WWII Veteran Joe Barnes of the 36th Division Talking About Fighting Overseas

Founded in 2016, Heroes of the Second World War is a nonprofit 501©(3) organization. (EIN/tax ID number: 81-3064351). 100% of Heroes of the Second World War’s expended resources are devoted entirely to interviewing interview with the majority of money going to travel costs.

[@scottydog62]

This great man Mr Barnes passed January 2023 he was 103 years old, what a life , we honor you sir, what a touching obituary, you were truly a great man.

[@Chrisamos412]

An American hero and gentleman, Mr Barns exudes humility that’s as natural as breathing. God bless you sir.

[@shawnpa]

He carries the conversation and explained his war experiences excellently.

[@talltexan6432]

Mr. Barnes this Texan salutes you!

[@Joe45-91]

Thank you for your stories. My grandfather was in the 45th and had a good friend who was in the 36th. He wasn't a Texas native either. What a time your guys had in Italy.

[@jerrycole1530]

A true hero and still contributing to society and his family. The 36th Infantry Brigade, Gonzales, Texas. The Arrowhead T Patch.

[@bodijisattva9333]

My Dad was in the 36 division . He received the Bronze Star during one battle of intense mortar fire and land minds, He left his place of relative safety To help carry back the wounded. I can't imagine what that experience may have been like. I'm very humbled by these WW II Army soldiers. ❤

[@rogerwilliams2629]

What a wonderful interview, and I thank you so much for letting him talk. I grew up with Grandpa and his brothers, veterans. .and I miss listening to folks like this humble hero. Great job, and sir, thank you for your service.

[@leeanntrain8835]

My dad was a sergeant in the 36th division. It was wonderful to hear this. My dad was born in San Antonio Texas in 1919.

[@DDDD-pv7fw]

What a Great Gentleman !! God Bless you Sir !!

[@Chrisamos412]

Very good interview, much thx for all the hard work you put into these priceless interviews.

[@joeythompson3962]

This is the kind of person that we should all look up to .a true hero.

[@benyoung552]

Keep these coming as long as you can legend ww2.... Really awesome that you’re doing this... These guys are amazing.

[@MoCrush]

Thank you sir for your service

[@aBRUSHforCONFUCIUS]

I really, really like this guy. Dealt with the horror of war and the meeting his wife with true character.

[@kendallturnage9058]

Endless respect Sir.

[@johnboy6594]

God Bless you Mr Barns.

[@tonyd6848]

God Bless you sir! Thank you for your brave service to this nation. Please know that there are many out there that appreciate the great services you did in the 🇺🇸 USA's name!! Prayers go out to you and your wife!

[@MrGoldenV]

What an impressive guy.

[@t3hlidd082]

I'm so happy to see you are still following your dreams, I just looked you up and super happy to see your last upload was just a week ago. I imagine this year has been pretty hard for you as it has for all of us in one way or another. Good luck and God bless

[@D23-g5f]

Thanks for posting and thank you Mr. Barnes and all veterans for your service and sacrifice.

[@georgemannsr8708]

What a great story from a true hero and a good man !

[@Convoycrazy]

I’m so thankful to hear these MTO veteran’s stories because they are so rarely recorded - so thank you for seeking out and interviewing these folks. It was interesting to hear about his love story and his work during Integration. Thank you for not redirecting him. It’s one of the things I like most about your style of interviewing, you let them speak freely and then circle back. It seems to work very well.

[@RememberWW2]

Is there anything I can improve on in regards to the interviews? GOD BLESS THE WWII HEROES GOD BLESS THE WWII HEROES

[@Convoycrazy]

@@RememberWW2 I think you do a fantastic job, Rishi & team, and I cannot come up with any constructive criticisms at all. You’re very knowledgeable about the campaigns, from what I know and have studied. You seem to always ask the right questions at the right time. I enjoy when your interviewees talk about things regarding life back then outside of The War, that have been lost to time. For instance, when Joe was talking about taking a blood test as a prerequisite for a marriage license. I love hearing things like that, things we don’t learn in the history books anymore. At the same time, you don’t get flustered when your interviewees misinterpret your questions or they stray off-topic for a while. You’re a natural at this and I hope you’re able to continue producing these records of oral history. I believe oral history is extremely important. Unless documented; when they’re gone, their stories are gone forever. Keep up the good fight! 🇺🇸 In my opinion, you’re doing the historical record of WWII a great service.

[@josephmeo261]

My father Anthony Meo was a Brooklyn guy who got attached to the 36th division. He was in Company M of the 141st Regiment which had its roots back to the Alamo. He was second gunner on an 81 mm mortar. he invaded Salerno on Sep 9 1943 and ,may have fought along with you. He told me stories that sounded exactly like what you describe. My dad was mugged in 2001 and died shortly thereafter. God bless you sir for your service and if you knew my dad he is waiting for you in heaven with a beer.

[@Will_i_am725]

Wow... what a man. Sharp as a tack and doesn't look a day over 80. 101 or more by now. God bless you sir 🙏 and thank you for your service. Thank you for sharing your story with us 🇺🇸. 🇺🇸 🙏 ❤ I had hammer toes too and had that surgery with the steel pins 📌 they stick in your toes. Such a romantic and sweet story and so glad 💕 everything worked out for them to get married. Sounds like everything fell into place. True love.

[@theworldwariioldtimeradioc8676]

Same theater and battles my maternal Grandfather was in. For 100 years old he has a very good memory.

[@INdifrnve]

Wow. Incredible.

[@jerrycurtin8979]

Mr Barnes is a True American Hero...God Bless the Greatest Generation!

[@shafur3]

May our Loving Lord Bless our hero.

[@RememberWW2]

GOD BLESS THE WW2 HEROES OF THE ALLIED COUNTRIES! they are great!

[@jessejames1804]

Thank You

[@TheRbrooks502]

@ Joe Barnes. Thank you for your service. I am hoping you can field a question for me. Did the 1st Armored Division CCB tanks fight with the 36th Infantry at the first battle of Cassino or the 34th Infantry at Cassino. In short, do you have any memories of the 1st AD tanks firing at the first battle of Cassino, and if so, where were they located in reference to your position to the Abbey?

[@thomaspridmore106]

Another brave man from that time

[@akjeff64]

My dad was in L Company, 141st INF, he was also a mortarman in a mortar squad.

[@franmcdonald1011]

These guys were so tough. They saved the world from slavery.

[@junebugjoe5914]

Can’t get history like this from a book. God bless are vets! my dad also, 341st engr Normandy, bulge

[@timbarry5080]

Great man

[@SunnyIlha]

He fought the battle of the Rapido River, Italian Campaign. Mediterranean Theater. The worst example of WW2 combat that happened to GIs.

[@RememberWW2]

The fighting everywhere in WWII was tough!

[@algorithm4390]

@@RememberWW2 no, the 36th was forced back to the start line, i would agree with the commentator, Huertgen Forest also horrific and wastedul but progress was made...some advice to you, very nice basic interview techniques but seemingly huge chasms in your knowlwdge....

[@SunnyIlha]

@@algorithm4390 Yes; Belvidere, Rapido River and Huertgen Forest. Then there is the D-Day Landing and the Hedgerows. These were wickedly horrible nightmarish ground combat. Direct frontal extreme front line closure-close-contact combat of men killing each other with all the weaponry there existed in World War Two. And men died from being killed by tanks and mines. Blood just poured onto the ground everywhere in these horrific battles. Belvidere Italy is a lesser known battle (Battle of Pietro). Tragic and shocking. Dead American GIs piled high.

[@SunnyIlha]

@@algorithm4390 Rapido River crossing, they were killed outright in the wide open. GI boots from dead GIs littered the ground. Huertgen Forest they were killed in multitudes in density of thick woods.

[@jaredhall5886]

@@RememberWW2 is he married to the Sam woman he told the story about

[@emmahussey6006]

Hello, My name is Emma-Lee, I am a ww2 reenactor. My WW2 reenactor unit is the 36th Division, The Fighting Texas. I have been trying to find veterans that were in my division that I portray for. I was wondering if this gentleman is still alive? Including his wife. I want to contact him personally, if I am able to do so.

[@mizaru5413]

Joe, do you remember Sid Taylor's cafe? They tore the building down a few months ago. Put up a Starbucks in its place!

[@stevepower88]

My father was in the 36th in WWII

[@lorriebuxton2041]

My dad was with 36th recon at monte casino

[@paularndt6111]

If kids today had to work the way this man and others did back then. Our country would not be in the shape it is today.

[@jameshaliday1929]

this is part of Americas Best. What make the USA exceptional in the whole World.

[@patfetes]

brother, you need some help with organization and publicly