WWII Paratrooper Robert Izumi, 101st Airborne Division (Full Interview)

Robert Izumi joined the Army in WWII as a member of the Japanese-American Nisei Battalion and saw action in Italy before joining the 101st Airborne Division as a paratrooper. The 101st was deeply involved in fighting the Germans in Belgium and Luxembourg during the bitter winter of the Battle of the Bulge.
Izumi helped liberate many people from concentration camps and, in May 1945, moved on to Berchtesgaden, Hitler's hideout in the Bavarian Alps. Watch and share his compelling story.
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[@jonathanmerck2305]

I’ve known Bob since I was 12 yrs old. He’s a stellar man. Despite the adversity he was faced with he still served his country in three wars for a combined total of 60 years both in the military and civil service. I’m proud to know him and the other troopers whom he served with.

[@alunderwood5903]

What an American hero!

[@crystalheart9]

What an awesome guy and a real American hero. Thank you for your service Mr. Izumi.

[@ArmycAv2nd]

Oh my God I lost touch with him a few years back. We meet at our local veteran center, I was a work study and he used to come in all the time. I would sit and listen to him And all he experienced. Awesome man. How can i get ahold of him??

[@spurredoutdoors8048]

Do you have his address I’d love to write him a letter of thanks!

[@mikemcq10]

I knew him at the wood shop when I was stationed at MCLB. How is he doing?

[@ralphholiman7401]

Pretty sharp for 97 years old. What a life lived!

[@MariovanZijl]

I've met him today, may 4th 2022. This man is a legend. Friendly. Thanks for liberating us 🇺🇸 here in The Netherlands. May God be with you. 🙏

[@davidyasui4103]

And a "Thank you" to the Dutch resistance who sacrificed to provide intelligence and the escape networks for the Allied pilots!

[@JohnDavis-yz9nq]

No way. He is bound to be dead.

[@MariovanZijl]

@@JohnDavis-yz9nq Prove?

[@aikishugyo]

"Rogue Oriental" LOL. Love this gentleman already, after 5 minutes here, his sense of adventure, and looking ahead to the future and outlook on life at a young age, very impressive. Looking forward to the rest of this riveting interview. Respect! "The morale was always high in the 101st", awesome. "It wasn't scary... You just had to fight for your life." Oh boy. A Bastogne veteran... wow, another gentleman who never needs to buy a pint at any pub in France or the Low Countries I think. Amazing contribution to the service and the USA, through 3 wars.... a man of integrity: reprimand and bronze star at the same time.

[@johnm249]

Veterans Stories - Vince Speranza - Liberation of Dachau this guy is 98 years old now. US Army Paratrooper has a lot of great stories

[@philbrennaman4572]

Sooo humble. What a gem.

[@johnytang2316]

I just had the honor of shaking this gentleman hand in Las Vegas. I thanked him for his service, shortly after he gave me a coin. I honestly didn’t know anything about him until this interview. What a great American Hero. Salute

[@Crewski]

WW2-Korea-Vietnam vet that’s wild if anyone’s life should be a movie it’s this guy what a amazing person for real

[@oggecarlsson5179]

he is 97 and he lookes like 67 i swear.. god bless u sir and thamk u for everything and wish u a awesome retirement

[@vivians9392]

@@bigmoniesponge I'm 78 and look 15 yrs. younger... it's all in the genes!

[@benmiz9742]

What an absolute legend. What an honour to listen to his story. Thank you for sharing Jeff 👌🏻👌🏻

[@billd.iniowa2263]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this man speak. Just an A-one soldier. You have to admire his initiative. Thank you Mr. Izumi. Thank you for all you have done for this nation.

[@noahcount7132]

Many heartfelt thanks to Robert Izumi for serving his country in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam -- and in peacetime as well.

[@jimbotackleberry4884]

To the ones who went before me, Thank You so very much for your sacrifice and service!

[@jimm2099]

What a stellar person he is. A truly amazing individual!

[@rikijett310]

Thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!!!!

[@xvsj5833]

Thank you for sharing your inspiring story along with service, courage and sacrifice for freedom. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸I salute you 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@shannonhipps5105]

Thank you for your amazing service sir! I greatly appreciate you sharing your experiences. I have walked the grounds of Manzanar with a gentleman who was there as a teenager. I hope someday to visit France and Belgium, to see where my great-uncle served in the 101st AB, 502nd PIR. You are all heroes in my eyes. 💕

[@vincentrobinson9325]

Wow amazing hearing his stories with similarities as my grandfather stories as he served at the Battle of the Bulge as well🇺🇸 greatly appreciated🇺🇸

[@GS-dq7sf]

Thank you for you’re service Mr. Izumi.

[@fredorman2429]

Awestruck at his unassuming matter of fact way of relating his service.

[@frankcasey7423]

Thank you sir for all your service and sacrifice for all of us and this beautiful country of ours too!! 🇺🇸

[@BrianClarkpharmd]

God bless the greatest generation

[@larryb982]

Thank you sir , for your service. Thank you for the upload. God bless.

[@smallkrmit5717]

Thank you for your service sir🇺🇸

[@RayBecker]

They don't make em' like this man anymore. This man fought in WWII, Served in Korea and Vietnam. These people from that generation are cut from the same cloth. They did not question, they just fought and Served. This man has tremendous Honor. He does not need to speak of his accomplishments. When you compare that to today, you wonder if we'll ever see people like this man again. God Bless you Trooper! You are well admired.

[@kenbowman9907]

Well said!

[@lingmingching1]

10 years in Hawaii - the entire Nisei experience is epic. I think it should be in every history/civics class in the country. Thank you very much for serving, Mr. Izumi.

[@ciccioaporta3774]

Second that !

[@lingmingching1]

@@ciccioaporta3774 Thank you!

[@kaylinnylander3896]

Thank you for your service sir 🇺🇸

[@markhirsch1782]

THANKYOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

[@oldgoat6009]

Thank you for you're service, sir!

[@kevin-yb4fg]

What an amazing testimony, my god this generation were amazing men

[@manuelaigner5126]

"it wasn't scary u just had to fight for your life that's it"........ That's a sentence to remember

[@ArmycAv2nd]

This man and his Buddy Mr Ryan (RIP) shared many stories with me over a period of 2 years. This was awesome seeing him in this!

[@marioditroia]

Amazing story. Great experience during the war. Thank you sir

[@craigw.scribner6490]

This is the best interview I've seen so far on your channel--what an amazing man, soldier and patriot! Thanks for sharing Mr. Izumi's story!

[@The.Original.Potatocakes]

He looks like the Japanese Hunter S Thompson

[@SantosHdzdank]

Love hearing these videos !

[@31446963048]

Really appreciate his doing this interview. Neat guy.

[@realwealthproperties5671]

Great interview. What courage Bob must’ve had!

[@Elvis20101]

Thank you, a great man.

[@johncurtis6815]

God bless you sir! A true American hero.

[@burtthebeast4239]

Thank you Sir, God bless you ALL 🙏

[@ciccioaporta3774]

He was /IS 'tough" .And , with all he had to deal with stateside- he 'got GOING" ! Thank you SIR- for your courage , selfless patriotic service to a grateful Nation that you & brethren,helped survive to this point in time.

[@uprightpatriot5216]

Sir, you are one of many of The Greatest Generation. Thank you for my freedom.

[@kenbowman9907]

He has so many awards he has seen and done some amazing things a very pleasant man and interview

[@kenbowman9907]

Thank you Mr Izuml for everything and the county thanks you at least as a whole . God Bless

[@tungmiyaynusnbahls8936]

This is amazing.

[@christopherpotts5681]

Epic name!!!!!

[@cutchdoggw1776]

What an exemplary human and great American!

[@cosmichef75]

Anybody messing with Asians better know how patriotic we are and that we will defend ourselves. Thank you for your service during a time of such terrible racist treatment of Japanese Americans.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

One race. Humans. Greatest nation. America 🇺🇸

[@KingZealotTactics]

@@JoelMMcKinney No we are all different/unique/ and special, this talk of all one race is eroding culture and ethnicity. Be proud of what you are no matter where you come from and what you are.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

Incorrect. Race is not ethnicity is not nationality. Stop pushing ignorance. That's the problem. Genius.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

@@KingZealotTactics and culture is none but requires all

[@johntowle]

It wasn't racist as America was at war against the Japanese. The British did the same with the Germans in the UK. Stop being delusional.

[@unstablegenius7808]

Great man, great interview!

[@Rzr543]

This soldier is a perfect example of why America and her allies won WWII and why we are all alive a free today. Thank God he was on our side.

[@charlesmontgomery6268]

True American Hero@!! GOD BLESS HIM!!

[@theloudamerican2193]

listen how clearly he still speaks! he is sharp as a tack!

[@hongo3870]

He aged so gracerully, his eyes are so full of life

[@cugir321]

Wow....he's a hero.

[@srijanghoshh8633]

God bless you

[@lappin6482]

legend 🤝👏👏

[@RealityAudits]

Wow, Three wars and for the love of America

[@JLKB-1947]

Bob Izumi , an American hero .

[@Sony-Fanboy]

Never heared of Robert Izumi? He is a Japanese-American who served in G-Company 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division. I met him twice here in The Netherlands during Market Garden events and commemorations.

[@bradr1913]

Wow what a great American War hero. I'd love to be friends with him. Nice stories.

[@aj-tp2yh]

Thankyou America

[@Ghostshadow714]

A real hero!

[@boomstickoperator6271]

A shining example of how all ppl should be .

[@The508ranger]

Respect ✊🏾! AATW!

[@davebono9589]

Did Bob work at Travis AFB in the early 70s as the Chief Controller in the tower?

[@alunderwood5903]

Hero

[@GraysonMiller69420]

Robert Bob Izumi G company 3d Bataillon 506 PIR. 1924-2023

[@juniorberns]

USS San Felipe... then Aki Maru... YBF-12 made it across... The San Felipe that docked in the San Felipe...

[@denniscashell2407]

Aloha Izumisan

[@rejuvinatez347]

Is Bastogne and Foy part of the Bulge battle?

[@jonathanmerck2305]

Yes.

[@davidyasui4103]

Yes, both were part of the Battle of the Bulge. Different locations though.

[@mattbegley8613]

Guys like this is why i was honored in the 90s and 2000s to wear that screaming eagle on my shoulders.

[@breebreeee9650]

im gonna tell my kids this is john wick

[@derekwfrazier]

classic 101

[@1fromtheroad]

Have an “ALL THE WAY DAY”.

[@jBKht931]

"wanted to go into aviation so become a paratrooper". All his airplane rides were only half. They made him get out halfway through the flights. 😂 (dark humor) all my respect and honor to all the young men of that era. They should be held up as examples of how we all should be.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

America! 🇺🇸

[@JoelMMcKinney]

RAKKASAANS! OOOOORAAAAAAHH!

[@Zothar84]

I wasn’t aware they allowed Japanese to serve in the army in ww2 .

[@calisweed8219]

What Company was he in ?

[@jonathanmerck2305]

G 506th PIR

[@carolecarr5210]

He went to France???

[@davidyasui4103]

Yes, it's likely Mr. Izumi went to France as the 442nd was already there in the September - November 1944 time frame.

[@Matthew-hc9vx]

@@davidyasui4103 Airborne researcher Brian Siddall looked at Bobs records and they say he in fact came to Europe in April 1945, meaning he was never in the Battle of the Bulge

[@davidyasui4103]

Mathew. Thanks for info. I stand corrected.

[@ciger7794]

He never fought in the world war 2.

[@guillaumedautel8147]

Bob’s Basic training in the us paratrooper begin on 18th December 1944 so impossible he participated at the battle of the bulge , all the story is FAKE

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

God bless you Mr. Izumi. I spent my early years hating Japanese because they shot my favorite uncle and his foot was gone. But, my Lord Jesus Christ has commanded me, as a Christian, that if I accept his love..then I must love all people. I say today with great love.... I love the Japanese. This was not so easy. But God bless you. You are from a very noble people.

[@chrisparker007]

Amen!!!

[@tomsmith5216]

I went thru grammar school and high school with alot of friends of Japanese descent and

[@leegoll2477]

Mr Wolfgang. I'm lost for

[@leegoll2477]

Mr. Wolfgang, I am lost for words on how narrow minded and shallow one needs to be to have the imaginary friend let them know it's OK to be human

[@davidyasui4103]

Wolfgang Holtzclaw. Yes, it's difficult to forgive. But am thankful that you've been able to do so in the name and power of Jesus Christ. One thing though, there's a difference of being Japanese and being an American of Japanese descent just as there is in being German and being an American of German descent.

[@carolecarr5210]

I thought the 442nd went to Italy.

[@davidyasui4103]

Carole Carr, the 442nd DID go to Italy and participated in the battles of Monte Cassino and Anzio. In 1944, the unit was transferred to France and took part in the campaign in southern France. In October 1944, it took part in battles in the Vosge Mountains, liberating the town of Bruyère, and also rescuing the "Lost Battlion" (141st Battalion, 36th Division). Later they were transferred back to Italy to take part in the campaign to attack the Gothic Line. One exception: the 552nd Artillery Battalion was transferred to the 34th Division and took part in the invasion of Germany. Hope that answers your questions.

[@carolecarr5210]

@@davidyasui4103 thank you - my history knowledge was deficient.

[@buckybarns4991]

Camp blanding i go there every summer with my girlfriends family

[@aarontritt9355]

It is so Amazing to me. How the Japanese fought on the side of the Americans.

[@vivians9392]

?? Why? He was an American, first!

[@irvinelawrence2733]

😮funny how much is made about the Easy Company Screaming Eagles and even the all oriental Go For Broke guys...yet not a peep about a Japanese American in their cohort🤔

[@juniorberns]

yup... shot, but could not skin...

[@johnallen7098]

Stop Asian hate

[@djmech3871]

What Asian hate? It’s all made up by the MSN and Democrats.

[@ArmycAv2nd]

Idiot nobody spreading hate here. This is not the place or time for idiotic rants on this man’s story page

[@John-qb8vd]

@@djmech3871Your ignorance and stupidity come shine thru even after two years.

[@andyjarman4958]

"Where were you born?" "Coyote Pass, California, went to school with Marilyn Munroe." "Oh of course, because you're Japanese!" What's wrong with this picture!

[@smallkrmit5717]

Thank you for your service sir