How Many WW2 Veterans Still Alive 2024?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 เม.ย. 2024
- How many veterans remain alive from both Allied and Axis nations in 2024? The figures may surprise you!
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; Royal Australian Navy; The Japan News; Stefan Rousseau; Augusta-Margaret River News
We are among the last generation to see these WW2 veteran heros alive.
No one in war is a hero
No, THE last.
@@saintpepsi8602 uh yeah they are these people are the real hero’s they are the reason we aren’t speaking German and letting unforgivable atrocities happen to minorities
Come on, robots! Bring us immortality!
@@saintpepsi8602are you saying the ones that lived aren't heros? Or because you believe all combatants in a war are, "bad"?
🙋🏻♀️I know one!! Mr.James is 98 years old and still drives to the grocery store every week! He gets there before it opens and they let him do his shopping and help him in every way!
After the war he was an elementary school principal and touched so many lives in a wonderful way! He is still married to his sweetheart who he met by writing letters to him while he was at war, he was her best friend’s cousin! Their anniversary is June 1st and they will be married 73 years!!! Mrs. Kathy is 95, exactly 90 years older than my grandson to the day! Mr. James had a jailhouse ministry every Wednesday night, for over 50 years he never missed a Wednesday!!! Truly remarkable people!!! 🙂
Very very, idk cool seems so lame, to just say thank you!!!! Very very great story and a person anyone would be proud to have known! God Bless and keep him and all he loves. Thank him for his, service seems like not enough! Track him for his places in the sun! Yes that's it!! I'll stand for him when he's gone. I'll stand in his place in the sun!! Thank him kindly, please??!!?
How fortunate to know someone like this.
Your comment made me emotional. God bless Mr. James and Mrs. Kathy
What a heart-warming story ❤
I am glad I read it and want to add my thanks to those who have already posted 🫡.
I get upset when I read such stories and then witness how the younger generation tries to blame their elders for everything. They have no idea what an awful world we would be in had the Nazis, Italian Fascists, and Japanese prevailed 😔
RESPECT
My father was a P-51 pilot in the USAAF in Europe. He loved flying that plane. He will soon be 102 and still lives by himself.
@GARYPANKRATZ9352 -- That's great! I wish him many more years of good life.
Don't say he lives by himself.
Say, instead, he lives on his own.
Independence is greatly valued.
My grandfathers were in WWII. Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger and 3.Waffen SS-Panzerdivision Totenkopf. They used to sing the old songs. Surviving was miraculous . Many kameraden did not surviving war and imprisonment. Ghastly.
Respect to your father!
@@SteffiReitsch nice, one of my grandfathers was a fregattenkapitän in yugoslavia, my other grandfather a tito-partisan so theorethically there was a minimal chance that they fought each other haha, although my german grandfather always said he just did mine clearance arount istria, but no one really believed him
I lost my dad last year, shortly before his 97th birthday. Seaman (Fireman) 1st Class, USN, aboard the transport ship USS General W.F. Hase, 1944-1946. Asiatic-Pacific, Europe-African-Middle East, American Campaign, and Philippine Liberation medals. Twice circumnavigated the globe taking soldiers, marines, and supplies to and from the war. Sweet guy, my dad. He never felt he did anything special in the war, certainly nothing heroic. But for every combat soldier, there were at least 4 support personnel necessary behind them. And those supporters are absolutely essential to mission success. My dad was one of them and in my book, he shares in the heroism and valor of the grunts, aviators, sailors in direct combat roles. He volunteered as soon as he was able. That says enough. I’m thankful I had 60 wonderful years with him. RIP, Dad.
Nothing special? The really heroic bit was walking voluntarily into the recruiting hall...
People like your dad are what won the war. Logistics win wars...
Respect.
Respect to your Father from a German!
My paternal Grandfather turns 105 years old this Year and is a German WW2 Veteran, first started in the Luftwaffe and later in the War was drafted into the 1st Waffen SS Division "LAH".
There are quite a few German but also in general Axis WW2 Veterans still alive which i ocassionally work with as Historian for the IFZ in Munich.
He also ended up becoming Friends with a ton of both British, French and American WW2 Veterans right after WW2 and even was invited several Times to the D-Day Events in France by those Veterans and welcomed with opened Arms. Same is true for many other German but also other Axis WW2 Veterans.
The News Media as far as i know only once or twice did Reports on the invited Axis WW2 Vets at the Normandy Events, i guess because to so many of us who didn't fight in WW2 it would cause Outrage, which is ridiculous and one thing i learned talking and meeting a ton of WW2 Veterans from the Allied and Axis Side. They seem to see and respect eachother much more than most of the People who weren't even alive in WW2
Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps
Naval forces were in an incredible amount of danger regardless of their role on board a ship. While an army assignment in supply would be measurably less dangerous than a role on a combat team, the same cannot be said for a sailor working in the mess hall. If that ship went down, a sailor would be just as dead no matter the role he was assigned.
I'll also mention that my hypothetical mess sailor would have a combat duty to fulfill were the ship engaged.
WW2 was a particularly nasty war for the senior service.
I'm 44. There was a WW2 veteran barber where I grew up when I was 18. I told him one day, "so, I heard you fought in WW2?". He put down his clippers, walked me to the back of his shop. There a picture of a heavily forested mountain. He said he fought at Guadalcanal. He looked down for a few seconds, then looked up and told me, there was a lot of snakes there. We went back to the haircut after that, no mention of it again. I can tell the memories were still strong.
He fought the Japanese so China and North Korea could become communist dictatorships?
Had a barber in small town Indiana like that.
Tank guy for Patton.
Cut until 2013.
He's gone till the final muster now but I was and still am in awe of him.
My barber growing up in Canada was on the Bismarck he had a picture of the ship hanging up in his shop
I worked with elderly Gentleman back in the 70's that Flew B-17 . Every Mission , every date still engraved in his mind . I was a High School Jr. interested in Girls & my GTO's never thinking of writing such interesting conversations/ tales .
My grandfather was also on guadlelcanal
I know one German WWII vetran who is still alive at 99 years.
His war story is very short but fascinating:
He was wounded on his very first day (!) on the Eastern front.
He was brought to a field hospital where the surgeon told him he would have to amputate both (!) his arms. The operation was scheduled for later that day. But before it could be carried out, the hospital had to be evacuated because of the advancing Russian front.
He got to another field hospital. And AGAIN, this hospital was evacuated before he could get his amputation.
Finally, he go to a proper military hospital in Warsaw with proper physicians. They looked at his injuries and decided that they might not have to amputate after all.
He is now 99 years old and lived a long live with both his arms - which were saved from German surgeons by advancing Russian soldiers...
What a story that is thank you very much
That ending made me chuckle.
@@himaro101 You so gullible...
Sure, "advancing Russian front" in June 1941.
@@mattg432he was transferred to Army Group Center in July 1944.
I'm 56. When I was a child these brave men, our Grandparents, were in their 50's. Still working, still vibrant. I grew up in a world that the war veterans built for us, and we had it GOOD! It's so sad that soon all of these heroes will be gone.
We inherited a paradise paid for in blood by the the service of this most excellent generation.
I will be eternally grateful to have been at the 67th anniversary of D-Day in St Mere Eglise and to have shaken hands with a both a US paratrooper who fought in the town that day, as well as a German soldier that was captured. I wish this new generation realized what those who came before sacrificed to give them the freedom they take for granted.
Lost my father last year just shy of his 100th. Flew spitfires for the RCAF, he said he grew up fast. God Bless all the veterans for their sacrifices, and thank you for doing this Mark.
As the son of a WWII Veteran, this video carries a sadness beyond that of grieving for a father, but for an entire generation.
Don't think I've ever read more heartfelt words in a comment section. I absolutely agree.
Hell ya
That is the most eloquent sentiment. Thank you so much.
Yes. My grandfather was remarkable . Purple Heart bronze star . I miss him and my grandmother. Your comment resonates with me deeply .
I'm so sorry for that your father helped destroy society
My Grandfather, a 98 year-old Market Garden vet., being one.
I live in Arnhem! We're still thankful today!
@@Nyxeme😮
Cheers to your Grandfather!
Did he kill any of the anti communist fighters? Does he have a picture of Stalin in his home?
@@Nyxeme: I have been to Arnhem to visit the scene of the battle there.
The people who live there are wonderful. I am proud to have met them and experienced their hospitality.
God bless.
My maternal grandfather immigrated from Italy to the US as a child in the early 30s. His family settled in Brooklyn and he lied about his age in 1943 to join the army at 17. He was a Battle of the Bulge vet and received 2 Purple Hearts in his trek across Europe. He’s been gone for 35 years but as you said of your grandfathers, he was the kindest most generous man that ever lived. A generation of heroes.
I’m a delegate in my union and occasionally a long retired (about 40 years) delegate attends the meeting just to get out. The man is a 100 year old Normandy veteran. When he’s in attendance, he is announced by the union president and always receives a standing ovation.
Sounds like the video game Mafia II
@@knerduno5942 nah worked as a cameraman for NBC for years after coming home.
This isn't the most positive story, but you might find it of interest. The area where I live experienced a large influx of Italian immigration during the 1920's. During the war, some Italian POW's were kept at a place called Camp Dawson, which is located three miles north of Kingwood, WV. The local Italian people would take them food and gifts. This behavior didn't exactly endear the Italians to their neighbors. They were regarded as potential spies and traitors for the duration.
My Mum is a WW11 Vet. She served in the ATS , attached to an Anti-aircraft Battery. She was 100 tears old in July 2023. Proud to say my mother wore Army boots.
My grandpa is alive and doing well. Thanks for posting on Anzac Day Mark
I didn’t know it was Anzac Day! Thanks :)
God bless your grandpa for his service.
Much respect to the Anzacs.
Happy Anzac Day!
Respect to the ANZACS from Tobruk to Milne Bay they kicked arse
I work at a gas station and I saw a very stout looking old man come in one day. He asked for gas on one of the pumps, and a pack of cigarettes (yes, he still smokes!). He was wearing a World War II veteran hat, and I was shocked to still see one alive, especially in my home town.
I asked him the next time he came in what theatre and which branch he served in - the gentleman served from 1943 to 1945 in the US Navy and served in the Battle for Okinawa. He said he was 97. I haven't seen him in a few weeks, but next time I see him, I hope to get to ask him more questions and learn the secrets to getting away with being a smoker at his age lol!
Get a pic of him
@@alanframpton2640 I could try. I haven't seen him since early last month. He came in I believe first week of March and then the following weekend when I asked him which branch and when he served. His health impressed me greatly. You could tell he was old but I figured no older than 80-85. Not 97!
@@christophercarlone994597! Wow... I hope he's still good.
That man is so tough, the cigs know better than to mess with him!
His secret is great genetics.
Look at how many rock stars died from various excesses while still in their 20's; yet Keith Richards has punished his body with every chemical known to man, for 60 years, and it refuses to die.
My grandfather, who was 17 years old when he was drafted into the german army, passed away on april the 9th.
Rest in peace, Opa. Never met and will never meet again a person as strong-willed as he was.
My heart goes out to you and all those who were in his life. I hope this heals for you with time.
I'm 56. Growing up, WW2 vets were everywhere, I worked with some as a young man and had uncles and great uncles who served. Most remarkable was a great uncle who worked a total of 44 years in the WV coal mines, before and after his service as a medic. He never got a scratch in the army, although his coat got shot up in the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged and returned to the mines in December of 1945. His first day back at work, 6 hours into his shift, his back was broken and he suffered a compound leg fracture. He insisted that the guy with him go for help instead of trying to get him out. The doctor told my uncle he would have died on the spot had his friend tried to pull him out. His medical training saved his own life. He made a complete recovery and worked 40 more years in the mines. I was a pallbearer at his funeral. I was also honored to be a pallbearer for a neighbor who was one of the few thousand black US Marines in WW2. I salute them both, as well as all WW2 vets. They were my heroes as a kid, they're still my heroes.
If my dear old Dad was still with us today, (sadly he passed away in 1993), he would have been 112 yrs young this year, he was a 'Tankie' in the 7th Armoured Div, which later was part of the Eighth Army under Monty serving in North Africa.
I can remember like it was yesterday quietly sitting watching the World at War series in the 70's with him, he never once mentioned or spoke to me at any time about him fighting in the war and just to see a glimmer of a tear in his eye every rememberance day was enough for me to know never to ask.
He like many others, would have lost a lot of good mates while fighting, but the words I will never forget him saying was "All the heroes never got to come home like the rest of us did".
I will say this, I'm very proud and honoured to be called his son and will forever cherish the memories I have of him.
Thanks Dad
Interesting. My late father was also in North Africa, in the RAF. He never really spoke much about it, but I believe it was contended with intelligence gathering. He reviewed photos and observations of German and Italian positions to make maps of enemy positions, etc. I have quite a few photos, some marked "secret".
He was born in Ireland in 1912 and could have got out of conscription because of that.
I bet you still love that battlefield series.
@@nickg3879 The whole of that generation that went to fight, either by choice or through conscription were a tough breed.
@@ColinFreeman-kh9us I do and every year I still watch the complete series, I got the 4:3 blu-ray version as it was originally shown on television.
@@aj9675 Awesome I love watching the series, the narrator passed away recently Tim Pigott Smith . Great memories
My Granddad (just became 103 years old in February) is still alive 🙂
We still have long discussions about his time served from building submarines in Bremen from '39-'42, then being drafted right into the "Demyansk Pocket" and being wounded while in there, getting to Sicily after recovering from his wounds ready for the upcoming invasion and being wounded there again. After recovering once again being sent to France (almost next to the german border) where he was captured and became a POW until '47, travelling the whole USA from east to west in different camps.
Up to this day and for all days he has left here, I will always appreciate the time I have with him! He is a fantastic human being, giving his whole heart for his family consisting now of 7 children, 21 grandchildren and 15 grandgrandchildren until now 🙂
Love you, Opa!
That’s an amazing story! Thank you for sharing
Wow... you are such a lucky person to have such history in your family...
Try and interview and record him, preserving ww2 veterans stories is incredibly important!
Hi Mark! My great grandfather is 97, soon to be 98 years old and is a living veteran of WWII. He is incredibly healthy and mobile for his age, and most importantly, his memory serves him very well. He was only 15 when war began in Yugoslavia in 1941 and was forcefully recruited into the Croatian army called "Domobrani" ("Home protectors"). He ended up joining the Partisans later on and has many stories to tell. I'm incredibly honored and privileged to know him and to hear stories from WWII from someone who fought in it. Like yours, my interest in history (especially WWII) started from talking to him and hearing what he has to say. He indeed has a friendly sense of humor like you said and I love him for that 😁
If you can Interview him! Preserving these ww2 veterans stories is incredibly important as they are all dying unfortunately
My cousin’s widower served as a code breaker on Papua New Guinea during World War II. He will be turning 102 this coming November. We’ve frequently conversed about his Army service and every time we visited, my cousins (his wife and her sister) would go to another room because they didn’t want to hear the “war stuff” I’ve always found fascinating.
Jim recently sent a copy of a photo of himself taken in 1944 sitting in a Jeep next to an island chieftain who led a tribe of cannibals! And there was the time we laughed about “Washing Machine Charlie” a lone Japanese pilot who flew every night over allied encampments to disturb the sleep of the soldiers on the ground. The plane was said to be very slow and very loud and I’ve often wondered what transgression the Japanese pilot had committed to be given such a potentially fatal assignment. Even in war there are snippets of humor.
Jim’s body may be getting more frail, but his mind and memory is as sharp as it has always been. Historians may document World War II with their dry facts and figures, but the remaining survivors lived it. More effort should be made to gather as many of their reminiscences before they are all gone. We are making a serious mistake by not seeking them out and documenting their stories. We owe it to these bygone warriors to preserve their history….our history!
As a grandson and nephew of WWII veterans who also lived during the Great Depression. As a kid, I used to love to hear their war and depression stories. A lot of ignorant people may see them as tired old men and women. I see them for what they are; living history. Their stories gave me a true appreciation of how truly good we have it living in relative peace and prosperous times.
My grandfather sadly is no longer with us. However I thought I would share his story. He was a underage recruit at the end of Stalingrad during the German retreat. He was basically grabbed and told to be a driver as he had used to chauffeur wealthy elites in Germany for a summer job. A colonel I believe it was had him drive out of Stalingrad and they were captured. My grandfather was put on a prisoner transfer truck and they were headed eastbound when they stopped. He asked the guard if he could go use the bathroom. They allowed him to do so and he ran off into the woods and escaped. They didn't pursue him supposedly because he was just a young boy and they felt he was no threat. He slowly managed to make his way back to Berlin, burning his uniform and putting on civvy clothes he found. He said he would often spend an entire day almost submerged to the neck in a drainage ditch waiting for columns of Russian troops to go by. He eventually made it home and it took 2 days of him knocking on the door and telling his mother and his girlfriend things that they had done together to prove it was really him because he was so sickly and gaunt. He passed away 15 years ago now. Lest We Forget.
Indeed...lest we forget. Thank you for telling your grandfather's story. Best wishes to you and your family!
Poor lad, i'm glad he made it back home ❤
I'm happy he made it out alive and free from the Russians. Sickening the way the Russians and the Germans treated each other.
I am a paramedic in a large urban Canadian city, employed since 1991. About 30 years ago I began to respond to calls for a dead body found in usually an apartment building. Once I gained access I’d find an elderly man who had died a few days before hand. Generally no one had really noticed them gone, usually the smell of human decay is what created the 911 call. Inside the apartments were generally clean, organised, well kept and sparsely furnished. Our responsibility was trying to locate some identification as resuscitation was not an option. There I’d find the person’s medals, perhaps a Royal Canadian Legion suit, a cap badge or collar dogs or patches, some sort of military paraphernalia, as well as some current form of identification. What was always consistent was the large number of empty bottles of alcohol in the apartment. It saddened me to think that at one point, in their youth, these men gave themselves to our society only to be forgotten by society. As the 1990’s moved along, these calls became much more frequent and then slowly slowed down and stopped around the time of the millennium. I hope these men found the peace that seemed to elude them during their lifetime.
That’s heartbreaking. These heroes deserve and deserved much better.
Thank you for sharing this.
That is heart touching.
I am a Veteran of the Viet Nam War. Whenever I go to a VA Hospital for treatment, I try to single out any of the WWII Vets that might be there. If they are in the mood, I attempt to get them to have a conversation with me. I started noticing about 5 years ago that those particular Veterans don't appear as often as they did, say, 20-25 years ago. Even though I am a Veteran, I always Thank Them For Their Service, and I can tell you, they are thankful for those words, each and every one of them.
Aussie here, I'm 52 now and our yearly ritual ANZAC day was an important day in my life for as long as I can remember. As a child every April went like...Up at 5am freezing cold but exited, straight into the best slacks, ironed razor sharp and school shoes polished army parade gloss ,tie and into the bathroom for Dad to splash on some California poppy and comb that part in your hair. A cuppa tea and into the station wagon and were off, Dad looking like a stranger in his suit and of course the medals. The small bush dawn service..but back then in 1980 there was probably about 150 ex soldiers and their families. The same scene replicated in a thousand little shrines through the bush towns of Australia..The older WW1 vets, many alone, 70..80years old ..the WWII men like Dad, the story of their service marked by their service medals; Africa stars, Pacific stars Europe,Burma,Borneo and finally Korea. The Vietnam vets conspicuous by their absence. The medals have changed, or changed sides - but the last post still gets to me. Lest we forget
The WW1 Vets are long gone, the WW2 Vets are almost all gone and the Vietnam Vets are now old men 😔
Lest we forget. 🌺🇦🇺🐨🦘♥️
My father was a WWII veteran, a Yank who served in the Canadian army, a Sgt. in the Essex Scottish who was captured at Dieppe and spent the 2nd half of the war in various German POW camps, principally Stalag 8B, where a lot of Commonwealth POWs were incarcerated. My dad never talked about his war experiences to me. He suffered from extreme PTSD and was hopelessly alcoholic. When he was withering away in a hospital in 1973, he started hallucinating, and I watched him re-live his capture, the terror of it. This was during the Vietnam War, and soldiering was not popular, WWII veterans were not as esteemed back then as they are today. He died a short time later. I didn't think much of my father at the time. I hardly knew anything about him. His alcoholism and some of the things he did tore our family apart. I was only 15 and not able to appreciate what he had done. I was very critical of him and blamed him for the troubles in my family. Now I'm 67 and more than 50 years have passed. I've learned a lot about my father over the past five decades. He made a lot of sacrifices in the fight against fascism and Nazism. I've learned about his war experiences, and the brutality he suffered. Much of it is well-documented. Today I fully appreciate my father for his sacrifices and for the man he was. I regret never having the chance to tell him I'm proud to be his son.
🫂
You will, Brother...
Promise.
My father, an American, served in the Army in the European Theatre. He died at the age of 46 in 1969. His memory is still being kept alive by my brother and sister.
And now you with this comment!
My paternal Grandfather turns 105 years old this Year and is a German WW2 Veteran, first started in the Luftwaffe and later in the War was drafted into the 1st Waffen SS Division "LAH".
There are quite a few German but also in general Axis WW2 Veterans still alive which i ocassionally work with as Historian for the IFZ in Munich.
Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps
My father was in the Army. He was born in 1921 but unfortunately passed away at 70 years in 1992. Very sad that this generation is almost gone.
Same but mine passed away in 1994
My grandfather (german/ 96 years), is still alive and well. We talk a lot about his life and politics today. In the afternoon he shared memories about the partisans in Yugoslavia (his enemies) and about the 4 years as POW. He returned in 48' and later became a male nurse in psychiatry and father of 4.
He is very thankfull to be alive, see his grand-grandkids and is proud that a young man like me listens to his stories.
Thank you for sharing your stories and thank you Mr. Felton for all your work !
I'm living in Nordrhein/Westfalem near Rheinbach. I speak with Germans whose dads and granddads fought in the area. Their dads and mine may well have been shooting at each other. What a world.
@inyobill unbelievable
My (German) father in law died at 93, in 2016. The Russians shot his leg off, which saved his life.
When I came to Germany in the late1980s, I met men who'd fought at El Alamein and Tobruk, where they'd been shooting at my grand uncles, and vice versa. They were very kind to me, and asked how my grand uncles were.
Bitte sag mal Gruss deinem Opa vom mir.
Try and see if you can record an interview with him, preserving all ww2 veterans stories is incredibly important, and can only be done for 3 more years or so before the vast majority are unfortunately dead.
@@MilitaryHistoryUnveiled i am actually thinking about recording something. 👍🏼👍🏼
Thank you for honoring this greatest generation. Born in the Netherlands in 1950 I benefited from all their sacrifice. 🥰
Thank you for your remarks. We have all benefited from their collective sacrifice.
Suure.
My mother is currently 100. She served in the USMC in WWII teaching and maintaining the LINKS trainer for Marine pilots. Later she was commissioned and served as Morale and Welfare officer in France until 1955. Totaling 12 years of service in the USMC. She met and married my father in Verdun, France. He was also a WWII veteran in addition to the Korean War and Vietnam having served in the Infantry and then later as an MP officer until his retirement after returning from Vietnam in 1967.
Thank you Dr Felton for this moving and informative piece. I am now 81 and in my lifetime lived and worked with so many men and women who served their country in WWII that at the time it seemed part of the natural order. I have mourned the passing of so many over the years that, sadly, I no longer know anybody of that generation. Indeed, I am now part of the last generation who were alive when they served. I honour and cherish their memory.
I used to deer hunt in the 1970s with several ww2 vets , many told stories and shared a few photos, I never realized in my youth that they wouldnt always be around to share
Bet all of them would say they would rather be speaking German than living in this modern 'society'.
@@Mere-Lachaiselonguewhat a stupid thing to say
What a dumb arse thing to say @@Mere-Lachaiselongue
Aye, you're right, you don't, I know...
Then it's too late.
I too, never thought while growing that one day, they wouldn't be around. Sometimes they got so irritating talking about The War. Now it doesn't seem possible that one day that they will be gone.
A local veteran here in my home town just got a surprise birthday for his 100th bday party from our local V A this week . The dude is still in great shaped for being 100 years old . God bless the troops. Thanks for posting Mark !
Any chance you're in San Francisco? Art Schallock turned 100 today (4/24/24) today too. He's the oldest living former Yankee. In the NY Post, there is this piece w/r/t his service:
Serving for the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Ocean during World War II after enlisting in 1942, Schallock narrowly escaped harm when the neighboring aircraft carrier USS Liscome Bay was sunk by a Japanese torpedo in November 1943 and 644 were killed - accounting for the majority of the casualties in the Battle of Makin.
I knew a veteran who fought during the D-Day landings for the Canadian Navy, Mr. Hauge, was an incredibly nice gentlemen. He ran a successful shoe business for 50 years in my town. Unfortunately, he passed away a year before his hundredth birthday.
I had the fortune of meeting a vet (believe he operated an M7 Priest) who visited our HS class on WW2 history. A truly remarkable and kind man. He described what he saw the day after the D Day invasion as well as his journey across France. He told us how he was apart of the liberation of Paris and when he was stationed outside of the Notre Dame cathedral he received the order to leave the city so the French military could parade through as the liberators (quite funny). He also pulled out a Nazi banner he ripped down from a building and although I’ve seen those before in museums and in videos, seeing that deep red and the swastika was truly chilling - I couldn’t imagine what it must’ve felt like to see that hanging from a building in occupied territories.
I am 73. In 1966 I joined the Parachute Regiment as a 15 yo boy soldier. there were still enough war time soldiers about for us to learn from them first hand. Now even my era of soldiering is begining to get thin on the ground. It was a pleasure to know and even serve beside some of these guys.
This exchange is one of the most beautiful parts of life.
The world should listen to these veterans more and not quietly forget them.
Certain gen does not give a crap about them, u can guess which one, I have no doubt it was done on purpose.
I'm from this generation. Gen Z. I'll say this. History is repeating itself. theres many more issues. I personally loved to hear the stories from my neighbors and grandfathers friends growin up. But not everyone in my generation did. The United states Is extremely split between politics and culture and the saying of "racism" which doesnt exist anymore. hasnt for a long time. Another war will end up happening and hopefully it will bring back the stuff thats dissapeared and remind people back to what a good life and world we have. Blame media for the views. Blame a certaint party ( democrats/liberals )
who has split the us because of there views they shift onto media to pass to us. ww2 memories and the horror of that war will be forgotten soon. In your life time my guess. If u have kids. or grandkids. make them have good morals. and to cherish life.
. Another war is coming soon. It will be alot more bloody then the last. Rest in peace all fallen soldiers of ww2. sadly ur deaths were in vain.@@OneofInfinity.
@@OneofInfinity.the boomers? Who plunged our nations into multicultural hellholes
@@univrzsal, their deaths were not in vain. The allies fought against Hitler, and the Japanese. Without them, we would not be speaking English. Thank you for paying your respect for their service.
Lest we forget their sacrifice.
@@indigocheetah4172 they didn't just fight Hitler. They fought for freedom.
My Grandfather is 102. He fought through Italy in WW2. REME came out on his 100th birthday to provide him with a plaque which he greatly appreciated along with his card from the Queen. Sadly in palliative care now suffering from skin cancer.
My grandpa is 102 too, he also got his card from the Queen. Both our grandpas are amongst the last to fight in a just war. Lest we forget
My great grandfather Ignacio ''nacho'' Manjarrez, served in the 776th Patton's 1st army engineer battalion. He was nominated for the silver star in the battle of the bulge around Bastogne but the paper work was lost and he never received it, we have the copy that was supposed to reach the states but they have yet to recognize it, He did receive 2 bronze stars however. RIP- 1999
My great uncle Adolpho ''Harpo'' Celaya was a survivor of the USS Indianapolis, he was treated poorly by the rescue ship that picked him up, after they washed the oil from his skin and found he was Mexican, they tried to put him to work and he refused. He was thrown in the brig for 5 days with nothing but bread and water even after surviving the 4 days in the pacific. Captain McVay had a lot of heat from the sinking and was not told about this until later in life and was furious over hearing it. My uncle saw the flag being raised on Iwo from the ship deck and said ''big deal, who cares?'' He did not know at the time how famous that photo would become. RIP -2022
I gave this a tthumbs up with tears in my eyes ; i'm 71 next month and my parents served . I still miss them both
😢
It's good to hear I'm not the only one to have had tears well up in my eyes.
G'day Mark,
Yesterday, being the 25th pf April, I went into town (Sydney) to commemorate ANZAC Day, having served in the RAAF for 36 years. Sadly, the only WWII medals I saw being worn, were of family members and not of veterans. My father, being born in 1919 served during WWII, and died in 1991; His brother, Harold Paul LENNARD, born in 1921, who also served in WWII, being taken prisoner of war by the Germans in Greece on the 25th of April, 1941, who escaped 5 times ending up in Dachua Concentration Camp, and was awarded BEM(M), died at the age of 99 in 2020.
It was very surreal, to watch your presentation, especially at the end where I had glassy eyes, listening to the Last Post. As Laurence Binyon once wrote, "At the going down of the sun and in the morning; We will remember them."
I had 5 uncles in WWII (my mum was the youngest vest of 9) in all the branches of the services. They all managed to come home but many of their mates did not. They have all passed on now. My children and I went to our local ANZAC Dawn Service in Adelaide yesterday to remember and pay tribute to their sacrifice, those who didn’t come home and all those currently service. Lest we forget. 🌺🇦🇺🐨🦘♥️
It was very "surreal," not "cereal."
My grandfather and his two brothers served in WW2 - grandfather somewhere in North Africa, his next brother in Malaya and was captured when Singapore fell, and his youngest brother was a "Rat" at Tobruk ... he's still there. I remembered them at the ANZAC Day dawn service in our small country town.
My dad is a D Day veteran, 98 year old still volunteers at the local Gordon Highlanders museum in Aberdeen. Was wounded and taken prisoner. He is our family’s hero.
Hi James, I am 18 years old also from Scotland but I’m living down in East Lothian. I’ll be visiting Inverness this summer and I’d love to come and visit the museum sometime this summer too. Maybe I’ll see your father and I’ll thank him for his service.
@@hazbojangles2681 Hi thank you for your comments, dad works on a Tuesday morning at the museum, well he goes there not sure how much work there is involved. But yesterday we had the BBC round to his house for an interview which will be broadcast along with other veterans on the 6th June. Not sure if the people down south will understand his accent though.
@@jamesglennie7911 I’ll definitely be sure to come on a Tuesday and I’ll look out for that interview too. I’m sure I’ll understand his accent, can’t say much for English people though 😅
I really enjoy listening to stories from veterans. I volunteer at the Battle of Prestonpans 1745 Jacobite Museum and there’s a guy who works there who served on the Berlin corridor, in Cyprus, Ireland and other places and I always try to soak up as much of his experiences as possible. I think it’s important to remember and I know that many people my age are not interested in history or older generations at all.
My great-uncle who passed 6 years ago who would’ve been 100 several weeks ago flew a Spitfire in WW2 and was trained by veterans of the Battle of Britain. He was never directly involved in warfare as he was due to be sent into the Pacific but was ultimately recalled home as this was in the closing stages of the war. I wish I had spent more time with him and I was only 12 when he died but I still feel that I could’ve spoken to him more.
Finally, I’m currently writing my exams and I’m finishing school this month. This summer I plan to use my Historic Scotland membership to visit as many museums and sites as possible before I start university in September. As I said before I’m staying up at Findhorn near Inverness for a few weeks in late June/early July and I plan to visit Fort George again as I found it very fascinating. Last time I visited I spent 4 hours there and only got through 2 rooms showcasing the Anglo-Boer and other campaigns such as the Anglo-Egyptian and Anglo-Sudanese campaigns. And also the Napoleonic War room. I really enjoy reading all of the information and the individual stories of the men and women who were involved. I’ll definitely have to spent 2 days there at least to read all of the information. I also plan to branch out from my base at Findhorn to see as many sites as possible. Regimental museums are definitely my main interest. I visited Berwick last summer too but I’d love to visit your museum in Aberdeen.
Apologies for the long message, and best regards.
My grandma is technically a ww2 veteran. She enlisted at 18, met my grandfather there, and the war ended the same year. No fighting. She just turned 97. Shes still very sharp, but 6 years ago refused heart surgery because the odds of survival were minimal. I love my grandma! Thank you to all who served. Shes is a great great grandmother of 2. Had 7 kids. I have 15 cousins on my dads side, and we all have 2-3 kids now. Crazy
I'm in the very odd situation that my grandfathers fought on opposing sides in WW2. My British Grandfather was a professional officer in the Imperial Indian Army. And fought with a Punjabi rifle regiment at Impahl.
My Austrian grandfather was a junior officer in the ID44 and fought among other places at Stalingrad.
Both quiet men, that never watched war movies on TV and both by today's standards, drank quite heavily in the evening.
German/Japanese/Chinese/US here. Then Chinese/US during the Korean War, and US during the Vietnam War. I'm now very skeptical of war of any sort but it seems like every 20 years humans go collectively mad and follow leaders for very minor reasons.
My own Grandfather's best friend, from his village, was captured in Singapore, I think, and went on to join Bose's Azad Hind Fauj, fighting against the British Indian Army in Burma, although my own Grandfather was serving in the European theater at the time. The friend was captured, tried and sentenced to death by the British, which is when the Naval ratings started their rebellion in Bombay, in 1946. Released, Shah Nawaz Khan, who had become close to Nehru during the Red Fort Trial, would opt to settle in India and helped my entire maternal clan settle in India, in 1947, post-partition. The families remain friends to this day. Those men were essentially teetotallers, I can assure you, however, their children are NOT.
Awkward family gatherings?
Did they ever meet? What a privilege it would be to be a fly on the wall while they discussed their experiences over a few pints.
@@MarcillaSmith no not really, as they lived in different countries they didn't meet very often. When they did they were cordial.
I was hospitalized a few years ago and was lying down in a gurney in a corridor waiting for my MRI. I saw a nicely dressed elderly couple and the man was wearing a baseball cap. I found it to be very much out of place because it wasn't the sort of thing you'd wear with a semi-formal suit and tie. As soon as I was able to make out the characteristic gold "WWII Veteran" text my eyes opened wide and the man noticed me doing so. I looked at him desperately wanting to say something, but I was wheeled away before I could get over the shock of having seen a WWII vet for the first time in perhaps a decade. The guy probably thought I suffered from paralysis below the neck.
As unlikely as it is to meet a WWII vet in public these days, keep a question or some sort of conversation starter in your back pocket that you'll remember even if you're sick, tired, or surprised.
My wife’s grandmother turns 98 this year. She served here in my home city of Townsville as a airforce nurse and driver. She’s as sharp as broken glass as well.
Lest we forget. From Adelaide. 🌺🇦🇺🐨🦘♥️
Thank you for ending with " Last Post". That bugle call is so moving and so appropriate to this subject.
Having just commemorated ANZAC day yesterday here in Australia and New Zealand, this was a very fitting story.
‘Lest We Forget’
I moved closer to home in 2002 and being an ex-RNZN Radio Fitter, joined the RSA my father was in. Every year I joined him, firstly, at the dawn parade in his home town, then secondly, at the mid-day RSA service of the RSA we both belonged to. This was at the local Town Hall. After the speeches we assembled outside and marched to the Clock Tower Cenotaph, built to honour the WWI Serviceman of the local district and later a wall was added for the WWII serviceman.
When I started doing this, there were a good number of veterans, but each time I marched, some more members had 'slipped away' and at the last service yesterday, there was only 1 WWII veteran in a wheelchair and 2 apologies: One being 102 years old.
So only the Korean, Japanese and Vietnam veterans are left, to hold 'The Torch' and hold it high. Then it will be left to serviceman like me, who never fired a shot in anger, never experienced the horrors of war, all because of those I honour each ANZAC and Armistice Day.
Fortunately the younger generations are part of the ceremony now, with wreaths and poppies being placed in larger numbers than I have ever seen before. It took 15 minutes for them to do this, this year. (Between the 12 O'Clock and quarter past chimes) A lot of them wear their great Grandfathers/Grandmothers/Uncles medals. So they shall not be forgotten. The ANZAC spirit lives on.
Yes it was. Lest we forget. Adelaide, Australia 🌺🇦🇺🦘🐨♥️
Thank you to the Greatest Generation. You’ll never know how much we appreciate your sacrifice. And thank you so much Dr. Felton.
Communism spred like wildfire after this "greatest" generation "won" the war. They are the cause why communist Russia, communist China and North Korea exist today.
"All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain" Roy Batty
My father was a WW2 vet who fought in the infantry in Africa , Sicily and Italy. I was trained for the Vietnam War by the last of the active duty WW2 vets, in fact, we had one in our company who saw active duty in Vietnam. To these men, all of since passed, I personally owe a debt of gratitude to which I can never repay for not only gifting me the country I live in, but the training they gave me in probably the hardest and darkest time of my life that kept me and my buddies alive. As long as I live, I will never be forgetting them. God Bless All of Them and may God Almighty keep them all safe within His Eternal Kingdom. Amen.
Good story.
I served in the early '90s, back then it was Vietnam vets who served in senior ranks...Lt.Col and above, First Sergeant and above. Our dress uniforms were Class A "Greens" and ribbons (then as now) told the story of who served where. Desert Storm bequeathed ribbon racks to the youngsters in our ranks but Vietnam vets were the old timers you listened to.
@@castercamber I guess it's always been that way for soldiers. The old timers are survivors with the experience that can help you stay alive...and that's why they're worth listening to. And I always saw them as men of steel. By that, hearing of what they personally went through, I always wondered if placed in the same situation if I could survive such living hell. Vietnam was rough enough, but Korea and WW2 I think were rougher.
❤
Amen.
This question was on my mind a few days ago; I got this unbearable sadness knowing the WW2 guys I helped at our schools Veterans Day showcase (2010-2013) are no longer around. We had one PBY Catalina crewman with loads of photos of him and his crew sunbathing on the wings, one mad lad in the photos even had a fishing pole! I miss getting to talk to them about life during their time. The living history we lose every day is a shame! People like you documenting our experiences as humans are at the forefront of proper history being recorded. I applaud y’all for that!
The part about that PBY crewman reminds me that yesterday, Lou Conter, the last surviving crewman of the USS Arizona, who went on to become a PBY pilot, was buried yesterday.
I’m 67 and as a child I was enthralled by the stories and courage of the WW2 vets that were plentiful in the 60’s & 70’s.
As a veteran I often marvel at how often I salute while watching your videos. Thank you to not only you and your family but to all of my brothers in arms.
My dad would be almost 98, but he passed away 15 years ago. He was in Patton’s 3rd army in 1945. Thank you @Mark Felton.
Recently last survivor of USS Arizona passed away
🇺🇸
‘’Old soldiers never die, they just fade away”-Douglas MacArthur
My family and I are quite fortunate that my grandfather is amongst the eight thousand surviving Canadian veterans. He just turned one-hundred this year. I once sat down with him to record and document his experiences during the war. Hearing the stories alone was an experience I’ll never forget. Wonderful video and as always, fantastic research.
Do you know if your grandfather was at Dieppe? My father was a Sgt. in the Essex Scottish and captured at Dieppe.
@@andrewbird57 No he was not one of the Canadians at Dieppe, though my home town’s Royal Hamilton Light Infantry regiment fought along side the Essex Scottish and many fell or were taken prisoner as well. There’s a large monument to them down by our city’s waterfront.
My uncle is 100 in October and is a Royal Navy veteran, still tells great stories from his war years 42-45.
Mr. Felton's last video deeply touched my soul. Now, at 72 years of age, I can statethat I am so happy to know personally some of those exceptional men, never forgetting their tales. Sadly they all passed away... just faded away, as the old soldiers do...
Thank you Sir. This is the best episode of yours I have ever seen. Sad,touching, and we should never forget. With much respect thank you.
I’m 52 I worked for the veterans association back in the 1990 s as nurse took care of a few ww1 vets and Pearl Harbor survivor
My grandfather was born in 1896, and came home disabled veteran from WW1 he passed in 72 . He was sixty four years old when I was born. He always kept his grandkids entertained even though he was dying of lung cancer. We loved him so much. At 64 years old I still miss that man.
The interviews with the Veterans in Band of Brothers are the most powerful to me. Thank God this was documented, they are all gone but will never be forgotten. The fact that the actors that portrayed these legends have reunions of their own, speaks volumes. "Were you a hero in the War? Grandpa says no. But I served in a Company of heroes." -Major Winters. Tears every time.
I live only a few miles from Aldbourne and drive through it 2 or 3 times a week. I recently saw some re-enactment guys there in full WW2 uniforms with WW2 vehicles. I really need to find the time to research the Band of Brothers in more detail!
@@petermorris3665 I've recently escaped living in Swindon and now live in Calne, with my work being in Hungerford, I don't get to drive through Aldbourne anymore, though my brother lives there and my mum did for a while. I remember going to one of the Airborn days back in the mid 00's. Lovely village.
Those interviews are incredible. I'd love to see each one, uncut. They didn't do them for Pacific if I recall.
I met a 98 year old WWII veteran at the dentist in 2022. I remember thinking at the time that may likely be my last encounter with a WWII veteran without seeking one out intentionally. He spent the war serving as a guard on the supply trains that ran through the Persian Corridor in Iran/Iraq. You could tell by his smirk that he loved confusing people by telling them he served in Iraq, taking a long pause and then adding in WWII. He sure got me good with it!
Mark
I have subscribed to your World War Two videos for years and have found them very informative and well researched. Like you I also grew up knowing and learning many World War One and World War Two veterans. My father was a Canadian with the rank of Captain in the artillery and many of his comrades would come and visit him over the years.
Just recently I attended a birthday celebration for a Canadian Air Force veteran at our local Royal Canadian Legion. He is now 103 years old and in remarkable condition. He flew with the RCAF on 35 missions. Also, I just attended last week a Legion funeral service of another veteran who was 98 years old.
The oldest veteran I have ever met in my home town was a Boer War veteran who was in the hospital and I spoke to him a few times over the years before he died in 1972.
When I was a young man, I remember speaking to a veteran of the Great War. He showed me his helmet that had a hole in it from a German bomb. He lived to be almost 100 years old.
All great men who severed their country but often did not like to talk about their experiences.
Thank you as always for an excellent video.
Regards
Duncan Rogers from Canada
I was in 2005 with my Grandpa attending National soldiers meeting in War museum in old Riga. When 200-300 veterans all raised from chairs and started singing song "Kad ar uzvaru" I felt such strenght and heroism from the old vets I never experienced! Now they all have joined fallen comrades who lost lives prematurely in swamps of Volkhova, in More and Džūkste. I did not realize I was singing back then with Titans!
One thing that has always struck me when watching Remberance Day Ceremonies (Canadian), is that for our official one in Ottawa, they always invite a few special veterans to lay a wreath and sit up front. What always struck me was their eyes, as soon as The Last Post would start, many start crying and you can visibly see the pain in their eyes. And then when they do the 21 gun salute and the fly over, many of the veterans have their eyes closed and you can see them visibly flinch every time the guns fire. It breaks my heart because I know they must be reliving things we can't even fathom. I will be forever thankful to all of them for life I can live now because of their sacrifice. ❤
Thanks for posting Mark. Our veterans thank you.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I've had the privilege to meet a few WW2 and Korean war vets. They are always wonderful to talk to
Thank you for this little peek into your personal history
I wonder if our stories of the Three Day Week or the Miners Strike will be as inspiring to today’s young? Possibly not!
It’s up to us to keep the story going - helped by TH-cam!
my grandfather born in 1922 died in 2018. he served in the Luftwaffe from 1940 to 1944. He was assigned to a Luftwaffe field division during the war and fought on the Eastern and Western Front and became a prisoner of war in Saverne in 1944. and yes I know he fought for the wrong side, but his family was above all else for him. Every now and then, when I was helping him in his office, he would tell me stories from that time and show me pictures that he had taken. Sometimes he would just stop talking and his thoughts would wander, then I knew not to ask any more questions. God bless him.
He fought on the right side, according to him.
He fought on the right side as he was serving his country
There is not wrong side. He was a young man who fought for his country. There is no more humble thing than that.
Thank you Dr Felton. Our respect for the greatest generation will never fade . Salute!
This sure brought tears to my eyes. My uncles and my step-father served. All have passed away. Thank you for such a thoughtful, emotional tribute.
I work at a veterans home in Butte, Montana. I got to hear quite a few stories from US WW2 veterans. One of which was a B-17 ball turret gunner. As a history Buff myself, I'm honored to meet these amazing people. While I may not be proud of my government, I'm very proud of my country and those who fought and gave their lives for it 🇺🇸
My father is now 103. He served in the RAF as a radar mechanic throughout the middle east and is a veteran of the Battle of Crete. He was an expert shot and briefly participated in combat. In peacetime he emigrated to Canada and never picked up a firearm again.
Two years ago i met a ww2 veteran who was 98 at the time. As a freshman in high school, that was a huge honor, and i had a nice conversation with him.
He was a paratrooper and showed me some pictures of him inside the plane in D-Day with his crew + some others he had.
Now he's 100 years old. Im sure hes still alive today
My neighbor Mr. Walker is almost 107 and a WWII Veteran. He still lives at home by himself (his wife passed many years ago). His son checks in on him every day. We always say hello to him when we see him enjoying the view from his front porch.
They don’t make people like him anymore.
It's a good day when Dr. Felton posts.
For the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, I went to the site and met many survivors of the attack. Including four of the last five survivors of the USS Arizona. They were kind enough to sign a book for me. Lou Conter was the last of the crew, passing away on 1 April 2024.
Many of my family members served during the war, on both sides. Grandpa, my father's father, was 'drafted' into the war. The story goes that he and his cousin got arrested for stealing. The judge said, "The Army or jail," and Grandpa chose the Army, being sent to Guam, and then was part of the Occupation Forces of Japan.
That's where he met Grandma, a Japanese nurse. She also served in the war with the Japanese Red Cross. Witnessed the Doolittle Raid, and was sent to Singapore in 1943. Spending the rest of the war there. Became a POW of the Aussies and Brits in Malaya until 1946 before being repatriated. Grandma described the British, "They were gentlemen. They would open the door for me, and say, "Good morning, Ms. Mogami."" The sentries would salute her, even though she was a civilian, the nurses were regarded as officers. Grandma and Grandpa met in a hospital where, according to my father, Grandpa was recovering from a hangover. His foot was in the aisle and grandma tripped over it. What followed was a 'name calling match.' Grandpa's CO told him to take Grandma on a date to apologize. I don't know what happened, but they eventually got married, had two children, and spent the rest of their lives together.
Both are gone now. Surprisingly Grandma was open about her experiences and going into detail about the war. Her family did suffer. Their town was bombed at least once. They saw the mushroom cloud over Hiroshima. The eldest brother was conscripted and sent to China. He survived and came home. We don’t know what he did, or where exactly he was sent. According to Grandma, another brother is missing on one of the Pacific islands.
*BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!*
Both families also became involved. Grandpa’s uncle, Corporal William Lee McMillan, was captured on Corregidor Island in May 1942. Endured nearly three years as a POW of the Japanese. Blinded by ulcers. Paralyzed by Malaria. Was rescued at Old Bilibid Prison, Manila in February 1945. After surgeries and physical rehabilitation, he recovered somewhat, but was never the same.
Then Grandpa comes home with a Japanese bride!
Most of the family was less than thrilled. My father said the family was either cold or hostile to both him and Grandma. Surprisingly one of the exceptions was Uncle Bill. Despite her elderly age, she remembered Uncle Bill, describing him as a quiet and dignified man who never, raised his voice at her, called her names, blamed her for what happened, or anything mean, except he wouldn’t stay in the same room with her for very long.
Grandma’s family was the same way, at first. Her own father threw her checkbook at her, saying, “You married the enemy! You are not welcome here!” When they found out that they now had a grandson, her parents yelled, “COME SEE US! WE WANT TO SEE THE BABY!” It’s as if the war melted away. To them my father could do no wrong.
For Grandpa himself, he was always proud of his service. Photos of him in uniform adorned the walls of their house. His ribbon rack was kept on his desk. Served through World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and spent many years on Taiwan training the Nationalist Army. The man was a supply sergeant. Nothing grand like, Special Forces, SEAL, or covert agent. Just a humble supply sergeant. That made him better, in my opinion. Grandpa wasn’t book smart. He never graduated high school. In his time in the service as supply, he learned how to play the game. How to pull favors, make friends and the barter and trade for things.
Once he told me, “Give the Army twenty years and they’ll take care of you the rest of your life!” However, if you asked Grandpa what it was like in the Army, or what he did, he would only give some vague answers. “I was with a signal battalion in Saigon as a supply sergeant from 1968-1969. Let’s see if Gunsmoke is on.” Or, “I was stationed outside Taipei running supply with the Nationalists, let’s go for a ride in the golf cart.” Giving vague answers and changing the subject.
The most I ever got out of him, we were watching ‘Apocalypse Now’ where they travel up the Mekong Delta. Grandpa, after having a couple beers, said, “I hitched rides with those guys. They let me fire their weapons into the jungle. Don’t think I hit anybody.”
For the longest time I thought Grandpa was ashamed. That he did something in the Army that would just refuse to talk about it.
It took me going to Iraq to understand why he refused to talk about it.
CharlesSaint: That is a wonderful, heart-warming story. Thankyou for sharing it.
I'm 53. Growing up in my generation, all my neighbors were WW2 vets. My preacher was a B-25 mechanic on Elba and used to talk about driving his "German motorcycle with a sidecar" around the airfield. One of the deacons was a 101st Bastogne survivor. My barber was a waistgunner on a B-17. I bought a farm truck from a Navy fireman who was stationed on Ford Island NAS on 07DEC41. One neighbor was a ball turret gunner on a B-24 and spent 2 years as a P.O.W. The man who ran the feed store was a P-51 pilot who had been shot down and smuggled out of France by the resistance and became the Chief of Police in the local town after the war. One neighbor who lived on a farm close by was a WW1 vet who used to refer to the others as "the kids". I attended his 100th birthday party when I was a teenager. They made an impression on me. Listening to them taught me about honor, humility, and what a man was supposed to be. I joined the Army right out of high school, and was proud to follow in their steps. They are all gone now. But they still live on in my memories and actions every day. I am honored to have known them. and feel priveledged to have been in their presence. "The common men of yesterday defeated the supermen of tomorrow". Bill Clinton said it best at the D-Day ceremonies he attended, "When these men were young, they saved the world."
I'm turning 50 myself this year and had a childhood immersed in WW2 through comics, toy soldiers, Airfix kits, war films, the whole lot. It's certainly noticeable now how much it has receded in the general public's consciousness. A simple benchmark is the size of the WW2 section in your average bookshop, which has shrunk considerably in recent years. Thankfully we have Mark's channel and others to continue to inform and entertain us.
It’s a shame lots of WW2 veterans are disappearing so very quickly today great video Dr Felton.
So you want communism? Because they helped build communism. They are the reason Russia occupied half of Europe for 40 years.
I lost my Father in 2018, he had served in both WWII and the Korean War. He was a great man, strong in ways its hard to even comprehend with the younger generations. I am glad that he took part in the U.S. Library of Congress Veterans History Project. They recorded him talking about his service, and it's a comfort to go back now and hear his story in his voice. If you have a living Veteran, I strongly encourage you to get them to take part. It's a wonderful of preserving the history we're so quickly losing.
I am 70 and grew up surrounded by WW2 veterans and of course my father, who was a Merchant Seaman and torpedoed twice, in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Men I worked with had the following service experience: i: Captured in the defence of Dunkirk perimeter; ii: sank the Bismarck; iii) captured at Singapore and built the Burma railway; iv: fought in the North African desert campaigns; v: liberation of Belsen; vi: fought in Burma; vii: many others were in the various theatres but never mentioned any of it.
Letting the music 'talk' was a wonderful way to end another excellent episode.
My Father was a WW2 vet but he never saw the age of 45 and has been gone for many decades now. I was surrounded by other WW2 and Korean war Vets growing up and also joined the Army staying in the Reserves for 24 years. We are lesser for the loss of that generation, may they rest in the peace they richly deserve. For those who do not recognize the bugle, that is The Last Post. For Americans it is the British version of TAPS. Thank you Mark for including it.
Yes. Australians and New Zealanders also play The Last Post and at our local ANZAC Day Dawn Service yesterday there wasn’t a ‘dry eye in the house’ when it was played.
My Great Aunt Sylvia is 98 and a proud Canadian Vet and the only one left in my family that I know of.
Mark thank you for this post. I am of a similar age and grew up respecting the stories of these brave soldiers and that of the people in the London Blitz and evacuations. I have served our country proudly but watching this I was smiling with a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. It is a shame that so much sacrifice from all sides is no longer taught in UK schools or lessoned learnt from the so called leaders nowadays. RIP xx You will be remembered.
I met a ww2 Army vet in church back last September. He was super nice and friendly. I heard he passed away a few months ago. I’ll never forget that moment when I shook his hand. Thank you for your service sir, and RIP.
Last week, I was doing my normal Walmart shopping, and there was a elderly man with his middle-aged son, and he was wearing a ww2 veteran hat.
I was stunned and made it a point to shake his hand. I thanked him for his service, and no matter what he did during the war, he was a hero to me! told his son to take special care for this man!
My friend’s dad is now 102 and served for 3 years as ground crew in the RAF . He’s not as active physically as he once was but mentally he’s still sharp and is happy to talk about his experiences in Scotland and Sussex during WW2 . It’s a privilege to be able to have a direct connection to this monumental period in world history
Sobering remembrance, Mark. One of my favourite videos you've done to date.
You mentioned a key phrase in describing WW2 veterans: "They shared a common experience." That shared experience is something our current generation misses....and needs.... dearly.
Be careful what we wish for because the next generation after us will curse us for that.......
Not even disease brings us together any more.
Well maybe, but not like that. I don't know what the answer is but young people need a chance at life, not a brush with death.
Kill or be killed or respect for all? Which experience would you want your children to have? Given they may not come home. I remember my artillery lectures on impact kill zones, The army made me a pacifist (mostly).
You can go to Ukraine for some of that shared experience, you ASS
In 2010 my grandmother was in her mid eighties, and occasionally had to be wheeled around because she couldn't walk the distances anymore, walked up to a Canadian veteran during a parade in the Netherlands and gave him a hug and a kiss. She didn't know the man but was still very thankful for his service. The people who lived through the war have a different view on it that lasted a lifetime and sadly it will slowly fade into something just found in history books (and the occasional Mark Felton video).
Very respectful. To Dr. Felton, we say “many thanks”on behalf of our family’s WWII vets who are sadly gone but are not forgotten.
Thank you, Dr. Felton. We need people like you to tell their stories and the histories of their battles.
My grandfathers, both veterans of the Pacific theater, have long since passed, but there is still one WWII veteran in my extended family-a first cousin of my grandfather. He was in the Merchant Marines and survived two U-Boat sinkings and even learned a bit of Russian while stranded in Archangelsk waiting for the next ships to take him back to the USA. He just turned 103 last December and the City of El Paso Government threw him a birthday party at the City Hall. God Bless Victor Lafave!
Thank you for posting this wonderful video. My grandfather also served in Burma. He was a radio controller for a C-47 and would fly the hump to resupply troops fighting the japanese. He passed away 1 week shy of 99 years old due to leukemia. I too also became enthralled with WW2 history because as a child i was lucky enough to be able to live with my grandfather and he would tell me amazing stories of his experiences. The gentlest of gentlemen while also sticking to his morals. I truly miss that man. Thank you again for all you do for us viewers.
I’m from Brazil, and from 25,000 that served in Italy at the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, less than 60 are still alive.