WWII Veteran Interview with Floyd Steenberg (Battle of Luzon, 37th Infantry Division)

[@jeremytapp-jn5cn]

This is my grandfather and I graciously have received his war things and have put them in a shadowbox. I am very proud of him. He had told me some stories that was in this interview and some that were not. Thank you to the interviewer!

[@DSToNe19and83]

“I got ptsd very bad” I’ve never heard a ww2 vet say that before, we all know though. They came back and did their very best to bury it! My granddad is the same. Godspeed 🍻

[@HistorysIcons]

Awesome. My grandfather was in the army in Luzon. Wounded in July of ‘45.

[@untoldhistory3221]

I love hearing from you all! Do you know what unit he was in?

[@HistorysIcons]

@@untoldhistory3221 43rd infantry div. company K

[@HistorysIcons]

@@untoldhistory3221 “winged victory “

[@robertgreenwald2811]

Floyd Sternberg died 3-17-2022. Nice that he got interviewed when he did. My father was also in Luzon. Wish I had recorded his experience there but I don't think it would go over well. He rarely talked about his Time in the war and I was hesitant to ask much. He died in 1999.

[@robertbeightler1473]

My grandfather commanded the 37th division. Started out as a private in the National Guard and also was in World War 1. DSC, Silver Star, and purple heart.

[@americanmade3100]

Dad was part of the amphibious landing assault at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon on Jan. 9, 1945 with the 148th 37th Div. They marched to Manila where the fighting lasted for many weeks. The enemy wouldn't surrender. There was brutal house to house fighting. The Japanese started burning the city as they retreated taking up defensive positions in the Hospital, Intamurous. (the walled city) and even a ballpark. They crossed the Pasig river then blew up the bridges behind them. Finally Manilla was taken back after many tens of thousands of lives were lost. The 37th then marched toward Baguio in the mountains. That's where dad was wounded by enemy gunfire in April. From there they swept North thru the Cagayan valley meeting up with the Red arrow Div which marched South from the Northern tip of Luzon. My friends dad was in artillery with the Red Arrow. The Japanese finally surrendered but many Japanese were not aware the war was over and kept fighting. Dad finally left Luzon in late November returning after a month long ride in a troop transport just in time for Christmas 1945. Never knew any of this til decades later. I do remember the nightmares he had and flare ups with malaria. He's gone but not forgotten and missed every day.

[@untoldhistory3221]

That's an incredible story and lines up perfectly with the way Floyd described it! I'm very sorry for your loss. That's really cool that you know all this though. So many people have no idea what their ancestors did in the war.

[@americanmade3100]

@@untoldhistory3221 thanks for your reply and the kinds words.

[@paodimal]

Does your dad tells you a story in town of Bamban, Tarlac on January 23, '45

[@humbleguy4726]

I began to watch this interview and not too long into it i just knew that i was witnessing someone who cast a long shadow when he stood. Floyd is that kind of quiet hero who i could listen to all day long. This guy is pure American gold all the way through. Wish i could measure up to him but no chance, he and his comrades are just a country mile ahead of me and always will be. God bless you sir.

[@untoldhistory3221]

I know how you feel. Floyd is always so humble about everything. I love getting to see him every time I'm in the area, but it always makes me a little sad knowing I'm sitting in the presence of some of the last of the greatest generation our country has ever had. We're losing them quickly. That's why I'm trying to make sure their stories are preserved.

[@humbleguy4726]

@@untoldhistory3221 My thanks to you for recording these interviews. You are doing right by these guys, we should never ever forget the sacrifice they made for our freedom

[@Lambchop1421]

Excellent Interview. Floyd is a fine example of the greatest generation. His stories were great both before the war (the hotel story with his new bride) and during his stint in Luzon , "From then on , I was the lead scout , See.". I must congratulate you on your interviewing style , allowing your subject to tell his story. I have seen many veteran interviews and I am so glad you did not ask that cringe worthy question "HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE 99 ".......... Good job!

[@untoldhistory3221]

Thank you for the positive feedback! That's the style I was striving for. I just try to give a few initiating questions to get them started with their story, then let them chronologically work their way through, kind of like just telling an autobiography. I feel like I'm there simply to facilitate the story, and any extra input from me is just going to detract from the incredible story they have.

[@bartonbone3229]

God bless this man and those who served with him... my dad was one of them who landed at the same time this gentleman did on January 9, 1945... I am a 73 year old army veteran who's dad spoke very little of the war which he started on Guadalcanal and end at Luzon with the 43 Inf. Div... this interview enlightened me a great deal of what they all went through... all the interview was most interesting and especially the part about him going to Baguio because my dad and one other soldier left 3 weeks after landing along with 5 Philippines guerillas over a backway trail 40 miles through the jungle... they met with the mayor of Baguio who gave them a satchel of information (and also solid gold lieutenant bars for my father) with enemy information and areas of the city they wanted preserved.

[@untoldhistory3221]

I love hearing these stories! One time I found a history channel documentary that gave a chronological layout of the events we're talking about in the Philippines, so I played it for Floyd, and he remembered almost everything they talked about and added his own stories as it played. I was just in awe that I got to sit and listen to a narration of this history from someone who was actually there. Also, just curious, what unit were you in?

[@d.g.n9392]

I’m kind of similar, I’m 67, my late father really didn’t talk much of his experience. But he was in the Philippines, a medical corpsman. I enjoy listening to these veterans.

[@jnucleo]

These interviews are so important for future generations. I had an uncle that died on 10 Jan, 1945 in Luzon that was part of 43rd Infantry. He was 20 years old. My mother's first husband was a Volga German who was conscripted into the Wehrmacht. My mother's relatives who stayed in Russia fought on the side of the Soviets. My mother learned and realized that war truly was a racket. God bless all the soldiers who are called to duty to fight these ungodly wars.

[@untoldhistory3221]

Holy Cow, I honestly got away from my work with this stuff for awhile and didn't check on this video for a long time. I didn't even realize it had any interaction. My apologies to everyone for not responding till just now! I'll try to keep up with all questions and such. Thanks for all the positive feedback! I just uploaded another WWII veteran interview on this channel if anyone found this interesting and would like to see another.

[@d.g.n9392]

He’s a pretty good story teller Thank you fir the service to keep our country free.

[@DSToNe19and83]

Don’t be sorry, thank you for sharing! 🍻

[@issiahbernaiche6897]

I can’t believe this only has 599 views. Floyd is an incredible individual and I love his character. I love his story as well, and I’m only about half way through it. Ita most certainly an honor to talk to Floyd. He reminds myself of my Grandfather and my Great Grandfather. I have 3 Great Grandfathers and 1 Great Great Grandfather who served overseas. Along with a multitude of uncles. I have 65 letters and 27 photographs of a man named Charles William Schurecht Jr who served in Floyd’s regiment. The 129th Infantry Regiment, Co. C, 37th Division. May you ask if he recognizes that name?? I also can send photos of him through an email. Thank you Floyd Steenburg for your services. It would be an honor to talk to him or send him an email as well. I’m going to write on his regiment and division. Hopefully publishing this letter collection with Charles photos. In honor of all the veterans of WW2 and for the historical importance of what these individuals endured. Thank you for sharing this!! Bless you.

[@nicholewoodard2583]

I will ask him about Charles Schurecht Jr.

[@untoldhistory3221]

Wow, I'm sorry I'm just finally checking on this video and responding! Yes, Floyd is very fun to talk to. I could listen to his stories all day. I'd be happy to share anything you want with Floyd and ask him about getting you in contact with him. Feel free to email me at [e-mail]. I'm sure he'd be happy to see some pictures from his unit! And let me know once you publish all those letters and pictures! I'd love to see it! Thank you so much for the positive feedback! I really do enjoy history and doing this type of thing.

[@franklopez6349]

Thank you for recording Floyd Steemberg's story. I hope you get to share more veterans stories.

[@franklopez6349]

I read of his passing in 2022. Do you know if he received the Philippine Liberation Medal?

[@jeremytapp-jn5cn]

I am his grandson. And I just finished a shadow box for all his medals and uniform. There wasn’t a liberation medal.

[@Reptile1888]

I’m 148 infantry regiment. Direct lineage from the 37th ID. I love talking to the older guys that talk about their time in the pacific. Truly the greatest generation

[@alexeubanks467]

My grandfather Herb Eubanks served with 37th infantry also 148th during the battle of Manila

[@untoldhistory3221]

I always feel very honored when I get to talk to a WWII veteran. They've all done such incredible things, yet they're so humble about it.

[@Reptile1888]

@@untoldhistory3221 i do flag detail for the 37th ID reunion every year just for the opportunity to talk to these legends. its very humbling.

[@eyenvno1233]

@@alexeubanks467 My father in law fought with the 37th in the 148th Inf during WW2. Went over with them to Fiji and was with them till they came back to the states at the end of the war. Stanley J Luczak SSgt, Toledo Ohio, he passed away in 1968. He had a rough go of it after the war with health issues, Malaria etc. Bless all the men of the 37th.

[@paodimal]

Someone here in fought in Bamban Luzon

[@crusader4273]

Arguably...The Greatest Generation. 🇺🇲

[@Chrisamos412]

Good job on the interview, stay with it! Thank you Floyd for fighting those cruel SOB’s! I appreciate your sacrifice

[@untoldhistory3221]

Thank you for the support! There are so many people like Floyd out there with incredible stories that need to be preserved and recognized, so I'm just trying to make that happen! Floyd is definitely one of my heroes that I look up to. I just published another WWII interview if you would like to see another one!

[@BK-em9xf]

Great interview, these men are legends. My grandfather was also in Luzon, going ashore on lingayen gulf. He was Australian Air Force intelligence officer attached to the Americans in a unit called ATIS. Thankfully he wrote of his exploits and kept photos so luckily I have a lot of info about the Philippine campaign..

[@nancyfazenbaker3567]

Amazing video! My great grandfather was a staff sergeant in the 37th infantry division during World war 2. He was involved in the Solomon Islands campaign and the invasion of the Philippines. He was awarded the bronze star and a purple heart. In my opinion the 37th buckeye division does not get the glory and credit they deserve as much as more famous units do.

[@joshuabale4923]

Yeah for sure. A lot of National Guard Dicisions don't get their due respect for the sacrifices in ww2. 37th alone lost 1,094 in 500 something days of combat.

[@radzapper]

My grandfather served with the 25th Infantry Division in Luzon in 1945. He later served in Korea, and retired at LTC. He never spoke of his time in the army. I only got to know any of this going through his records during the beginning of covid. I'm very glad to have found this. Thank you for sharing his story.

[@NewbFixer]

All i can say is Thank You Sir.

[@ecwashere8735]

A lot of people live cushy lives these days. We tend to forget how real things can get. Great video. Thanks for putting in the effort.

[@bradcroy7904]

Great interview! Very original, True History Keep up the good work and Thank You Floyd Steenberg for your service and sharing your story

[@vezinam58]

My Uncle was KIA in Luzon in February of 1945. ❤️

[@anibalcesarnishizk2205]

Was he in the 37th Div.?.

[@nicholewoodard2583]

Thanks for doing this, Budge.

[@untoldhistory3221]

It was an honor to get to do this. I love hearing his stories. I was wanting to play this for him after I published it. Did anyone ever show him?

[@nicholewoodard2583]

@@untoldhistory3221 I don't know for sure, but I do know that Brent pulled it up on his daughters phone. She might have shown him. I'll try to remember to ask him Sunday.

[@nicholewoodard2583]

@@untoldhistory3221 He has not seen it. Is there anyway I can download it to a DVD and then he can watch it?

[@RememberWW2]

@@nicholewoodard2583 I interview WWII veterans for a non-profit called Heroes of the Second World War. (Www.heroesofthesecondworldwar.org) I would very much like to interview Mr. Steenburg and I am currently in the Dakotas.... is there someone you recommend I talk to to try to arrange the interview?

[@nicholewoodard2583]

@@RememberWW2 I will contact his daughter and see what she says. I'll get back with you as soon as I learn anything.

[@pierreboissonneault3846]

My father was in the 103d regiment 43d division he fought in New Guinea and Luzon. He passed away 1990 but his experience was alot like Floyd's. He felt the same way about VFW and other veterans organization, too many memories. God bless them all.

[@outerrealmz4036]

A great testimonial. My father was also on Luzon with the 40th division, and fought into the southern islands.

[@johnnymolash9469]

My father was Charles Molash from ft yeats north Dakota and was at Luzon but would never speak of his experience thanks for the vedio

[@kathiewippel7551]

My Great-Uncle was in the 37th. He was KIA June 22, 1945. His tank was hit.

[@johnmarlin4661]

That Japanese sword is extremely valuable !

[@untoldhistory3221]

And he's rightfully very proud of it, too! Do you know anything more about it that we don't, though? I've been very curious about it ever since he's shown it to me. He said that before he left, a Japanese person told him there's supposed to be a written family history wrapped inside the handle.

[@DSToNe19and83]

I knew someone with a katana that he killed the Japanese officer to get. He passed and who knows where it is now. Pat Murphy was a war hero that should of got the medal. Pat would see a young gale pushing a stroller and he would say “there goes last years fun” 🍻

[@williamrivers2585]

I have a ring made by a pow in France my wife's grandfather was in WW2 and a pow made him a ring with a l. On it for Luke I think it was made out of a half penny if you ever heard of that he was crossing a creak and they throwed a hang grande and blew his legs off he was a very good man he was like my grandfather to because me and my wife have been together for 40 years now and he was a live and her grandmother was alive to Luke's wife maryruth Watkins when we got married but luke never would tell me about the war and but he's got metal's to but he was a very good man

[@annhanntz275]

My father was in the Lingayen Gulf landings...Marine Air Group 32...they supplied Close Air Support to the 37th on the drive to Manila.The first soldiers to supply close air support on a large scale to advancing ground troops.John L Smith MOH was the CO.Jerry Coleman second baseman for the Yankees and long time announcer was in MAG 24 a subordinate sqaudron and flew dive bombers with my father.

[@beverlybalius9303]

I guess this man is gone now,,,, My Uncle died in the Battle of Luzon,,,, His name was Audrey Harris….it was a day before he was coming home after 2 tours.

[@darrengilbert7438]

He reminds me of my uncle, who fought in the pacific too

[@KarloHabibo]

Glad this oral history was recorded. Quite significant given he was part of the party that picked up Gen. Yamashita.

[@thedolphinDog]

Is there anyway to contact him? I know many in phillipines that would like to thank him

[@anthonypearsall5851]

General Tomoyuki Yamashita, the general that Mr. Steenberg was detailed to collect as a P.O.W., was born in 1885, graduated from the imperial military academy, and had a glittering career as an army officer before World War II. He was in command of the Japanese forces that rapidly pushed down the Malay peninsula to attack Singapore from the little-defender "rear" or landward side of the island, resulting in the biggest debacle in lost-prisoners terms that the British Empire would ever suffer. After this feat he was nicknamed the Tiger of Malaya. He was not always in sync with the extreme 'war party" and ethno-nationalists of the army and government in the 1930s, though he always carried out his assignments to the best of his abilities, but he was in and out of favor because of not being a complete company man. He apparently displeased General Tojo, who exiled him to a backwater command in Manchukuo (Manchuria) from 1942-44. At the end of 1944 he was taken down from the shelf and given command of the so-called 14th Area Army, about a quarter-million mixed troops, with the mission of defending the northern Philippines, primarily the big island of Luzon, home of the capital city (Manila) and the "summer capital" where government would move during the hottest months, the city of Baguio, high up in the hills in the center of the island. From there he conducted an intelligent strategy of withdrawing from the coasts and concentrating in the rough country of the Cordillera Central (the central mountain range of Luzon), where Mr. Steenberg would eventually meet him. Japanese army and navy forces often had a hard time playing nicely with each other, and when Yamashita ordered the army's troops out of Manila ahead of the American arrival, the naval commander with several thousand men decided to stay and fight instead. So the city of Manila became "the Asian Stalingrad," with intense street fighting, massive destruction, and the massacre of Filipino civilians by furious Japanese sailors who had given up on life. General Yamashita went into the prisoner bag on September 2, 1945. FWIW after the initial failure with a second lieutenant, the Americans sent a certain Major General Beightler to accept his surrender, on 2 September 1945. The following year he was put on trial as a war criminal in front of an American court-martial panel. General MacArthur wanted somebody to be executed. Yamashita was accorded U.S. Army officers as defense attorneys, who did a credible and valiant job of trying to ward off the inevitable. Atrocities were common wherever Japanese forces parked during the war, but the main complaint against Gen. Yamashita was the murders, etc., of civilians during the siege of Manila. The defense of ignorance and non-responsibility (because he wasn't there, and the naval troops weren't under his effective command because their own senior officer had gone rogue), failed with what has since been called the Yamashita Standard's creation: "The U.S. Supreme Court's 1946 Yamashita decision set a precedent, called command responsibility or the Yamashita standard, in that a commander can be held accountable before the law for the crimes committed by his troops even if he did not order them, didn't stand by to allow them, or possibly even know about them or have the means to stop them. This doctrine of command accountability has been added to the Geneva Conventions and was applied to dozens of trials in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia." As the above indicates, his guilty verdict was appealed to the US Supreme Court, and two of the justices dissented, calling the entire trial a miscarriage of justice, an exercise in vengeance, and a denial of human rights. Evidence that Yamashita didn't even have overall command responsibility for all the Japanese forces in his area wasn't admitted in the trial. In his own defense Gen Yamashita said: "My command was as big as MacArthur's or Lord Louis Mountbatten's. How could I tell if some of my soldiers misbehaved themselves? It was impossible for any man in my position to control every action of his subordinate commanders, let alone the deeds of individual soldiers. The charges are completely new to me. If they had happened, and I had known about them, I would have punished the wrongdoers severely. But in war someone has to lose. What I am really being charged with is losing the war. It could have happened to General MacArthur, you know." After General MacArthur had confirmed the sentence, General Yamashita was hanged south of Manila in 1946. According to an on-the-spot translation his last words from the gallows were: "As I said in the Manila Supreme Court that I have done with my all capacity, so I don't ashame [sic] in front of the gods for what I have done when I have died. But if you say to me 'you do not have any ability to command the Japanese Army' I should say nothing for it, because it is my own nature. Now, our war criminal trial going under your kindness and right. I know that all your American and American military affairs always has tolerant and rightful judgment. When I have been investigated in Manila court I have had a good treatment, kindful attitude from your good natured officers who protected me all the time. I never forget for what they have done for me even if I had died. I don't blame my executioner. I'll pray the gods bless them. Please send my thankful word to Col. Clarke and Lt. Col. Feldhaus, Lt. Col. Hendrix, Maj. Guy, Capt. Sandburg, Capt. Reel, at Manila court, and Col. Arnard. I thank you." His body, buried on Luzon, was later exhumed and moved to a cemetery in what is now a part of greater Tokyo. Over the years many western historians have opined that he got a raw deal. In the long run we all end up the same way however.

[@bertplank8011]

Read...."War is a racket" by Smedly Butler...

[@garycagg4437]

My dad was there with the 239th combat engineers

[@johnceglick8714]

The Phillipines was a bloody struggle mostly fought by the USA Army . Knew a vet of the Cyclone ID , 38th Division who was there . Didn't like to talk too much about it.

[@sr469]

My grandfather was General Leonard F Wing from Vermont, if anyone has any information they could share with me,it would be greatly appreciated, I never met him he died in 1945 my mother used to talk about him all the time

[@paodimal]

Anyone here 40th Division in Bamban Town January 23rd '45

[@RonJohn63]

11:57 That's too funny, and really interesting, considering the race-war nature of the fighting. 23:29 My cats are looking around for the phone.

[@untoldhistory3221]

I was just as shocked as you are when he told me about that. I still wonder how it happened and just went unquestioned. And the phone was just a humorous unexpected part of the learning experience I've had while conducting these interviews and attempting to iron out the wrinkles and make them as professional as possible.

[@RonJohn63]

@@untoldhistory3221 it probably *did* get questioned by some officer, who, like the enlisted men, realized "those poor bastards have stopped fighting, and are doomed anyway" combined with "the jungle is both our enemies".

[@DSToNe19and83]

@@untoldhistory3221 the phone makes it more authentic. 🍻

[@mattbaker429]

Is the gentleman still alive?

[@nicholewoodard2583]

Yes he is. He has attended our church for years, but has not been able to come since last year because of the COVID.

[@teresabrandonbrinkley5229]

@@nicholewoodard2583 What strange timing! You posted that reply three days ago. I am helping my son research a report for school on my grandfather who fought in Luzon in 1945. My grandfather died just over twenty years ago and we don't have much from that era save for a few uniform patches and a handful of letters. He didn't talk much about the war. I would love the opportunity to speak with Mr. Steenberg if you would be willing to arrange it. Thanks! -Brandon

[@nicholewoodard2583]

@@teresabrandonbrinkley5229 I spoke with his daughter about more interviews and she said he is not in a condition now to be interviewed. I will check with the HS history teacher that had him speak in her class and see if she has the video.

[@teresabrandonbrinkley5229]

@@nicholewoodard2583 That would be awesome, thanks! And I totally understand about him not being up to it. If she’d be willing to at least ask him if he knew my grandfather (long shot, I know) on my behalf, I could send a picture.

[@nicholewoodard2583]

@@teresabrandonbrinkley5229 I commented on your page. Please remove it after you see it.

[@johngurganus3348]

General yamashita was over all japanese army troops in the Philippines.

[@pinoyparin4414]

I wonder how today's kids will survive witnout their cell phones.