Jefferson Barracks/D-Day Connection | History Traveler Episode 1 

My husband, nephew, mom and dad are buried there. It is beautiful and peaceful. Thank you for sharing this.

think it's great that you and your daughter do these things together. cherish your time together. God be with you wherever you go..

I don’t think it’s odd to visit graves like this, I love doing it! It’s a wonderful way to learn while not letting our heroes from the past remain in the past-bring them forward! Let their life lessons lead us to a better future!

Awe, my grandpa is buried here. Thank you for this.

We watched this episode today. I have a personal connection to JB… my father (WWII veteran wounded at the Hellandia Invasion) my mother and and also most recently, my sister now are buried there. Thank you JD…🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸

My future home! So beautiful, quiet, majestic. Hopefully not too soon! Love the channel

I didn't find you until the Normandy videos but, I can't believe I didn't go back and watch these early ones. Very cool. Also, I didn't know you have a daughter. That's awesome. My Daughter is 14 now. Good kid

I grew up about a mile from there. Both sets of grandparents are buried there. I knew about the mass graves, but didnt realize that Meehans plane was one of them. Thank you for a great, informative channel!!

I've been a subscriber for some time now and I just went back and watched your 1st episode again. I just wanted to say thank you for what you do, you allow me and other history lovers the opportunity to go to some of these places that I will probably never be able to see in person. Thank you JD. Look forward to each and every video.

Cemeteries are so intriguing you can learn so much from them

Beautiful final shot of a man and his daughter. The future generations they paid the ultimate price for. Peace and love my friend ✌❤

Wow, what a powerful video in that you timed June 5 with the crash of Thomas Meehan's plane. Great job!

So, I stumbled onto your site as I was looking through WW2 and specifically Band of Brothers videos. First one I watched was the Foxholes around Foy and Bastogne. Incredibly moving to see the actual place and not JUST the movie location. It is obvious we share some interests and I just wanted to say thank you for keeping the heroes of days gone by alive. I've appreciated your research and detail. I'm anxious to get through your entire series! Keep them coming!

That 1:10 am realization was amazing and brought me to tears. Wow

I was Airborne (‘86 to ‘92). WWII paratroopers are my heroes, and have secured their place in history as such. Thanks for making this video.✊🏻🇺🇸

I love going to old cemeteries. Seeing the Army Air Corps, my dad was in the USAAC, stationed in the Aleutian Islands.

German and Italian prisoners of war in WWII were quartered in barracks and huts on the outskirts of Jefferson Barracks near the cemetery. When conditions became crowded, and an epidemic swept through the prisoners, the healthy ones were sent to a farm in Chesterfield to help harvest crops for the war effort since the American farmhands were off fighting the war. As their compatriots back in the barracks died, they were buried next door in Jefferson Barracks cemetery. The nearby Missouri Civil War Museum across from Jefferson Barracks parade grounds has a gallery devoted to Jefferson Barracks through the wars. Very interesting place.

6:10! That is synchronicity. God Bless them.

I go to JB quite often to visit a lot of my families. Love this cemetery.

Wow! Very informative. I’m glad you’re sharing this with your daughter.

That was awesome. Lots of great info. I enjoy your work immensely. Thank you !

Thank you for sharing this. My father from WWll is buried here at Jefferson Barracks.

Gravestones are individual monuments to the famous, the heroes and (most importantly) to the ordinary person. Particularly in war cemeteries, the gravestons preserve the person's name and details forever. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them. Regardless of which 'insignificant' stone you stop at and read the name, it has made you think of that person. And by doing so, you have kept them alive. Death is final when your name is mentioned for the very last time. Whenever visiting British Commonwealth War Graves, always read the very bottom of the stone - where the family was allowed to add its own message. Those are the moist poignant words on the stone. Love history - Live history. History Traveller - please keep up the great work.

Great Video! Thank you for keeping these hero's memories alive.

1st Lt. Puckett. I looked him up, pausing the video, what a man! They have a very nice portrait of him. He appeared to me to be a no nonsense man. Agood leader of men and very much deserved his award!

I loved JB. The deer were so friendly. One gave birth right next to a museum. Many people say it's haunted.

Beautiful episode. It's not odd to visit and preserve history. My wife and I used to restore headstones in Washington, Michigan.

Incredible. I found this video 3 years later to the day. I love all of your videos so far. I started with the Civil War videos. I'm so glad I found the beginning. Episode 1. Keep up your amazing work. Thank you

Don’t worry about the haters saying it’s weird to go to cemeteries. I love history and I love going to cemeteries to learn about history

Am an elderly Canadian woman, fascinated by US Civil War and this is the best ever, binge-watching inducing video series. Are you a history teacher/professor? You should be. All my books have not giving me the insights you have...not even the trips to Civil War battle sites. Thank-you.

Nothing "odd" or "strange" about roaming through cemeteries at all! It's one of my favorite hobbies (along with photography). I've been known to spend an entire day walking in a cemetery, just me and my camera, exploring the graves, reading names and dates, and occasionally coming across [various] wild-life. Best way to kill an afternoon!!!

I know this video was made a few years ago, but I’ve only recently started watching your early content. I must say that these are interesting and informative! I don’t think visiting graveyards is strange at all. And I absolutely love the fact that your daughter is taking an interest in history! Great stuff bud!

How cool that not only you get to satisfy *your* curiosity for D-Day events all over the Western (and part of the Eastern) Hemisphere, but you also get to spark that interest in your daughter. Make another one of us, we privileged few, we band of history geeks! Thank you. It's my mission to watch this entire series. Here we go!

I just saw this History Traveler Episode 1. I think it is wonderful, that your daughter is a lover of history and wants to learn. I was also touched by the knowledge that German and Italian POWs are buried there. The most interesting of all, was Lt. Meehan's group who never got out of the C-47 on D-Day.

My brother is buried there. He was a good man. I miss him.

I discovered your channel just last week and I have just about watched all of your videos. I looked up Donald Puckett and what he did for his crew was beyond courageous.

Outstanding video! We went there all of the time as kids. We lived 5 miles from there. You do a great job on your videos! Keep up the good work.

So wonderful your daughter has shown an interest in history. Not many young people have those interests. It was always my favorite and my minor when I finally went back to school after returning from Southeast Asia. Encourage her to continue your work.

I like going to cemeteries too. My family thinks I’m a bit odd, but there is so much history there.

Cemeteries have so much history in them, and the headstones can be beautiful.

Great video looking back to original days of your channel. Love the vibe and the simplicity of it.

I proudly tortured my family this last summer with a hit and go road trip. We went from KC to Dayton, OH, then to Philly, Gettysburg, Niagra Falls, Salem, Boston, NYC, DC, Mt Vernon, Hampton Roads area, Charleston, Orlando, Savannah, then Hot Springs and back. We were supposed to hit New Orleans, but the storm turned us north unfortunately.

That is so cool that there are Italian and German POWs from the Second World War that are buried there at the Jefferson Barracks Cemetery. Your time story was absolutely amazing. That is so great how you are teaching your daughter history by actively engaging her in it. We need more dads willing to do this with their kids. Well done as both a historian and proud parent!

Well you have opened my mind up about more interest at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery I have seen a whole bunch of things there but you have just taught me some more thank you for sharing

Excellent program. Our history is valuable and should not be lost to time. BTW my parents are interred at Jefferson Barracks, where my Father went through basic training in 1942.

Great series! Informative, reverent, poignant. You have some wonderful drone footage in your episodes. Beautiful work. 🙏

So glad to see Mr J.D Huitt get the following increase in numbers he richly deserves. Please give a like as it help J.D continue the great series and history exploring. As this can be expensive to fund without our help. It’s free education that so many kids and adults could learn something from.

I've been watching random videos you put out for a while. But today I decided to start with the first one. I had two things to share. #1, I've spent my life visiting random cemeteries because it's always been important to me to honor those that came before. So I get it. And #2, when you showed the time I immediately started crying. No idea why, but I greatly appreciated it and love your videos. Thank you so much for them!!

I have seen a lot of your videos. You have taken me to places I have been, to places that are on my bucket list, and to places I never heard of. I have learned a lot in the process. You are unbiased and I have always appreciated your opinion. I could watch one after another if I had the time. Please keep up the good work, as I really appreciate your feelings about history and the ways that you present it.

Jefferson Barracks is such an unknown gem that so many people don't know about. Thank you for spotlighting such an important site.

My grandparents are buried there and I have been there many of times but never knew that history of who was buried there until I watched your video. THANK YOU. I am a very big history buff myself and this is definitely something I will be looking forward to seeing.

My grandparents on my mom's side of the family are buried there. It is a beautiful cemetery and my grandpa fought in ww2. He passed away long before I got really interested in ww2. But thank you for this video

I live in Cincinnati, Spring Grove cemetery is historic I love to drive through the cemetery, it will be my final resting place

Visited JB a few months ago, looked up these same graves. Sobering to see the mass graves from all wars. To think of all the lives lost defending freedom throughout the world, no greater sacrifice. Thanks for opening my eyes to a place close to home that I had only visited for a funeral, but have now explored.

Binge watching your early videos at work.. just got chills! Thank you for all the beautiful places!

Just started watching....my son and I have scheduled visits to local cemeteries and Military cemeteries on Veterans Day and Memorial Day every year and I visit Arlington every time I am in DC regardless of length of stay. Humbling, helps me recalibrate and remember the price paid. Appreciate you sharing!

Had to come back and watch Episode 1 to see where you started. Fantastic installment. Your daughter reminds me of myself. I caught the history bug early, in my teen years...going to cemeteries, markers, museums, anywhere. Started a channel to share my enthusiasm. I’ve never stopped enjoying history or visiting historical sites!

Thank you so much for doing this great work, it is so appreciated. God bless you.

Dude who are you? Man these videos are amazing! Once I start I can't stop watching! Hope you continue past episode 100!

don't know why you started these videos but have sooo enjoyed them thank you

Great, I finally got to see Number One. Thanks.

Been to "JB" many times. In addition to visiting beloved family members who once served this nation, these hallowed grounds are a great place for reflection. And yes, there is always something new to be learned from the names and inscriptions on these memorial markers. They speak volumes about our times and the great sacrifice of the people who rest here. God bless. New viewer here, really great channel.

I visited Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery about 25-30 years ago. Since then, there has been one airman buried there whose grave I specifically want to go back and see: 1st Lt. Michael Joseph Blassie, whose remains were disinterred from the Vietnam crypt at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, after being identified through DNA testing, were reburied at Jefferson Barracks in 1998. About as unique of a circumstance surrounding a burial as you will ever find.

I like the style of these videos. Simple and informative with some awesome B-Roll. Well worth subscribing to.

I have lots of friends and relatives buried there, as I will probably end up there also. I visit on occasion, and always take a minute to read some new names of long gone and forgotten warriors. Maybe in 100yrs a stranger whom I'll never have a chance to meet, will read my name, and think of me for a passing second...

So happy that you and your daughter are spending history time. 😍

J.D, from the first video you have starting the whole history underground filmography. Is of the highest quality from start to finish. Bravo sir and really hope people watch more and more share and subscribe to your work. You deserve every accolade going for this history lesson.

Well done! Love your videos. I need to make it to Jefferson Barracks sometime. A friend, Jean Pierre, from Chatres, France excavated Meehan’s crash site and found his wedding ring. That’s when he built the monument to memorialize the crew and paratroopers who were lost on DDay, that you showed briefly in the video. Keep up the great work!

Been watching some of your newer ones, so thought i would start from Episode 1 and watch them all. Love them

I visited this cemetery 1 year after this video was filmed. My 2nd great grandfather, William J Brown, is buried there. He died from disease while stationed at Jefferson Barracks during his basic training for the Civil War. It took me 30 years to locate where he was buried at. Standing in that cemetery is very humbling from where his grave is located looking out over all the grave stones.

Really enjoy your presentations. My father inspired my love of history. I would be interested to see a series on POWs in the US during WWII. In the National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan, there are a number of German POWs buried who were killed in a vehicle accident. A brief internet search found there were a large number of POWs in the US that worked on farms, forests (lumber cutting), etc., which I don't think most people are aware of.

May all my brothers in arms rest in peace! 🇺🇲

I live 15 minutes from Jeff Barracks and have been out there a few times. Never knew about the mass grave or the POW's but this was very educational. Thank You.

Thank you for visiting JB around D-Day. I try to get there each year around June 6, but in 2019 I was actually in Normandy.

Thank you for doing such an Awesome job and will be visiting in April to pay respects to those who served!

I got chills when you showed the time on your phone being the exact same time. Wow.

There is a section of Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery where the head stones are actually flat markers. It was an attempt to reduce costs, and conserve space in an ever shrinking space. The experiment was a massive failure, and the cemetery reverted back to the iconic headstones. As the cemetery fills with the soldiers of Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East, plans have been made to acquire acreage from the county park across the street, and even Walmart has committed to sell the land from it's near by location to the cemetery, thus insuring the viability of the National Cemetery for years to come. My mother is buried there, and my 90 year old father will join her someday. It is a truly beautiful place.

May God bless these brave men and this great country. 🇺🇸

I just started watching your videos and really enjoyed it. I don't think you are weird for visiting the cemeteries as being a combat veteran (Navy-Vietnam) I often do the same thing when visiting historic battlefields. I often try to reflect and try to understand what these guys went through and how their lives were cut short and that each one of these markers represents a person, real living person that made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. I often visit my daughter in Tennesee and frequently make side trips to some of the battlefields in the state among them Franklin, Stones River, Thompsons Station, and my favorite Shiloh.

Awesome great video .. My mom and dad are buried here 🙏🏻🤗🇺🇸

I hang out in cemeteries all the time. If you're into history, it's a great place to be. My 5 year old daughter loves cemeteries. My 15 and 13 year olds are whatever about it though, at least for now.

Thank you so much for your videos. I wish I could visit these sites but I can’t so this is the next best thing. Please keep up the great work you do.

I, too, love grave yards because they hold a lot of our earliest written history just in the time lines written on the head stones alone. From plagues that hit families, our own nations wars to just of old age. And many were infants, children and teenagers who are among the adults and elderly. Those graves tell a story, our nations story.

New to the channel and was surprised this was first video, live 10 min south of JB. Need to visit again considering I have family buried there

Touching.

You should visit Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore, John Wilkes Booth is buried there, along with quite a few other famous folks. Very interesting cemetery in my opinion.

I'm a huge history geek. I would say I am quite obsessed with history, tbh. Very much so.

I love cemetery videos so keep them coming!

My 3rd great grandfather of the 61st Tennessee Infantry regiment (CSA) is buried there. He was treated by the union for injuries suffered when Vicksburg fell. He died a month later in Aug 1863. I want to go there and pay my respect someday.

Hoi, I stumbled onto your site as I was looking through WW2 related video's of Bastogne. As a Belgian, the battle of the bulge is a topic in WW2. Thanks for your video's. Great Job. I als watched some other episodes of the battle in Normandy. Very refreshing.

Stumbled across your videos by chance while watching Band of Brother videos, SUBSCRIBED FOR SURE! Your videos are fantastic, well spoken/narrated, well filmed in great quality and stable camera, and the subject matter is a huge interest of mine. Thank you for all you do, I will start from beginning to current and try to watch all your stuff!

Thank you taking me to places i am unable to travel.

Wauw this is a amesing channel, thx for all the great videos ☺️❤️🙏

Donald Dale Pucket (December 15, 1915 - July 9, 1944) His official Medal of Honor citation reads: He took part in a highly effective attack against vital oil installation in Ploesti, Rumania, on 9 July 1944. Just after "bombs away," the plane received heavy and direct hits from antiaircraft fire. One crewmember was instantly killed and 6 others severely wounded. The airplane was badly damaged, 2 were knocked out, the control cables cut, the oxygen system on fire, and the bomb bay flooded with gas and hydraulic fluid. Regaining control of his crippled plane, 1st Lt. Pucket turned its direction over to the copilot. He calmed the crew, administered first aid, and surveyed the damage. Finding the bomb bay doors jammed, he used the hand crank to open them to allow the gas to escape. He jettisoned all guns and equipment but the plane continued to lose altitude rapidly. Realizing that it would be impossible to reach friendly territory he ordered the crew to abandon ship. Three of the crew, uncontrollable from fright or shock, would not leave. 1st Lt. Pucket urged the others to jump. Ignoring their entreaties to follow, he refused to abandon the 3 hysterical men and was last seen fighting to regain control of the plane. A few moments later the flaming bomber crashed on a mountainside. 1st Lt. Pucket, unhesitatingly and with supreme sacrifice, gave his life in his courageous attempt to save the lives of 3 others.” Source: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_D._Pucket

Cemeteries are a true source of history. I think that we buried the POW's is amazing.

I mentioned this in the episode that you described Lillyman as he is memorialized along side Reed Pelfrey, whom I had the honor, privilege and pleasure, to spend time with while I was there with a handful of other members of the group presenting the artifacts during the dedication of the stable at the museum.

I am going to watch all your videos eventually as time permits. I did go back and look up Lt. Donald Puckett as suggested. I read his citation for the Ploesti Raid, Rumania, 9 July 1944 and him going down with 3 buddies who either could not or would not jump out from the mortally damaged B-24. Also, that was good "theater" regarding the C-47 that went down. Thank you...

In addition to your segment on Lt. Meehan and the plane he was aboard, I mentioned in another video, that the reenactment unit I was part of in the early 2000’s, who portrayed Easy Company, bid on an auction for some artifacts recovered from the excavation you referenced. We collected funds from unit members and bid aggressively, securing the items being auctioned. Among them, a part of a ‘cricket’ and the remains of a wrist watch. Those items are now on display at the Stephen’s County Historical Society Museum in Toccoa, Ga. Typically items such as a wrist watch were found with officers due to their costs. Most often, enlisted men could not afford them. There is no way to positively identify the watch remains to Lt. Thomas Meehan however, we like to believe we did in fact return his watch to America. It was a touching to see his and the other men of plane 1, at the exact time he and the others gave their very lives, to free the world from the Nazi terror in Europe.

From the UK: Good to see a young man teaching his daughter a little of military history. So many youngsters today have no idea of the sacrifices made by their erstwhile countrymen. Here in Britain, I don't think there is one village, town or city that doesn't have a memorial to the young men and women from their locality who served their country in a war somehere on this planet. Unfortunately, the children are not necessarily taught the subject in schools. Your historical travels are merely brief "snapshots" of a particular action, and that's a great way to whet a child's appetite, so credit to for that. Allow me, though, to take small issue with you: in referring to German and Italian PoW's buried alongside Americans, you say it reflects, quote "the goodness of the Americans in taking good care of them." In France & Belgium alone there are more than 3000 British War Cemeteries covering both World Wars. In many of those cemeteries - especially those created on the Front Lines - German and British soldiers have been laid together with full honour and respect by both sides. The same applies to all those British Commonwealth Allies (Canada, Australia &etc). Of course there are dedicated unit cemeteries, from Corps all the way through Div, Bde, Regt, and Btn down to small isolated groups similar to Band of Brothers. However, in original after-the-action battlefield graves, the British and enemy forces were often buried together, with each soldier given full name, rank, unit and awards (if known). So it is a lttle disingenuous to assert that the "goodness" is purely an American trait. It is interesting to note, by complete contrast, that American cemeteries in France are purely American, with neither British, British Commonwealth or German buried alongside! Almost certainly, you didn't realise the irony in your statement: how well the Americans took good care of them..... you buried them!!

My father and grandfather are buried there. RIP RDH & RDHJR