Marine's FIERCE COMBAT in the Pacific on Guadalcanal and Peleliu
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ย. 2023
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In 1941, enamored with the United States Marine Corps uniform, 17-year-old Oliver Marcelli and some friends went to New York City and enlisted. Shortly after graduating from boot camp Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Empire of Japan, and Marcelli found himself headed to the Pacific as part of the 1st Marine Division.
In August 1942, Marcelli would get his first taste of combat when he landed on Guadalcanal alongside his fellow Marines. But it would be the ferocious combat on the small coral island of Peleliu that would remain with Marcelli all of his life. Four days into the battle of Peleliu, Marcelli would be wounded and evacuated ending his time in combat.
Interview recorded on August 21, 2021
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It’s very hard to believe he’s almost 100 years-old as well spoken as he is. Very hard
Speaks better than Joe Biden
You might be surprised that an average 100 year old has lower medical costs than an average 80 year old. Some people just age better than others, we call them "super agers". They are much more resistant to age related disease including neurodegeneration and dementia than average population. Almost everyone who lives to 100 is a super ager.
This guy seems so alert and present. He sounds like he is 53, incredible
What a great guy, sure can't tell he's 98 yrs. old. Sharp mind still and all he and all vets have been thru.
Especially as a member of the 1st Marine Division, God bless him
My grandfather is 95 and was in “the service” as he calls it (navy) he tells me his mind is the same as it always was, that he is just tired physically
He's a fighter! I love these guys.
What a great American- thanks for sharing Oliver. Congrats on the 75th!
You know these WWII vets drop nuggets of wisdom every once in a while. Something these young folks could use.
So, what kind of wisdom dropped he what you can use in your life? I hope it’s, do not go to foreign land fighting for profit.
@@bubamaranovichok4901 Did you watch the video?
@@bubamaranovichok4901if you watched the video you would know what the op is talking about.
But I know the video had too many words for you, probably bored you.
Proverbs 18:2
@@bubamaranovichok4901well, for starters, his commitment to his marriage is a great takeaway for all of us.
Why do older people want their Grandchildren and Neighbors Grandchildren to die in Wars?
My mother used to tell me of the young yanks who were in Sydney, and got tears in her eyes because many of them would never go home..thanks fro Australia 🇦🇺
Thank you so much for all you've done for this country sir. Your are the real heros in this world and I won't ever forget it
There are no more truer words from a marine then “I saw them blues and knew I needed a pair of my own” 😂🫡🇺🇸 Semper Fidelis brother
Semper Fi
I recognize the name from my grandfather’s papers. I have a leather cup of dice from G-2-1 I bet you’d get a kick out of. Dice with cards on them, green dice, red dice, white dice, big dice, small dice. You guys sure liked dice. I sure do miss our Marine. Thank you for talking to us. God bless.
THANKS!!!! My Dad was with you at Peleliu -You remind me of him.
One of the best ones I've seen. And I'm trying to watch them all. I love these men from the bottom of my heart. Thank God for these American heroes. 💯❤️🇺🇸
My Dad served in the Navy from 1932 to 1945 mostly in the Pacific. Chief Radioman on CV-18 USS WASP.
13 years?
Wow. Valuable Life instructions. Not just as a warrior, survivor and Marine...but as a man. Married for 75 years. Thank you for your service, and for your sound advice!
A survivors testimony is priceless. Thanks for recording a voice from our past...! Cheers
This former Marine glossed over the Guadalcanal campaign, which lasted from Aug1942 until Feb 1943. Marines landed in August, but were reinforced by the Army 164th Infantry in mid-Oct. The speaker meant that the first planes to land on Guadal were Grumman F-4 wildcats. Grumman F-6 Hellcats weren't introduced until Sept 1943, well after the Guadal campaign ended (from that time, the island was used as a training and supply base for the continued Solomons and other campaigns).
One of the units that served on "The Canal" was on loan from the 2nd Marine Division: 2nd Bn, 2nd Rgt. I was in that unit many years later, from Mar 63 until Jun 65.
Were you in the Dominican action?
@@roderickstockdale1678 asked: "Were you in the Dominican action?" A: I was in 2nd Motor Transport at the time, having just transferred from the infantry. We loaded our trucks with sandbags, steel stakes, and barbed wire, installed fording gear, and went to the 6th Marines area to load them, but their barracks were empty and the doors were chained shut, so we headed to Morehead city, NC. The swabbies told us the trucks wouldn’t fit in the hold with the bows, canvas, and fording gear installed, so we removed them and stowed them in the bed of the trucks. We also had to fold the windshield down in order for the truck to fit in the hold ‘tween decks.
Then our trucks were hoisted aboard and chained down in the hold aboard USS Vermillion AKA-107. About two days later we were on station off Santo Domingo. There was such a rush to get us down there that we were surprised when we weren’t landed immediately. It was frustrating to remain aboard ship, but there was a Recon guy aboard who had a radio, so we listened to it as he monitored onshore traffic. It was confusing because no one had a map of the city’s landmarks which were frequently spoken of in reports.
We also got some communication from recon aircraft circling the action. They often reported being fired on. Our ground forces were also being shot at, but the “rules of engagement” were different then, and requests to shoot back were usually denied, as we were a “peace-keeping” force.
We got word that our unit wasn’t needed, but a disbursing (paymaster) unit on the Vermillion was, and since the ship had been combat-loaded their gear was in the lowest hold. Our trucks had to be unloaded into landing boats, taken ashore, unloaded, and then the boats returned for the disbursing unit’s gear to be ferried ashore. Our vehicles were returned via those empty boats, then reloaded. Our trucks got banged up in this process.
Altogether we were aboard the Vermillion for 32 days. Our living space and “battle station” was in the forward hold, very spacious. By the time we were ashore again, we had emptied the ship’s store of cigarettes ($1.00 a carton once outside the 3-mile limit) watches, paint-by-the-numbers kits, and pogey-bait (candy). The ship had a tiny library, and I read most of the books in it while I was abroad. The most annoying aspect of our stay was the constant hammering of the paint chippers. It made me happy I was never a swabbie. The chow aboard was standard Navy-good.
We went to GQ one time-the only time we did that for real-one night. At GQ, the smoking lamp is out and all hatches are closed. The ventilation system is shut down, so if you are below decks it quickly gets hot. Vermillion went to flank (top) speed, and the whole ship vibrated. The ship had 4 40mm gun tubs, two in the bow and two in the stern. Supposedly there was also a 5 in. gun, but I never saw it. We soon secured from General Quarters, but never found out why the alarm was issued in the first place.
He mentions chesty puller, Believe had a son named lewis b.puller jr. went to Vietnam was terribly wounded battled alcoholism and wrote an amazing book called Fortunate Son I certainly recommend this book
That's a great book. Jocko Willink also covers it in episode 122 or 123 of the Jocko Podcast
Thanks Ben I would like to check that out if you could offer a link that would be helpful as well thank you from Kent Crawford
His son finally surrendered to depression and alcohol. That book testifies to how long he endured his horrendous physical wounds in Vietnam and his PTSD afterward.
Oliver thank you so much for your service and your bravery for our country, I am impressed that you knew chesty puller as well
Semper Fi. Thanks to all our Veterans who served.
And for getting rich from the goods they stole from someone else homes!
Those 2 battles were insane.
Wow. Cheers to you, my most honored sir. For even at 97 you still are an exemplary example of how a Man should be..... You make me proud to be an American. G-D Bless you, Baruch Hashem! 🫡❤️🔥🐺
Sir
He reminds me of my Great Uncles who fought in WWII, the difference is they NEVER talked about what they went thru.
truly touching a pure a mans man makes me proud to be an american
Thank you for sharing your experiences, sacrifice, courage and service for our country and freedom ❤🇺🇸
He looks 57, not 97. He must have found the fountain of youth.
and talks like he's in his late 30s
Love hearing these people's stories. This is who my generation grew up with. God bless him.
I'm at a loss for words.
Awesome. Wish you’d asked some more specific questions about his battles however
Looks great for 97! Wonderful way to say goodnight.
From
One Marine to another we appreciate your service! OORAHH!
We will not let these veterans down.They gave their All to defeat the Axis Powers. We will not let their efforts die in Vain at any cost!!!
Thank you and God Bless you Sir...!
I'm 70. Couples of this age (97+) that I knew are all dead now but the ones whose marriages lasted their entire lives were facilitated by the wives keeping their husband's alcoholic drink topped-up!!! I saw grandparents on both sides drink from right after breakfast up until bedtime! There used to be drive-through liquor stores that served you an open drink right to your driver's seat! It makes me smile to think about those old times. It can be fun to remember things you haven't thought about in over 20 years!
Alcohol consumption was definitely more prevalent in previous generations and it was common for combat veterans to become alcoholic.
I always enjoy listening to these men. I almost always learn something new.
Thank You so much for your service and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA Dear American Marine Sir, Semper Fi!!!!!! ususususus......🙏❤🤍💙💪👍
Agree as to his invaluable contributions but do U thank doctors and nurses for their service too? They save rather than take lives them. Always bemused by the Yanks worship of their military….
Much respect, sir. Thank you
What an amazing man. God bless.
We had a family friend that fought at Guadalcanal. He was stationed around the airbase there. His few stories educated me at what a bitch that battle was. Peleliu was not any better.
This guy looks great! Speaks really sharp as well. This is gonna be a good video .
God bless Mr Marcelli, thank you for saving freedom for us. Would love to sit and talk to him.
Incredible man, much respect!
Thank you for your service
thank you for your service sir. Your story of survival in combat is incredible and inspiring. May you keep enjoying your life and God Bless you and our Freedom
Sea sickness is 50% thinking you’re going to die and 50% wishing you would.
Thank you. God bless your family. From a old seabee.
My Dad was seabee on Gaudalcanal
This Man is a True American Hero and I will never forget what his Generation did for our Freedom.
I appreciated him sharing his reason for a life long marriage.
Great interview. Thank you for serving!
Incredible, just incredible.
Thanks for your service! 🇺🇸❤️ I wonder if you knew my grandpa he was on the same islands
Awesome interview.
My dad landed on Peleliu with the 1st Marines.
Great chap. Bless his heart
Thank you.
Im so lucky to have been raised with men like this. I barely qualify for Gen X but almost every man in my life growing up had served. The neighborhood i was raised in was mostly Police and Firemen because of residency. Overall mostly vets. The personalities and character i miss most. Its rare to meet a character now.
Those planes were SNJ Navy Trainers also known as the North American T-6 Texan. My first model plane as a kid in the early 60's was a SNJ. My dads best friend Dan Crapps was at Peleliu. I didn't know it until my dad's funeral he when he told me about being there. My son was there in his Navy whites and Dan knew I had been in the Navy too so I guess he felt comfortable telling me about it. I was 44 at the time. I'm 66 now.
Why did wait till your dad’s funeral to tell you that?
Great soldier and man!! Thank you sir!🎉❤
Thank you so much,, for your service! I am well-read on the war, I have read much of Chesty Puller!
Salut Soldier. Respect.
He seems 25 yrs younger than he is. Crazy!
Excellent video 😊
thank you
I can't imagine what these guys went through. Hopefully we'll never have to repeat it.
Wow, the clarity of his speech makes him sound a lot younger. He could pass for 70. His mind seems razor sharp.
I’m in awe of these great Americans!
Thanks
It's Catch 22. The more you want to fly, the less the Military will let you fly. You are better off if you never reveal your passion for flying. 😉
Good guy.
1st marines were the 2nd echelon of 1MarDiv coming straight to NZ from san francisco, arriving on 11july. they had 11 days to unload/reload their cargo, they spent the entire time in NZ, doing that; didn't leave the ship. they didn't have a good time in NZ.
oddly, didn't mention New Britain at all. 1MarDiv left australia in late summer '43 & didn't go back before assaulting Peleliu in september '44. they didn't go to Peleliu from melbourne.
They didn’t go to New Britain from Melbourne, either. They went to New Guinea first to train and get back in form and they went to New Britain.
yes; neither of us stated that they did.
@@cladglas I didn’t know they just stayed on ship loading cargo in New Zealand. I thought they had actually trained there before going to Guadalcanal, and you didn’t mention Pavuvu either being that there was where they went to Peleliu from.
Someone must of. Because granddad was a marine from San Francisco who met my granny in Christchurch during the war.
@@karenTeWhata was he 1st division?
Thankyou America
God bless you sir 🙏
Really nice guy
This man is more coherent and capable than biden, that's for sure. I grew up next to a guy like this. Big influence on me becoming a Marine.
Joe biden is a stutterer, you can't expect fluent or coherent speech from a stutterer.
MOre coherent and no bone spurs than Trump. Also, more honest but that is a given since Trump would lie about his well everything.
@@gregseidel594 the difference between a conservative fact and an emotional, irrational, liberal opinion, ladies and gentlemen. 👏👏👏👏
@@gregseidel594someone’s triggered 😂
@@sonnyjs15 Deluded.
I worked for a cruise line as a deckhand running from San Diego along the Mexican west coast of Baja and up into the Sea of Cortez. I'd been on deck doing something and went up to the bridge and the Mate was laying on the deck with a plastic bag under his face so sea sick he couldn't move. And this was in light seas, just an easy roll. So he asked me to look out the window for boat traffic, nothing. Then look at the radar, nothing out there. So he said come back every 15 minutes to check for traffic. Poor guy was really suffering
salute
Amen, faith over fear. ❤
🖤
How did he miss Cape Gloucester? That was 1st MAR DIV next operation after Guadalcanal.
They have been married for seventy five years, You don't hear that often! Hats off to this man, god bless him and his wife
Do you have any veterans videos who went to Philippines?
Is this a recent interview? I thought all the WW2 warriors were gone.
That’s WWI bud, still got some hitters alive out there from WWII.
ty for your service in ww2
SALUTE SIR 🌹🇺🇸🌹
The pacific veterans are just different than the Europe veterans.
Man said he went on field trips😂
I would've guessed he's in his 80s
I never would have guessed..
Wow! I only did 37 years with the same women. That man had guts!
Divorce?
1st Marine Division let's go
When did you serve?
@roderickstockdale1678 I'm actually not in the military but I'm a history buff somewhat
@@CrossOfBayonne ha me too. I’ve been studying them for the last 10 years!
I wonder if this man and many others had access to psychodelics like Ayahuaska of they could have been able to treat their PTSD.
Yr so beautiful
Loved yr korero
Tuk yr misses in every nite so cool
Any interviews from men from the South? Everyone i click on is a man from up North.
This man is more coherent than trump also . . .
Marines have to ask permission to die. ✝️🇺🇸
I remember being told that, but I can't remember any of the guys I served with asking for permission 😢
thank god...he needs made in Japan
to tell his story..
snickers.....thanks for nothing
grandpa...
where your kids?..
homeless
hehe