have delivered these troops to the beaches of Saipan and Okinawa on his Attack Transport with the Navy. This is like sitting in their living rooms, hearing these brave men reminiscing about the unforgettable experiences and memories they have carried with them for three-plus additional quarters of their lives. I will be visiting Saipan next month with the Stephen Ambrose Tour of Pacific Battlefields. I have marked this Video to share with our group of fellow travelers. Vivid stories. Thank you for capturing and sharing this splendid story.

[@staciarupp522]

My son was just there. Platoon 2153. Thank you for your amazing stories and service. Rest easy sir❤️🩶💙🇺🇲

[@jasonanderson261]

Goda bless you sir. Army OEF veteran here. Its ashamed what this country is turning into such a short time aftetr men like this were common

[@mikeflanagan6521]

Damn right. Spot on.

[@davehiggins5903]

We are living free because of brave men like this, thank you sir for my freedom, truly an American hero from the greatest generation

[@idontcare3013]

Love hearing these old Warriors' stories. My Pepaw's job was wasting Krauts, but he didn't care to share like these fellers. He would start a story, then fade off into that 1,000 yard stare and go quiet. One can only imagine what he was remembering...

[@roderickstockdale1678]

Which outfit?

[@idontcare3013]

@@roderickstockdale1678 I couldn't tell you and wish I could. I only heard stories years ago before he passed. I do know that after a lot of fighting, around November of 44, his outfit was sent to babysit what was considered to be an easy job along the line the Ardennes. He wasn't in Bastogne, but they were caught by surprise by the offensive. All he ever tell me was that the SS were "some bad boys." Then he went quiet.

[@jamestiscareno4387]

This fine American Patriot and veteran war Hero and others are why we always stand for our country's flag and the playing of our national anthem. We owe them everything for what they've done for us all.

[@zakkyummms]

You know in Nazi Germany, it was a crime to not stand for their national anthem.

[@rikijett310]

Thank you endlessly for your service Sir, and may God bless you always!!!! ✝️🇺🇲✝️

[@ronallison7578]

Outstanding narrative. Thank you for your service sir.

[@Skipjack7814]

My dear old boss, Tom, was a machine gunner in the 4th Marines, and was in several of the fights out in the South Pacific, including Saipan. He told me that he and his friend were sitting on a felled cocopalm, eating from cans, while up on that cliff, those laborers were jumping off, holding hands, etc, while the guy with loudspeaker kept trying to get them to stop. He told me many stories, and is still around today! He made it 4 days on Iwo Jima, but over by that airfield a mortar round hit near him, and he was evacuated.

[@joefran619]

It's men like this, who should run this Country!

[@squint04]

Thank you for sharing your story! And deepest thanks for your service to our nation sir!!

[@nathanrhoades5568]

How do you arrange these interviews? I have a veteran that you may be very interested in interviewing. 3rd Marine Recon Vietnam. His platoon took 40% casualties and operated in small man teams for a week at a time in the jungle and used as bait to lure the NVA into artillery range.

[@whydahell3816]

It's surprising he wasn't ever injured. Your a brave warrior and thank you for letting our generation have a life without war.

[@j.pershing2197]

May God shelter this Man in the palm of his hand until his time comes again. To all Veterans Thanks for your service! God bless all of you!

[@MegaTJ009]

My great grandfather fought in Okinawa and he carried a flamethrower, luckily his tank was never shot but he was hit with shrapnel and survived, he was awarded the Purple Heart but later in life turned to drinking to cope with the PTSD, I never met him in but I’m sure he was a great human being that fought for our country.

[@johndilday1846]

Thank you for your service. What an amazing experience you had. God certainly had his protection around you. 👍

[@PowellRealtyGroup]

I know Sonny Crumbie. I worked with him a In Sik aerator in Dallas. SemperFi Marine!! 2:15 2:15

[@gulfcoastsovereignstar]

Thank you for taking the time to document these stories. It is a privilege as much as an education to be able to hear these men share their experiences. Each of them has a place in our history.

[@georgeescaped6035]

i salute you sir! thank you for your service!!

[@KZ3fps]

My grandfather was in the 6th division, 4th regiment. He also fought on Okinawa. I wonder if this gentleman and my grandfather crossed paths at one point. Incredibly brave men.

[@indyjarhead7541]

Same. Grandfather was wounded at the Battle of Sugarloaf Hill, in May 45'.

[@tommalone4310]

@@indyjarhead7541 same here as well.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

Was he a raider or a replacement?

[@richardthornhill4630]

Semper Fi. Thanks to all our veterans who served.

[@robertboney4493]

This man was brave. He was fortunate to live thru Saipan and Okinawa both~

[@paulredinger5830]

I didn’t use dirt clods. I just used a couple pig stickers to do the same. I had 3 that I carried. Plus they’re close in weapons to boot, but I preferred my e tool for that.

[@brandondunn7632]

Thank u so much for ur time in the war and thanks for letting us here ur story

[@Parkhill57]

My neighbor as a kid fought on Saipan, and got hit in the back from friendly fire . He was a big man, very strong. He loved to garden and had a huge crop every year in his small back yard. On the hottest day of the year he decided to rent a rototiller and prepare a new section of his yard. He was wearing a big straw hat, but the heat finally got him. He sat down on the curb and his wife was running the hose on him until the ambulance came and he died at the hospital. He was just too far gone. Back then you didn't get a purple heart for friendly fire.

[@ryanwilson2016]

I can't imagine how it would feel to go through so many battles including iwo. Then train for an attack you know is going to be much, much worse than anything you have experienced so far. Then hear the news that Japan surrendered. It's got to be completely overwhelming. That generation deserves the utmost respect and thankfulness.

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you very much for your service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸 God Bless you Sir ❤❤🇺🇸👍

[@drmarkintexas-400]

Thank you for sharing 🎖️⭐🙏🇺🇲

[@chillis28]

Much respect Sir!

[@galegregory341]

A heartwarming story and you live to tell I am glad that he was not a victim of the

[@Hockeyfan9884]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, SIR. ALSO FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE U.S, FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY FOR ALL, FOR PLACING YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE, FOR PEACE, DEMOCRACY AND GOOD OF ALL MANKIND. THANK YOU SIR.

[@to8860]

Thank you sir!!

[@tylesveque2373]

Thank you sir

[@Joellikestobox]

Thank you for your services

[@philpartin8618]

Thank you sir for your brave service.

[@Alan2puttsGolf]

God bless you young man , only for people like your good self we would all be living under Nazi rule . Alan 45 years old from Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 All the young boys from everywhere around the world went to war , and the luck ones came home men , with nightmares and change forever. Again god bless your good self .

[@LeesTexan]

God Bless you sir for your brave service to this Nation!!

[@jeremiahchairez7794]

An incredible first hand account. Thank you!

[@lloydmixsr.9764]

While on Naval Reserve Duty with VP-65, we went to Kadena AFB with our P-3A Orions to replace active duty P-3 squadron for 2 weeks. While there on our off time we took a tour of the battlefield and of the caves the Japanese soldiers fought out of. They had a Peace Park there, and the site where the Japanese Commander of Okinawa committed Hari Kari. Very interesting!! I use to work with a Marine Veteran WW2 at Northrop Grumman that fought at Okinawa. I remember him saying he dont know how he survived, Marines would drop on either side of him, and he didnt get hit.

[@mikeriv60]

Thank you 👍

[@marklettow6610]

Excellent story, well delivered! Thank-you.

[@williamstokely9589]

This man has an interview also about being in Korea and being one of the Chosin Few.. What a true American this man really is. Thank you for your service sir.

[@jamesomalley4556]

Thank you Sir.

[@dianemiller5938]

God bless you and thank you for your service

[@connorwinton4343]

My Grandfather was 2nd Division Marine Corps at this battle. It haunted him till the day he died. Sadly one of most important but least talked about battles of the war.

[@jackieschroeder3737]

Thank you for your service Sir and God bless you🇺🇸🙏

[@wesbarcus3761]

Thank you for your service Marine

[@Ilovesarahbforeva]

Thank you sir my grandfather also fought at chosin thanks to you I have 2 amazing kids who are 1/4 Korean

[@pickititllneverheal9016]

Thank you for your and your pals service and sacrifices Mr Watson. I'm sorry there are so many folks out there that disrespect our flag by kneeling, and uttering anti American garbage. Most of us are not like that.

[@rockhunter6260]

Thank you for your service SIR👍🏻

[@mikeflanagan6521]

That legend is still as sharp as a tack. Amazing man and whole generation.

[@jamebrooke894]

SEMPER FI SIR! GOD BLESS YOU!!

[@paulredinger5830]

Another American hero. We are running out of these brave men and women that actually fought for freedom. I wonder what they think of the current generation? This generation couldn’t do What these people did. Thank goodness we don’t face a 1940’s Germany or Japan today. When words can destroy people today they couldn’t do it.

[@inthe21stcentury]

Love these Ancisnt War memories! From 80 years ago! Man loves his Wars, doesn't he? War memories are forgotten through Time, when War or Time no longer exist!

[@jamestiscareno4387]

Few men love war, most do not. Most do not want anything to do with war but make no mistake, unfortunately, sometimes war is an unavoidable necessary evil that good people must perform to survive.

[@inthe21stcentury]

@@jamestiscareno4387 Really? If few men loved War, then the few would War! Not the many! Try harder!

[@Vincent-ez8vk]

God bless you sir

[@francispitts9440]

I appreciate what they did for us.

[@douglasruss2889]

Informative

[@aidenschwartz]

My great grandfather was in the 10th armored division and never go hit.

[@LizardWizardHTX]

there is a good film on youtube literally called "The 6th Marine Division on Okinawa". The same division this man served in its really crazy to watch very interesting

[@garymckee8857]

Outstanding, SEMPER FIDELIS.

[@bobloblaw2958]

He probably forgets much of his life, but not something that burns itself into the soul.

[@JJD-9403]

Semper Fi sir.

[@kinnish5267]

I honor this brave man for his service

[@577bluegrass]

Honor 🎖 Respect

[@ppumpkin3282]

I really prefer these sessions where the interviewer doesn't interfere with the speaker.

[@allenbuck5589]

Semper fi. My brother