WW2 Marine Recalls Okinawa | Memoirs Of WWII #53

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 เม.ย. 2024
  • World War II Veteran Charles Kelley had always wanted to join the Marines. But there was no way he could know the horrors he would experience in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War, enduring such battles as Guam and Okinawa - the bloodiest battle in the Pacific.
    Memoirs of WWII Website: bit.ly/2w60kGM
    Patreon: bit.ly/2HIebIN
    Instagram: bit.ly/2FBGBhv
    Facebook: bit.ly/2w5Lhgf
    Twitter: bit.ly/2jlcp1A
    Written and Directed by Joshua Scott
    Filmed by Heather Scott
    Edited by Joshua Scott
    Post Audio by Lane Tarr
    Photo Enhancement and Colorization by Hudson Louie
    Archive Footage Sources:
    www.archives.gov/
    Archive Photo Sources:Department of Defense
    U.S. Navy
    U.S. Marine Corps
    U.S. Naval Institute
    Library of Congress
    Imperial Japanese Army
    Primary Musical Score Source:
    artlist.io/
    Artlist Songs and Composers:
    “Tremors” by Spearfish
    “Exploration” by Kyle Preston
    “Family” by Josh Leake
    “Soon” composed by Artie Shaw, performed by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra
    #ww2 #history #wwii #veteran #worldwar2 #worldwarii #okinawa #usmarines #marine #marines #story

ความคิดเห็น • 246

  • @johnkelley2615
    @johnkelley2615 หลายเดือนก่อน +750

    This is my grandpa, he’s 98 now. Thank you Memoirs of WWII for recording his story!

    • @ettajfan5882
      @ettajfan5882 หลายเดือนก่อน +65

      He is one of the true heroes of our country. Please tell him we thank him for his service!

    • @gilwhitmore9682
      @gilwhitmore9682 หลายเดือนก่อน +35

      We can't say thank you enough for him, and all those that were with him. Glad the angels were with him.

    • @jayrowe6473
      @jayrowe6473 หลายเดือนก่อน +30

      I'm glad he's still with us, and I hope he's doing well. Semper Fi.

    • @dmaextraordinaire8205
      @dmaextraordinaire8205 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

      I offer your grandfather, my sincere gratitude. Please thank him and give him a hug next time you see him. God bless him and America.

    • @DanielJMathews1
      @DanielJMathews1 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

      god bless your grandpa
      im a active duty marine and i have mad respect for any and all devil dogs and service members past and present

  • @dmaextraordinaire8205
    @dmaextraordinaire8205 หลายเดือนก่อน +137

    This is what a real hero looks like.

  • @mycigaradventures8322
    @mycigaradventures8322 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    “I’ll be here 100 years if that’s what it takes”
    Soldiers mindset like that is what made us win the war

    • @wattsnottaken1
      @wattsnottaken1 24 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      I’m not religious but god bless the Marines and Army Dogs who fought in the Pacific and Europe. We owe them everything

  • @tundralou
    @tundralou 23 วันที่ผ่านมา +25

    98 years old and remembers his comrades names so clear-so glad his memories are recorded

  • @Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88
    @Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88 หลายเดือนก่อน +112

    Two years at war, older in heart, mind and soul than most of us ever will be, but still too young to go to the bar.

    • @shannonobrien9922
      @shannonobrien9922 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Not then......the legal drinking age was 18 then! Plus, overseas they follow local law! I was a US Army brat and went to HS in Germany and I was bar hopping LEGALLY at 16

    • @roderickstockdale1678
      @roderickstockdale1678 18 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@shannonobrien9922he said he was 20 when he got back himself and still couldn’t go in a bar…

  • @matthewjay660
    @matthewjay660 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    My grandfather is still alive at 97. He fought in the USN at Okinawa. 🇺🇸🦅⚓️

  • @JEM133
    @JEM133 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    My dad was there with you,1st Marines!
    God bless you all!

  • @skimmer8774
    @skimmer8774 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

    Mr. Kelley sir I thank you a thousand times for the freedom my family has. We do not take it for granted. Also you sure don't look 98. God bless you.

  • @Bjorn_Algiz
    @Bjorn_Algiz หลายเดือนก่อน +34

    Always remember the fallen and those who served and live today to tell their story 😔🙏

    • @shannonobrien9922
      @shannonobrien9922 หลายเดือนก่อน

      AMEN!!!!!! Freedom IS NOT free

  • @Sauerbrew777
    @Sauerbrew777 หลายเดือนก่อน +32

    Amazing story. Thank you for recording it for posterity. Also, 54 magazines = 1080 rounds of 30-06.

    • @frenchfan3368
      @frenchfan3368 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

      To add to your worthy comment, he said his BAR never jammed after putting 54 magazines through it. Wow!

    • @wendielangborders4116
      @wendielangborders4116 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Smoking

    • @mahersalthomas1739
      @mahersalthomas1739 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

      25 rounds in the magazine?

    • @B2091
      @B2091 7 วันที่ผ่านมา

      @@mahersalthomas1739
      20 round magazine for the BAR

  • @jgonzalez101
    @jgonzalez101 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    So thankful for these brave and courageous men who served our Country with honor and dedication!❤️🇺🇸

  • @gilwhitmore9682
    @gilwhitmore9682 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    I don't know how these men did it either, but I am thankful every day that they and all those that followed them did. So lucky to be able to hear these accounts from everyday heroes. God bless and keep them all.

  • @lonnyjaw
    @lonnyjaw หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Thank GOD for these REAL MEN that fought for OUR liberty and freedom! GOD Bless you Charles Kelley.

  • @jeffreyknight3884
    @jeffreyknight3884 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    It's sad, all the world war 2 veterans are dying off everyday. Damn, I'll miss the stories, including my dad who lived to be 100 years old.

  • @krisshepherd740
    @krisshepherd740 2 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    These men are sp special and must be respected and revered. Love them all!!❤❤😊

  • @user-tl3uf2fd5k
    @user-tl3uf2fd5k หลายเดือนก่อน +25

    Read a book called I think it was 40 days in Okinawa. It was very descriptive. I don't know how they came back without having been affected I don't think anybody came back unaffected. Just reading the book affected me. My uncle died in that battle. Killed by a sniper at the very end of the battle. Rip Omer Lemay

    • @jessicakcarvalho
      @jessicakcarvalho หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      RIP Omer Lemay!

    • @hsaccount_
      @hsaccount_ 10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Rest in peace Omer Lemay

  • @airgunfun4248
    @airgunfun4248 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    My Grandad was 7th infantry Okinawa was his landing. He went from there on a hospital ship to Guam I believe. He was sick for a long time. He got down to 97 pounds. He told his family dysentery when my mom was a kid. When I was a teen he said to me the doctor told him it was nerves. He told me a lot of things that he didn't tell them

  • @DamWalsh
    @DamWalsh 10 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I have listened to a few stories about how these brave men fought in ww2 my heart is heavy with emotion god bless your soldiers

  • @thomasmerrill2287
    @thomasmerrill2287 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Did all this before he turned 21 they don’t make them like this MUCH anymore thank you sir for your service 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🇺🇸

    • @hsaccount_
      @hsaccount_ 10 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Well thats because luckily we dont have to. If it were to repeat, they will rise up once again. But yeah, i think back then there were more real men as well.

  • @BoldLion
    @BoldLion หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    It's been awhile! I know it's hard to find them and then get to them as quickly as possible!! Love Yaw

  • @DaystromDataConcepts
    @DaystromDataConcepts หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    They really were the greatest generation. I salute all of them, they're bravery and endurance in the face of appalling conditions just boggles the mind. I dread to think how many nineteen year olds today would fare in those circumstances. I fear not very well at all, assuming they even volunteered.
    Okinawa has to be one of the most brutal and appauling battles of attrition in history. May I recommend to those interested the superb book entitled "with the old Breed" a memoir by Eugene Sledge. In it, he graphically describes the most horrific scenes imaginable. Those descriptions of his time on Okinawa and Pelilu will never leave me.

  • @JLAvey
    @JLAvey หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Too bad something like this channel wasn't around twenty-five years or thirty years ago. Could have recorded the testimonies of the last surviving Great War vets. If you're old enough, it gives you something to think about, knowing the last WWII vet will soon die. If Grandpa was still alive, he'd be a bit over a hundred.

  • @tommyellis3521
    @tommyellis3521 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Without a doubt. THE GREATEST GENERATION!!!!!

  • @minuteman-RN
    @minuteman-RN หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Truly and different breed and definitely the greatest generation. Thank you for your service, sir! You and your fallen comrades will not be forgotten.

  • @ettajfan5882
    @ettajfan5882 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Thank you for your continued dedication to our WWII veterans. As a proud daughter of a WWII veteran, I wish my father was still alive to recount his own story. He served in five countries in the European theatre as a 19 year old. God bless every veteran and God bless the United States of America.

  • @richardthornhill4630
    @richardthornhill4630 14 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
    Stationed on Okinawa 20 years later. They paid the price for us.

  • @adriannogales7676
    @adriannogales7676 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Mr. Kelley is a national treasure. He and Joe Pinio and Jimmy Malleson, Goertz, Bobby Monroe and the rest of those gents are legends, Oklowitz and all the corpsmen too

  • @Hevynly1
    @Hevynly1 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    How does he look that fabulous at 98?! I don't know what I am struck by more- his story or how youthful he looks and sounds! I love that he mentioned the fallen soldiers he knew. It's nice to learn a bit about them as well.

  • @JG-sm9wm
    @JG-sm9wm 3 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    God Bless you sir, America is forever indebted and all those men and women who fought and serviced alongside you, God bless you

  • @SmoothBalla1
    @SmoothBalla1 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Growing up, I’ve always learned that the relationship between a Corpsman his Marines is something special.
    I’m so glad I joined the fold and became one myself!
    Thank you all who served, and paved the path for future Docs🤙🏾

  • @RDMash
    @RDMash หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    As I say in all my WW2 memoirs, these fighting Men were absolutely the GREATEST Generation!! Thank You All 🙏

  • @henrywinchester9372
    @henrywinchester9372 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    Couldn’t even go in a bar when he got back from fighting in Okinawa… war is awful

  • @leonmeekel5486
    @leonmeekel5486 27 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    2:17 you know, these stories are always so incredible that its hard to relate sometimes. People today can only kinda do it when they have a modern day equivalent like those marines essentially saying: "we are doing our part but we don't know how you guys ever did it when you didn't have flak jackets". But this little moment is something that i, probably along with most people here, can relate to. Just your mom wanting to say goodbye to you right before you are being send to fight far away for a long time. I can't imagine what it must have been like for those mothers and fathers who's children never returned.

  • @nick3d155
    @nick3d155 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    I was so excited to see there was a new video today

  • @nunyabisness4300
    @nunyabisness4300 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thank you for your service Mr. Kelley

  • @markcmann
    @markcmann หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    What an incredible Gentleman, he is an excellent example of the Greatest Generation. 🇺🇸👍🏻

  • @brianhornsby4627
    @brianhornsby4627 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This is the generation of folks that were around me when I was growing up. The conversations and lessons I learned from these old timers should have been cast in iron and taught in schools in perpetuity. Great men they were and forever will be. Courage and humility are almost non existent today. Hard times forge strong men. You know the rest. God be with us all. Bless you and no amount of gratitude could be afforded to your generation that would suffice. Thank you, sir.

    • @SergiuM42
      @SergiuM42 20 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

      Agreed!

  • @gmagee5184
    @gmagee5184 17 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    I love this Marines story! How vividly he remembers and recalls it (like it happened yesterday). The emotion… you can hear it in his voice. His 1000 yard stare. Thank you sir for your service and your generation’s sacrifice! 9:16

  • @robertweingartner2055
    @robertweingartner2055 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Another great video, Josh! Thanks for keeping their stories alive. I dread the day our WWII vets are no longer with us.

  • @macmccollum6064
    @macmccollum6064 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    Great video. Great hero.

  • @bitterellaselectricgroove8544
    @bitterellaselectricgroove8544 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Bless him!! Can fight a war but can't go have a beer.
    Thank you sir for your incredible story and service. 🇺🇸

  • @Wil_Liam1
    @Wil_Liam1 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The greatest generation of all time.. The greatest war machine ever... There will never be another generation that even comes close to them... Thank you sir for your service,HOOOAH !.

  • @kennethcaine3402
    @kennethcaine3402 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great video, Great Man, I can't believe he is 98 years old, he has been blessed.
    My Father was on Okinawa, 1st Marine Division his mother's birthday was April 1st the day of the invasion.

  • @PoupstainKilla
    @PoupstainKilla หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I'm in Flint RIGHT NOW watching this

  • @scottlehman9738
    @scottlehman9738 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    SEMPER FI brother. Thank you for your service.

  • @Mattman2500
    @Mattman2500 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I served in the Marines Corps from 2004-2011. Did some time in Iraq early on in GWOT. I'm glad to have worn the same uniform. Has men like this. Marines are a different breed for sure.

  • @masudaharris6435
    @masudaharris6435 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Only 20 years later, in 1965, Okinawa was a quiet, sleepy place where trash collectors came in horse-drawn carts. Yet, every time it rained, vestiges of the war would wash out of the soil...bullets, parts of equipment, and bits of uniforms. I was told where I lived was the site of some of the fiercest fighting in the battle. But in 1965, we lived in a palatial home, across from a huge sugar cane plantation.

  • @drew9195
    @drew9195 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Everyyyy timeeee i watch these it makes me cry Jesus Christ. So many brave lives lost. Children. Some not even recognized as adults in most governments (17). And most not old enough to drink. But old enough to watch their friends, new and old blow up by mortar strikes & get left in the dirt under the hot sun for days until the day they’re able to retrieve the bodies. God bless these men.

  • @dave3156
    @dave3156 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Very moving account--so glad you got his story! Thx

  • @ChairmanLebron
    @ChairmanLebron หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Lest we forget.

  • @xvsj5833
    @xvsj5833 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Thank you for your service Charlie 🇺🇸💕

  • @youknownada2326
    @youknownada2326 23 ชั่วโมงที่ผ่านมา

    I salute that man. A legend.

  • @ChevyBoyCallofDuty
    @ChevyBoyCallofDuty 28 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Thank you WWII Vets! ✝️🙏🏻🇺🇸

  • @jonathanmanzano3902
    @jonathanmanzano3902 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Thank you for these memoirs

  • @davewelsh4505
    @davewelsh4505 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    God bless you and thank you for your service!!!

  • @dianehansen2263
    @dianehansen2263 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Well, here is another 'thank u for serving' and putting your life on the line in hellish conditions. U are indeed one of the greatest generation! 🤟🙂

  • @Texicankush
    @Texicankush หลายเดือนก่อน

    “Jimmy mallison now there was an artist” loved how he says artist bcuz he knew him and what he was passionate about not just some soldier named Jimmy but an artist named Jimmy who had to be a soldier

  • @jeremyronald
    @jeremyronald หลายเดือนก่อน

    If you ever read this Mr. Kelley, hello from a fellow Michigander and thank you so much for your service ❤

  • @wademccormick4371
    @wademccormick4371 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thanks for your service and thanks for helping preserve our history. I feel like a lot of the younger generation have lost touch with our past. These stories should never be forgotten ❤

  • @williamcampbell6794
    @williamcampbell6794 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    The work you guys do is incredible, thank you so much for documenting these stories, it’s incredibly important, thank you.

  • @magnumx70
    @magnumx70 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

  • @kranjcalan
    @kranjcalan หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Thank for all the videos. keep up the good work.

  • @rusty_shackleford
    @rusty_shackleford หลายเดือนก่อน

    I wish I was half as hard as as this man..
    We live so great right now due to people like you, sir

  • @debrakleid5752
    @debrakleid5752 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I really like this channel and appreciate all you do keeping their memories alive because in the next few years there won’t be any WW2 vets alive.

  • @williamcarroll8601
    @williamcarroll8601 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very brave man and thank you for your service.

  • @user-fc7ug4sl9p
    @user-fc7ug4sl9p 10 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Thank you Sir, God bless you All 🙏🏼

  • @fufu889
    @fufu889 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you sir! You are incredible & your soldier friends too. You are the best! ❤

  • @johnstevens9673
    @johnstevens9673 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Memoris of WWII have the absolute dream job. Getting paid amazing money to travel the country/world with your entire family interviewing the remaining WWII survivors. Wow, I'd do anything to have their job and make the money they do.

  • @longtyler182
    @longtyler182 หลายเดือนก่อน

    My favorite channel on TH-cam. Thank you for finding these vets and recording their stories so they may live on forever now

  • @jeffreylucas2027
    @jeffreylucas2027 15 วันที่ผ่านมา

    What a brave man at that age another great story and looks great for his age

  • @zackbratton5485
    @zackbratton5485 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thank you

  • @TRockett55IRISH
    @TRockett55IRISH หลายเดือนก่อน

    Memoirs of WW2 thank you for another amazing episode Mr. Kelley was one of your best interviews yet and that is saying something keep up the phenomenal work in seeking out the Men and women of the GREATEST GENERATION to get these stories told for all to see just thank you for all this.

  • @2DSTORMS
    @2DSTORMS หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Been waiting for a new episode....finally, another great one!!

  • @Simbadalion
    @Simbadalion หลายเดือนก่อน

    Thank you for your service

  • @mikeschillinger4427
    @mikeschillinger4427 หลายเดือนก่อน

    ❤ what else is there to say? A very moving story to listen to.Thank-you for recording it and to the Marine who so generously shared it.
    God bless our Veterans.

  • @johngrogan7585
    @johngrogan7585 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Thank you Sir

  • @kirkmanning6232
    @kirkmanning6232 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Great presentation!
    The film clips were well done and placed.

  • @Sleeperdude
    @Sleeperdude หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Incredible

  • @876r876rf
    @876r876rf หลายเดือนก่อน

    Beautifully edited video

  • @ralphbranham8663
    @ralphbranham8663 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    My Grandpa was in the Navy at Okinawa

  • @asherweck
    @asherweck หลายเดือนก่อน

    Can’t imagine having conversations with friends again a common enemy and then surviving the war and knowing/ seeing they perished in the battle. Must hurt like hell

  • @AndrewGrey22
    @AndrewGrey22 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Nice job on this one about this great man.

  • @garymckee63
    @garymckee63 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This individual still has a great memory and is very articulate.
    SEMPER FIDELIS

  • @Psalms144_1_2
    @Psalms144_1_2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Amen brother, God bless all who served, God Love you.

  • @asherweck
    @asherweck หลายเดือนก่อน

    What a living legend. I wish I had half the bravery these guys had..

  • @user-xu9hy1hj8c
    @user-xu9hy1hj8c 17 วันที่ผ่านมา

    this video is very emotional

  • @elliottrau9845
    @elliottrau9845 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    True American Hero! Thank you. 🫡🇺🇸🙏

  • @marcusdelk7708
    @marcusdelk7708 20 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I truly thank God for this generation. It’s the men like Mr.Kelley who inspire me join the Marine Corps, and answer the call to service when summoned.

  • @shoktroop
    @shoktroop หลายเดือนก่อน

    These are our national treasures. The Greatest Generation and my family was a part of that! Semper Fi

  • @lovetolift82
    @lovetolift82 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I think I can speak for us all... im going to miss these guys when they are all gone.

  • @PrayerfullyBlessedMama
    @PrayerfullyBlessedMama หลายเดือนก่อน

    My grandfather, my dad’s dad, served in Okinawa during WW2. He was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart 💜. He died before I was born. My dad served in Okinawa at the end of the Vietnam war. Supposedly fulfilling a promise to his dad, to pee on the hill his father had been shot on.

  • @DolloJones
    @DolloJones 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    54 Magazines through a BAR non-stop with no jam damn

  • @user-ur7bf1in4h
    @user-ur7bf1in4h 19 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Great man God bless him 🙏

  • @EliteFuller
    @EliteFuller หลายเดือนก่อน

    respect

  • @waldirleandro4997
    @waldirleandro4997 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Parabéns pelo relato herói

  • @BornAJarhead
    @BornAJarhead 24 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Respect Semper Fi

  • @thevet2009
    @thevet2009 17 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Salute

  • @Naserati-oc9fo
    @Naserati-oc9fo หลายเดือนก่อน

    5:22 when he said they were all over the place you heard the coldness in his voice

    • @buzz5969
      @buzz5969 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hes in Japan naturally The Japanese are gonna be ALL OVER the place.

  • @Ddayboy1944
    @Ddayboy1944 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Having spent only a few days on oki as a marine, I would never have wanted to attack that island. It’s a nightmare of heat and jungle… they did it with maggots and mud. What a mess.

  • @peteypete24a
    @peteypete24a หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Great documentary, but I could do without the music