“Surviving the Battle of Okinawa” | Memoirs Of WWII #23 

Ted Estridge was my father and was under hospice care when this interview took place in May 2019. We were worried he might not have enough strength to complete this and answer the questions but he surprised us (as he often did). Sadly he passed away 3 months after this memoir was done, at age 93. Ironically this video was released 2 days ago, on the same day we held my mother's funeral. They were married for 72 years and had a great love story! Thank you Joshua for your patience and skill during the interview process and for the high quality videos you are producing.

“I think I’ll be the first one killed” He was one of the last men standing.

When he came home, met his parents and said “that was the greatest moment of my life” I broke down in tears

Japanese teen here. Today my grade had an orientation about that battle of Okinawa from General Mitsuru Ushijima(last General in command of the battle of Okinawa) ’s grandson. I never knew how devastating this war was until today. The majority of people that passed away (who were Japanese) were civilians. They were actually terrified of their own country’s soldiers, because of how strict they were. The soldiers were determined to fight until their last breath. Mr. Ushijima talked about a story of a certain woman, during her days of the battle of Okinawa. She watched 11 people die in her family out of the 18 that she fled with. Her 4 year old son and 9 month old daughter were among them. They had nothing to protect themselves, and just wanted to survive. They were taught that being caught by American soldiers was the worse thing that could happen. Because of this, many Okinawan civilians committed suicide, or fled. They didn’t know that American soldiers would save them, instead of torturing them. 1/4 Okinawans died during this battle. Today made me realize how lucky I am to be living in this time and that we should cherish every single moment of our lives. Listening to Mr. Estridge’s story and Mr. Ushijima’s makes my heart wrench. the footage in this video makes me cry. I can’t even imagine how many people’s courageous stories there are that were never heard. This war should forever be remembered for how many people it wounded both mentally and physically, and it should be a reminder to us that we should never, ever repeat something like this again. I am truly sorry to everyone who was effected by this war. I really hope we won’t have to see anything like this again.

We’re the last generation to have our ww2 heroes still alive

"There's thousands buried at the sea" That line gave me chills... So much pain. I think about the parents back home who just receive the news about their son died. No body, no last chance to see. They just vanish...

Please tell me I’m not the only grown man who broke down in tears when he talked about coming home and seeing his mom. R.I.P. Mr. Estridge, today’s generation will never understand the horrors you had to witness and endure.

I enjoyed that he went back to Okinawa as a missionary.

"Old men declare war, but it's the youth who fight and die." -Herbert Hoover

They truly were the greatest generation...

My Grandpa fought in D-Day. I didn’t really get to know him, because he passed in 2009, but all I remember is that he was an awesome guy. When he arrived on the beaches, he was shot 6 times in the leg. He recovered, and he got to keep half of the bullets. It’s amazing to think that he survived these conditions and obstacles and lived on to tell the tales. This is why I want to enter the Air Force as a Fighter Pilot. Thanks, Pop.

My Dad, my Hero......I was in the room when this interview took place and so amazed at all the details my precious dad remembered. I had not heard the whole story and was in awe holding back tears as I was so proud of him! I realized how much he had gone through and survived as had many and many who did not survive this war. There are very few left of this Great generation and it is sad! Let's keep their stories alive for our grandchildren and those to come ! Thank you so much Joshua for making this memorable video of my Dad and for all the great veterans you have helped to tell their stories....may God richly Bless You!

"The real heroes, are those that gave their life, for their country." - WW2 Marine Veteran, Theodore Estridge (1926-2019)

Needs a netflix show.

My grandpa was in WW2. His name is Pinkley Fletcher. He served in the navy. Much older family members told me later on that. He didn’t like to talk about the service. He died when I was around six years old. He was 76. I remember enough to know that he was a awesome grandparent. He used to take my cousins and I to the water park. Drive us around and go get ice cream. He taught us how to play go fish and checkers. Its memories I will never forget.

I'm a veteran, but this touched my heart. War is a terrible, terrible thing. I'm in complete tears, rest in peace Theo.

This is the most underrated RU-vid channel and program.

It's too early in the morning for me to be crying. Now my coffee is all salty.

This is one of the memoirs that made me cry. He went back to okinawa, the place that was utter hell for him and he made friends with his once enemies, he went to the hill where he thought he was going to die...that's incredible courage..I cannot thank these men enough for their service.

It’s heroes like this that make me proud to be a Marine and to carry on their traditions.

This gave me goosebumps when he talked about how he was wounded and the invasion. Truly an unbelievable story. Rest In Peace Ted.

I'm part Japanese and German so I've had relatives that fought for the Japanese, Germans, and the Americans. The military has always been a strong part of my family and so I appreciate all these veterans for what they did and do. In a couple years I will be old enough to join the US Army armoured corps and fully plan to do so. These veterans will always have my full and upmost respect and so I want to thank any veterans reading this for your service. I love what you guys are doing and I wish my grandpapa was still alive so he could see this channel. Rest in peace Theodore. Rest in peace Norton.

When he said “it was the greatest moment of my life” you can see he looks away and remembers his mom. This man is a hero. It’s unreal any of this took place.

The voice of this man contains a thousand stories.

history class doesn’t do justice, god bless to the most brave generation.

he represents the best of America. my father was a navy corpsman on Okinawa.

I’m Okinawan and have heard how terrible that war was from the survivors since I was a little kid. It is interesting to listen to the different side even though it brings me complicated emotions. Thank you for sharing your story.

These men were the Greatest Generation that ever lived, It will be a sad and emotional day when all these Brave Souls pass away..

I lost my grandfather who fought in the Pacific when I was 23. How ashamed I am for not showing more interest in his experiences during World War II. All I cared about was girls and alcohol. Thank you for this channel, for the young and ignorant.

The whole world should see these videos .

Man that Norton Larson story hit me deep. You never know how much of an impact it has on you until a causality had a family and loved ones, and that life was just taken away from them. This generation will never understand the struggle of WW2

Men I admire! I grew up on Okinawa. We lived first in Machinato Heights and later Machinato Housing Area. What a wonderful childhood! It was only 20-25 years after the war so we were still finding a lot of war relics as well as live munitions.

What a good man. I was stationed in Okinawa during the 70’s some of the remnants of battle are still there. War truly is hell.

When he told the story about his mother greeting him when he returned home from the war, I teared up. I salute all those who sacrificed everything for their fellow Americans, both then and those that came after.

Just imagine landing on the island without having any sight of the enemy, gives me the chills, that's scary AS hell. God bless

I’m an American living in Okinawa for the last two years. I love the locals and I love it here. Much respect for this man, God Bless.

Personally, this was the hardest memoir I had to watch.

I'm so glad you were able to share his story before he passed. What a Great man!

“War is a terrible thing, kill or be killed” I was a sniper in Fahlujha, Iraq in 2004 and it doesn’t compare to his war in Okinawa, Japan

Man...when he said his great grand daughter brought his nine month old great great grandson...and that how he wished Norton Larson could have experienced that................wow..... Semper Fi Sir! Rest in Peace

It’s great you got his story recorded before he passed...what a Great Role model and a Great man of God.

I saw “Surviving” and “Okinawa” when I first opened the video. Hair on the back of my neck stood up instantly.

I am honored to have listened to your words. I am so grateful for Marines like you. Thank you so much for everything you did for us. Have a wonderful day!

Awesome that we went back and made his peace with the people he was sent to kill. That is truly an enlightened man.

These men, the thoughest sobs ever to walk the face of the earth.

The stories of these brave young men is not being taught in many schools. All of the men and women who served in WW2 gave so much and our children should taught what they have done.

The ones that did survive continued battling even without knowing it, they battling against the loss of history so we dont have to suffer such things, rest in peace a true hero

"Thank God for Ted Estridge" could not be a more appropriate statement. I feel blessed to have heard his words. Thank you.

I just want to express how grateful I am as a junior marine to have these memoirs. I am very proud of the legacy I have to uphold, and knowing that there are people out there trying to keep it alive is amazing. I cant explain how important it is to me, and future generations to have these. Thank you so much, and semper fi

His buddy he mentioned at 5:27 was PFC Gordon Larsen who was KIA on May 2nd 1945.

When I saw “1926-2019” I got really sad, but then I thought “He’s with Norton now”.

Thank You for sharing the story of our America heros. I grew up with heros all around me. My father and mother both served during THE WAR. They never talked about it. But we all knew they were the greatest generation, for they saved the world.

I love these videos, the memories and experiances they share are unreal.

I'm so happy I didn't go to sleep tonight, cause now I have this inspiration to watch and listen too

God has mercy on us... I got tears hearing from him. "Why me Lord?" 😢

To the Theo Family. I was a Marine on Okinawa Aug74-Sep75. I was saved on 18 January 1975, and attended Keystone Church of the Nazarene. Thank you for your Missionary work on Okinawa to the native Okinawans and the American Military.

7:58 Man, absolutely everyone in this picture looks like they just went through absolute hell

“The real heroes are those who gave their lives for their country” - That’s exactly what my Grandad (Royal Engineers, France, Tunisia, Italy campaigns) used to say before his dementia and eventual death. He never forgot about those that didn’t come back either and it haunted him until the end (which the dementia unfortunately brought out)

My father was retired Navy. After he retired, he worked for the Navy (ONI) and in 1960, we moved from the West coast to Okinawa and remained there until 1963. My mother and I had to attend "meetings" where we learned about the Habu snake and not to go through certain areas and that we were not allowed to go into the caves, where they seemed to be everywhere. We were told about "Naha Charlie" and "Nature Boy". Our 2nd day in our house, I was outside kicking around some dirt when I uncovered an object. Knowing what is was (hand grenade). I ran in and told my Dad. Never saw him move so fast! He made me go to the other side of the house and in a short time, he came and told me it was "empty", That was my welcome to Okinawa. When we left the island in 1963, the miliary was still unearthing bombs and such. I'm an old woman now, but remember our 3 years there very well.

My father, Melvin Canby (1922-1990) was in the 1St Bn, 7Thmar, 1Stmardiv and was at Okinawa 1Apr45-30Jun45. He could barely tell us about it later in life, and when he did, it was a few stories at a time, then he'd declare "That's it!" And it would be a month or so before he'd tell a few more stories again. I always felt as if he realized he needed to tell us so that we'd understand him, so we'd have that history. I'm grateful he told us, even though I know it was so incredibly painful to relive it ❤😢

I got teary eyed. Hard not to...especially when he talked about the happiest moment in his life.

I some tears...... as a former combat US Marine, all these brothers before me are the real heroes........Amen! RIP Theo!

Probably the hardest battle for the western allies. I’m a Brit and believe that absolutely. Thankyou USA

All these videos are hitting me so hard emotionally. These men all tell such amazing stories and I’m devastated that my grandfather wasn’t alive long enough for me to hear his stories like this. All I know is what my dad can tell me and from what I’ve heard, my grandfather was an amazing man and incredible soldier. He commanded field hospitals in both North Africa and Italy and I know, if he were alive today, he’d be more than willing to take part in one of these memoirs. Thank you for doing this. It’s something I didn’t know I needed but I’m happy I found.

This one brought a tear to my eye.

Whoever disliked this, you’re a disgrace, without them. You wouldn’t be where you are today.

As of January 2021 Ted has passed away let his life always be remembered

When he saw his mother again..., when he talked about his friend that was killed, Jesus it was hard to watch this one, you can see it on his face that he went through a lot in his life...

My great grandfather Jimmy was stationed in the pacific. He was a radio operator. One time General McArthur met them for their good work. He was a good guy. RIP Jimmy... And every soldier who fought for their country

Each of these episodes is such a treasure. God bless you, Josh, for the amazing work you do.

Hey Josh, you are doing an amazing job. My grandfather served in the first Marine division. Fought in Guadalcanal ,Pelleliu, then serving for 25 years in the Corps This is as close to home with the stories that my grandfather told me. Thank you so much for allowing me to see but a glimpse of his story. I too served my country in the Corps and I’m proud to say GOD BLESS AMERICA

This interview needs to be shown in every High School in America. If you are a lover of liberty and of human dignity, here you have why you can enjoy those rights.

We are blessed to hear these stories of true stress & tribulation. They should always speak to us from that quiet corner in our minds, reminding us that pain, sorrow, a sense of loss, is all relative. Only with that realization can we grow stronger & more focused on the task at hand. Thank you, Theo, for showing us the way.

Thank you very much for archiving their stories. I am from The Netherlands, my family suffered from the ww2 too. My great grandfather was shot dead by an Nazi officer, and other familymembers survived the deathcamps. Is there any way I can donate to you guys? You really are doing great work!!

What an amazing man of God. The horrors he has seen but still giving glory to the Lord. Amazing.

It would be a honor meeting men like Ted....true hero for sure!!!!

My grandfather whom served in WW2 US Army Air Corps was laid to rest yesterday. Watching these helps my grief because I never asked him about the war and I regret not. But there’s always heaven to ask🙏

Even real man would cry watching this...19th century was a legendary and horrible century. We should be happy in which situation we in right now and not complain. These men and other should not be forgotten they did a lot of thing for us.

God bless Ted “Theo” Estridge and Norton Larson. R.I.P. U.S. Marines we will not forget you.

Incredible. Lovely man - a hero. RIP. Norton - RIP.

God bless you Theo. R.I.P to a amazing American.

The moment he met his mom again brought tears to my eyes

He was a great man, Rest In Peace

Hearing about WWII vets passing is a ticking clock for me since i’ve always wanted to meet one. It’d be so emotional if i hear that the last vet passes

Thanks Josh Keep it up ! 🇵🇭 When I was a kid, I've always dreamt of being a soldier. Maybe because of videogames and movies I watched. Growing up, (I'm now 16) I thought I want a job that has higher pay, I become interested in money. But the dream of being a soldier will always remain in my heart. I'm planning to enlist in the reserves when I grow up. I've always thought being a soldier is just Killing and shooting, explosions and stuff but your videos made me realize it's not just that, it made me see the bravery of the soldiers at war. "It's not just shooting and killing and blowing up things makes you a soldier" I've realized. Fighting and killing and blowing things up is war in a general perspective, you kill enemies and invade/liberate their land because you're told to. But looking at war in the soldiers own perspective, it's not like that, It's so much than that, having seen the horrors of humanity and evil at it's finest, you fight not only because you were told to, it's because you want to survive, you want this horror and evilness to stop. It's like you're fighting to stop the fighting. You've seen so much and you just want it to end. It's about what you fight for and what you think is right for everyone and having the courage, determination and will to do and achieve what you fight for, because, it's not that easy. Thanks again Josh for sharing this to the world if you'll get to read this and if you're still reading this, keep it up. Like the soldiers, the reason you fight for is hard to achieve, whatever you want, if you want it, and you think it is right, you need to have that courage and determination. Keep it up, I see your courage and determination thanks for doing this. You're an inspiration not just to me, but for the whole world and the next generation.

Wish this channel could appear on trending so you’d finally blow up and get the credit you deserve

Ted thank you from a man born in New Zealand, as without you i would not have been born. Thanks to all the service men and women for my life.

he is the reason were here semper fi ted we love you.

i will never get tired of saying thank you and much much respect. carry on

It’d be a privilege to sit down with one of these men and hear their stories first hand..... there will never be a generation more courageous, and badass as them. RIP Theo, you can rest now.

i am rewatching all of this channels videos for the 5th or 6th time. absolute legends of men. this channel is in my opinion one of the best and most important channels. love what you guys are doing.

they way they say buddy hits me hard man

RIP Sir, hope your exchanging stories from the 1st Marine Division with my Grandfather who fought in the 3rd Marine Division in Heaven, would account for most of the islands in the pacific between the two of you.

I still can’t believe how brave these men were, and I’m so great full that we had true heroes like them, not a fake hero like we have today

I loved the part about going back to Okinawa. My grandfather was in the Philippines, a Sergeant under MacArthur and CO of his men. One of the many left behind. He stayed enlisted for the occupation of Japan and the only thing he ever said about the war was how much helping to rebuild Japan helped him heal.

My ex-wife's Grandfather never talked about his time in WWII. He was an ambulance driver. He did tell my son, once, "I hope when I die, I see heaven. Because I've already seen hell with my own eyes." I never asked again, and he volunteered no more information. He took his memories to his death. RIP, Albert.......😪😪😪

Whoever disliked this video. Mike tyson voice: you a pieth of thit!!!

I almost cried at the end of the video when I found out that he passed away in 2019 but then I thought, he must be happy right now. He lived a long life and he is now reunited with his buddy Norton.

My grandpa was wounded with the Marines in the Battle of Okinawa while clearing land mines on one of the tank roads.

I thank him for his service. True American hero.