WW2 BAR Rifleman Spent 42 Days in Nonstop Combat | "We almost got annihilated" | Robert Shipe

Robert Shipe was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1944, immediately after completing High School. After basic training he was assigned to the 97th infantry Division where he trained as a BAR man. In basic his unit had been training for Pacific combat, but after the Battle of the Bulge broke out, Shipe found himself on a troop transport bound for Europe.
Shipe arrived at the front just as the Allies halted Hitler's Ardennes offensive. Robert and his unit would push into Germany where he would spend 42 straight days in combat. As a BAR man Shipe constantly found himself the target of enemy fire.
After Germany surrendered Shipe was sent home, but was told he would soon be training for the invasion of Japan. After the dropping of the atomic bombs and the conclusion of the war, Robert Shipe went to Japan as an MP on occupational duty.
Interview recorded on January 13, 2023
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[@Jay-O_Carlow]

Please do Marcus Luttrell , If you could get him , i know he has told his story so many times like Rob O Neil But your way of interviewing is very different , its more - how do i say this , More real & in depth but heartfelt The work you do is amazing truly amazing and i thank you very much for it!

[@ohanailo6681]

Do you do interviews with Vietnam decorated veterans? I know of a decorated infantry officer. He was awarded, One Silver Star, and a Bronze Star with "V"and Oak Leaf Clusters, also a Purple Heart, and numerous other medals. He spent two years in Vietnam, first year as an advisor as a Green Beret, and his second year as a Company Commander. He also spoke fluent Vietmamese while he was stationed there and had numerous unpublished combat battlefield photos. Although I'm not sure if he has the photo's anymore. I would like to request of you folks to consider interviewing him before the oral history is lost. His father was also an eyewitness to the bombing of Pearl Hatbor, amd his Grandmother was working on the base during the attack. He told me that living in Hawaii during WW II, he had to carry a gas mask with him to elementary school until the War was over. He has so many interesting stories to share. His older sister just passed away on, March 3, 2023 I believe she was 85 and he is 83 this April 12, 2023. So please if you value the oral history of our Veterans, how do I schedule an interview?

[@knabe2394]

I wish I could ask Mr. Shipe if he knew my grandfather who was also in the 97th as a BAR rifleman. His story closely resembles the stories he told me about his experiences in the war.

[@thesinaclwon]

This guy is still alive? Holy smokes he is pretty snappy for someone his age. My grandfather was a Gunny in WW2 and he passed at age 82 in 2006. The stories he told made me be the only male member of our family to not join the military 😂.

[@Blaine_historian-dw9qu4ss3k]

I hope all of the vets have a great day and I hope they are doing great and I hope that they have a great day

[@TheBanjoShowOfficial]

This man is 98 and more coherent than many in their 80’s

[@georgedoughty-zr3ed]

More coherent than most under 30.

[@LordDirus007]

Yeah he is sharp ain't he.

[@johnschmitt5259]

You mean people in their 20's right???

[@RoCK3rAD]

Baby boomers got lazy and mentally unhealthy due to their decadence and unchecked hedonism. Baby boomers are the downfall of this once great nation

[@joshmattmilo]

including the president.....

[@killercameo2091]

Not only did he care about his country, he was willing to lose rank to help his friends. He’s a hell of a guy

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@christopherjordan2467]

42 days sustained combat last thing on his mind was rank

[@whatisthepointofthis1]

I was wondering how such a soldier like him could still be a private lol

[@10_points]

​​@@christopherjordan2467 it was 45 days I know this because I got a chance to talk to him

[@manuelbermudez211]

Right now I’m muting draft dodging tramp who’s trying to scam people’s money while this REAL WAR HERO was just telling his war experiences. Just shaking my head at this irony of how he endured WWII and how tramp dodged Vietnam. Just sayin …😮

[@Coglio]

Love how his first thought capturing the tank crew was "damn this guy's coat fresh as hell"

[@E7VZ]

“What size is that, my size?”

[@chanseypantsable]

When it's that cold out that'd be my first thought too.

[@seanohare5488]

Yes insightful basic needs to the weather instinctive

[@PetarJovanovic993]

Hugo Boss...

[@sean8186]

He stole another man’s jacket. Even in war that is not cool. It’s dishonest. He shouldn’t be proud of taking the clothes off another man’s back at gunpoint.

[@Indy_at_the_beach]

Holy crap! I know this guy! He lives in Palm Springs and was a volunteer photographer at the Living Desert. I did business with him for a number of years. Always a nice guy. Never a peep about the war. Then again in this town there are so many old timers with incredible stories. I met a number of holocaust survivors, veterans of WWII and Korea, Ken Miles, and Frank Hurlbut P-38 ace and other amazing folks at the air museum there.

[@INFJ-ThaneTr]

Next time keep his personal information to yourself

[@emmanuelsepulveda1835]

@@INFJ-ThaneTrit’s not like they mentioned his address. It’s not that serious bro

[@jacobcastillo9275]

​@@INFJ-ThaneTrwhy?? There's no harm in what he shared with us. Stop being a buzzkill

[@user-uz6ju8li9u]

The guy is not exactly hiding his identity. I don’t see a problem saying he knows the guy. He’s right meeting the veterans is a real honor and privilege better to give too much information than to forget

[@clu4u]

@@INFJ-ThaneTr Next time keep your opinions to yourself.

[@discingaround]

His sense of clarity and humor are genuinely enjoyable. What a national treasure.

[@akatripclaymore.9679]

The best of the best!

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@jgonzalez101]

Yes, this precious WW2 Veteran is still very sharp, very informative and quite enjoyable to hear about his War experience.❤️🙏🇺🇸

[@kevmoful]

If only Americans could manage to elect a human that is not in the throws of dementia.

[@HeWhoMaims]

Intense moments, but his laugh and smile are golden

[@danielketner7581]

"We had a bazooka idk where it came from but we had it" we love to see it

[@mandreadfg]

Cracked me up

[@bobbyrayvictory6905]

It was acquired

[@solidtank7957]

Based bazooka obtainer

[@mattsantana7701]

Made me laugh his sharp mind still is wondering where in the hell it came from!

[@MisterRawgers]

45 day battle with no new clothes, food or shelter is insane. Over 6 weeks of pure nightmare.

[@iaiband]

You should read up on the Marines of wwII all they got was malaria and jungle rot. No women over seas and were pretty much indigent when they got home

[@seanohare5488]

Yes must salute those brave tough men

[@Humanoidable]

@@seanohare5488 "brave" or idiots?

[@gagebyers1057]

@@HumanoidableI’d say you are the idiot

[@northwestprof60]

Not disagreeing but when you're 19 years old and living in the Great Depression, it's not like these guys were high-living executives! In 1942, much of the Middle West and Far West still did not have electricity, and life was tough. These guys fighting in WWII were just plain tougher than that age group is today, all other things being equal.

[@killerkane1957]

These guys are awesome. I was born in 1957 and raised in a small central Texas town. I had the honor of being mentored by many WWII veterans. How to hunt, camp cook, keeping from getting sick in camp by boiling everything, and so much more. The stories are legendary and typical of any town back then. Battles, bailing out, missing limbs, suffering, and surviving. I am what I am today with their guidance. God bless and rest you all.

[@bradr2142]

Me too worked union construction with some of these guys Vietnam to. The guys were really good workers. Lots fun stories. I owe alot to those guys.

[@jedidiahwalker9180]

I had commented pretty much the same I was just reading other comments. I was home schooled and my grandpa lived 100yds from my house. By the time I was 5-6 I was literally with him 99% of the time he wasn’t at work. He thought me so much I surprise others and myself when it comes to the random missed things. His generation was definitely the greatest and we’re living in the weakest.

[@killerkane1957]

@@jedidiahwalker9180 Well said! I can hunt, track, hide, orient myself, and keep my wits. This came from them. Adapt. Overcome. Improvise.

[@alandavis9644]

I was blessed to know many men just like him. They are all gone now but I tell thier wild stories they told me to their children and grandkids!

[@serpentines6356]

@@bradr2142 Write your stories down, or record. Tell everything you can remember about your experiences, and interactions with them. What impressed you about them, what you learned from them, bits of their stories of war, of life, where they came from, etc. Pass your life experience on, at least in your family. Stories are so important to write down. Once we are gone, that's it.

[@dhud707]

A 19lb BAR and all of that ammo fighting for that length of time on his first engagement? Sheesh! This soldier got thrown right into the thick of it. Good interview!

[@gordonhall9871]

that is why my Dad loved the M1 it shot 8 times and not heavy like the BAR

[@bradleybarnhart4188]

My father was a BAR man (1st & 6th Marine Division, WW 2) and after his first night engagement carried all his BAR equipment and a .30 carbine to avoid the telltale flash of a full auto at night. RIP Dad.

[@staticx2552]

​@bradleybarnhart4188 bet dude was stronger than an ox and a real one RIP

[@82SSchultz]

The weight of the thing is what my grandfather always complained about the BAR (he was a BAR man with the 3rd Infantry Division in Italy and France). Although the fighting was worse at Anzio, the marching in Southern France had its own challenges...the unit having some near record marches (and him hauling that beast along the whole way). Cap that off with a 3 days without sleep after a forced march to then attack Besancon in the middle of the night and uphill (successfully taking it), that is when his unit were awarded the distinguished unit citation.

[@alfonsomunoz4424]

I saw a BAR at the WWII museum in New Orleans. It's BIG.

[@grorse]

As a British person born in 1992, I appreciate, respect, and idolize the American troops from WWII. We were on our last legs, and humble men like these went through hell and talk about it like it was nothing. You Yanks should be proud to have lived under such legends. My utmost respect goes out to these men.

[@badcornflakes6374]

They're almost all gone at this point.. I've noticed since then there's a lot less care about what the Nazis did, how evil they were. Same with the Japanese. It's a lot of apologizers now since all the veterans have gone and passed on.

[@barbarakauppi9915]

@@badcornflakes6374 Yeah, especially the Japanese apologists. Their brutality outdid the Germans in so many ways, and only they sneak-attacked the US, but without the extensive documentation publicized such as that during the Nuremberg trials and the allowance of their leader to remain (incredible, looking back at it), their coverage was less extensive over time. Do we dare even mention the Soviet apologists in all this, as well..?

[@olliemck60]

you Brits did a gr8, my dad always praised you.

[@LemurInBlack]

Stop making this about yourself

[@tatsuyahori8837]

​@@LemurInBlackcalm down no one is stealing your barbie collection okay spazz😂😂

[@Anon-greyman]

To the struggling Combat Veteran watching this to comfort the pain of Combat Fatigue/PTSD, you are loved, you are heard, seen, and felt. You are a servant of the people because you fought for Liberty. Regardless of political corruption, you are recognized for your sacrifice. You put your life on the line in the name of Freedom. Thank you. Please stick around. We need you more now, than ever...

[@TJ-xt6pc]

Well said! Thank you for your service, sir!

[@colinjames2469]

He joined as a Pvt and ended up a ... hero. One of 'The Greatest Generation'. Thank you for your service , sir.

[@garthvancura6759]

Well said

[@cotystiehl7260]

So true... they definitely don't make'em like this anymore. This generation was tough.

[@fascistalien]

​@@cotystiehl7260say that to the ukranians

[@motoross9237]

Yes yes 👍

[@knine8154]

@Hodd Toward You may want to look into the "heros" you support.

[@maning04]

I'm actually quite sad to know that there are a few veterans like him left to share their stories of their time in the frontlines.

[@TheBanjoShowOfficial]

Nothing sad about it, just life. What’s sad is the misery so many of them must have endured in conflict, both those who survived and those that survived with half a soul left.

[@jorgesepulveda4379]

​@@TheBanjoShowOfficial and not even the misery in combat , but for the ones that returned to their countrys with nothing , abandoned and left on the streets. Forgotten

[@AdaptiveApeHybrid]

​@@TheBanjoShowOfficial some people consider life to be sad at times 💁🏻‍♂️ Children getting murdered is a part of life too. You gonna claim that's not sad? tHaTs LiFe fOr yA

[@flintsky7706]

Don’t worry, wars will never end. There will always be veterans.

[@johnbartz1907]

I got to work at a very nice nursing home in the LTC unit and got to meet some of the last WW2 vets around. I even met a man who was a child in Germany... The stories he shared.. wow.

[@charlessaint7926]

The 97th Infantry Division had a brief, but crucial, deployment to Europe. In the four months over there, suffering less than 1,000 combat casualties, they took nearly 49,000 prisoners.

[@jimhooper6204]

My father was in the 97th. I heard all the stories. The troop ship to France, fighting in Germany. He was in anti-tank and was detached to Czechoslovakia. The long troop ship to Japan. He ran a little black market while there and made enough money to buy a new car with cash when he got back home (when they came available). He just passed away in January at 100! I have his medals and service record.

[@sladeb6036]

@@jimhooper6204 that's amazing God bless your father. I'm thankful for his service and sacrifice. RIP Sir.

[@guero2faded]

@@jimhooper6204 rip to a true soldier

[@seanohare5488]

Did a good job there as soldiers

[@walpolescrew]

“Follow Me!” -Iron Mike

[@jeffreylc]

This gentleman knows his weapons. Still. After 70+ years. He’s spot on. An MG42 had a cyclic rate of 1100-1200 rounds per minute. A Browning .30 cal air cooled, 550 rpm.

[@diaperjoeisaped1723]

The BAR had two rates of fire. 300 and 700. I am the proud owner of one. I do not know if they had 2 different ones. God Bless all of these brave soldiers!

[@kevmoful]

I brought my M1a to my grandfathers farm years ago and he wanted to shoot it. After a few rounds on steel at 100 he put 2/3 on steel at 300 . Only irons to top it off. He made sure we all knew he still had it . He was in Korea and Vietnam . He didn’t care for the AR .

[@dancollins2568]

@@diaperjoeisaped1723 Most did, the idea was to give a higher rate of fire for when you might have a shorter window of time to be on target, and a slower rate of fire to help conserve ammo, and I believe that it was intended to be used with the slower speed while being fired from unsupported positions but I could make an argument for either way.

[@steviechampagne]

@@kevmofulbadass story

[@SherLock55]

Of course he knows, the guy was shot at by numerous MG42's, had bullets whizzing past and over his head, I doubt he will ever forget.

[@billisaacs702]

My dad was in the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team. They fought at Anzio (the mop up), the Maritime Alps, and the Bulge. Dad would tell the funny stories too and like this man, he would not get too specific about the ugly part of things. I miss him.

[@diaperjoeisaped1723]

Bill: Thank you for sharing. My father was a sniper in WWII and was in the Battle of the Bulge. When I was younger, I heard all the funny stories. When dad's later years came around (and I was mature enough to truly appreciate and comprehend what really went on there) I heard the real stories. Still makes me wonder how anyone survived. I have nothing but respect for all of those who fought for our freedoms during WWII.

[@seanohare5488]

You must be proud of him well said

[@jjosephm7539]

I knew Daniel Rotondo, Bethlehem, PA from the 517th. He told me the funny story about how he was supposed to give a code word while in the dark woods and instead said, “Is that you Sergeant Turco?” It’s in a book written by one of the men. One of the other interesting things is that they said was the Germans could be detected by their scent. They smelled like fish because they ate canned salmon

[@causam2508]

@@jjosephm7539 That outfit had lots of funny stories. I don't recall if Dad ever told me the salmon thing. Thanks for sharing! By the way, there's a book you can get online about them by Gerald Astor. I think it's called "The Battling Buzzards; The Odyssey Of The 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team 1943-1945". It has the one where they put a quarter block of C-4 in the French latrines and blew them sky high because the French were disgusting and just allowed everything to drop down into a ditch that ran under the latrines and the whole camp smelled of it. Apparently the Americans had given them the latrines because before that, they were just walking down into the ditch and squatting. Pretty funny!

[@markhankins3023]

Incredible recall for 93 years old! So humble, such a soldier.🇺🇸

[@jobe_seed6674]

Really sharp for his age even my great grandpa who passed at 90 and was a marine in Korea he was wasn’t nearly as sharp as this guy

[@markhankins3023]

@@jobe_seed6674 Semper Fi to him!🇺🇸

[@tomahawkintaco6617]

That’s not something you forget.

[@markhankins3023]

@@tomahawkintaco6617 so much detail, and with orderly time recollection, is the amazing aspect and it’s clarity.

[@lengisen9637]

Was he like 10 years ol dwhen he served?

[@andrewmacdonald4833]

An amazing man...still razor sharp in his mid to late 90s....incredible.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@user-je8kq2cg6u]

Such an honour to listen to veterans like this gentleman. Can’t imagine what these brave men endured during WWII. I am British and would like to thank all our American allies for their courage and sacrifice so that we have the freedoms we have today. I hope we can live up to the sacrifices you made. Lest we Forget🇺🇸🇬🇧❤️

[@heybeter6685]

its incredible that this man is 98 looking 75 and still telling stories like they happened weeks ago. such a pleasure to listen to.

[@tommyriam8320]

'looking *85* ' but still amazing

[@fauxbro1983]

Good to see this mighty man still has a sense of humor!

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@wfs000]

This WW2 vet was so lucid and entertaining. I should be as aware as him when/if I reach his age. Other - I enlisted in 1972, so I am a senior already.

[@nomad1266]

Thank you for your service sir ❤️ 🇺🇸

[@TooFarWest1]

Yes, he’s got a memory like it all happened yesterday. Amazing vet!

[@asmith1711]

98 for me, three months after high school, I entered recruiting, two months later I was in. Best decision I ever made

[@mertmcguire]

This man assisted in a beer run. He's a great hero. Thank you for serving sir.

[@Jaredc01]

The content of this mans character is pure. He went through all that, disobeyed regulation just to let his buddies have some beer. They over indulged and he said "I did it." Honest and ernest he owned up for his and others mistakes. You dont get that often. What a model of what it is to be a good person.

[@MrRedberd]

The buddy ratting on him for the free beer was as tragic as the war...just sayin'

[@darkosphere3252]

@@MrRedberdthis^

[@joecee6862]

​@@MrRedberd Haha right!? "Where'd you guys get the beer?" "It fell off a truck sergeant!" Much better 😂

[@bobfromjob]

What a man. Giving his soldiers what they wanted and having ranked pulled. I would have been proud to serve under this gentleman!

[@scottw5315]

I doubt the Colonel saw combat. That's a puny thing to do to a man who just risked his neck for his country.

[@scottw5315]

@Trevor Brannon He didn't fight for any of that. It's our job to fight for decency to preserve what we have. Every generation has its struggles. We are dealing with a world shadow government that wants to destroy us from within. That's not going to happen. Don't overestimate the enemy. The LGBTQ Pedo crowd are a few percent of the population. The filthy entertainment industry including entertainment news make them seem like more than they are in fact. One thing about the biblical money changers running the entertainment industry. Their love of money will force them to change because they are losing customers by the tens of millions.

[@scottw5315]

@Trevor Brannon Part of the strategy of propaganda is to demoralize you into losing hope. If you do, you're falling into their hands. Pass this great video on to someone you know. We are doing an end around the filthy main stream media.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@skypaul100]

Hi from England. This guy is from that same generation as my folks who also served. Every time I see something like this I am totally humbled. Thank you, only because of you do we have the freedom we now live.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

You English were tough troopers! True survivors!

[@seanohare5488]

So true

[@BesoffenerIslamist]

"at least we are not speaking German!"...the brit mumbled while his wife and daughters are getting chased by Abdul and Mohammed

[@skypaul100]

@@BesoffenerIslamist abdul and mohammed only chase boys. Well known fact

[@maddierosemusic]

That freedom is being squandered by men who couldn't tie this guys shoes.

[@lyingcat9022]

Hell of a life story Old Timer :) My Grandpa was in WWII but sadly he passed when I was a teen. He never spoke a word about the War to me. I joined the Army a few years after he passed when I was 18. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. To this day I wish I could have come home to swap war stories with the Old Man. First hand memories of WWII have almost completely left this world. Men like these are priceless national treasures.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@iRuNsBlack]

Thank you for your service 🫡

[@eugenebrooks4035]

My grand father was a pfc BAR team member .100th 399th L company . Thank you for bringing us this mans story . Thank you sir for helping save America .

[@lawrencemartin24]

My father was a WWII vet. Woodcraft, fishing, firearms, mechanicals, family values. I spent countless hours over 30 years in his company one on one mooching for salmon and exploring lakes and rivers. I was the youngest son so as he aged there was more time devoted to me as my elder siblings were building their lives. We became more than father and son. We were best friends. He was so grateful to have survived, married and had a family. Never decorated for his contribution to the war effort but a Hero nonetheless. RIP Doc. I'll see you on the other side.

[@theskyizblue2day431]

Not decorated? So he had no awards? So he didn’t deploy?

[@seanohare5488]

Very well said

[@deucedecker4903]

❤

[@pestisthebestspaghettikeys6944]

@madgethornpoole

[@oooalonsonacho6935]

That ending was funny as heck😂 I hope this man is living well. It’s insane hearing any WW2 stories from actual veterans of the war. They gave the Germans and Japanese hell🫡 Thankfully, we are close allies with both of those nations today and I hope it remains that way☮️

[@garyseeseverything8615]

But American and the British started both world wars.

[@LordDucarius]

If american troops continue to occupy Germany and Japan, you wont have peace

[@seanohare5488]

Me too

[@LezSpringfield]

“allies” more like owners

[@edwardglubin4354]

Crazy, this man could’ve been anyone’s grandfather and witnessed such horrors in his youth. You’d never know looking at him how brave he had to be.

[@seanohare5488]

True

[@swide2750]

visit south africa and the sahara desert 😂

[@charliedaniels9479]

You better start getting some grit in your guys Ed because WW2 will have NOTHING on WW3.

[@edwardglubin4354]

@@charliedaniels9479y generation isn’t as tough as these guys, I’d never have the balls to claim I’m any different either.

[@charliedaniels9479]

@@edwardglubin4354 You are not listening to these old men. WHEN the time comes, and it will, you will surprise yourself with how much courage you have. None of these old Veterans are claiming to be heroes-hell, many of them were kids (just 15 years old often)-but they are because they had that something in them that they didn’t know they had.

[@tonyenglish5153]

Very grateful for your service. My dad was in WWII and only spoke of it one time when I was about 7 years old. He passed in 2002 and was my hero and taught me the greatest lesson of work ethic. May your days be blessed sir.

[@bloodyspartan300]

Never liked that thanks bs, kind of like ordering a meal and happy we got good service. Well we got great service out of theses Men, I and I for one will be eternally grateful, and forever proud they are Americans. Not to take anything from their opponents, they also believed in Duty, Shame so many don't anymore. My stepdad was 39-45, Kasserine to Germany with Patton. Blood Dad Korea. My SD was probably one of the Gi's that came to their aid. Glad he got to come home in one piece, too many did not. Always such a waste and damn shame.

[@benjichaser72]

@@bloodyspartan300 so true! people spend their whole day lurking on the net searching for comments to leave their cringe ‚thank you for your service‘ comments... smh just like bots

[@thepiehunter2633]

The sad part is when he laugh’s, the pain is deep in his eyes. God bless the dead and god have mercy on our vets

[@ivanlowjones]

His demotion over supplying beer to his buddy who subsequently snitched on him, proves that Blue Falconry existed back in World War 2.

[@prophecyrat2965]

You can litteraly fight and almost die for your country and the millitary still gona find a way to fuk you!😅

[@justincase1575]

My father was a BAR man landing on Omaha Beach. He fought every battle in Europe thru the Bulge. 29th infantry division!

[@jumpingman6612]

Crazy, can't even imagine it..

[@EsoxAC]

Greatest generation. What a privilege to hear this man’s testimony. Thank you for ur service, sir.

[@IAmNotARobotPinkySwear]

I don't think I'm this articulate and coherent in my mid 30's, what have I done w/ my life. Mad respect to this man and people like him.

[@seanohare5488]

Me too

[@swide2750]

because youre a loser, and allow the other man to win 😂

[@donnamarsh3474]

Thank you for your service to our Country sir!

[@AdaptiveApeHybrid]

Incredible how mentally sharp and concise this guy still is at this age.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@kevmoful]

Now wrap your head around who the Americans “elected” as President. The shuffler in chief

[@AdaptiveApeHybrid]

@@kevmoful let's go Brandon

[@Error_404-F.cks_Not_Found]

It’s amazing you guys are still finding guys that are still with us to share their stories with us ! Don’t stop until we get to hear from everyone we can! Truly amazing human beings.

[@mikeb5372]

This guy has to 97, 98 or 99 years old. It's amazing his mind is so sharp

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@larryb982]

Would love to hear more of his stories. Great job. Thank a vet today.

[@deancorfield8324]

Very humbling listening to this US Airborne hero, as a Brit we remember the lives that were lost on all sides to give us our freedom. My Grandfather had a tough time in the Royal Navy on the Renown and and was shipwrecked after D day on HMS Isis, his brother was in both Chindit campaigns, and 142 commando in Burma, but never came home.

[@mikefiore2259]

This interview is a treasure. A fine example of a generation that has almost passed, but will never be forgotten. God bless them all.

[@caseyczarnomski8054]

I respect this man. He laughs at every time he was screwed by the military. He came into the Pacific shortly after my grandfather got malaria. The one time I asked my grandfather about the war his gaze went blank and he didn't answer. I felt horrible for asking. His records were destroyed in the fire, so I will never know what part my grandfather played.

[@stevenfairless4931]

I watched a school girl interviewing a friend of mine, a survivor of Iwo Jima. It was a good interview but one of her questions was "What did you do for fun on Iwo Jima?" What a look he had on his face. I got to carry an M60 around for a year ... This was a good interview, I always have greater respect for combat veterans after listening to their stories. Most dont talk about thing in conversation so this is very informative.

[@scottw5315]

Soviet Sniper Ludmilla Pavelanovich, I probably spelled that wrong, had I think 307 confirmed kills. She came to the US for an international student conference about 1943. She was asked about makeup and taking showers at the front...jees! Her story is on the Eastern Front channel.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@barbarakauppi9915]

@@scottw5315 "Journalist" types really never change, do they...

[@MrZoomah]

I would say its very valid. Soldiers do weird stuff including having fun under fire. My grandad was on Guadalcanal. He told my brother how they farted in jars and said, "Smell these beans." They were 18 years old after all. My brother's mate, while under fire in Afghanistan, came up to him with ration packs stuffed in his shirt to look like boobs and said, "Hungry big boy. Come here and have some milk." Funnily enough, his mate is writing a fantasy book and put stupid stuff like this into his characters. The editor said, "Take this out. Soldiers don't act like that." Editor didn't know soldiers.

[@earlsanders6185]

"We wanted one more play." Tough old SOB.

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you very much for your service, courage and sacrifice for freedom ❤🇺🇸

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@AstroGremlinAmerican]

Sharing beer with his buddies gets *him* in trouble. No good deed goes unpunished! A guy who can remember how the fishing was out of Long Beach on Dec. 6, 1941 is a rare catch indeed.

[@cashcarti9522]

born in Long Beach here , much respect to this stud

[@mach1gtx150]

It's satisfying to hear some real war stories. Dad would rarely talk about WWII or Korea (Pork Chop Hill). When he did tell stories it was about unusual or funny things that may have happened. I know he suffered a long time with what they call PTSD now. We could hear him screaming in his sleep many nights, almost hard to believe for such the private person he was. God Bless all the veterans of these awful wars and what they gave to the rest of us.

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@trapset1539]

I have love and human compassion for this brave, selfless man. At the age of 47 born and raised in Britain with 3 kids, I Thank this Man, his Generation and his Country. 🇬🇧🇺🇲

[@Johnny1.0]

I worked for 28 days straight and I was losing my sanity. I cant imagine what this guy went through and has dealt with after. Props to this man and the others who have absolutely earned their title as the greatest generation!

[@seanohare5488]

Absolutely

[@jamisonbernhardt3310]

I worked 7 days a week for 19 months. It's rough but when you want to save yourself from yourself you'll work.

[@imurgodsgod]

He had to hold himself together or he would get killed, great motivator

[@shauncarter8149]

Awesome interview! My grandfather fought in the Battle of of Bugle . He was an infantry private awarded 2 purple hearts but would rarely speak of the war. Great to hear the war stories from the last of that great generation! Thanks to you all living or deceased for your sacrifice and dedication for our republic.

[@vidkid110]

This is a man amongst men, most people in there 20's/30's and even 40's haven't even seen 1% of the sacrifice he had to make and it really shows.

[@tanker335]

This man is still sharp as a tack.

[@collin_is_ballin_]

He is a true hero. I could only imagine the horrors and losses this man has had to go through and see. He is very brave and has done more for this country and our people than we could ever imagine. God bless him and his family.🇺🇲❤

[@stevenyoutsey8989]

What a hero, could listen to him talk all day. Thank you for your service!!

[@kevinjohnson-lf3kj]

I want everyone to know..That is the literally thee GREATEST WW 2 story I ever heard..Covered the entire planet..served in both Theaters Atlantic n Pacific..started put as a Private..made Staff Sargent..busted down to Private..Excellent story n God bless America !!!!!!!!

[@BlueWaterSTAX]

God bless our vets. Thanks guys 👍😀

[@Doomer0898]

thank you for documenting his story! there will come a day where there are no more stories left to tell because they have all passed on. we need to document as much as possible.

[@thomasjohnson3205]

A very bright and lucid senior. His memory is very impressive.

[@richardthornhill4630]

Thanks to all our veterans who served.

[@seanohare5488]

Yes always

[@martiniv8924]

What a gentleman, everything good about our brothers in arms 🙏🏻

[@jeffterhune8573]

Wish my father, 11th airborne, Pacific theater, could've been interviewed before he passed. Miss him and Mom every day. They were the greatest generation.

[@byrdmaniacsg2776]

My dad was a vet of Burma in WWII. He always said that the BAR was one wicked weapon. He always wished they would have had flamethrowers.

[@joed9491]

The greatest respect to him and his generation. They must be shedding tears of what they are seeing with the current young generation.

[@asafoster7954]

Their generation also lynched people for looking funny.... Let's not get carried away lol

[@Somegoy]

When the last of these men are gone we will have truly lost one of the toughest generations to ever grace the planet. Thank you for being the absolute savages you were. Nobody in our country today understands what it means to go through something like this. Save combat vets.

[@Markito237]

Every old man I see or come across, I tend to have a natural thought or wonder if that gentleman was in any war...maybe so,maybe not...but I automatically feel a need to show kindness and respect just incase, even if I am just walking past them. God bless all men who served and are serving.

[@atune2682]

this is insane never seen someone speak, look so sharp and clearly at that age cant fuckn believe it unbelievable Thank you for your service!

[@bsmith8943]

30 dollars a month minus 9 dollars for insurance. Wow. Sir thank you for your unbelievable service for our country.

[@bobmeier958]

Thank you for your service, fighting for our Freedom 🇺🇸

[@hebedabber2770]

We aren't free. We haven't been for some time. I'd rather be speaking German.

[@vadoksam9235]

@@hebedabber2770 ikr. What freedom? More like Liberation. Here as a Scot. My European allies fought the wrong war against the wrong people.

[@r.t.rakubio5088]

He is worth his weight in gold. Thank you for this video.

[@cerealkilla8930]

Hat's off to you, Sir. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

[@user-qf7eb9eg7c]

This man is 98 and more coherent than many in their 80’s. Incredible recall for 93 years old! So humble, such a soldier..

[@cold1895]

Reminds me of my Great Grandfather, on his 94th birthday I woke up early in the morning, he hung up the flag as he did every morning the past 70 years, sat down and told me everything about his experience of the war beginning to end, which was very unsual for him because it brought back painfull memories. I was 16 at the time and wasn't sure if I would join the army or go to college. him and all his friends in his graduating class went to the pacific together fought together and died one after another, he remembered how every one died in excruciating detail. My grandpa was the only one of his graduating year who returned alive. His talk that day convinced me to go college instead which was traumatizing in a different way but things have turned out alright. He died later that year and the entire town showed up to his funeral he was regarded as the town hero and I've never met another man I respected more than him. I hope to make him proud whatever direction this crazy world is headed.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

How many of them were there?

[@cold1895]

@@roderickstockdale1678 I didn't count, the parking lot was filled, and cars were parked all the way down the street.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

@@cold1895 I mean his friends

[@eli3568]

This guy is a real treat to listen to. Please also do Korean War veterans. Let's not let that war remain forgotten.

[@seanohare5488]

Yes I agree

[@johnhalter8317]

My dad called it the forgotten war, he pasted 15 years ago but served in the Korean War.

[@danielstorrar464]

The amount of respect I will always have for this generation.

[@bustedupgrunt1177]

I could sense the young soldier coming out of him as he spoke on. Ending his story as a happy Private ... again!

[@codyking4848]

Amazing to think you could stand in line with this guy and have a casual conversation, and never realize that he was a BAR slinging badass during WWII.

[@RoninNYC]

That man is still feeling like he’s in his 20s 💪🏽 Sharp as a tack!

[@TheJgee83]

This man is a national treasure. My hat's off to him - thank you for your service Sir.

[@benmiz9742]

What a legend! I just want give this man a hug and say thanks for all they sacrificed 🥰

[@503RCguy]

I could listen to his stories all day. Thank you for your service Sir.

[@Frank-jg4tq]

Saddens me deeply that we are so close to losing this generation of people forever. I try not to think about it often but I find myself thinking about it every damn day, I guess life does just go on huh. It's just weird that when we were all kids WW2 combat vets weren't uncommon, now they are nearly all gone. It is now up to us to never forget, as we are surrounded by people who have no idea about these topics in the first place, we must remember them.

[@msg_smxsh8663]

I will treasure interviews/ videos like this the rest of my life. If only the new generation would be as interested in hearing these testimonials as the youth of today have lost their way. There is so much wisdom in stories like this. God bless you sir, we thank you with complete gratitude for "Knocking back" the evil and dark tyrannyof yesteryear. I fear our world will not recover 😢.

[@tguy7707]

The last of the hard men. Much respect solider.

[@gonesideways6621]

Great interview my Dad was a D-Day soldier fought in Bulge lost a brother in that battle had two other brothers in Pacific my grandmother had all her sons in war with one killed.

[@Rcasssaved]

My mother’s brother received a Purple Heart , I didn’t know it until after he passed. Found it in my mother’s dresser, he never spoke about the war ❤ Greatest generation.

[@edwardcomeau6859]

I am in awe of our veterans,I cannot say enough of courage these men. Most of today's generation should be ashamed of themselves for there lack of respect for our country and our flag. I'm totally disappointed with the direction we are headed, my God help us.

[@1rukie]

Thank you to all who served 🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@epicrider16]

Thank you for your service sir! These stories amaze me every time i hear them. I'm so glad organizations like this exist and take the time to keep these men's stories alive. I could not even imagine the world we would be living in if they hadn't made the sacrifices they have for their country. Thank you!

[@seanohare5488]

I agree

[@Joellikestobox]

Thank you for your service

[@drzoidberg7310]

They literally don't make men like this anymore. He is the definition of a hero. Thank you sir.....thank you so much for your service.

[@funkmastasexay5060]

He is as sharp as a tac, Thank you for your Service Legend

[@timmckeown1313]

What a life he’s led. Incredible memories from a crucial time in our history.

[@beerdrinker6452]

This is the most well spoken WWII vet I have seen on KZbin. I have talked to 2 in person, but this gentleman is fantastic.

[@trimule]

Incredibly articulate! No hesitation - just a flowing narrative with great descriptive power. You can easily visualize every scene he describes as if watching a video or movie of the event. We should all hope for a similar condition in later life.

[@gilbertwilson895]

Like my Dad, this was called the "Battle of Bastogne'", not the Bulge, just as this narrator began the retelling of his ordeal in WWII. Endless and endured in frigid, exposed terrain, or if sheltering in a burnt-out, shelled farm it would draw fire that Dad taught them to withdraw chopping holes in the walls or rubble and crawl one-by-one providing cover to escape. It was so brutal that whenever he was recognized by members of his company they'd weep & hug him while they would tell their families how he had saved them using cunning & fearlessness. He hated war and never left Chicago again. B.T.W., Dad was in a "colored" (all Black, except for the officers) unit that was overrun. Neither side took P.O.W.s due to the intensity and fury of the prolonged, unstable positions that were indefensible, short on rations, ammo, and personnel. The victory cost 75,000 G.I. casualties.

[@roderickstockdale1678]

The 333rd Field Artillery Battalion?

[@kypar]

All of this is incredible and just toward the end of this video, his telling the stories of being shipped to Japan and stopping at Iwo Jima being at sea for 38 days, is fascinating and heartbreaking. War is hell. Lots of my family fought in WWII. One of my Uncles was killed in the Battle of Cebu Islands Philippines 1945.

[@barbarakauppi9915]

We mourn for your hero uncle, as well as all the cousins you didn't have.

[@Hogfan6494]

Man what an incredible generation. Great story teller. These folks were truly amazing!

[@mgunny05]

STUD…Warrior…..HERO…..to think what this MAN at such a young age went through serving this country - UNBELIEVABLE - and after all THAT he looks damn good with a sense of humor now. The “Greatest Generation” once again did soooo many things for this country. Semper Fi SIR with all my Marine Corps respect! 🫡🫡🫡🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺!