This island kept a dark secret until 2004 (*MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY*)

[@dereklingle9324]

12:30 Papa John

[@MrBallen]

correct! you are today's winner!

[@NovaFizz]

Nice!

[@ferdinand_jaasund]

GG

[@FangsInMyLeg]

wow your fast

[@JustSheepsie]

Nice!

[@valenzuela940]

George may have survivor's guilt, but he saved himself and his brothers from intense torture. I'd rather die in the plane crash than endure that.

[@MrBallen]

Agree

[@deborahbarry9421]

Just what I was thinking. Some of the lucky ones...

[@kelliewhyte_85]

@Mel Gibbson Mel Gibson is an anti Semite.

[@mrs.doolittle2180]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@KaylaMaria16]

Definitely a blessing in disguise.

[@TTALeapMonster]

Showing us pictures of the soldiers before you told us how they died made me feel so much worse. You really emphasize how these stories are about real people and present your stories with respect and empathy. The audience can't help but feel the same way. Brilliant work as always.

[@ankaplanka]

@Matthew Aguirre Indeed! But at the same time, how can people not feel the humanity whenever other people tell stories? It's still about humans after all! Do people have to tell stories in a specific way so most can actually feel empathy? That's rather disturbing to me. Some are better speakers, but needing someone who is great at that to actually feel something is rather creepy. The humanity is still there regardless of who is telling the story. It's also up to the listener to think and feel when more details are provided. Even if someone aren't as good at communicating through body language, facial language, pitches, tones and etc, you can still hear what they are saying. The context of the story. You can use that to put yourself into the shoes of whoever the story is about. Doesn't have to be harder than that. :)

[@KathyHussey063]

@@ankaplanka Yes we all know of course that anyone hearing of anyone's suffering should feel empathy, just because it is a (hopefully) natural thing that is born into the human heart to feel bad for others who are or have endured suffering and loss. But there is a big difference between hearing 8 young men died as P.O.W.'s 75-80 years ago after being shot down in a bombing raid than there is in hearing all about the raid they went into the sea as a part of and when you can SEE their pictures & and envision their young faces like this, see their youth, the early point of their lives they were at when they went through these horrendous things, especially when many of us have kids or grandkids the same ages that these poor young men were when they had to go through such HORRENDOUS, DISGUSTING THINGS. The guy did not say he could not feel the humanity or any empathy without MrBallen's storytelling abilities, he said that " it really brings out the humanity that you usually don't get from these types of stories" meaning it makes these people long gone now seem much more real to us right now, to see their faces as we just did..Odd thing for you to latch onto in this disgusting factual video, to imagine anyone could not empathize with these airmen, who SHOULD HAVE A MEMORIAL BUILT, A HUGE ONE SOMEWHERE.

[@ctts9946]

@@KathyHussey063 They really do need a memorial. And you said that a lot better than I could, even if I was paid

[@KathyHussey063]

@@ctts9946 thank you for your kind words. These men fefonitrely need to be memorialized and remembered. I'm sure there are volumes of things written that are still classified that, if released, would shed light on hundreds of deserving military men and women who should be remembered. It's sad man still has not found a way to stop wars by using other ways to settle differences. It's sad people fight over boundaries or possessing plots of land which no man can ever really own any land, jwe just rent it for a while.....

[@shitneyb5562]

I know, that picture of Marve's sweet little face was devastating. They were just kids.

[@hawaiianpunch6534]

My grandfather was a young Filipino soldier for the US Army. Before he enlisted the Japanese raided the village and went into my grandmother and grandfathers house. The Japanese soldiers took their two babies, tossed them in the air and impaled them on their bayonets the proceeded burned down their house. US soldiers came to the village and my grandfather joined them. While working with them he got captured by the Japanese and was sent to prisoner camp, eventually all the soldiers captured were forced to do the Death March. On this march through the jungle he got malaria. He received no medication and was left on the floor to die. US soldiers later raided the camps and rescued the prisoners. They got my grandfather to a ship, treated the infection and sent him to Oxnard, Ca. in the US. To make a long story short he brought my grandmother over and moved to Pasadena, Calif..

[@jannalam6861]

Ughh so cruel

[@dexterst.jacque4540]

Wow! Your grandpa is a survivor for sure! Glad the US did right by him.

[@cstephenson3749]

That is a wonderful end to a horrible story. I am glad he and your grandmother were able to come here and have a good life.

[@catherinegrzegorzewski287]

🤨🤔

[@dannymiller7187]

What a fucking savage your grandpa was. Always aspire to be as bad ass as him.

[@CK-mh7nb]

AF vet here and I just discovered your amazing story telling ability! Thanks for telling this shocking story. My mouth dropped at the end!

[@stuartmcdonald6065]

Imagine living with that guilt for 60 years only to find out that you actually saved them from a fate worse than death. Can’t imagine the emotions you’d feel!

[@Saxon360]

I wonder if that guilt is what drove him to have Kennedy assassinated.

[@workingstiff0586]

@@danielktdoran Bush Sr or Jr?

[@angryginger791]

@@workingstiff0586 Senior

[@t.g.7180]

Him & his sick family don’t have guilt. They’re part of this “great reset” bullshite

[@gazmasonik2411]

@@t.g.7180 so true. The Arkansas governer Clinton worked for the Bush guns & coke cartel.

[@kittyroars8758]

I will never find the "secret" in any episode because I am so completely transfixed by Mr.Ballens stories !

[@gordyquinney3476]

i was thinking the same thing. being so mesmerized by these events its hard to just focus on anything else

[@AlexandraVioletta]

12:30 MrBallen on top of the tea pot in the middle of the table.

[@elizabethscruggs1622]

I'm too engrossed in the story and never think to look.

[@louisestevenson5102]

What is the secret? I have no clue SERIOUSLY

[@catchthesehandsmma5419]

Ikr

[@sethgriffin5637]

The plot twist at the end was absolutely wild. You’ve gotta love the strange, dark and mysterious written in story format.

[@danjames5552]

True !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brandidee6217]

This. 💯

[@5bxndz]

@@danjames5552 i Mmmm uini

[@HeyyMissCarter]

This reminds of the movie called Unbroken, it’s based on Louis Zamperini’s life as a POW in Japan & how he overcame his struggles during & after his imprisonment, he was also in the 1936 Olympics as a runner along with Jesse Owens. It’s a great movie. ❤

[@myarogers8316]

Yes this is truly a great movie. For a moment i thought this was the story.

[@michellebaker6302]

He came to my school and did a talk on his faith & how it related to his experiences. This was in the 2000s. Incredible.

[@dastar5721]

@@myarogers8316book* first

[@jep9092]

I wonder if George Bush senior ever felt any relief from the fact that those 2 soldiers he possibly killed with with his decision to keep the plane going as long as possible and not bailing may have actually saved them from a far far more gruesome death

[@richardcranium3417]

Saved them from becoming sushi.

[@purpl3grape]

only way I see it

[@ritadanowski9147]

Right! I Pray that He knows that Good that Came from His Wise Choice to Get as FAR as Possible away from that Island.. Even though they died, His Human Guilt Helped him to Become one of the Greatest Presidents We've had! It's incredible I wonder if my 94year old Grandpa knows what happened to George Bush Senior's Buddies?.. I'll have to ask him.. He always tell's us stories about how Hitler Saw him Coming, He too was a Pilot and Worked on Plane Engines.. during World War 2!

[@oryan4395]

@@Muffin_Stuffin He was CIA director under Ford, nothing to do with Kennedy. What the hell are you talking about? Get your facts straight and pull your head out of your ass before you tell people to pull their head out of the sand.

[@chrisstephens2107]

I was thinking the same thing the entire time. As soon as I found out I would be thankful i spared them the torture but guily I survived "unscathed" (relatively)...

[@clayw5349]

My girlfriend is on the tail end of a pretty difficult pregnancy and has trouble sleeping at night. I've been listening to these stories at work all day and reciting them while laying in bed with her the best I can, censoring some of the more gruesome details and it's really helped her get to sleep. A unintended use of the content for MrBallen but has really been a life saver for my little family. Love the channel.

[@anthonyfelice2759]

How does she fall asleep to them

[@anthonyfelice2759]

@B R E A D makes sense he must have a really soothing voice

[@tifa4594]

@Katelyn Gilbert right!!

[@Nikkilou36]

This is incredibly sweet!! I hope you and your girlfriend have many happy years with your precious baby. 💖💖

[@willaandrews7283]

Awww that is so sweet. I hope everything goes well with the baby

[@DrRayB445]

Great story, did not see that twist coming, I was completely shocked.

[@reyariass]

Me too!

[@officiallylifted7538]

Same!

[@capsnerd]

same

[@sand2sea]

kinda wish he did bail sooner lol

[@slicedbread5692]

@@sand2sea I kinda wish the current president didn't show signs of dementia every time he opens his mouth, but you can't always get what you want.

[@Sophia0688]

Many of these soldiers were still teenagers 😢 I cannot imagine the 19/20 y.o. of today undergoing those horrendous warfare ordeals. Were young people more mature 80 years ago ? If this story is really true, it's one of the worst war crimes in History... something really hard to be forgiven. May all the victims of WW2 rest in peace and may they never be forgotten. Thanks Mr Ballen, you are still the best story teller ever !

[@username-re9yk]

Wtf do you mean with "if this story is really true"????????? It's not a fcking novel, it's a real story about war. People were tried and 3xecuted because of their cr1mes. And no, it's not about being mature at all, I'm sorry but your comment it's so dumb

[@xeniamartin5297]

have you met the young people of this generation??? they need therapy because Trump won the election. Everything is anxiety these days, I mean, yeah, they were not only much more mature but stronger back then too. Like, kids these days are truly pathetic as a generation.

[@Jsv_1021O4]

​​​@@xeniamartin5297You do realize you are the generation that raised the generation you're talking crap about right? Clearly you guys didn't do something right if that's the case...😂😁

[@TbV-st8ef]

Ever wonder why Korea doesn't like Japan? This video shows you why

[@Chris-wb3qe]

@@xeniamartin5297says the generation who whined and attacked the capitol because they couldn’t cope with Biden winning an election. Plus I think 80 years ago the general public had more integrity than the people of today. There’s no way a convicted felon and sex offender would have remained on the republican ballot. Actually 80 years ago he would have been disregarded the moment he disparaged the service of John McCain while dodging the draft himself.

[@cissiepierce664]

Not only did George not waste his second chance, his decision to fly the plane further away from the island also spared his crew the horrifying death of the other captured airmen!

[@THERAPZICANx1]

I feel like the guy who didn’t eject was confused and was eating on George’s signal :// poor kid bro

[@THERAPZICANx1]

I feel like the guy who failed to eject got confused and was waiting on George’s signal to eject :/ poor kid

[@justtruth5855]

The devil looks after his own. How much blood does he have on his hands. Bet he never gave a second thought to the 2 pilots who did die in that fighter jet, feel for their families left behind to live with what that evil man did.

[@DezsoLochsabre]

@@justtruth5855 ....Are you okay bro?

[@manilanoakes3966]

@@justtruth5855 It wasn't a jet it was a propeller powered ww2 dive bomber . He did the best he could under the circumstances. It is easy to criticise what would you have done.?

[@ericashleigh920]

This literally is making my heart break. The horror, and thoughts and fears going through these men's minds...and the 19yr old. His life hadn't even begun. I am in tears.

[@thebeagles2025]

and 19 year olds today need a safe place to cry when they get insulted. There's a reason the greatest generation is not the one we are currently in.

[@thatoneguy3464]

@@thebeagles2025 dude, shut up, no one asked

[@theunicorn1167]

@@thebeagles2025 Bet yo ass that every single human in the history needed a safe place to cry at least once. And if you didn‘t, either because you‘re a 14 year old child who seems to know better, or because you‘re some 45 year old who thinks to act like a child because no human should ever display human emotions, ever, then you‘ll learn someday.

[@JJones-rk6cy]

@@theunicorn1167 you can cry anywhere.

[@theunicorn1167]

@@JJones-rk6cy Sure, how many people will use that to their advantage if they catch you crying though?

[@carriebelairG]

by far, the BIGGEST plot twist ending in a story I've ever heard. Besides that one you told a month or so ago about the american who allowed that german soldier to turn around and walk back the way he came and it turned out to be Adolf Hitler.

[@robertmartin8907]

He was british and he actually just saw a wounded German as a sniper and took pitty on him.

[@minergate677]

Nah the Hitler thing was an urban legend. Hitler was in Germany on convalescent leave when he was supposedly spared. I only know that because I saw the video too and thought it was awesome so I looked into it. It’s been thoroughly disproven unfortunately.

[@jamesallen5591]

@@minergate677 Yeah, it's a good story, though. But listening to it I thought, well, even if it was true, how would anybody know that it was Hitler?

[@daerdevvyl4314]

James I always thought that once Hitler rose to prominence in Germany the British soldier saw a picture and said “Holy shit! That’s the soldier I didn’t shoot!” But imagine if Hitler had been a better painter, maybe he wouldn’t have gotten into politics, or maybe he would have been less hateful because of early success. Or not. Also, I think that Fidel Castro tried out for an American baseball team back in the 50s or whatever. What if he had been a better player and so was living in the US making money instead of leading a Communist revolution (and possibly fathering the current Prime Minister of Canada)?

[@kingofgotham417]

Mcballen covered that story months ago

[@Kowen5151]

The thought of being in the middle of the ocean and just randomly a periscope pops up is kinda haunting

[@Ooh_PieceOfCandy]

Really? That's your takeaway 🙄🙄

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

It's a frightening story about human cruelty and cannibalism

[@justalostpotato7964]

Yes 🗿

[@southernguru1455]

This comment is actually a necessary short summary incase some people are sensitive to that 👌

[@maggsbufton1969]

It’s truly a “Lord Of The Flies” story……It’s truly terrifying how inhumane and evilly cruel and vile humans can be…towards other humans and other living creatures…..

[@garlicbreadlover7154]

Every video I watch I see you

[@ferzilla6604]

this guy is everywhere wtf

[@brisbanekilarny6212]

My father was in the army in the Pacific. He fought on Saipan, Luzon and Okinawa. Many men died around him but he returned home and after the war married my mother. He survived the war and I am able to write this comment. My oldest brother served in Vietnam, my youngest brother served in Iraq. My oldest son was in the Marines and helped remove American civilians from Kenya and served as security during an Eritreian election. My youngest son is a corpsman in the Navy and served in Afghanistan with the marines. All of them have been shot at and been in dangerous places and have survived. My family is truly blessed.

[@nobody7817]

My Grandfather was a Soldier in WWI; and my Father was a Marine in WWI. I retired from the USMC only having been shot at once--never had the chance to return fire. I went into contracting for the Army in Iraq...unarmed contractor...we were shot at so many times... lol I wanted a danged rifle to shoot back with. I appreciate your families service. Your family is blessed--but are also a blessing to those of us who have had fairly pampered lives because of their sacrifices.

[@berrybloom2000]

You are a gorgeous family ❤️ Thank you for all your beautiful service to save many lives 🙏🏽 It means a lot to me 💕

[@TckaPlaysroblox7527]

Thank you for all of your service, God bless you and all our Military, in Jesus name amen.

[@catchert2909]

Wow! Your family has dedicated so much to honor and uphold our freedoms! THIS is why we need up KEEP our freedoms, to honor those that went to war for us!

[@williamsimpson716]

I knew this story. Turns out the uncle (well had he survived he would have been the uncle) of my best friend growing up was one of those young men murdered on Chichi Jima. And you are correct. The family had no idea what had happened to him until the book Flyboys came out. he was always considered Missing in Action.

[@xenostim]

Wow. Did the family regret learning what actually happened? Or was not knowing worse?

[@williamsimpson716]

@@xenostim I didn't actually ask that question but my gut feeling from talking to his "would have been niece" is that she was better knowing what happened to him, as terrible as it was.

[@tianshi2006]

Mr Ballen does such in depth analysis/research

[@jesselewis8883]

still the uncle..

[@gloriajohnson1985]

Amazing. I have binge watched your channel for 4 days. Thank you for sharing your stories!

[@doeeyes2]

The horrors of war are trully terrifying!! Going to sleep tonight feeling incredibly grateful I have hever have had to experience anything like it. RIP to all those that have suffered such atrocities of man.

[@dire12343]

And bless those who are married and survived the atrocities of WOMAN!! 🤠

[@redskull1424]

George was extremely lucky or there were a Angel watching over him

[@americanpatriot1179]

AMEN BROTHER !!! RIP !!!

[@suzycreamcheesez4371]

truly never

[@moniquedarkangel6028]

Aman

[@deedeeball5621]

You would be a life changing history teacher because students would listen

[@dodgermaven]

I am a history teacher, and I'm seriously taking notes from Mr. Ballen, trust me.

[@SonekR]

@@dodgermaven respect ++

[@natasharomanoff959]

Yes! I would be completely enthralled in class!

[@bigmikeyc83]

I agree but being a teacher consists of a lot more than short stories. Thats why there so few and far between

[@littlejourneyseverywhere]

If you're a student of the strange, dark and historical brought to you in a classroom format. 😂

[@i-vlog1994]

The ending twist was insane I definitely did not see that happening.

[@angelaengle12]

Yeah, that blew me away too.

[@heebieejeebieeeez]

Rightt. Soo fucking good

[@Wonderlikechild]

@@heebieejeebieeeez I honestly got chills after that..

[@velindaivie4342]

Same

[@zel_c2852]

Same...i had goosebumps upon hearing it...

[@independenttntn3276]

Jonathan you are truly gifted at story telling. I normally can't stand channels like yours, however you are so gifted and engaging at telling these stories that I often feel immersed in them and to some extent am living the experience you're discussing vicariously. Fantastic work!

[@resarm5007]

His name is John. Just John.

[@cogline9]

Bush vomiting on the Japanese PM at a state dinner decades ago takes on a whole new meaning after this story. At the time they said he was suffering from the flu but now I can't help but wonder...

[@geoffbell166]

Well he got off lightly really.The Pacific War was a tropical hell,i knew Aussies that fought there,no quarter was given by either side,strafing of aircrews that had ditched in the drink was done by both sides,Bush was very lucky that day ..

[@massacrepanda1412]

🤣

[@Praylak]

That event was in 1992. In the '70s Bush was director of the CIA. They claim he had the flu at the Japanese event, but I think you're assumption is more likely.

[@mariosanchez2478]

@@Praylak yep. He was the CIA Director who recruited Manuel Noriega a general of the Panamanian army to work for the CIA which would tranship drugs from Columbia to the USA to fund the Contra War in Nicaragua after the US Congress stopped funding that war. This recruitment happened a few years before he became VP. General Omar Torrijos was President of Panama at that time and he died in a 'plane crash'! His successor was gen. Manuel Noriega who turned a 'blind eye' to the drug transhipments!

[@larsrons7937]

Perhaps he taught such behaviour to his son? I once watched a television debate between president George Bush Jr. and German chancellor Angela Merkel. When Bush disagreed with something Merkel said he turned away from her so she couldn't see it and stuck his tongue out at the camera (viewers from all over the world watching). I couldn't believe my eyes. Was this a school boy or the most powerful man in the world?

[@jlr022159]

My uncle, who passed away in the early 80’s, survived the Bataan Death March and the subsequent imprisonment in a prison camp where he was regularly tortured until being saved. He wasn’t a very big man and I was always amazed at how he survived especially after hearing some of his stories. The Japanese treated their prisoners worse than animals and were very inventive when it came to absolutely horrific torture. The amazing thing about my uncle was that he held no grudges or ill will against the Japanese and he was a very Godly person before he died. How he kept himself from being filled with hatred I will never know, I personally don’t think I could’ve done that. After surviving all of that, in his elder years he died from an allergic reaction to a penicillin shot, of all things. I am proud to be related to him and he was quite the inspiration. His name was Dixon.

[@isallah1kafir196]

@jlr022159 I am glad that you posted the story of your uncle, in fact I was looking for one comment like this. That your uncle found the strength to forgive the people. There is another side to this: How many Americans found the love of their life on the Japanese Islands? If one considers the US-presence in Japan for a long time. I knew a guy, whose Father was one US-GI and his Mother one young woman in one Austrian City. Austrians & Germans marrying the boys from the US.

[@sellundschepansky]

the americans treat their prisoners really nice. pool and everything.

[@nicolebailey4426]

I think it is the government that teaches us to hate others. I think as horrible as these American soldiers died do you think that Japanese soldiers enjoyed this? The killing and cannibalism associated with this? What do you think would happen to a Japanese soldiers didn't participate they could have faced death torture for disobeying orders and treason.

[@maherischlong]

well after fighting for so long i know for sure he's in a much better place now. he's one awesome man. may his faithful, humble soul rest in peace 🙏🏽🕊 P.S: i too, have an Uncle Dixon 🙂

[@nicolebailey4426]

I want to add Dixon means son of Richard and Richard means ruler or King a leader 💙 🙏

[@liesbethrobison]

My Dutch Indonesia Father was imprisoned by Japanese in Indonesia when he was 12 years old. He told us all his stories. I grew up knowing this history. He went to University in Holland and later became a US citizen. He never let his experience affect his love of life. He was never a victim. He was so proud to be an American and he loved America. He died in 2012 but I hope to tell his story someday.

[@ryanblunts9181]

Wow imprisoned by age 12 I would love to hear his story

[@leonieromanes7265]

Write it all down, and share it with as many people as you can. Your kids, niece's and nephews will thank you one day.🙂

[@fa6846]

My boyfriend's grandpa (we're Indonesian) was captured by the Japanese and never saw him again :(

[@itsrani98]

Kak cerita..

[@Sabrina-tl3jv]

q

[@squigglenutsfosheegie1994]

I got to say. Nothing better than the respect our brothers give each other. These were true soldiers.

[@brooklynwynter9192]

This one was tough. Actually brought me to tears. My grandfather, also named George, fought in WW2 in the First Army and was there on D-Day. My grandpa was a very humble and proud gentleman who never ever spoke about his time in the war. Not once did I hear him mention a single story or memory during my entire life. Until one day when I was in my twenties. He sat down next to me one night and says, "Your mother told me you went to see that movie Saving Private Ryan. Since you now know what went on during the war, I guess I can talk about it now. What would you like to know?" He knew my love of history and was willing to relive those bad times because he loved me. We talked for hours and he told me some horrible stories. Memories of soldiers all around him, his friends, getting acid bombs to their faces and dying in pain in front of him, being shot to death in Normandy, or losing limbs from mines or bombs, etc. He himself had been hit with shrapnel and received various medals along with the purple heart. He had tears telling me all this but seemed so grateful to finally unload all of this. He was proud to have served, even going on to fight in the battle of the bulge. But he was so ashamed and troubled by the horrors of that war. He couldnt understand how he had survived or why, when all of his friends didn't. He also had two brothers, one in the air force and the other in the navy who both miraculously survived. My other grandfather was a chief petty officer aboard the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed and he too survived with a long career in the Navy. My father a marine and my uncle in the army during the Vietnam War. I respect every single soldier who has had to endure even a second of the agonies of war, but I could never fully comprehend how real the fear and lasting effects were for these men until that night with my grandpa. To see a sweet and loving man of 6ft who had never even raised his voice to me ever, weeping with such a look of sorrow while he verbalized such atrocities...I fully understood why he waited so long to do so. Because I was never able to see the world the same again. But I do know why he survived. For us. He had 2 children, 7 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild before he passed at home at 91 years old. The USA had some amazing class of men back then who gave us the world we have today. ❤

[@Mizfit6913]

Such an amazing time with your grandpa

[@iisharts7349]

God bless your grandpa

[@ddjsta]

My grandfather never told one story all his life until he was 87. My uncle and I took him out to eat one evening and all the sudden he starts speaking of the Pacific theater. He had been ashamed of the killing he did and got rid of his uniforms and medals and photographs . First story of killing a Japanese soldier he cried. He died at 91 like yours. Asked my uncle , hey did papa ever tell you them stories? Nope

[@CommonCentrist82]

They truly were the greatest generation.

[@valeriesmith3388]

Much respect and honor to your family. We actually still have soldiers who believe in going through all this for the love of country and freedom. Many blessings💖

[@107uptown]

The scariest stories are the ones where real people do things like this.

[@faded1to3black]

@Clipper Clips ...they're still stories. They happen to be true ones. What else would you call them? Accounts? Situations?

[@josephsellers3844]

Wow he was right the end of his inhumane story as everything by the grace of God. What an amazing story.that took too long to be released to the public!!-#

[@robertstone9988]

This Earl is great will you pass me some Floyd.

[@KeithLburns]

Or the stories when its true but never figured out.

[@pizzafish4499]

It's surreal hearing him talk about this island. I used to live there. It is a very small island, only about 9 sq. mi., and it takes 24 hours by ship to get there from Tokyo. There is actually a plaque in the town center in Ogasawara-mura (town on Chichijima) that has Bush on it. Nowadays, it is a very peaceful and quiet place that has some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the world. There are still some reminders of the war, in the form of shipwrecks and old machinery/truck chasis in the forest.

[@dispatch4144]

Very interesting

[@kabe1799]

Pizzafish? And you missed the Easter egg?

[@bertguns3960]

@@j2398 i knew it!!!!!

[@pizzafish4499]

@@j2398 Believe what you will. I just thought people might be interested in hearing from someone who has been there before. I was surprised to see such a big channel cover something about this island since it is a place that most Japanese have never been to, let alone foreigners. So I can understand your doubt. I was one of 2 Americans on the island at the time.

[@mcdjay]

@@pizzafish4499 Of course some kid sitting in his parents basement watching anime isn't going to believe you. They probably haven't been outside of their own basement so picturing someone living in another country, and even an island, it's pretty hard for them kids to comprehend. :D Interesting what you had to say though

[@craigjtan]

My jaw literally dropped after that reveal at the end! Great work on this one. I thought no plot twist can top the "you know someone in this plane" one but this video proved me wrkng. Good job!

[@JETHO321]

It astounds me how horrific humans can be to one another when in reality we are all stuck on this planet together.

[@butterjohnson5072]

I say this all the time it’s so much easier to love why hate when and have war when we are all the same. We just let differences get in the way.

[@jngnzlz138]

What happens on earth stays on earth.

[@valerierh07]

We are not all the same. Some of us are cruel because they can be because no one stops them. That is why we all live in a world filled with pain suffering and inequality.

[@valerierh07]

No it doesn’t, our actions stay with us throughout eternity.

[@valerierh07]

No it doesn’t, our actions stay with us through eternity.

[@samkim3329]

I may have disagreed with his politics, but being a military veteran I am in awe of his heroism. Rest In Peace all my brothers and sisters that have given their life’s for our freedom. Forever saluting you all.

[@REX-INRI-JESUS]

Amen to that brother

[@KingScalawagVA]

Fun Fact: Most soldiers hated fighting and kill others in the war. On something like Christmas they would have a truce for a while, sometimes they talked to each other.

[@kym393]

@@KingScalawagVA fun fact: not the Japanese..

[@donvito5647]

Nobody cares. People die all the time

[@disciplewill7696]

@@donvito5647 you don't like service members, because you hate yourself and have low self esteem.

[@aa.mirezZ]

That ending! WOW! Did not expect that at all. It really gave the story more depth to it, and makes you see him in a whole different perspective- what an incredible story. Do more stories like this.

[@peterf.229]

I knew about the twist from the start , I’ve read a lil about Bush’s military career

[@juanatayde7844]

Read or listen to the book Flyboys! Very interesting and a lot of info about the story he was talking about.

[@j.l.5966]

@@The1alaska1 cellophane paper. Similar to butcher paper but thinner.

[@jesusissalvation74]

Just looking at his face you can tell it is George Bush.

[@ses5000]

I knew it was Bush Sr. as soon as I saw the photo.

[@outdooradventureswithfayde6832]

Excellent story, I really had no idea who George was until the end. This one is going to be on my mind for the rest of the day. Im still trying to get caught up on all of Ballens' content. Best storyteller I've heard, and it's great to see his progression from when he started to now in Nov 2023. From a great storyteller to a masterful storyteller. 👍

[@karyndewit193]

Me neither.

[@LDNRDR]

It's crazy how the instigators of war have all had a crossroads moment in their life where a future war could have been averted if the person had died.

[@lonew0lfclaw859]

This is a true horror story. Werewolves, wendigos, vampires, ghosts, demons all pale in comparison to the evil things that Men do to each other.

[@certifiedben6376]

Explain

[@certifiedben6376]

@El Gringo no i was not talking about how this story is fake

[@todgerx]

Yeah especially the bushes as well... Horrible family

[@henrymarks1632]

@El Gringo that’s actually really interesting to know it was just propaganda. Do you have a source for the actually events?

[@heidigib01]

Amen, we are the monsters of this world.

[@rck7201]

The twist at the end, did not see that coming. George.

[@hub3128]

Bradley's book,, "Flyboys" is a great but disturbing read.

[@metalmike570]

I did think it was George H.W. Bush because i recognized him in the picture.

[@kularace7351]

@@blackmamba99971 All kinds of treason like that happened during the war. Norway was taken by the Nazis but norwegian companies like Hydro then used Norwegian slaves and slaves from other nations as work force. Supplied by the Nazis. Hydro sold aluminum to I.G Farben much needed to build aircraft. It's tough digging into it but yes I agree, a lot of todays, yesterdays and future "heroes" are just devils in disguise running their agendas. The amount of wars these people start and run is incredible.

[@thomassummerhill6357]

Love a dancing finale 😀

[@wyvernquill2796]

I read and watched a lot about the war, I missed the pilots name at the beginning but was thinking this sounds just like George W Bush. Fun twist, when George W Bush was president he went to Japan on a state visit, during a dinner he threw up. Apparently the admiral siting next to him said when you were shot down I was on on of the boats sent to pick you up and eat you.

[@zarifshoeb]

I WAS CERTAINLY NOT READY FOR THE TWIST AT THE END !! Also, that was a horrible fate those soldiers faced.

[@sholderfire4321]

Sailors 😅

[@joshlyon1315]

@@sholderfire4321 Navy Aviators

[@sholderfire4321]

@@joshlyon1315 not all of them look at their uniforms in their pictures those are 100% sailors 😂. Others like the actual pilots were commissioned naval officers. To say they were soldiers is wrong bub.

[@joshlyon1315]

@@sholderfire4321 ok this is so confusing

[@stick9648]

That was believable until the George Bush part of it.

[@jayrose6312]

OMG! THANK YOU Mr Ballen for sharing this touching true story with us! 😮😢 Actually, first, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BROTHER! As a veteran myself, this story had me captivated from the very beginning, but when you got to the point where these atrocities started, I could feel my heart rate increasing and my throat got a lump it’s back as pure anger consumed me while hearing about OUR fellow shipmates and Marines who gave the ultimate sacrifice in such an incredible way! 😢 I was somewhat elated to hear that those directly involved were sentenced to hanging and disrespected by being buried in unmarked graves, something that in Japanese culture would be especially upsetting to those being sentenced to die in such a dishonorable way, one that they surely deserved! This all just makes me sick beyond belief, but we all know that no matter what your job is in the military, you must first understand that you may just need to give the ultimate sacrifice if ever deployed to a combat zone. Early on, I clearly remember hearing some folks saying how they WOULDN’T want to do this and subsequently telling them that they made the mistake of VOLUNTEERING for the wrong organization if they truly feel that way! 🤯 I personally thought that the benefits certainly outweighed the risks involved, but I was deployed to OSW just two years in, BUT we were in the Gulf for many years BEFORE I volunteered, thereby full-well knowing that it was actually more probable than possible. I was 17 when I went on active duty with parental consent and I still feel as if I was in-fact mature enough to make the right decision. That decision earned me the honor and privilege of honorably serving our nation and puts me in an elite fraternity of tightly knitted brothers and sisters that did the very same. It’s a time-honored tradition that will always make these stories have a very special place in our collective hearts! And, we vets certainly seem to have some of the biggest hearts around when it comes down to it! ❤️🇺🇸

[@anitasmith5240]

Couldnt have said it BETTER!

[@thebartletts2009]

Absolutely horrendous. Cutting the man up while he’s alive.... I couldn’t imagine having to wait until they got hungry again.😔😔 RIP to these heroes.

[@mesquitemagic]

@Douglas Cherry with what? Do you have magic karate skills?

[@mtmadigan82]

Oh this wasnt isolated. Look up unit 731, theyd did all kinds of experiments and tested bio weapons, chemical, and effects of regular Weapons. They felt the only way to see what the results were was to perform vivisection on them. This is dissecting the people alive. Look up the pictures, if you didnt know what was going on it looks like a bad slasher film. These clowns deserved a whole lot more than 2 nukes.

[@petemclovins9166]

Tommy Boi 7-4... that was typical of the Japanese, they were notorious for doing experimental surgeries on POW's while they were fully awake.

[@Master_Petes_Theater]

@@petemclovins9166 The Nazis weren't much better. Two sides of the sadistic fascist coin.

[@diegomartinez696]

Black life Matter, not some old white racist men.

[@dezsprison2605]

I'm not sure who is not paying attention to the story to even look for anything. I know I have tried to ignore the story and look for things and fail every time because the stories are so interesting to me!

[@krista3275]

I know me too. Lol

[@w.t.3615]

Same here!

[@praxtron]

I had the same thought, but my brothers autistic, and he can focus on like 5 different things at a time and fully absorb and interpret all the info.

[@TheJessicahammerly]

Same

[@VeganV5912]

@@krista3275 _ 🐷🔪⛓🙁/😵🔴🍖🐮.... 👈🤥🤥🤥. Hypooocrite !!! Big time !!!!! You don’t do with your cute little dog 🤗🐶. Or a parakeet 🤗🦜..... For a 5 minute burger !! You can have vegan burgers and vegan pizza and vegan cheese and vegan ice cream and vegan curry and vegan burritos and vegan tacos and vegan sushi...........…

[@acehybrid8717]

I don't subscribe often, but when I do, it's because I'm a fan of the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format.

[@jayinthekut8389]

“The strange dark and mysterious” joke number 3million

[@raymondarmatino5030]

Everyone says that

[@mrc4297]

I subscribe to almost anything no lie

[@danielblake4112]

You only need to subscribe once. Just saying...🤣

[@acehybrid8717]

Literally this and only 1 other channel though

[@jacquesummers4766]

Buddy I am amazed at most of your stories. This one did make me heart sick. I do appreciate how you and your family/staff take such care of getting all the facts and information before you broadcast. I have always been a very big supporter of the Bush family and this was a significant clue into the family dynamic. Thank you John!

[@brettldouglas]

My late wife, Iris Chang, dug this information up in the 1990's while she was doing research for her best-selling book "The Rape of Nanking" She was on the phone with her friend, James Bradley, and she gave James Bradley the story and told him it would make a good book idea. James Bradley took the story and wrote it into a #2 best seller, "Flyboys".

[@johnlangford3905]

The world has a void once filled by Iris. Her book is monumental.

[@humandiii]

Is this real?

[@brettldouglas]

@@humandiii Sure is.

[@texan-american200]

@@brettldouglas I knew of the atrocities of Nanking way back when I was in highschool and I thought I knew of the Japanese occupation of China... That is, until I read her book that showed me that we knew so little of World War 2 in the Pacific Theater. I am so sorry for your loss. I heard her interviewed about her book at our local news talk radio and found her to be both impassioned and brilliant.

[@rachelzimmerman2773]

That book is incredible

[@judithokuykendall9298]

I'm 71 years old and appreciate learning even though sometimes it is horrible situations. I also appreciate Mr. Ballen explaining which kind of ship, etc so I can visualize these places and things. Americans are of all races and never give up. I pray for us all to be able to handle these situations side by side and shoulder to shoulder, men and women, should they present themselves in the future.

[@Man_fay_the_Bru]

they kinda gave up in nam& korea…just saying

[@Little_tike_4]

This comment gave me chills thats how powerfully true it is. We do need to stick together and we are all americans.

[@karenfrazier3755]

I agree completely. My dad was in the Army in the Pacific in WW II. He never, ever talked about his time in the Army. Since his death I’ve researched where he was and what he went through. Now I understand why he refused to talk - yet I regret never hearing from him the way it was.

[@surfdocer103]

@@KristinA-xv4yk bet you think socialism is the answer

[@Yiannis2112]

@@surfdocer103 Whatever rocks your boat but truth is that what you do is done better by several others and what they do is far from being socialist.

[@supervf1]

My grandfather was one of the guerilla fighters that helped the Americans when the Japanese invaded the Philippines, he used to tell me the atrocities that Japanese soldiers would do, like they’d throw babies up in the air and catch them via bayonets. He took that resentment and hate to him to the grave

[@velikan3170]

My grandmother told me about this and they did the same thing in Singapore to Chinese babies.They also made British soldiers who surrendered march more than 10 KM without drinking.They took Chinese guys who were above 18.The Chinese took refuge in Malay villages because the Japanese were only here for the Chinese.I heard at Changi beach,they used to shoot people(non-combatants).Some survived by swimming and hiding behind a rock and the beach is currently haunted and the beach is beside Changi Airport.The Japanese also attacked the Alexandra hospital and old Changi hospital which is closed off and haunted by those who were killed.They produced propoganda during the invasion and we will never forget what they did to us.There is this hill which is named "Bukit Chandu" where the Malay regiment fought until the end.Over there,they hung lieutenant Adnan upsidedown at a tree and they tortured him but he refused to tell them where the other soldiers are hiding.There are still survivors who are still living to this day and dead combatants which are not recovered in Singapore

[@geraldwarren6438]

How terrible to kill those innocent 😇 😢 babies!

[@georgemeurer9262]

My great uncle fought in the Philippines & told me the same thing.

[@SabrinaG5]

Omg, I have never ever felt so bad for hitting like on a comment. This is absolutely awful and my heart aches 😭💔

[@bradleygraves2935]

If it wasnt for the ANZACS, the Japanese would have taken those countries, no question.

[@mimo4000]

I don't think it was a complete secret until 2004 though. In the 1970s my father, who had been a Naval Aviator during WWII, told me about Japanese cannibalism of POWs. Also, mad scientist level medical experiments were carried out on the prisoners, too. I thought he was making it up, but a pal of his from their Navy days confirmed it for me. Apparently it was known at the time, at least among the Aviators if not their parents.

[@himanchywatchesvideos7826]

You know it’s gonna be good when MrBallen sets it to premiere

[@loser-cz9dl]

Yea

[@DMJWalter]

Yeah

[@TheLateOreo]

And early

[@yankeedoodlezombie6357]

TRUTJ

[@yankeedoodlezombie6357]

Here we go

[@bongkong17]

Everybody gangster until they listen to the strange, dark, and mysterious delivered in story format

[@SoCalRegisteredNurse]

So many people make this comment 😩

[@bongkong17]

@@SoCalRegisteredNurse go cry about it, Karen

[@SoCalRegisteredNurse]

@@bongkong17 Hey Gen Z, instead of calling me a Karen (which is outdated btw), come up with an original comment. Maybe read a book and expand your word knowledge base so you can write something that’s not copied from someone else 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@bongkong17]

@@SoCalRegisteredNurse lmfao ok, Karen

[@babydee7207]

😂😂😂

[@petermclennan2416]

It's amazing that George Bush didn't find out the whole story until he was 80. Almost 20 years after he first became president. It shows how much information can be withheld, even to the most powerful person in the country.

[@CAPTAINCAPSLOCK111]

keep one word in mind: bureaucracy! in our (western) society it´s more powerful than the powerful ;-)

[@Bassmasterwitacaster]

Peter

[@Bassmasterwitacaster]

Peta

[@Bassmasterwitacaster]

@@CAPTAINCAPSLOCK111 hey Phil how is Anna?

[@CAPTAINCAPSLOCK111]

@@Bassmasterwitacaster what?

[@chriso5193]

My grandfather fought in WWII as well as the Korean War. He admitted he had to kill several Japanese soldiers to survive/serve our country. Unlike yours, mine always had a DEEP hatred for the Japanese, he never forgot and forgave. He never would speak of the horrors he endured and witnessed during battle.- it was something he wasn’t proud to discuss with family. He worked a blue collar job in a factory, raised 3 daughters with his wife (who never had to get a job to help support the family) attended church every Sunday, and lived an active lifestyle until he passed from heard disease at the age of 88. Definitely the greatest generation of American!!!

[@javahigh]

George's identity clicked for me from his airmen photo and the Dauntless, but I had never heard about this campaign before. This was a horrible story told in the best way as always, MrBallen. Keep them coming!

[@nickr716]

Once I saw that picture, I knew who it was about and I figured that was the twist at the end he was talking about. The other stuff, I never heard about and is what surprised me the most.

[@swonn-um4qf]

I had a suspicion this was about George HW Bush. He actually saved those men from a horrible fate.

[@chaoswitch1974]

Me neither! I gained so much more respect for a man who deservedly garnered his influence and power, going on to be director of the CIA before becoming president.

[@jeffnorris3913]

That was not a dauntless dive bomber. That was a TBD Avenger torpedo bomber

[@zanza850]

The book fly boys has a lot more detailed information on what happened on that island. The reason we know about what happened on the island is primarily because one of the Japanese soldiers befriended Vaughn and later changed his name to Earl Vaughn to honor and remember his friend

[@LizC-hq6tt]

Thanks for the info!!! I would really like to read this book!! Thanks! 👍😁

[@crabbyj]

I read that book and was thinking the same thing.

[@triggerwarning5911]

Thats pretty cool.

[@meumnomen]

My Pops was a prisoner of war by the Japanese. He was a sailor and was kept in a hole in the ground with a grate over the top for over a year in the Philippines. He ended up catching malaria, losing a quarter of a lung, and getting a metal plate put into his head. Not to mention the ptsd and other mental issues stemming from his imprisonment.

[@wendy_2025sc]

Poor guy. 😞

[@agauerm]

that´s what you get by joining the military...

[@irene0413kj]

@@agauerm helped save millions of lives tho, like for like unfortunately

[@agauerm]

@@irene0413kj no he didn´t, he just died unnecessarily fighting a meaningless war which only make rich people richer... There is nothing glorious about wars, going to war. There is no silver lining. War is where psychos can kill without consequences, after all you are just a little trained robot doing killings "in the name of something", you are just a hired thug with license to kill.

[@soggypizzapi8794]

@@agauerm WWII was a draft. They didn't get to decide if they joined the military or not. It's not optional during a draft, it's mandatory once you are selected. Even those who are conscientious objectors we're given roles that just didn't require them to shoot someone like a medic.

[@elvisjimpa100]

You are a great story teller.alot of facts and you talks with calmness and in great details.

[@leightonpearson7277]

He also saved his 2 friends from that fate. Yes, they died, but at least they died quickly.

[@connor5419]

Technically if they were around the same area as George, they likely could have been pulled into the submarine as well

[@rthistlethwaite3430]

Thanks for sharing experience. Roy z

[@amani8677]

But if he hadn't flown out so far and bailed out so late (which did get them killed), presumably they would have been in the same area as those who were captured rather than making it to the area of the sub.

[@leightonpearson7277]

@@amani8677 yeah, that’s what I was saying Amy.

[@amani8677]

@@leightonpearson7277 I agree. Meant to reply to Ya Boi.

[@Redwood.jets1]

One of my grandpa’s best friends was actually aboard the Submarine that picked up George and I’m fact he was the man who pulled George onto the boat. Awesome video man!!

[@ly-yx1rk]

It's unwise to post personal identifiable information on the internet

[@brianschindler7955]

Are you sure....my gramps said he saw George eating lobster and shooting endangered sharks when he pulled him out of the yacht he was in...Prescott was steering and they were upset people were ruining their vacation. 🤔 😆

[@TheNunakun]

@@ly-yx1rk I agree, but I'm sure this one is harmless to post.

[@pman07]

thats crazy cause my grandfathers grandmas chefs nieces nephew was also on the submarine that saved george bush

[@donvito5647]

Lies

[@alexiabratsch7864]

My grandpa fought during the Japanese war. He lost his arm (from his elbow down)and a good chunk of his leg from a grenade. I remember as a kid thinking it was funny, almost, he covered his arm with a sock..he was always self conscious about it. As an adult, I respect him so much more and between us grandkids and great-grandchildren we have helped him heal a little. We love him but it wasn’t until he was in his golden years he decided it was time for him to heal and tell his story. Thank you grandpa for shielding us from the true horrors of war. But also thank you for letting us help you find some peace as we are descendants of you and want to see you happy towards the lesser end of your time..love you grandpa ❤️

[@timbuktoo7050]

💞

[@jharris0341]

Respect to your grandfather.

[@ValhallaArms]

Your grandpa sounds like a great man. My great grandad was in Europe, before he passed I was able to meet him and got to hear a couple of his experiences. He didn't tell us anything grim, but at 92 he told us about when he crossed a river in Germany and the Soviet soldiers held their hands down to help the Americans up on the other side.

[@tommygunss4576]

Oooh rah!! My Grandfather fought in North Africa and Italy, great uncle fought in Iwo Jima, and another great uncle fought in the Philippians.

[@toolbag-sy9ij]

The Japanese War? Do you mean WW2?

[@dominantlyd4085]

The ending!!! Great one, MrBallen. You’re the best.

[@caseygiles1368]

When he said George “w bush” I got chills. That’s crazy

[@YvetteB.]

Lol I shouldn't read comments before the video is over 😆😆😆

[@caseygiles1368]

@@YvetteB. Aw man I’m sorry I hate when I do that too

[@caseygiles1368]

@@YvetteB. ma’am. Sorry

[@WTP_1776]

to know that the guy that almost died fighting for his country would then later sell out his country to a group of super rich elite bankers? yea thats crazy.... i wish he had bailed out earlier..

[@kyguy3242]

You mean George H. W. Bush. George W. Bush is his son.

[@Cmz083]

The pilot had to feel guilty when his men died, but to learn you really saved them from a fate worse then death

[@orochimaru3950]

Those 8 men were also on the plane. So technically... no

[@2buxaslice]

@@orochimaru3950 No those 8 men were on other planes. They bailed early. He talks about it in the video.

[@Mizfit6913]

@@2buxaslice did he not watch the video 🤣

[@Si74l0rd]

Yeah, death by drowning is definitely preferable to what the others went through. If they were really lucky they were knocked unconscious before they could get out of the plane. An unfortunate, but clean death. The poor souls who were caught had anything but. For it to be Bush Sr though, that was quite the twist. Had he not gone the extra distance, or been picked up by that sub, the world might be a very different place today. That's one for the alternate history buffs!

[@terawaateimarawa2724]

@@orochimaru3950 at least try to understand the comment before trying to argue with it

[@golffoxtrotyankee3893]

The book “Flyboys” tells this entire story in graphic detail. It was written by the same author that wrote “Flags of our Fathers”; James Bradley.

[@ALbaby869]

Beat me to it. Flyboys is great read about those tragic events.

[@Bassmasterwitacaster]

Mike Mike can you smell the money bring back the balloons baby

[@dionthomas2969]

Is there a movie on this

[@lyndenhaynes2583]

Apparently It’s stolen tho from another persons idea

[@Colinop]

another commenter, bretten douglas, the widower of the author iris chang, explained how iris found this story when researching for her book, the rape of nanking, and passed the story over to bradley explaining how good it would be for a book

[@Inuosuwarii]

I watch Mr. Ballen in the fifteen minute gaps I have between my college class and I’ve gotten used to listening to him at 1.75x upped speed that it just sounds normal at this point. Love your videos!

[@victoriatrist3455]

Truth is stranger than fiction. Cannot fathom how people can be so cruel.

[@Dumilozo]

I imagine war changes people... seeing your friends die for months from being bombed would stir a rage that could probably make you do anything... war sucks for everyone and no one is a winner

[@newmanoutdoors1564]

Terrible

[@thenewsheila]

I LOVE how you say the intro every single time. Idk if it gets too repetitive for you, but it's so comforting and familiar. You say it the same every single time and don't make it seem overused at all. It's just comforting. Idk how to explain it. Thank you for all the work and research you do for us. Best story teller I've ever heard!

[@pariah_carey]

Repetition is definitely comforting. We are Creatures of Habit, after All, and I don’t mean that in a Bad Way. I love the Traditional Introduction too. 👍

[@kellyrichter1]

I know this is an old comment, but I agree. For some reason watching the intro is about the only part I need to watch otherwise his voice is enough. The hand movements are so visually satisfying and I always wondered if it was a conscious effort to replicate it each time.

[@riripari2042]

This story turned out to be so much worse than I thought. Cannibalistic soldiers. That is crazy.

[@randomheadful7190]

Yeah I did NOT see that coming!

[@edenblack206]

ikr....One of the worst....I had to stop listening to this one.....uuugh....

[@kabe1799]

I was expecting cannibalism, but I had it backwards. I thought the Japanese would torture the POWs, kill them one by one, and force the other prisoners to either eat their comrades or starve. The treatment of POWs, other ethnicities, etc by the Japanese was beyond diabolical; even Lucifer would cringe.

[@malindadesertwolf2736]

@@randomheadful7190 Me 3 did not see that coming :(

[@Mr3DBob]

My wife's uncle operated a flamethrower on Japanese-held islands. His job was to engulf the bunkers with flaming gasoline, burning all inside alive. It absolutely broke him, and he never functioned fully afterward. Being eaten is not necessarily the worst thing that can happen. There's also napalm, agent orange, land mines and nuclear bombs. War is hell. Just don't do it.

[@lyndzsea8213]

The cutting off, keeping alive, going back for more, cannibal thing to keep the meat "fresh" must actually be a common thing among the super wealthy psychopaths around the world, too. Ever see the movie "Fresh"? It's literally that.

[@daf827]

I read James Bradley’s book, “Flyboys,” which chronicles this story in gruesome detail. Reading about these atrocities made me sick. Hearing about them made me sicker. The human race is deeply flawed.

[@jamesmonroe4993]

The 'human race..' Why is it 'we' as a people have to be coupled in with such atrocious people whenever something sick and demented happens? How about the Japanese soldiers were deeply flawed? Wouldnt that be more sensible?

[@alexm7627]

@@jamesmonroe4993 do you suppose you're better off than those japenese people on the day of judgement? Even 1 sin is enough to condemn you to eternal punishment, God is holy

[@alexm7627]

@@jamesmonroe4993 and *that* is why we need Jesus

[@jamesmonroe4993]

@@alexm7627 While true and I agree with you, that wasn't the point I was trying to make

[@mattmontalvo8546]

What's really amazing is while GHW Bush served our country during WW2, which I respect, its awfully funny, years later he's head of the CIA and was in Dallas the day JFK was assassinated. Not to mention he's our vice president during the Reagan years, which they almost succeeded in killing Reagan, and then he becomes our President later on.Hmmm, interesting isn't it.

[@Brady73420]

I was like this doesn’t seem that bad, but oh did that change quickly

[@Xavier_Renegade_Angel]

Human flesh with some soy

[@LittleMacscorner]

And, NOT excusing the torture aspects of what happened to the 8 men I do want to put into perspective the understand that the Japanese Soldier on the island were likely starving to death from lack of supply (it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't at a point of eating each other after dying of some other cause). I bring up because terms of simply killing the Soldiers.....if you don't have enough food to feed your own men are you REALLY gonna "waste" it in wartime on enemy prisoners. And given that fact.....cannabilism when starvting is not a new thing and people throughout history have resorted to it---even eating friends and family to survive. I do not judge those people and I will not judge the Japanese for THAT aspect of the story. Now....the torture elements of the story....especially the last guy......that's a whole other thing. I will only say for those who "stood by an watched" that in that situation if it was leadership doing the bad stuff....just were they supposed to do? I wouldn't have condemned the men who followed but only the decision makers and those who participated in the worst of it. Just trying to be a little fair because the story is told like they did all for sh*ts and giggles and I have a feeling it was WAY more complicated that than.

[@dlkline27]

I read a book about this atrocity. I'm still appalled that this kind of barbarism occurred. I can't begin to imagine the horror those men experienced.

[@Guttagangboosie102]

Wow... not gonna lie, this explains A LOT about Bush Sr. He was always known as a hardcore CIA guy. That's not surprising after hearing this story

[@DM-qp7do]

JFK was also almost captured in Japan. He was skipper of PT 109 which was little more than a 1940s racing boat with guns and a couple torpedo. Its a cool story.

[@adamwiens1153]

Bush killed JFK when with c.i.a.

[@EEsmalls]

@@adamwiens1153 woah that's quite a theory sir

[@adamwiens1153]

@@EEsmalls sure is, very credible from what I've learned. Dig in

[@ronnielewis2010]

@@EEsmalls Also Bush's crew members were killed by him by using his issue 45 to shoot up his instrument panel then parachuted out to a awaiting submarine. He was a nazi brought over under project paper clip as so many others by the CIA. He was also the murder of Nikola Tesla the great inventor when he was a protege under Tesla and his inventions sent to the nazi's. Hence the given name by Tesla of curious George when Bush was seen going through his inventions. This was why Trump ordered the flag on his coffin to not be ironed but instead be wrinkled as a symbol of disrespect. WWG1WGA WWG1WGA Nikola said George

[@julianaadams5751]

As soon as you said "George ", j knew who you meant. The Japanese who were involved in the cannabilism were judged far too lightly. You KNOW that the men kept alive to provide "fresh meat" weren't given pain meds, so they suffered horribly. Man's inhumanity to his fellow man never ceases to horrify me.

[@darkhighwayman1757]

All of them should have been hanged. The ones who did, the ones who were there but did nothing. Death penalty.

[@deebop7180]

Well everybody suffers in war either sides so, technically both soldiers of america and japan wanted to kill each other there are no rules in a war tragic shit happens and when they were captured japanese soldiers knew those american soldiers meant harm to them that's why they are getting there revenge by torturing them basically making them regret flying to the japanese island, I'm not saying i support what the japanese soldiers did but american soldiers should have known they had it coming if unfortunately they would be captured which they were, btw i want to know your opinion on the inhumane parts of a war

[@julianaadams5751]

@@deebop7180 unfortunately, the rules of the Geneva Convention weren't in effect until 1949, but it seems like human decency would have prevented the torture these men, and others went through. Cannibalism has long been considered taboo in most civilized countries, and in no way should any person be subjected to that as a POW. You said "everybody suffers in war", and yes, that's true, to a certain extent. The suffering is already extreme, so human decency, human ethics, should try to see that it doesn't have to be unbearable. Vietnam and Korea broke the rules of the Geneva Convention, and were never sanctioned because of "international diplomacy". When we pulled out of Vietnam in 1975, we left behind so many who were POWs for the same reason. Of course one army is afraid of the other one coming back for retribution, but there is absolutely no excuse for the way these men were treated. What about Japanese honor they were so proud of? I could see a firing squad, or one on one combat, but to keep a suffering man alive so he could be eaten? That is in no way honorable. They treated the Chinese the same way. No respect for human life. The US was accused of some heinous practices at Guantanamo Bay, but never, ever anything as horrific as this. All parts of a war are inhumane. What most wars boil down to is greed. They have something we want. Power. Money. Oil. And the governments are rarely the ones who suffer. The suffering effects the whole world. According to the Geneva Convention, there are rules of war. Sure, it looks good on paper, but who will enforce them? The UN? The United States, World Police? They can't be enforced, because of human nature. If a sadist is imbued with any power, he is going to abuse that power and everyone around him suffers. Yes, everything looks good on paper, even Communism. But, here again, greed and human nature stick their damn noses in and ruins all good ideas. Ideas that benefit the people. Go figure.

[@deebop7180]

@@julianaadams5751 Well too bad for you in war there ain't no human decency if the other side want's you dead gotta show them every bit for them to know who to not mess with, you dig?

[@julianaadams5751]

@@deebop7180 in rather end it looks like the US showed THEM not to mess with us. They still have what's left of a man sitting on a step waiting for the bank to open. It's in a museum. It's only his outline, the rest of him having been engraved into stone by an atomic blast. How horrible, they cried. Yeah, well, he who laughs last...

[@j.l.5966]

Born and raised on Guam (living in Houston, Texas now, in the same area near the home of the late President Bush Sr). It was an urban legend about the unmarked graves of the Japanese war cannibals, and how the land in that area was unnaturally cold and dark, even during the day. And those that wandered in the area got mysteriously sick, with sharp aches and pains on their arms and legs, with discoloration on the skin resembling bite marks. Of course, these were stories told to children at night to scare them, as not a lot of people had access to that part of military land. But those who did come across it have been shaken up by the experience and have vowed never to return.

[@maritzamcgill4972]

Talk about bad juju

[@christopherhasch1903]

With hearing you tell this story, I could only imagine how you'd tell the story of the PT109. Even knowing the outcome I'd still be waiting with baited breath due to your energy and delivery!!!!

[@vSilentangel]

Ayo what? I was not expecting the story to be about THAT George haha.

[@josie-yw3pz]

SAME

[@EVERGLOW828]

I know right? Badass

[@ericg4915]

I'm a couple minutes in and all I saw was the picture of thenkid and the name and I'm 99% sure this is about George hw bush

[@voz3704]

@@ericg4915 Same.

[@ericg4915]

@@voz3704 JFK has a crazy war hero story too

[@xd1712]

my jaw has never dropped as hard as when he said "George" was actually George Bush

[@scoutsaresilentdeath8775]

You could see from the pic of George that it was the former President

[@scoutsaresilentdeath8775]

@Nancy Erskine Yup, you can clearly see the features

[@bumblebeeman2103]

And I thought the fuckin cannibalism stuff was the "twist"

[@imHaavy]

Yooo my mind was blown dude

[@lucyhouse]

@@bumblebeeman2103 😂😂🤘

[@david834]

The only reason anyone knows what happened on this island is because a few of the prisoners escaped their executors (there were more than these 8 allied aircrew on the island). Their survival story is nothing short of a miracle.

[@TheGeenat]

That’s crazy that he left that out. It’s amazing how many critical details he doesn’t put in his stories

[@lalli8152]

@Off Road Guy I have seen in other videos at least comments often saying some more details, and they too sound like if they true its really strange he leaves those details out. I guess maybe he wants to keep the stories short or something idk

[@connormcmurphy4276]

I had figured the stories got out because of the trials…and that Japanese soldiers had testified against their captains

[@karyndewit193]

I was wondering that. That’s a VERY important fact.

[@justineh6899]

Mr. Ballen said George was trying to get as far from the island as possible but his crew mates were telling him they needed to bail, I thought to myself "you do not want to be captured by the Japanese my guy"

[@StinieSimm]

It makes me sad that he felt so much guilt over his two mates… they are most likely eternally grateful to have been allowed to pass quickly as opposed to that awful fate… he made the right choice, in a horrible situation that wasn’t ever going to have a “positive” outcome. Also that twist at the end tho I was not ready!

[@sengasengana]

He's a psychopath, he doesn't know guilt.

[@HotMonkeyDik]

Thats what I was thinking, even if his commands got them killed, it was better than jumping sooner.

[@Zwill35]

The stories from military personnel are incredible.

[@imskchy9602]

They can take a complex situation and relay it so everyone can understand

[@ahllen932]

Scary too

[@RRAutoAndHome]

easily the best story you've done. My dad was a world war II vet and he was injured in the Pacific theater. GREAT STORY

[@edgarramirez9113]

You're dad was George Bush?

[@user-yy4ux9zf4r]

I agree, one if the best. It was so good that I had to show it to my parents…. But somehow my mom guessed the twist the second georges young picture came on the screen smh how is that possible

[@MarilynBadra]

THANK YOU FOR HIS SERVICE! ♥️🇺🇸⚔️🦅

[@gwenwilliams8305]

I was almost sick to my stomach. But Earl stood out. He didn’t allow them to just torture him.

[@nickfrechette19]

As a male in his 20's this story is insane to think people my age were going through this kind of thing... i couldnt imagine the nightmare-ish hell these guys had to go through... rest easy lost souls!

[@RadioactiveSaddam]

My dads dad and moms dad were not even 20 when they went to war to fight the Soviets.

[@9WEAVER9]

To OP, there are children in several Eastern countries at the moment who assemble electronic components for your technology who are probably younger than that, and if you gave it a little bit of effort I'm sure you could begin imagining, it's just not pleasant for most, but we all have to learn one way or another

[@nickfrechette19]

@@9WEAVER9 watching your squad being murdered is a bit different then being treated poorly while you work on an assembly line.. NONE of it is okay but its a bit of a difference..

[@nickfrechette19]

@@RadioactiveSaddam that is why I dont complain about what life I have because I didnt have to experience such issues... mines not perfect but bombs dont fall on my house and i never had to fight a war... Respect to you and your family.

[@kylebutte503]

What did we do in Guantanamo bay? oh yea war crimes. oh and just so you know at least 20% were given to us by child sex slave owning warlords claiming they were our enemy. come to find out they were their enemy.

[@JacksonPierce]

This is awful, sounds like a real Walking Dead episode. RIP to those soldiers.

[@LittleMacscorner]

And, NOT excusing the torture aspects of what happened to the 8 men I do want to put into perspective the understand that the Japanese Soldier on the island were likely starving to death from lack of supply (it wouldn't surprise me if they weren't at a point of eating each other after dying of some other cause). I bring up because terms of simply killing the Soldiers.....if you don't have enough food to feed your own men are you REALLY gonna "waste" it in wartime on enemy prisoners. And given that fact.....cannabilism when starvting is not a new thing and people throughout history have resorted to it---even eating friends and family to survive. I do not judge those people and I will not judge the Japanese for THAT aspect of the story. Now....the torture elements of the story....especially the last guy......that's a whole other thing. I will only say for those who "stood by an watched" that in that situation if it was leadership doing the bad stuff....just were they supposed to do? I wouldn't have condemned the men who followed but only the decision makers and those who participated in the worst of it. Just trying to be a little fair because the story is told like they did all for sh*ts and giggles and I have a feeling it was WAY more complicated that than.

[@klc7275]

Note to self: Don’t watch MrBallen while eating breakfast.

[@lonelystargazer8090]

Oh crap I’m doing that

[@wbharris1031]

How's the bacon?

[@tuxdraws8004]

Lmao I just made my family pancakes and scrambled eggs while listening to these stories

[@MaloneyFarrahn]

@@wbharris1031 lol or about to go to bed , or watch his cottage story where the thing came in his friends cabin while your alive at the cabin haha

[@xxkingkill23]

Faces but still it a good story 😇

[@davidfisher5140]

HOLY CRAP!!!! Thank you very much for sharing this incredible story Mr. Ballen.

[@ih458]

This was a roller coaster of emotions... Couldn't figure out why mature audience suggestion... then didn't think I was old enough to be hearing this at 30. This was frightening...

[@yodaspank850]

And the pilot was 20 yrs. old 😄

[@MrBallen]

Ya it’s a wild one for sure

[@tamz7396]

Same

[@codycevering2733]

I agree. This world has seen some crap. Thank goodness those soldiers actions were recognized as war crimes.

[@mr.ballenshadowbans7833]

@@MrBallen shadow banning is for people who have no leg to stand on argument-wise

[@stankycheese3861]

When he said George Bush senior was the survivor I was surprised I did not expect that

[@concreek449]

Me too I was surprised as well

[@radiorob7543]

@@concreek449 Not me I recognized his picture.

[@boxcarwillie167]

Gives me a new found respect/admiration.

[@boxcarwillie167]

@Radio Rob - Well aren't you special...

[@radiorob7543]

@@boxcarwillie167 If you say so...

[@goodluckdez]

This story was so gruesome and disturbing that I, an adult man, had to watch Toy Story immediately after to ease my mind. To those men that were tortured and to all who serve our country thank you dearly for your service from the bottom of my heart.

[@ArnoldBuasen]

Painful reality of the evils of war. Thanks to all who stand for righteousness.

[@bonchidude]

I actually expected worse but this is some bad sh*t anyway. I thought they were going to be tortured for months before being hacked off or who knows what. The world is a very bad place and there are bad people. Once you accept this you can fight evil as best as possible.

[@joseguevara8995]

@@bonchidude in the book Flyboys, it is way worse. They were brutally tortured and beaten to death.

[@joncampbell2670]

Kind of makes those atomic bombs seem justified, after that.

[@spanishlady3270]

Amen to that... May they REST IN PEACE

[@aisonramillano5598]

Best of the best stories I've heard from your channel.. thank you Mrballen . . . . .

[@jimmyjones3191]

All I can say is “holy shit”. Being a NAVY vet, it saddens me every time I see what ALL branches of our armed forces endure. Bravo Zulu to you John for your stories and your service.

[@byronfoppola8676]

Its sad that soldiers kill innocent people all the time

[@byronfoppola8676]

@@worldgggggg guantanmo tortured detainees, held them for years without trial... but in all seriousness, you're a fool if you honestly believe the US doesn't torture prisoners for information. A county founded on genocide and slavery isn't any better than any other country. Also potentially millions were killed in air raids across Iraq and Afghanistan, a continuation of Vietnam... women, children, all die at the commands of US policy. Don't lie to yourself.

[@CarlaHanson68]

Thank you for your service, sir. 🇺🇸

[@byronfoppola8676]

@@cyberreaper89 No. Its called letting other people make decisions for you, commanded you to drop bombs and kill entire populations of people that have nothing to do with you chosen line of work in an unjust war where you're just doing your job with no thought of the consequences until the PTSD shows up.

[@jesswisdom9094]

The way you told this one is reminiscent of Paul Harvey's The Rest of the Story. Excellent work Mr. Ballen! You are a gifted story teller.

[@scott83gmail]

Been a long time since I've heard Paul Harvey's voice

[@findy0uinanotherlife363]

The way he told it, Ol'Boy still sound roughed up, and a little bit sicker than the last upload... 🙁 And for Father's Day.... a w w , b o o . .

[@justhereforkicks8208]

I can hear his voice now “This is Paul Harvey.....good day...”

[@Ubotit_Unaymit]

Holy crap, you nailed it! I knew this channel reminded me of something, but couldn't put my finger on it!

[@stephanieboldenhtd4life880]

I agree. . Miss Paul harvey! As he would say...good day!

[@baxtrom]

Imagine how many vile monsters of world war 2 that were never caught, that never faced justice. Decades later they were old men, feeding the birds in the park, watching the children play. People like Mengele and Klaus Barbieb (who at least spent his final years rotting in prison). Thank God some of these vicious criminals got what they deserved.

[@miapdx503]

Operation Paperclip. Herr Drumpf is Operation Paperclip fulfilled.

[@TheJessicahammerly]

Who are those 2 people you mentioned?

[@riversong656]

@@TheJessicahammerly Mengele was camp doctor in Auschwitz, and experimented on live humans. Barbie was known as the butcher of Lyon. Nazis both.

[@baxtrom]

@@TheJessicahammerly Dr Mengele needs perhaps no introduction, he was the monster performing evil experiments on human beings in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Klaus Barbie, the butcher of Lyon, was a member of the SS and chief of Gestapo in Lyon in occupied France. He was an expert in torture.

[@giantmanice]

@@miapdx503 he just lives rent free in your head or what

[@piperofsimms]

Told so well Mr. B. Thank you for this history lesson. Tucson, AZ.

[@CavemanGenetics]

RIP to the brave 8 men who died on that island. And to all that have fought and will fight for our country

[@gmghood2797]

Good for them 🤣 next time America should stop trying to steal everything from everyone!

[@kravez16]

@@SkipperAmss I agree with you about the respect factor but honestly most of those men did not have to die nor get sent to wars that only benefit the rich and those in charge, I feel bad for them for being brain washed into believing their nation will be attacked if they don’t do anything which was 9/10 lies I.E Iraq and Afghanistan

[@gmghood2797]

@@SkipperAmss what I learned is to stay out of peoples properties!!!

[@BlitzerAcer]

@@gmghood2797 who invaded who first? I wonder... 🤔

[@royleevaughn2990]

The United States has given to the world not taken. In ww2 ,korea, vietnam,gulf, iraq,and afganistan ect... we gave... we spent our own money and our own blood protecting peoples freedoms.... took nothing from them.. Please learn your history before disrespecting your country and those that fought and died for your freedom.

[@danielk8906]

When I was a younger man circa 2002, I knew a WWII Marine veteran that absolutely hated the Japanese. He only revealed this after something was on the television about Japan. He was the most gentle soul and kind guy that I had to ask why he hated Japanese people so much. He told me a few stories about how the Japanese treated the Chinese civilians that were on the Islands they had discovered after the Japanese fled. Poisoned wells, mass executions and worse. I will never question the stuff that happened in that era again and I felt horrible for asking him. That was 20 years ago now. R.I.P. Buddy.

[@Bassmasterwitacaster]

Daniel tell me where the body is

[@danielk8906]

@@Bassmasterwitacaster Probably in your refrigerator...

[@coolgirlfrozenfeet]

Even these days, some Japanese traditions are horrifying. There is a bay where they slaughter thousands of dolphins every year, just because they can, I guess. Dolphins are such kind and gentle creatures and will save humans from other animals and from storms and stuff. Of all the ocean creatures, dolphins seem like the friendliest and most innocent, so why have mass executions of them? People who can do that to animals can almost just as easily do it to people. In other ways, the Japanese people are quite advanced in how they do things. They clearly have good knowledge of electronics.

[@terrytarver690]

@@coolgirlfrozenfeet Have you seen what humans are doing to humans? You taking bout fish 😂😂😂😂

[@coolgirlfrozenfeet]

@@terrytarver690 Dolphins are not fish. They are mammals. They often purposely help humans who are having trouble (like falling into water with sharks present). There is nothing wrong with caring about creatures other than humans.

[@SerTasera]

I'd heard about Bush Sr. narrowly avoiding being cannibalized in WWII, but I'd never heard all of the gruesome details until now. Holy goddamn.

[@esteemedmortal5917]

Wasn’t he also on the USS Indianapolis when it got sunk? Or am I thinking of someone else?

[@amy109]

Too bad it was him and not one of the other guys who survived 😒. Hundreds of thousands of people would still be alive today.

[@earlofpants]

@@amy109 😂

[@srirampatnaik9164]

@@amy109 sadist

[@BurningBridgeStudios]

@@srirampatnaik9164 I'm not sure sadist means what you think it means.

[@SaroniDattaChaudhuri]

you look exhausted, hope now you can take rest :) thank you for the videos @MrBallen