ON THE BRINK OF BATTLE | Thoughts on Iwo Jima Photos + My Family In WWII  

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Hi Katie this video just popped up on my feed. So late to watch it. Thanks for your good work! My Uncle Paul Massenelli first generation Italian out of Columbus Ohio was a world War II veteran of the European theater. Paul never spoke about his experiences during the war until his final years of life in his eighties. He was a very very hard working successfull small grocery store owner. He was the youngest of eight children my Mother Lee being next in age older to Paul. He and his wife Sylvia raised four children after the war and both were very productive and had a good number of grandchildren. Paul became very up set once I heard when one of his Grandchildren did a report on the events of Paul's military service talking about the Battle of the Bulge that he participated in. My cousin related to me that he in a fit of anger not common to him crashed the case that had his silver star that he had been awarded from that battle to the floor. Paul was one of two men from his group of eighty that had survived his groups involvement in that battle the rest being either killed or wounded. My Mother related to me that Paul's best friend in the military was blown up very close to him and killed.I met one of his old friends at a family party from the military years and years after the war probably in the early 1990's. I enquired of his friend who was a jovial sort of man that was unique and very uninhibited type of man. I inquired of him about my Uncle Paul. He said, "Let me tell you something about Paul, Paul was a tough guy no one ever messed with Paul Massenelli." Paul's body eventually failed him and to this day even though his body was a frail shell of the man he had been I remember I was able to look into his eyes shortly before he passed at the hospital and they were as clear present and alert as ever.

Dear Katie, Love your channel, and your accent, too! My uncle was with the Marines on Iwo Jima. He was a BAR man, and was wounded during the battle. He never spoke much about his experiences on Iwo, and fortunately, even as a teenager obsessed with WWII, I knew better than to pry too deeply. I later found out that he had nightmares about it for the rest of his life. The only story he told me about Iwo was how seasick he got in the Higgins boat circling waiting to go in, and then the boat ran out of gas and started drifting off away from the fleet. I remember him fondly as a kind, gentle man with the patience of a saint, and a consummate gentleman. May he finally rest in peace.

My father was at Iwo in the Navy on a sub-chaser. He told me how he watched a B-29 ditch in the water next to the island. First, the plane circled and the airmen jumped out with parachutes. Then, the pilot brought the plane in for a smooth water landing. I thought of that when Sully brought the passenger plane down in the Hudson. ... My father passed about twelve years ago. When the flag-draped casket was being carried down the front steps of the church in Plymouth, Mass, some elderly people were walking by across the street. They stopped and waited for the casket to be placed in the hearse, and the man saluted.

Hi Katie, I found you tonight! I watched one episode and then went to the channel to start at the beginning. Low and behold I spotted Iwo Jima!! Your Grandfather was in the same as my dad, 5th Marines on Iwo. My daughter- his granddaughter is also named Katie! The 5th Marines are the ones that actually took the hill and put up the original flag. I haven't finished watching this episode, but just had to get on my phone(as I don't text on tv). I love your program and your presentation!!

You honor these men by telling these stories Katie!

I love you being as empathetic as you are - I thought I was the only one who thinks as you do - just how these young men must have been feeling at that time. I think of the Revolutionary soldiers as well - Lexington, Bunker Hill, Trenton as well as Yorktown - all the emotions. Can be very humbling. Did you know there are only 119,000 WW2 veterans that are still alive? - My grandfather was from Scotland and served in North Africa. WW2 started on Sept. 1st 1939, my mother was born Sept 7th 1939 - one week later. My mom was six when she finally met her father. What a generation... All my best Katie! - Mike in NJ

My father served as a Marine on Iwo Jima, too. I believe he served the 5th division also but I remember his records stated he served in the "Signal Battalion." He was in the thick of it - many of the men in his outfit did not make it out of there. There are some great stories I had to hear from uncles that dad would not tell me. He is my hero.

My uncle served on Iwo Jima with the 4th Marine Division and lost an arm to gangrene after getting wounded by mortar frag on D14. He lived 97 years and passed last year.

Since you asked. My father served in the Pacific Theater. He was wounded there, but recovered enough to be part of the Army of Occupation of Japan. Some important lessons were passed on to me, by him. We were never at war with the Japanese people, just the corrupt leaders. Japanese soldiers, for the most part, were just fighting for their country, as were our soldiers fighting for our country. My father would not tolerate any hate or disrespect toward Japanese by me, nor by by siblings. Today, I count many people of Japanese descent as close friends. And for that matter, I also have many German friends. As a side note, I met the fellow who carried the second flag to the top of Mount Suribachi, that enabled the iconic photo. I enjoy your channel. Thanks for your efforts!

Great video. Thank you so much. My dad was in the Navy and proudly served. He shoveled coal into the boilers. During battle, he helped load ammunition.

Your channel is sorely needed, I love our founding history. We are where we're at because most Americans don't understand how/where we started....very sad! By the way, my dad served in WW2 and Korea! His brother helped prep the enola gay for her voyage to end the war. Grandpa was in WW1 (france), great great grandpa fought for the north in the civil war....THANK YOU ALL VETERANS!

My dad fought in WWII in New Guinea. He was a physician. Except for a few anecdotal stories, he never talked about his experiences. When my brothers and I were boys, and the Vietnam War was on, the only thing my dad said was: "I hope you boys never have to see war." Thanks to your relatives for their service!

My uncle landed on Omaha Beach June 6. He was with the 926th Signal Battalion. He was a lineman stringing communication wire on telephone poles. Also repairing damaged lines of communication. He was also in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium 🇧🇪. He made it all the way to Germany . Sent home October 1945.

My father was a B-17 Flight Engineer and made a career of the Air Force. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. I followed in his footsteps and made a career of the in Air Force as well.

Great videos. My grandfather fought on Guadalcanal and received the silver star. I had the privilege of visiting the American Heritage Museum over the summer and listened to a fascinating talk on Hitler's spy chief Canaris. Great place to visit.

Love your videos, Katie!

Katie well done. Your grandfather would be very proud of you. I am a US Marine Veteran 81-92. My grandfather was a tank crewman in a German Panzer with the 8th Panzer Division on the Russian front. May I suggest for you to go to the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico VA.

YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW PPL WITH THIS ACCENT THAT I CAN ACTUALLY LISTEN TO. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING HISTORY ALIVE!

My father ferried many Soldiers and Marines to landings all over the South Pacific under heavy gunfire. He didn't talk about the horrors too much, but he did share some. The horrors of heros who never even made the beach and were just floating. Hundreds lost on the shore line. Dad said he would return in his empty LCVP (Landing Ship Vehicle Personel) to his LST (Landing Ship Tank) to pick up more troops and go back to the beach. Back and Forth. I believe one of these Higgins boats is in the museum in Hudson. I keep forgetting to go there. Heck! It's only a town away!!! Great Series and great research Katie! I recently got into the pirates of Boston and had a heck of a time trying to find where exactly they hung the 6 who survived the wreck of the Widdah on Cape Cod. I know Cotton Mather escorted them to the Charlestown Ferry to the gallows. But where exactly they swung into eternity, who knows?! Must have been near where they berth the Constitution.

Fantastic work

Katie, my father and his 4 brothers all served during WW2, 3 in the Pacific theater and 2 in Europe. One of my uncles was in the Marines and fought on Iwo Jima. My father was with the 29th Infantry Division and was involved in the Normandy invasion. There is a square in their hometown of Dracut, Mass., dedicated to the 5 brothers, all of whom returned home after the war.

Dear Katie, My father was a US Army Corporal. Fought in the Philippines and scheduled to be part of the force for the invasion of Japan. They were expecting very high casualties. If the A-bombs had not dropped. I may never of been born. Today I'm a proud member of the S.A.R. and yes, I believe that the expression on the face of that young Marine in the photo could of been seen on those who faced their foe from Lexington to Yorktown. Love your videos, keep up the good work.

My father was a Marine. His brother was in the Navy. A cousin at Pearl Harbor, another in Burma, another in Italy. If I recall correctly, just about every man on both sides of my family were in WWII. My mother wanted to join the nurses corp., but her parents wouldn't allow it. Grandpa was in the Fighting 69th in WWI, so he knew what war was like.

Since you asked, my Father served in WII in the 75th Div, 291st Regiment starting w Battle of Bulge (Ardennes). I’ve learned so much amazing history about my Dads outfit. I also attended a special 75th Anniversary presentation by the US Army about the Bulge

My father and one uncle served on the U.S.S. New Orleans heavy cruiser during WW 2 My father was the ships radio operator. My uncle was the Master Chief Boatswain Mate officer. A book was written about the their ship titled : The Sailor and The " Miracle Ship "

I appreciate your work so much Katie. I can sense your empathy! Youre great at putting yourself in someone elses shoes by feelings and the outside influences for the time and in the photo and describing them. As a former Marine, words you speak examining a photo are extraordinary. They took the time to teach us deeper history than you'd get in HS or certain levels of University level history except it was mostly Marine Corps history since the beginning in 1775. Even in current times there are some congruences to the old fashion history and even just in WW2 to today's Marines. I just noticed a respect, and I have to compliment you. Thank you 🇺🇲

Yes Katie I have two uncles who served in the Army during WWII. One (Mom's brother) was an MP courier (Harley Davidson) in the Philippines (Bronze Star) and another uncle (Dad's brother) was a sniper in France (Two purple hearts) who was wounded in the head from shrapnel. Another uncle (Dad's side) was a sailor on support ship in the Pacific.

RU-vidr History Underground and the authors of the book The Rifle are taking WWII veterans back to the battlefields of Normandy where they fought. Listening to their first-hand accounts was a privilege and an honor. Their insights are priceless. Also, my father was in the Navy during WWII, he was stationed on the USS Ticonderoga.

My father served in the Pacific in WWII. He was born in 1925 and dropped out of High School in order to to enlist in the Navy as soon as he could. He died last year (2023) shortly before his 98th birthday. I just discovered your channel last week and have already watched all of your videos! I love what you do. Keep up the good work!

Sgt. Wayne E. Goss. 736th tank battalion, Company B. Landed UTAH Beach August 24, 1944.

Yes, my Dad served under Patton in North Africa and Sicily. Then he later fought in Italy. Battles fought were Kaserine Pass, El Getar, Salerno, Anzio and Monte Casino. WW II was fought on so many fronts that it overwhelms us. Thanks for you talk on the Pacific theater.

I'm a new sub Katie, after this video with your connection to the photos. I suggest their is nothing more moving than a visit to the American Cemetery Above Omaha beach @ Colleville, France.

My father was in the army engineering and my father in law was in the marines my uncle was on the Indianapolis!

Are you a professor, Katie? You have excellent narrating skills, and I majored in history. I've subscribed to your channel and appreciate you keeping up the good job and sharing the upload.

Great video. Semper Fi.

My dad served in WWII. 1st in North Africa, then in Europe, and then in the Pacific. He passed away at the age of 101 just a few years ago. He never spoke of the war really. However, in the year 2000 I happened to be living in Tunisia in North Africa, and I noticed that African violets were weeds there. I found this funny because when I was growing up my dad always grew African violets. They were all over the house. So I took a photo of one growing in a crack in the sidewalk and emailed it to him. His reply stunned me. He said yes that’s why he grows them, they’re a little memory of beauty from a very ugly time.

Hey Katie I'm a mass native with most of my family also serving and some paying the ultimate price for our country however I have a great uncle who was a combat engineer on Omaha beach and is pictured walking through Paris under the arch de triumph for its liberation. I've also got a grandfather who I miss dearly who served aboard the uss Ticonderoga and was also a proud Bostonian. But the real punch in the gut is going to battleship cove and seeing all the names from Boston in WWII who never came back home...many of which have my last name as well

Katie, I have a second cousin who was wounded on Iwo Jima. His brother served in the army clearing and cleaning dead Japanese soldiers from caves on a different pacific island. I have an uncle who was on the battleship New Jersey. I spent a lot of time with all of them. I worked for two of them and the other one was a neighbor. I also went to church with all three. We hunted and fished together. I miss them and was blessed to have spent so much time with them.

My Dad served in the Royal Canadian Air Force In WW2. He was living in Welland, Ontario, had just lost his job and was standing on the sidewalk trying to figure out his next move. An acquaintance walked up and says "hey Mac....you have a car.....I'll buy you some gas if you'll drive me to Hamilton so I can join the air force". Dad took him up on it.....the guy walked into the recruiting station and Dad decided to do the same. They took Dad straight in and put him on train to Vancouver. Dad said he never saw that guy or that car again.....

The American Heritage Museum is absolutely fantastic

I often wonder, what was it like in the revolutionary war. The sights, sounds, the smells. What did the soldiers sound like how did they communicate all the senses filled with excitement.

My dad was a bombardier with the 493 Bomber Group located in Debach, East Anglia, England. He finished 30 missions, the first on D-Day and the last on Christmas Day 1944. While people mostly think Air Corp fliers worried about the Luftwaffe, his main concern was flack. The Luftwaffe was still a factor, but was somewhat on its heals by then. Flak got worse as the Germans retreated, especially into Germany, as they would take their 88s and other antiaircraft guns with them. This resulted in many guns defending a smaller area. He considered himself lucky to be a bombardier as he was busy sighting the drop when approaching the target and did not have time to look at all the black puffs around him. He stayed on after his missions as a training office until the end of the was. He also flew two missions for Operation Chow Hound in the spring of 1945, which dropped food to the starving Dutch. I have his "Lucky Bastard" certificate on my wall, which he got for surviving his 30 missions without getting shot down.

I come from a long line of patriots: Revolutionary War, Seminole Indian War, Mexican War, Spanish American War, WWI, Korean War, Vietnam war, crazy as it sounds no family members in WWII. I retired from the armed forces.

I know this video is months old but I want to share what my grandfathers did during WWII. My mom's dad worked on the railroad in Michigan. He tried to enlist but he was deemed essential to the war effort at home so he was not allowed to enlist. My dad's father did enlist in the Army and stayed stateside stationed at Ft. Knox, KY. He taught soldiers how to drive tanks. When I went through basic training and AIT, it was also at Ft. Knox. This would make me daydream of my grandfathers service.

Thanks for sharing this story on WWII. Very important to keep WWII history alive. In an unrelated comment you should go check out Fort Lee in Fort Lee NJ.

Yeah katie in my living room i have apicture of my father his.brother and another uncle two in navy one in army my father spent alot of time in south pacific island hoppingfrom 1942-46 wars end. .

Thanks for your videos. My father enlisted in the US army one week after Pearl Harbor and went on to pilot 65 missions in a B-26 Marauder in the ETO. He flew 2 sorties on D-Day, although one was unsuccessful when his wings iced up and he and many of the planes returned to base. He stayed in the military after the war and was full time active reserve, although he was in nuclear weapons and no longer flew. The odd thing is in relation to this video is that he spent a year TDY On Iwo Jima in 1956 and 1957, but I'm sorry that I never asked him what his duties were there. At that time, it being only 10 years after the battle, they would sometimes find a body part in some of the many caves that were all over the island and especially Mt. Suribachi. He retired as a major after 23 years in the military.

My Grandfather was in 3rd army in Europe. He served under General George S. Patton and marched 100 miles to Bastogne

My great uncle joined the Navy in 1940. He was stationed at Pearl aboard USS Chicago. They sailed out of port 2 days before the attack only to return Dec 13th. Some other highlights of his service include Battle of the Coral Sea, Guadalcanal Invasion, Battle of Savo Island. He was stationed aboard USS Texas through '43. He was a plankholder for the new USS Quincy CA-71 (built in Quincy). Aboard this ship, he fought at Normandy, Cherbourg, Southern France invasion (Op Dragoon). He carried Pres Roosevelt to and from the Yalta Conference. Then sailed back to the Pacific in time for Okinawa. Rode out the second Typhoon. Shelled northern Japan at Honshu and Hokkaido. Was present for the surrender at Tokyo Bay. Did occupation duty through mid 1946. I used to live 2 miles from the museum in Marlborough before it was built. But I brought my son to see it and it is fantastic.

Katie; I came across your video this morning, and it struck a cord with me, because I was named after my dad's first cousin, who was killed on Iwo Jima. Asking for a passing thought for my cousin Pvt. Gerald Elbert Corbin MSMC. HQCO 2nd Btn.1st Marine Division. Killed in Action May 11, 1945. He was survived by his wife Dortha and his baby daughter Diana, of Lubbock, Texas.

My father served in the Army Air Force on B-25's. He was proud to have served. He never really talked about his experiences. I served in the Navy.

My father at the age of 17, was on the flagship for the pre invasion bombardment. The ship came under fire while directing the UDT teams clearing the beach obstructions. My father was sent onto the island to bury dead Marines in the 1st week of the battle. After 5 days his ship was sent to Ulithi by way of Leyte for the Okinawa invasion. There he saw the carrier Randolph get hit by a long range kamikaze. At Okinawa the ship was attacked by kamikazes and took several near misses. After a month it was sent back to the west coast to get ready for the invasion of Japan which never happened so instead he got to go to Shanghai for the Japanese surrender, which he always talked about.

My Uncle Jack was in India Company, 3rd Bn, 24 Regiment 4th Marine Div. Saipan and Iwo Jima. Enjoying your videos Kid! Bruce

My grandfather was in the 5th Pioneer battalion, attached to the 5th Mardiv. Landed on the first afternoon, and helped defeat the last organized Japanese attack on the airfield 5 weeks later. Haunted by nightmares about that place until his death in 2002.

That's what makes this Country so Great, the Blood of American Patriots from the very beginning right to the present day. My Dad was in the Philippines and New Guinea with the US Army, Reconnaissance.

The World War II Memorial Registry of Remembrances is an electronic database where the names of individuals who served our country, both in the military and on the home front, during World War II can be entered. Examples of serving on the home front are people working in defense plants, shipyards, etc. The World War II Memorial honors all who served, while the World War II Memorial Registry of Remembrances honors the individual. The database can be accessed using kiosks located a the memorial in Washington DC or by anybody with a computer. Once at the home page you can search to see if someone you know is enrolled. You can also enroll someone, (free of charge) from your computer. There is $10 fee for submitting a photo of the individual.

Hi Katie, new subscriber here, initially drawn in by the revolutionary war content then came across this video. My great uncle was a bombardier in a B24 shot down over Germany in WW2. His sister was my Nana who was from Boston, I still have lots of relatives there and your accent reminds me of them. My father who was born in Boston also served in the Air Force during Vietnam and later joined the the US Army in the early ‘80’s. We lived all over the country and world including West Germany in the 80’s ironically where my great uncle was shot down. Later Dad got stationed in Fort Sill Ok in 1990 and stayed there until deployed to Afghanistan in 2005 when he was 53 years old, he retired after that. Anyways, love your channel and the historical content. Your accent reminds me of my childhood and you’re very easy on the eyes so I’m hooked on your channel.

My father served in the Italian campaign in WW2.

Hi Katie. My Dad, Richard P. "Dick" Schieding served in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Saipan.

My dad was in WW 2 India Burma theater. I remember as a little boy watching the movie bridge on the River Kwai laying in his lap and looking up at him and seeing a tear roll down on his cheek I always asked him what he did there and he would never tell me. But whenever that movie was on, he’d watch it he’d want me to watch it with him.

Look at any photo of a soldier going into battle and the look pretty much captures the feelings of most soldiers in any time I think, there is a look that shows the horror, fear, nervous , and most importantly the passion felt by the vast majority. Any one who ever said they di not feel the afore mentioned is most likely a liar, the point being they went into battle and did their duty, God bless all who have served and you for keeping their story alive kiddo.

I enjoyed your post. Several years ago I visited a roadhouse located near the shipyard in New Jersey where the USS New Jersey is berthed. The roadhouse was built in 1785? and has an active cemetery next to it with Graves dating back to the late 1700's. I thought you might want to look into it.

Yes My GrandFather LT Commander Robert Henry Paddock He Serced in North Afica The ETO and the Pacific Theaters I have Family Photos of the surrender of The Jappenese on the Battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) Taken by my Grandfather

Awesome Katie❤

My dads Pacific War experience as a combat Seabee Chief Petty Officer narrative often come to me, as his Company Clerk - photographer captured images I kept in a photo albumtaken out in New Guinea and the New Hebrides. I cant imagine the horror he saw, as he rarely spoke if it, but I found a Company history in his " Cruise Book" , and it revealed what his unit endured. He served in the 20th Naval Construction Battalion.

Both of my grandfathers served in the war. My paternal grandfather commanded an engineering company that worked on building the Burma-Ledo road. My maternal grandfather was a 20 year old sailor at Okinawa. He was an anti-aircraft gunner who came home with a steel plate in his head courtesy of a kamikaze. I also never got to know either one as my paternal grandpa passed away from cancer 6 months before I was born, and my maternal grandfather passed away when my mom was 6 in 1963 as a result of the wounds he suffered.

I have many stories about WWII. My father's father was the officer who led the unit that placed the antenna on the highest place in Tokyo so the signal of the surrender could be heard in Washington. On the way back he told his unit that he wanted to be the first American to have a drink in the Imperial Hotel. So off they went and when they arrived the bell boys were all lined up and greeted the sailors with deep bows and f**k you very much. My grandfather laughed and said "well boys looks like the Marines were here first." My second story is based on Iwo Jima. I used to deliver the mail to a man who was one of the Marines who guarded the second flag raising. But his most interesting story was how he claimed he survived the battle. He like to say that if he had not been shot so many times and sent to the rear for medical attention he would not have lived to make it home. He was honest like that. My third and I promise my finial story is about survival and Karma. Another man I knew was interned in a NAZI death camp on the French, German border in the winter of '44 to '45. One day when fixing the wire on a damaged part of the fence a NAZI guard walked up to my friend and asked my friend if he hated Hitler. Looking at the machine gun my friend thought he would at least have a painless death. So he replied "Yes, I hate Hitler". He waited and then heard, "Yes, me too" and with that the guard left. The next day at the same spot, when fixing the fence my friend looked to a boot hole and saw a sandwich. Every day until the guards ran away there was a sandwich waiting for my friend in that boot hole. Flash forward to Frankfort '46 and my friend is taking the bus home from work, he was an occupation officer for the American Sector. He is sitting in the back and notices in front of him something familiar, the back of the head that he has a dim memory. The familiar man leaves the bus and my friend follows this man to his home. Knocks on the door and when the door opens it is the guard who fed my friend sandwiches in the death camp. A friendship is begun, and now my friend brought food to feed this family. Good does bring good.

My grandfather served in the Army as a combat engineer serving in the European Theater. Unfortunately we don’t know any other details since his records were destroyed in the archive fire in the 70’s.

My father and his brother were both World War all veterans. This generation is fading and it won't be long before WWll is out of living memory. Thank you for keeping our American heritage alive.

My maternal grandfather, Brigadier General E.F. Wallender, and my father John F. Longley, and paternal uncle William L. Longley all served in WWII. Gen'l Wallender, my "Grandpap" was a quartermaster officer in the chain of command of MacArthur and established and commanded several supply bases across the western Pacific. My father was a Signal Corps officer who participated in several "secret" things and usually just claimed he was an "office boy" at the Pentagon. I have no idea what my uncle, a West Point graduate did. Many other Longley and Wallender relatives served. Funny story about Gen'l Wallender, as the war was winding down he was being sent home and would be allowed to take an "aide de camp" home with him. He found out that his nephew Harvey Wallender, a track star of some repute from Tyler TX was serving as a Combat MP in the Pacific, Combat MPs had a more dangerous job than regular MPs and my grandfather decided to replace his normal aide with his nephew to spare him guarding POWs and such and take him home. Harvey was seasick for most of the voyage home, and his uncle attended him, but the ironic thing was that the hometown newspapers announced that Sergeant Harvey Wallender had returned, accompanied by his uncle, Brigadier General E.F. Wallender. Do you have any plans to work backwards in earlier history, say the French and Indian Wars and such. Our Longley family came ashore in about 1638 in Lynn and spread out from there. A son, WIlliam, had relocated to Groton MA and he and most of the members of his family were massacred in a raid and three of them were carried off as captives. Many other relatives served in the various colonial wars, including the Revolution.

and to my Godfather. Gunnery Sgt Eddie Amaral, Bridgewater Mass., Squad Leader, Marine Assault Rifle Co B., 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment , 1st Marine Division. Peleliu Island 1944. Bronze Star with Combat V, Purple Heart. Tip of the spear, hand to hand combat with tough Imperial Japanese Army soldiers. 🇺🇸

Soldiers across the generations are so crucial to telling the story of our republic. I had four great uncles who served in WWII. Two Army and two Marines. One lost a leg at the battle of the bulge. All were good men who answered our nations call. Well, three…the fourth was drafted. Ole uncle Bud ( Gardner was his given name ), proclaimed loudly and proudly, they’d have to draft him because he wasn’t volunteering! The next day…he got his draft notice!🤣👍🏻 I love all military history…so whatever you invest yourself into, I’m watching! Great episode! Thank you…I went back to that Marine staring into the camera, and stared back in time to try and hear his voice and thoughts.

That's a fabulous painting of whom I believe to be Thomas Jefferson behind you. Sorry for the side track. I appreciate all your episodes. Appreciate your little side track to speak of Iwo Jima. My dad and two uncles served in WWII. And I, like your Grandfather am A Marine Corps Veteran.

Lover your videos nice to see someone as passionate as I am for us history! My uncle was in the 82 airborne in Italy, he was in a recon platoon ,his platoon was pinned down buy a German machine gun ,he moved forward a German tossed a hand grenade at him he was wonded ,but killed the machine-gun position, he received the bronze star for Valor and purple heart

My grandfather was a naval AA gunner at Midway. The only thing he ever said to me about it was offering his advice to join the Army, as no one can shoot the ground out from under you.

My uncle died on Iwo Jima. 4th Marine Division , 23rd MAR,WPNS CO. I was a Marine as was my father. I have been searching photos on line for a glimpse of him. Do you have any sites that might be a good search?

If you like Marine Corp History visit the Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico VA

Hey Katie, my dad enlisted in the army June 1942, and served in the Pacific theater.

Like your dorky glasses😄

3 uncles on my mother's side, 1 Navy and 2 Army, and 3 uncles on my father's side, 2 Navy and 1 Marines. My Uncle Freddie served on the BB Texas, D-Day then to the Pacific. My Uncles Gary and Dominic served in the Army as infantrymen in Western Europe. My Uncle Stevie was Tin Can Sailor (DDs), enlisted on Dec 8, 1941 and was at the naval battles for Guadalcanal. My Uncle Joe served on an LCT (Landing Craft Tank)...too many Pacific D-Days to list, Iwo being one. My Uncle Johnnie was a Marine on the Intrepid (CV-11), after having been a vehicle mechanic in the Western Pacific before Pearl Harbor.

The facial expressions in those pictures from World War II do tell the tale. Civil War pictures were taken, but people had to stare down the camera, and expressions were not really possible, nor were action shots. When I was a kid, I got a book of World War II pictures, and it was truly jarring to me to realize that these were pictures of people not that much older than me (some of them) actually being shot at. Well done video, again, and your frames are awesome!

My mother was a Marine during WW2. Stationed in Hawaii.

Although there clearly are no photographs of the soldiers from the American Revolution, do their written letters provide a better insight to their thoughts and feeling than photographs ever could? I wonder if military censors in WWII blocked the fears the service men and women felt in their letters home? Which time has a better representation of how those who served felt? The American Heritage Museum is nearby to me. It has been an annual Father’s Day adventure for me and my boys since they were born. :-)

I wonder if the Marine in the photo was ever identified? You just hope the kid made it through.

My dad Lester Morris was on Iwo Jima. The Marines left Iwo Jima on March 26, 1945, I used to belong to a Facebook Group called Iwo Jima Veterans and Families. I have not participated in years because I was booted off the platform. Awesome Group though. I have a fantasy of the US Navy using Mark Zuckerberg's Hawaiian bunker as target practice, but that's just between you, me, and the rest of the world. "Lest We Forget" .

My opa served in WWII, for the Germans.

everybody in my family served in WW2 and Korea, and Vietnam, and war of 1812 and the Revolution. The only war that I know of that no one served in was the Civil War.

I will preface this by saying that I regretfully never enlisted in Our Nation's Military... something I have regretted. One thing I can say is that I have become a bit of a military, "enthusiast". If interested, find a copy of the DVD, "They Shall Not Grow Old". It is a collection of cleaned up and colorised videos of WWI Soldiers. The videos capture spontaneous behaviour of actual Soldiers. No scripted BS. Some horrible, Some kind of funny... But the message is that the behaviour and actions, and faces are all the same. I have watched "reaction" videos of GWOT Vets and Vietnam Vets having watched this, and they all have a similar conclusion. This is an accurate depiction of actual Soldier demeanor and reaction. I can only imagine the Men fighting for OUR Independence displayed the same emotion and reaction.

I just found you today. You are an American Patriot.

I was the first in my family to serve in the military. Vietnam Vet. But I did work on some equipment while there left over from world war 2.

Hi Katie, My arents both served in WW2. Dad was in the US Coast Guard stationed at Virginia Beach. Mom was in the Canadian Womens Army Co, stationed at DC. They met at Virginia Beach when mom was on leave and were married in 1947. Neither engaged in combat with the enemy.

I found two photos AND a film clip of my Godfather on Peleliu. Iwo was terrible for our guys on the beach. What a mess. But they got the job done. 🇺🇸

Glad you clarified the glasses. I thought you were bringing in an understudy :)

An extra comment to help boost the RU-vid algorithm!

I think the expressions on the men’s faces would be the same no matter the era…

My third cousin once removed was an officer aboard the LST-533. Here is a full color link to his ship on Omaha Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IXRbhHcB5p4.htmlsi=3zZiyNluFUipsKwE&t=2268 It is unusual to have high quality color combat footage.

Wow I read your comments your are so busy I bet. People appreciate you so much as do I. I know your a busy gal obviously, have you ever had any knowledge of Abraham Lincoln on his death bed? A photographer wasn't supposed to buy assuming he did take a pic... Any thoughts? I appreciate you Katie. ❤ Thank you

smarty girl glasses with that heavy Boston accent

Did you watch the HBO series "the Pacific"?