If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!!!
When I was stationed on Guam I hiked all over the island. I walked past many of the raised huts that locals lived in along the walking trails. These were where the poor lived. I felt sad for them because it was so hot and humid. A hard rain could blow through so fast and it was obvious that with the wind there was no way for the families to stay dry.
Håfa Adai from Guam🤙🏽🇬🇺 Fun fact: back in 1972 a couple of island locals were trailing through the jungle and happened to stumble upon a cave… turns out it was occupied by a Japanese WWII Sergeant, Shoichi Yokoi. After the defeat of Japanese occupation, Yokoi ended up being left behind. Instead of surrendering to US Forces, he went into hiding. For 28 long years he remained on the island, making he’s own tools and living off the land. He’s cave was named after him, “the Yokoi Cave.” When he finally was brought back home to Japan, he was hailed as a War hero. He ended up marrying and had he’s honeymoon back on Guam. He’s handcrafted tools and WWII uniform is on display at the Guam Museum in Hågatna, the island capital.
I lived on Guam from 1992-1995 while in the U.S. Air Force, and although there are LOTS of fascinating historical sites and artifacts there, I dont remember much of it. (30 years ago, go figure). However, I remember that, because the island is so small, just about EVERYTHING rusts fast - because youre never really very far from the salty sea spray (along with the oppresive heat and humidity). I stood guard duty many nights in that environment, and I cant imagine slogging that island with 75 pounds of gear in WW2 uniforms (while being shot at, no less). Thanks for the fascinating history lesson. Brings back memories!
The military stripped and dumped all the tanks used in the invasion to recover Guam right there. The entire pacific is littered with the tanks from WWII. It was cheaper to remove the components and leave the armored hulls than to ship them back to the United States. There were several tanks and half tracks, but most were removed to be restored for museum displays and monuments. We locals like to call it the tank farm because they were all planted there left to rot and used for training targets. You are lucky to have hiked it when it was dry. To my knowledge there were no American tanks knocked out from direct combat, but there was likely mechanical issues from the beach landing and tropical environment. Thank you for showing the beauty of my Island and sharing a part of our history.
As a history buff this series has shown me that I have a serious lacking in my knowledge of the Pacific theater. I guess being of European decent, and having served in the 101st, it’s easier to associate with the places and people of that theater than those in the Pacific. A shortcoming I will have to correct. Thank you for educating me further. Another wonderful video.
You aren't the only one. Most people focus more on the European Theater. As far as Guam, go to Amazon and see what you can find on the Battle of Guam. There isn't much.
Lol. What does serving in the 101st and being white have to do with your knowledge of the Pacific Theatre... if you just wanted someone to acknowledge that you served in the 101st just say that.
I was based in Guam for several months with the airline I worked for back in the 90s. I remember stepping off the airplane and getting hit by the heat and humidity. I got used to it after a while. I didn’t get to see a lot of what you are showing on this video so I appreciate it. It is kind of nostalgic for me.
Fantastic work JD, this is your finest yet. You capture the claustrophobia and heat/humidity so well, it really makes it tangible to the rest of us just how hard a slog it was for those lads that fought for islands we would never otherwise have heard of. Excellent work as always 👏
When I was stationed there at the Naval Hospital on Guam you could drive your 4wd vehicles out to the tanks and even further. One of the best tours i had during my 25 years in the Navy. There was a ton of history on the island. There are two ships in the harbor that were sunk. One in WW1 and one in WW2. They actually touch each other. The Cormoran and the Tokai Maru. I dove on both often.
Wonderful video, it brought back so many happy memories of boonie-stomping when I was a sailor stationed on the island in 1971-72. For many years, that cluster of vehicles was known as "the tank farm." over the course of fifteen years both of my brothers and I served on the island, and each of us had taken photos of the tanks and LVTs. Your footage reveals the level of deterioration that has occurred in the intervening 50 years. Our understanding of the tank farm was that these vehicles were towed to that location for the specific purpose of target-practice...explaining the five penetrating hits on the front of one of the Shermans - at the time that I was there, there were two Shermans and three or four LVTs. The tank farm was a favorite destination for GIs boonie-stomping during time off from work. Back then, it was a very rigorous hike. We'd hitch-hike from NCS Finegayen to the trailhead and then move inland. By the end of the day we'd be dehydrated and exhausted...much like you were...it was a blast. Thank you so much for this glimpse of a place where I spent an important part of my formative years. Hafa adai.
Interesting that it was a practice range. As a kid, I visited the tank farm in the late 70's a few times. Big cone shaped holes in the thick Sherman turret armor. What we thought was a Japanese tank was very thin armor mostly buried in the ground. Talafofo (spelling?) falls was by there and often the main object of the hike. Us kids found an old grenade. Parents wouldn't let us keep it so us kids threw it to see if it would go off. Fortunately it was very rusty and likely missing parts.
Thank you for being respectful to our land and showcasing the history behind the island. Hope the heat didn’t burn ya too bad and please enjoy your remaining time on Guam!! 🥳
JD - remember - War is a Young Man's Game, as well as being a Blood Sport. As a retired Army officer, who fought in the Persian Gulf War at age 28-29, and then went back to Iraq from age 41 - 49 (over 4 additional tours), being in a warzone gives your body a beating. What once you could laugh off - e.g. a sprained ankle (at age 20, with a 4 day recovery time), now equals a 6 week recovery time at age 60 plus.
My father, BM1 John Petersmarck USN, was there on Guam as part of operation Lion. That operation gathered, transported, off loaded, stored and distribute all of the materials needed to build an airfield on Guam. They began off loading while the battle was still going on. If you think it was hot walking just imagine how it was when doing the back breaking labor that they were doing. The work went on 24/7 in that heat, bugs, tropical downpours and knee deep mud that swallowed the materials that they were off loading. Many were affected by tropical diseases. The enlisted men were driven like animals by the officers who lived in, relative, luxury giving themselves kudos and medals for the great work that they did. My dad came home from Guam after the end of the was with life long PTSD.
Was on guam all of '86 also. I remember talkin to some seabees that were working on the marine barracks & naval base there. Probly ran across u at some point. Yes beautiful island there. 😁
Love these videos!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Extremely fascinating, the Pacific Campaign. When I was very young, about 5, our whole family was stationed on Guam. My father was a CPO radioman in the U.S. Navy. He used to take me for bike rides all over the island. I remember seeing some those tank wrecks. Even though I was just 5, I can still vividly remember all wrecks, Japanese and American and buildings that were still standing on various parts of that island. I enjoyed my time on Guam and the neat adventures my dad took me on. Good times..👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
I admire and appreciate your dedication to sharing some of our history. Continue right on. I’ll share a short story: My wife and I and freshman friends from the University of Guam in 1972, hiked to that very location where Sgt Yokoi was found and finally surrendered. We crawled through his underground tunnel. It was a very tranquil forest, I felt that I’d survive in it all as well; running rivers with shrimp, eel, etc., and lots of nuts, fruits and veggies too. Discovery was shortly before our hike and there were several press crews there already. 🦎🌴🐬
Guam is the most beautiful Pacific island I have seen, loads of history. I remember taking to old trek to get to Talofofo Falls in 1975. I returned in 2004 (what I thought was my last ANG TDY) and was pleased to ride the tram!
Yeah I remember going from Talafofo bay and also and easier way up near Nimiz hill where the airline crashed. It allowed approach to the last turn in the river leading to the falls. I used to go there in zories walking water paths along the river to the falls. lol.
JD thank you for conditioning my mind and my body. Military history has always been fascinating to me because my family has been attached to the military for generations. Can't thank you enough for all your travels and indepth analysis of battles fought around the world.
I'll tell you what my friend they really need to put you on the national geographic Channel your programs are 100 times better than just about any military show I have ever seen on the History Channel national geographic etc I'm telling you I always enjoy watching your channel I was probably one of the first couple hundred subs you had you know a lot of times I don't leave comments but I'm watching every video believe me and you always get a thumbs up my friend thank you for taking the time and effort to make all these awesome and I mean unbelievable programs thanks again my friend you have yourself a wonderful weekend lots of love from Tinley Park Illinois God bless the United States of America and her allies 🇺🇲🇺🇲 👍👍
The place you were at is sometimes called the "tank farm", and it's very interesting. You aren't far from the War in the Pacific museum, which is very underrated. I was stationed there for over a year, up at NCTAMS just south of Andersen AFB. We would stand post for 6 hours at a time, and of course you had to be on your feet. Even with the lightweight uniforms we wore (compared with the canvas dungarees worn in WWII), the polish on your boots would melt quickly and destroy the spit shine, and your uniform would be soaked with sweat. The heat and humidity were incredibly oppressive. The only thing that broke it up was the monsoons or the occasional typhoon (I went through supertyphoon Omar and Bryan), and the rain was like bathwater.
I lived there for 3 years and also went through Omar. It was interesting to see my Toyota pickup sliding sideways across the driveway when the eye passed.
@@vanceb1 I was on post for that entire thing, and I couldn't believe how much damage the flying coconuts did. lol I think the sustained winds were over 200 MPH at the eye wall, I forget. It was certainly an experience.
@@dangercloseusmc6902 I was in the USCG and one of our missions was pollution response. 13 foreign flagged fishing vessels sank in Apra Harbor during the typhoon. They all had refrigeration systems that used anhydrous ammonia as the refrigerant (a very common occurrence). When the higher-ups heard about that they called and asked what we were going to do about this deadly toxic spill. I told them we weren't going to do a darn thing since the ammonia was on its way to the Philippines at 150 mph. Their response was something to the effect of, "Oh, never mind...".
We cannot forget the sacrifices of the living and the dead that endured these awful events in the most hellish of circumstances. This is an excellent series. Thank you.
Thank you for teaching us history that most of us seam to have forgotten. Just how brutal humanity can be. My father was stationed on Guam as an aircraft mechanic during WW II but got transferred to Europe before the invasion on Guam. If that had not happened ( even though I was adopted ) I might not have had my mom and dad that in my eyes they were my mom and dad. Millions of things happen in just our lifetimes to get us where we are. If we ( humanity ) does not learn from the terrible things that have happened before us, how can we go on. How can we survive. If we do not step back and learn. We are headed down the path to repeat history. I am afraid my daughter will see Gettysburg become a battlefield again and not from external forces but within as before. Thank you for reminding us how bad we can be. Teaching us and reminding all of us what it means to be compassionate to one another. To be humane to one another. Every parent in the world wants one thing in life. For their children to have a better life than they had? Why is that so hard to learn? THANK YOU !!!!!! History is our teacher, learn from it.
It is always amazing to me to think, not only in the South Pacific but in theaters such as Gettysburg, the equipment and clothing the soldiers wore ON TOP of the insanity of battle with bullets and shell whizzing about, people going down and so forth.
Man, I love watching your videos! You sir, produce high quality videos with beautiful scenery and landscapes, while teaching about history! As a fellow history buff myself, learning mostly about The American Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and The Gulf War/Desert Storm. You show so much more than beautiful landscapes, you actually tell the history and stories about what happened for us and younger generations. I love how in each of your videos you go in depth and tell us about all sides of war while showing honor and utmost respect to those who have fought, survived and fallen on all sides. I'm also truly thank you and appreciate how you mention the innocent cilivians who were caught in the crossfire during those times. You're videos are truly amazing and I thank you for doing what you do! Though, I do wish they were longer lol, I still appreciate and enjoy every one of them!
Great Video JD, you wouldn't of known if it was worth it or not until you made the Trek in! Glad you did! Thank you for the educational History, I learn something from you every time! Love the real vintage footage as well. Gives us a little more insight! Well done!
Thank you Teach for another informative video. I have seen your passion for history and am happy to think that everyday someone who did not find this in school will find it here. Gotta be part of your driving force. God bless you!
I know most of your content is places you can travel to and shoot content about ground troops for. For some of your content can you cover some of the air conflicts in WW II or later. From the 101'st airborne in Europe, Pappy Boyington or the Red Tails. My father was an aircraft mechanic in WW II on Guam and European Theater. I know it will be hard to film, but I went to the Air Force Museum in Ohio and saw the real ( restored ) Memphis Belle. What a piece of history. What a story about the air campaign for WW II. Just a few miles from there was the Wright Brothers Museum. We went thru Ohio and planned on 3 days on our trip, got stuck there for a week. So much history. Did not know until we got there that Dayton, Ohio in the day was the Silicon Valley of the US. Memphis Belle was beautiful. Wright Brothers museum shop was smaller than we thought. National Museum of the United States Air Force few miles away. Good lord, what a place. We spent 1 day there and had to not rush through but did not take our time and just got trough. The first hanger ( and there are 4 ) we had to see and read the starting of the history of flight. OMG !!! Did it evolve fast. Another stop we took was at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. This is the town where Orville Wright started his Wright/Patterson aircraft engines manufacturing plants. I know you are all about history. This might give you some more content. I know we loved it.
My grandfather was a SeaBee on Guam. When we would ask him about what he did, he would only say he was on the "clean up crew". In other words, digging mass graves.
My grandfather was also a SeaBee on Guam. He passed when I was around 4. I really wish I had been old enough to have a conversation with him about his time there.
@@chriskimtyler the one thing my grandpa brought back with him from Guam was that he couldn't handle bad smells, especially meat. If it had the slightest oder he would puke. Considering the amount of dead Japanese soldiers in the heat and humidity of Guam, for days in end, it's easy to understand why he was like that
Another great video on a subject that is ignored mostly. You shining the spotlight on it is great. And I appreciate the views and respect shown for both sides. I am US Navy veteran and my father was a Marine in the Korean Conflict. But I love hearing both sides versions of events and that also teaches the true story. Thank you again
My father fought on Guam. He was assigned to the 706th Tank Battalion which supported the 77th Div. I also interviewed two tank commanders from his company who participated in the battle of Yigo. One of them was in a platoon that lost two Sherman tanks. I believe those tanks can still be seen in Yigo. One of that tanks is missing a turret.
My father was a Marine on Guam when the war ended and very happy there was no invasion of Japan. He turned 19 on August 15, 1945. Had finished Parris Island when he was still 17, July 4th, 1944.
I am a long time subscriber and glad to be here. Thank you sir for sharing your adventures and taking me along to see places I would otherwise not even know about .stay safe and stay well. Wishing you and your family many wonderful blessings.
I was stationed there in 1972. The last Japanese soldier was finally captured there just before I got there. I was renting out in the town of Yona and up the hill behind the house was a Japanese small tank.
Wow you have covered Guam very well. Beautiful place, that orange dirt reminds me of Schofield Hawaii, you never get that red dirt out of your uniforms. It was a badge of honor. That Sherman tank looks like it was knocked out by Japanese 47mm AT guns, small caliber, but they worked over Sherman's pretty well. Doubtful that tank would be moved there, a disabled 32ton hulk is no easy move. Likely it was used to blast those caves and got taken out by a AT gun right where it is. The Japanese were viscous against tanks on Okinawa as well. Great video, love the series.
I’m with you, JD. I’m no fan of heat and humidity or the beach and I live in Florida! We do have some nice woods, forests. And there are plenty of springs, lakes and rivers and other inland waterways and wetlands. Can’t wait until Winter when it gets a bit cooler.
Another job well done in the preservation of history on video. We or at least I appreciate you taking the 5 mile trek to see where history lives. Text books can only shed so much on the happenings that took place, but you Sir bring it to the next level. Thank you JD
Thank you so much for helping me to learn what my great uncles endured. And teaching me what the schools didn’t. I know all about the war dealing with the Nazis and the Holocaust but not much about the Pacific part. And to recently learn that 4 of my grandmother’s brothers fought in the Pacific I’m trying to learn as much as I can
Such beautiful country, but so deadly during WWII. You are teaching me a tremendous amount of information that was never covered in history classes. I need to learn more about the war in the Pacific theater.
Guam....the place where I was born due to my father being in the military at the time. One day I wanna go back and visit to see the history and the culture 😊
I will be going to Guam soon & can hopefully see some of these sites in person. With your channel I know I have seen much more then I would have on my own.
Really appreciate your efforts and this series for more depth to the war in the pacific. To be honest that resort needs to chill out with their security. There’s some great hiking spots and waterfall access as well as the tank access that’s easily accessible after you enter. Thank you for visiting this small island I called home for 20 years and for this series, Si Yu’os Ma’åse 🙏🏽
in the 60s we use to ride our motorcycles thru the hills from Asan to the tank graveyard (that's what we called then), sometimes making up trails as we go.
Love this channel. You do such a wonderful job bringing us to these location and describing them in a very real way that helps us understand what it might have been like. Both emotionally and in historic detail. Well done ...
Great episode! Always informative. I long for the day when humanity figures out that war isn't the way to go about solving it's issues. It ends up killing a lot of innocent people, a few truly guilty ones, and in the end, almost always just ends up giving us places to vacation and go see.
My Grandpa was a B-29 mechanic there during WWII. Was responsible for devising a way of feeding the engines oil so they could make the entire journey from Washington state without ditching at sea. He also built the island's first washing machine built out of commandeered equipment (Navy parts). After Base Commander discovered it, a 24 hour detachment was assigned to wash the officer's uniforms. Was just told by my Father that he also built the first welder to be used on Guam during WWII out of a duce and a half generator.
I been watching and liking all your videos, first time commenting. Your team has done an amazing job and have shown us some amazing locations which many of us would never be able to see. Keep up the great work you are doing.. 👍
That's the tank farm. That resort that you mentioned was where my daughter and her family lived for 3 years. I was able to hike to the Sherman from the resort, but when I returned, was harassed by those guards. Still not sure why they cared. The tanks were dragged there and used as targets for training. Looking at the holes and damage, I determined the direction they were fired upon from and going to that area found expended brass.
Still think there is a need for the History Underground Bump-Cap.....plus if you load yourself down with 80 pounds of equipment you can feel like a grunt....Thanks for the swing through the Pacific Theater, I can cross that off my bucket list.
I remember the first day I was on Guam in 1978 and I was amazed that I sweat completely through my clothes in about 5 minutes. I got conditioned to it after awhile and it took about 15 minutes after that!
I would have loved to have seen these videos of Guam 2 yrs ago while my daughter was deployed there. Picturing my daughter at some of the places in your videos. She told me her and her Seabee buddy's did tours of some of those sites.
If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out.
Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!!!
I've watched 'em all brother.......
When I was stationed on Guam I hiked all over the island. I walked past many of the raised huts that locals lived in along the walking trails. These were where the poor lived. I felt sad for them because it was so hot and humid. A hard rain could blow through so fast and it was obvious that with the wind there was no way for the families to stay dry.
Håfa Adai from Guam🤙🏽🇬🇺 Fun fact: back in 1972 a couple of island locals were trailing through the jungle and happened to stumble upon a cave… turns out it was occupied by a Japanese WWII Sergeant, Shoichi Yokoi. After the defeat of Japanese occupation, Yokoi ended up being left behind. Instead of surrendering to US Forces, he went into hiding. For 28 long years he remained on the island, making he’s own tools and living off the land. He’s cave was named after him, “the Yokoi Cave.” When he finally was brought back home to Japan, he was hailed as a War hero. He ended up marrying and had he’s honeymoon back on Guam. He’s handcrafted tools and WWII uniform is on display at the Guam Museum in Hågatna, the island capital.
Håfa Adai! Former US Navy stationed at Polaris Point on the USS Proteus AS-19 back in the late 80s , I miss Guam !
I stay on guam and I love when people come here to talk about the history of the island
I lived on Guam from 1992-1995 while in the U.S. Air Force, and although there are LOTS of fascinating historical sites and artifacts there, I dont remember much of it. (30 years ago, go figure). However, I remember that, because the island is so small, just about EVERYTHING rusts fast - because youre never really very far from the salty sea spray (along with the oppresive heat and humidity). I stood guard duty many nights in that environment, and I cant imagine slogging that island with 75 pounds of gear in WW2 uniforms (while being shot at, no less). Thanks for the fascinating history lesson. Brings back memories!
The military stripped and dumped all the tanks used in the invasion to recover Guam right there. The entire pacific is littered with the tanks from WWII. It was cheaper to remove the components and leave the armored hulls than to ship them back to the United States. There were several tanks and half tracks, but most were removed to be restored for museum displays and monuments. We locals like to call it the tank farm because they were all planted there left to rot and used for training targets. You are lucky to have hiked it when it was dry. To my knowledge there were no American tanks knocked out from direct combat, but there was likely mechanical issues from the beach landing and tropical environment. Thank you for showing the beauty of my Island and sharing a part of our history.
Interesting. Thanks for the extra info!
As a history buff this series has shown me that I have a serious lacking in my knowledge of the Pacific theater. I guess being of European decent, and having served in the 101st, it’s easier to associate with the places and people of that theater than those in the Pacific. A shortcoming I will have to correct. Thank you for educating me further. Another wonderful video.
You aren't the only one. Most people focus more on the European Theater. As far as Guam, go to Amazon and see what you can find on the Battle of Guam. There isn't much.
Lol. What does serving in the 101st and being white have to do with your knowledge of the Pacific Theatre... if you just wanted someone to acknowledge that you served in the 101st just say that.
I’m from Guam. I hope you’re having a great time here !! ❤
It was windy when I was there in 2014 and those stands of bamboo made quite a racket!
Guam looks like a dirtbikers paradise... Looks at that dirt and trails! Beautiful!
I was based in Guam for several months with the airline I worked for back in the 90s. I remember stepping off the airplane and getting hit by the heat and humidity. I got used to it after a while. I didn’t get to see a lot of what you are showing on this video so I appreciate it. It is kind of nostalgic for me.
And the mildew smell…
@@davidhenson5876 Especially in the old airport terminal.
Fantastic work JD, this is your finest yet. You capture the claustrophobia and heat/humidity so well, it really makes it tangible to the rest of us just how hard a slog it was for those lads that fought for islands we would never otherwise have heard of. Excellent work as always 👏
Love the “tactful” sarcasm JD of the “tanks” 😁…but I do appreciate the effort and professionalism you show in these videos 🍺🍺!
Stationed on Guam for 4 years while on active duty and remember these boonie stomps well. Tons of great history on Guam.
When I was stationed there at the Naval Hospital on Guam you could drive your 4wd vehicles out to the tanks and even further. One of the best tours i had during my 25 years in the Navy. There was a ton of history on the island. There are two ships in the harbor that were sunk. One in WW1 and one in WW2. They actually touch each other. The Cormoran and the Tokai Maru. I dove on both often.
Wonderful video, it brought back so many happy memories of boonie-stomping when I was a sailor stationed on the island in 1971-72. For many years, that cluster of vehicles was known as "the tank farm." over the course of fifteen years both of my brothers and I served on the island, and each of us had taken photos of the tanks and LVTs. Your footage reveals the level of deterioration that has occurred in the intervening 50 years.
Our understanding of the tank farm was that these vehicles were towed to that location for the specific purpose of target-practice...explaining the five penetrating hits on the front of one of the Shermans - at the time that I was there, there were two Shermans and three or four LVTs. The tank farm was a favorite destination for GIs boonie-stomping during time off from work. Back then, it was a very rigorous hike. We'd hitch-hike from NCS Finegayen to the trailhead and then move inland. By the end of the day we'd be dehydrated and exhausted...much like you were...it was a blast. Thank you so much for this glimpse of a place where I spent an important part of my formative years. Hafa adai.
Interesting that it was a practice range. As a kid, I visited the tank farm in the late 70's a few times. Big cone shaped holes in the thick Sherman turret armor. What we thought was a Japanese tank was very thin armor mostly buried in the ground. Talafofo (spelling?) falls was by there and often the main object of the hike. Us kids found an old grenade. Parents wouldn't let us keep it so us kids threw it to see if it would go off. Fortunately it was very rusty and likely missing parts.
Thank you for being respectful to our land and showcasing the history behind the island. Hope the heat didn’t burn ya too bad and please enjoy your remaining time on Guam!! 🥳
Lol...yuppie resort. Love the old tank wreckages 👍
Thank you. My father was a pilot in this theater of the war but never saw combat. I love learning more about it.
That’s so sad that security made you do that, but like the men before you that you’re paying tribute to, you persevered! 👏🏻👏🏻
JD - remember - War is a Young Man's Game, as well as being a Blood Sport. As a retired Army officer, who fought in the Persian Gulf War at age 28-29, and then went back to Iraq from age 41 - 49 (over 4 additional tours), being in a warzone gives your body a beating. What once you could laugh off - e.g. a sprained ankle (at age 20, with a 4 day recovery time), now equals a 6 week recovery time at age 60 plus.
I'll bet. Kind of feeling that myself as I get a bit older.
Thank you so much for your Service!!! That's said from my Heart!!!! My Dad was Army, at the end of the Korean War! Much Respect!!!!
You got that right, problem is my brain still thinks I'm 20
Nicely done 👍. How interesting. War is ugly but people can still learn from this history not to repeat
My father, BM1 John Petersmarck USN, was there on Guam as part of operation Lion. That operation gathered, transported, off loaded, stored and distribute all of the materials needed to build an airfield on Guam. They began off loading while the battle was still going on. If you think it was hot walking just imagine how it was when doing the back breaking labor that they were doing. The work went on 24/7 in that heat, bugs, tropical downpours and knee deep mud that swallowed the materials that they were off loading. Many were affected by tropical diseases. The enlisted men were driven like animals by the officers who lived in, relative, luxury giving themselves kudos and medals for the great work that they did. My dad came home from Guam after the end of the was with life long PTSD.
Dad was shipped to Guam after being shot on Okinawa. Thanks for doing this JD.
🇺🇸
Always great learning experience with JD.
He brings history to life like few can.
Keep up the great work.
👍🏻
I was stationed on Guam in 1986 with the Navy Seabees there is a lot of history on that little island thanks for showing the history of it
Was on guam all of '86 also. I remember talkin to some seabees that were working on the marine barracks & naval base there. Probly ran across u at some point. Yes beautiful island there. 😁
I have been to the Tank Farm many times, I have pictures of my chilren standing on those tanks. Alot of history on Guam
Mosquitos, humidity, heat and now yuppy security guards are added to the dislike list……agreed. Enjoyed the episode, thanks, Andrew
Love these videos!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Extremely fascinating, the Pacific Campaign.
When I was very young, about 5, our whole family was stationed on Guam. My father was a CPO radioman in the U.S. Navy.
He used to take me for bike rides all over the island. I remember seeing some those tank wrecks. Even though I was just 5, I can still vividly remember all wrecks, Japanese and American and buildings that were still standing on various parts of that island. I enjoyed my time on Guam and the neat adventures my dad took me on. Good times..👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
I admire and appreciate your dedication to sharing some of our history. Continue right on. I’ll share a short story: My wife and I and freshman friends from the University of Guam in 1972, hiked to that very location where Sgt Yokoi was found and finally surrendered. We crawled through his underground tunnel. It was a very tranquil forest, I felt that I’d survive in it all as well; running rivers with shrimp, eel, etc., and lots of nuts, fruits and veggies too. Discovery was shortly before our hike and there were several press crews there already. 🦎🌴🐬
Nice to see you got out to film that tank iwas talking about a couple episodes ago, weather was nice and hot yesterday today it sucks big time lol🤙🏾.
I love how it is told by walking these soldiers footsteps upon many were fallen
Guam is the most beautiful Pacific island I have seen, loads of history. I remember taking to old trek to get to Talofofo Falls in 1975. I returned in 2004 (what I thought was my last ANG TDY) and was pleased to ride the tram!
Yeah I remember going from Talafofo bay and also and easier way up near Nimiz hill where the airline crashed. It allowed approach to the last turn in the river leading to the falls. I used to go there in zories walking water paths along the river to the falls. lol.
Hope you've enjoyed the stay over there. Nice to visit.
👍🏻
Man, I love your stuff! Glad you hooked up with Thw Gettysburg museum!
JD thank you for conditioning my mind and my body. Military history has always been fascinating to me because my family has been attached to the military for generations. Can't thank you enough for all your travels and indepth analysis of battles fought around the world.
I'll tell you what my friend they really need to put you on the national geographic Channel your programs are 100 times better than just about any military show I have ever seen on the History Channel national geographic etc I'm telling you I always enjoy watching your channel I was probably one of the first couple hundred subs you had you know a lot of times I don't leave comments but I'm watching every video believe me and you always get a thumbs up my friend thank you for taking the time and effort to make all these awesome and I mean unbelievable programs thanks again my friend you have yourself a wonderful weekend lots of love from Tinley Park Illinois God bless the United States of America and her allies 🇺🇲🇺🇲 👍👍
Thank you for covering the battles of my home. Next up....Tinian?
👍🏻🙂
I am a fan of your drone footage. Understated yet effective in this video.
Thanks! Appreciate that.
Who flies the drone?
I find your videos of Guam even more interesting. My daughter is a Seabee and did a deployment there for 6 months
Being an amateur WWII history follower, you have me hooked on your channel. I just can't get enough. Thanks. 😊
The place you were at is sometimes called the "tank farm", and it's very interesting. You aren't far from the War in the Pacific museum, which is very underrated. I was stationed there for over a year, up at NCTAMS just south of Andersen AFB. We would stand post for 6 hours at a time, and of course you had to be on your feet. Even with the lightweight uniforms we wore (compared with the canvas dungarees worn in WWII), the polish on your boots would melt quickly and destroy the spit shine, and your uniform would be soaked with sweat. The heat and humidity were incredibly oppressive. The only thing that broke it up was the monsoons or the occasional typhoon (I went through supertyphoon Omar and Bryan), and the rain was like bathwater.
I lived there for 3 years and also went through Omar. It was interesting to see my Toyota pickup sliding sideways across the driveway when the eye passed.
@@vanceb1 I was on post for that entire thing, and I couldn't believe how much damage the flying coconuts did. lol I think the sustained winds were over 200 MPH at the eye wall, I forget. It was certainly an experience.
@@dangercloseusmc6902 I was in the USCG and one of our missions was pollution response. 13 foreign flagged fishing vessels sank in Apra Harbor during the typhoon. They all had refrigeration systems that used anhydrous ammonia as the refrigerant (a very common occurrence). When the higher-ups heard about that they called and asked what we were going to do about this deadly toxic spill. I told them we weren't going to do a darn thing since the ammonia was on its way to the Philippines at 150 mph. Their response was something to the effect of, "Oh, never mind...".
@@vanceb1 You gotta love when the trash takes itself out. lol
We cannot forget the sacrifices of the living and the dead that endured these awful events in the most hellish of circumstances. This is an excellent series. Thank you.
Thank you for teaching us history that most of us seam to have forgotten. Just how brutal humanity can be. My father was stationed on Guam as an aircraft mechanic during WW II but got transferred to Europe before the invasion on Guam. If that had not happened ( even though I was adopted ) I might not have had my mom and dad that in my eyes they were my mom and dad. Millions of things happen in just our lifetimes to get us where we are. If we ( humanity ) does not learn from the terrible things that have happened before us, how can we go on. How can we survive.
If we do not step back and learn. We are headed down the path to repeat history. I am afraid my daughter will see Gettysburg become a battlefield again and not from external forces but within as before.
Thank you for reminding us how bad we can be. Teaching us and reminding all of us what it means to be compassionate to one another. To be humane to one another. Every parent in the world wants one thing in life. For their children to have a better life than they had? Why is that so hard to learn?
THANK YOU !!!!!! History is our teacher, learn from it.
It is always amazing to me to think, not only in the South Pacific but in theaters such as Gettysburg, the equipment and clothing the soldiers wore ON TOP of the insanity of battle with bullets and shell whizzing about, people going down and so forth.
Agreed.
Thanks for your videos on this island, my dad's 5 kids enjoyed it very much.
"At least we can walk in the footstepsnof the 77th boys"
Love that statement☺️🍻💯👍
Man, I love watching your videos! You sir, produce high quality videos with beautiful scenery and landscapes, while teaching about history! As a fellow history buff myself, learning mostly about The American Civil War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam, and The Gulf War/Desert Storm. You show so much more than beautiful landscapes, you actually tell the history and stories about what happened for us and younger generations. I love how in each of your videos you go in depth and tell us about all sides of war while showing honor and utmost respect to those who have fought, survived and fallen on all sides. I'm also truly thank you and appreciate how you mention the innocent cilivians who were caught in the crossfire during those times. You're videos are truly amazing and I thank you for doing what you do! Though, I do wish they were longer lol, I still appreciate and enjoy every one of them!
🙏🏼
Can never take too much of The History Underground. Thank you so very much.
i was born in Tamuning, I would love to go back and visit. I was in the USN Submarines, never got to do a port call there. Great video.
I appreciate you walking the extra mile brother.
Great Video JD, you wouldn't of known if it was worth it or not until you made the Trek in! Glad you did! Thank you for the educational History, I learn something from you every time!
Love the real vintage footage as well. Gives us a little more insight! Well done!
Thanks 👍
Man, I love this channel !
👊🏻
The suicide cave blocked up and reopened? Nah, I'm not going in there either. Great vid!
Thank you Teach for another informative video. I have seen your passion for history and am happy to think that everyday someone who did not find this in school will find it here. Gotta be part of your driving force. God bless you!
Outstanding video !!!
Looking forward to seeing your videos of Tinian....
I know most of your content is places you can travel to and shoot content about ground troops for. For some of your content can you cover some of the air conflicts in WW II or later. From the 101'st airborne in Europe, Pappy Boyington or the Red Tails. My father was an aircraft mechanic in WW II on Guam and European Theater. I know it will be hard to film, but I went to the Air Force Museum in Ohio and saw the real ( restored ) Memphis Belle. What a piece of history. What a story about the air campaign for WW II. Just a few miles from there was the Wright Brothers Museum. We went thru Ohio and planned on 3 days on our trip, got stuck there for a week. So much history. Did not know until we got there that Dayton, Ohio in the day was the Silicon Valley of the US. Memphis Belle was beautiful. Wright Brothers museum shop was smaller than we thought. National Museum of the United States Air Force few miles away. Good lord, what a place. We spent 1 day there and had to not rush through but did not take our time and just got trough. The first hanger ( and there are 4 ) we had to see and read the starting of the history of flight. OMG !!! Did it evolve fast.
Another stop we took was at Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. This is the town where Orville Wright started his Wright/Patterson aircraft engines manufacturing plants.
I know you are all about history. This might give you some more content. I know we loved it.
I love these pacific series bro..hope you make it back to the islands again🤙🏾.
That's the plan! Thanks!
Love your videos as I love history! Amazing how you find new pieces of history that many of us never knew about! Well done!!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
My grandfather was a SeaBee on Guam. When we would ask him about what he did, he would only say he was on the "clean up crew". In other words, digging mass graves.
My grandfather was also a SeaBee on Guam. He passed when I was around 4. I really wish I had been old enough to have a conversation with him about his time there.
@@chriskimtyler the one thing my grandpa brought back with him from Guam was that he couldn't handle bad smells, especially meat. If it had the slightest oder he would puke. Considering the amount of dead Japanese soldiers in the heat and humidity of Guam, for days in end, it's easy to understand why he was like that
The Guam series is a fascinating insight into an operation that doesn’t get a lot of recognition.
Great as always (okay, just started watching but I expect nothing less).
Thank you, JD. Very enjoyable and educational, as always.
Respect to you, from England.
Another great video on a subject that is ignored mostly. You shining the spotlight on it is great. And I appreciate the views and respect shown for both sides. I am US Navy veteran and my father was a Marine in the Korean Conflict. But I love hearing both sides versions of events and that also teaches the true story. Thank you again
Thanks!
My father fought on Guam. He was assigned to the 706th Tank Battalion which supported the 77th Div. I also interviewed two tank commanders from his company who participated in the battle of Yigo. One of them was in a platoon that lost two Sherman tanks. I believe those tanks can still be seen in Yigo. One of that tanks is missing a turret.
🇺🇸
Another great episode JD! Much respect and admiration for those who had to fight in that awful terrain. Thanks for sharing!
My father was a Marine on Guam when the war ended and very happy there was no invasion of Japan. He turned 19 on August 15, 1945. Had finished Parris Island when he was still 17, July 4th, 1944.
I am a long time subscriber and glad to be here. Thank you sir for sharing your adventures and taking me along to see places I would otherwise not even know about .stay safe and stay well. Wishing you and your family many wonderful blessings.
Great video mate enjoyed it mate can't wait for the next video mate 👍👍
I was stationed there in 1972. The last Japanese soldier was finally captured there just before I got there. I was renting out in the town of Yona and up the hill behind the house was a Japanese small tank.
Shoichi Yokoi. In 74 there were two more Hiroo Onada (Phillipines) and Teruo Nakamura (Moratai island Indonesia).
Awesome job JD. Thanks for doing all the hard work for us. Always enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work and stay safe. 👍👍👍👍👍
Wow you have covered Guam very well. Beautiful place, that orange dirt reminds me of Schofield Hawaii, you never get that red dirt out of your uniforms. It was a badge of honor. That Sherman tank looks like it was knocked out by Japanese 47mm AT guns, small caliber, but they worked over Sherman's pretty well. Doubtful that tank would be moved there, a disabled 32ton hulk is no easy move. Likely it was used to blast those caves and got taken out by a AT gun right where it is. The Japanese were viscous against tanks on Okinawa as well. Great video, love the series.
Those poor tanks, I feel so sorry for them. Its so sad to see that they suffered so much in that battle of Guam.😢
I’m with you, JD. I’m no fan of heat and humidity or the beach and I live in Florida! We do have some nice woods, forests. And there are plenty of springs, lakes and rivers and other inland waterways and wetlands. Can’t wait until Winter when it gets a bit cooler.
Oh man. Don't know if I could hack it in Florida. The summers are brutal.
Another job well done in the preservation of history on video. We or at least I appreciate you taking the 5 mile trek to see where history lives. Text books can only shed so much on the happenings that took place, but you Sir bring it to the next level. Thank you JD
Another outstanding video JD. We never get tired of them. 🇺🇸
It’s nice how nature takes it all back
Never knew the facts about the battle for Guam. Excellent video!
Good work again JD 👏
Thank you so much for helping me to learn what my great uncles endured. And teaching me what the schools didn’t. I know all about the war dealing with the Nazis and the Holocaust but not much about the Pacific part. And to recently learn that 4 of my grandmother’s brothers fought in the Pacific I’m trying to learn as much as I can
👍🏻
Such beautiful country, but so deadly during WWII. You are teaching me a tremendous amount of information that was never covered in history classes. I need to learn more about the war in the Pacific theater.
Guam....the place where I was born due to my father being in the military at the time. One day I wanna go back and visit to see the history and the culture 😊
I will be going to Guam soon & can hopefully see some of these sites in person. With your channel I know I have seen much more then I would have on my own.
Fantastic video,expertly done,your videos are brilliantly done,looking forward to more of your videos
Really enjoy your videos of all the war history. The young kids now days should watch these. For respect for our service personnel and our flag.
Thank you. Hopefully people are sharing these videos with a younger crowd.
Thanks again for the wonderful video, and helping me to learn more about One of the campaigns my father endured.
Thank you for the wonderful videos you have been putting out. Just excellent.
Really appreciate your efforts and this series for more depth to the war in the pacific. To be honest that resort needs to chill out with their security. There’s some great hiking spots and waterfall access as well as the tank access that’s easily accessible after you enter. Thank you for visiting this small island I called home for 20 years and for this series, Si Yu’os Ma’åse 🙏🏽
in the 60s we use to ride our motorcycles thru the hills from Asan to the tank graveyard (that's what we called then), sometimes making up trails as we go.
Thanks for another great eye opening and educational video JD
Love this channel. You do such a wonderful job bringing us to these location and describing them in a very real way that helps us understand what it might have been like. Both emotionally and in historic detail. Well done ...
Great episode! Always informative. I long for the day when humanity figures out that war isn't the way to go about solving it's issues. It ends up killing a lot of innocent people, a few truly guilty ones, and in the end, almost always just ends up giving us places to vacation and go see.
My Grandpa was a B-29 mechanic there during WWII. Was responsible for devising a way of feeding the engines oil so they could make the entire journey from Washington state without ditching at sea. He also built the island's first washing machine built out of commandeered equipment (Navy parts). After Base Commander discovered it, a 24 hour detachment was assigned to wash the officer's uniforms. Was just told by my Father that he also built the first welder to be used on Guam during WWII out of a duce and a half generator.
I been watching and liking all your videos, first time commenting. Your team has done an amazing job and have shown us some amazing locations which many of us would never be able to see. Keep up the great work you are doing.. 👍
Fantasic video JD !! Thanks for enduring the heat and humidity !! Did you see any famous Guam Brown snakes in the boonies ??
Thanks! Can't say that I came across any snakes.
Dudes putting in work cranking out the content I love ww2 history
That's the tank farm. That resort that you mentioned was where my daughter and her family lived for 3 years. I was able to hike to the Sherman from the resort, but when I returned, was harassed by those guards. Still not sure why they cared. The tanks were dragged there and used as targets for training. Looking at the holes and damage, I determined the direction they were fired upon from and going to that area found expended brass.
Still think there is a need for the History Underground Bump-Cap.....plus if you load yourself down with 80 pounds of equipment you can feel like a grunt....Thanks for the swing through the Pacific Theater, I can cross that off my bucket list.
Thanks! I've enjoyed sharing the experiences. Just a few more episodes in this Pacific series.
I remember the first day I was on Guam in 1978 and I was amazed that I sweat completely through my clothes in about 5 minutes. I got conditioned to it after awhile and it took about 15 minutes after that!
I would have loved to have seen these videos of Guam 2 yrs ago while my daughter was deployed there. Picturing my daughter at some of the places in your videos. She told me her and her Seabee buddy's did tours of some of those sites.
Ah...the tank farm. I wheeled my truck through there back in the mid 2000s. Fun time.
Another Great job and effort ... I look forward to each update ...