WW2 Marine Recalls Okinawa | Memoirs Of WWII #53

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  • Опубліковано 19 кві 2024
  • World War II Veteran Charles Kelley had always wanted to join the Marines. But there was no way he could know the horrors he would experience in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War, enduring such battles as Guam and Okinawa - the bloodiest battle in the Pacific.
    Memoirs of WWII Website: bit.ly/2w60kGM
    Patreon: bit.ly/2HIebIN
    Instagram: bit.ly/2FBGBhv
    Facebook: bit.ly/2w5Lhgf
    Twitter: bit.ly/2jlcp1A
    Written and Directed by Joshua Scott
    Filmed by Heather Scott
    Edited by Joshua Scott
    Post Audio by Lane Tarr
    Photo Enhancement and Colorization by Hudson Louie
    Archive Footage Sources:
    www.archives.gov/
    Archive Photo Sources:Department of Defense
    U.S. Navy
    U.S. Marine Corps
    U.S. Naval Institute
    Library of Congress
    Imperial Japanese Army
    Primary Musical Score Source:
    artlist.io/
    Artlist Songs and Composers:
    “Tremors” by Spearfish
    “Exploration” by Kyle Preston
    “Family” by Josh Leake
    “Soon” composed by Artie Shaw, performed by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra
    #ww2 #history #wwii #veteran #worldwar2 #worldwarii #okinawa #usmarines #marine #marines #story

КОМЕНТАРІ • 221

  • @johnkelley2615
    @johnkelley2615 Місяць тому +665

    This is my grandpa, he’s 98 now. Thank you Memoirs of WWII for recording his story!

    • @ettajfan5882
      @ettajfan5882 Місяць тому +58

      He is one of the true heroes of our country. Please tell him we thank him for his service!

    • @gilwhitmore9682
      @gilwhitmore9682 Місяць тому +31

      We can't say thank you enough for him, and all those that were with him. Glad the angels were with him.

    • @jayrowe6473
      @jayrowe6473 Місяць тому +26

      I'm glad he's still with us, and I hope he's doing well. Semper Fi.

    • @dmaextraordinaire8205
      @dmaextraordinaire8205 Місяць тому +20

      I offer your grandfather, my sincere gratitude. Please thank him and give him a hug next time you see him. God bless him and America.

    • @DanielJMathews1
      @DanielJMathews1 Місяць тому +19

      god bless your grandpa
      im a active duty marine and i have mad respect for any and all devil dogs and service members past and present

  • @tundralou
    @tundralou 9 днів тому +11

    98 years old and remembers his comrades names so clear-so glad his memories are recorded

  • @mycigaradventures8322
    @mycigaradventures8322 16 днів тому +13

    “I’ll be here 100 years if that’s what it takes”
    Soldiers mindset like that is what made us win the war

    • @wattsnottaken1
      @wattsnottaken1 10 днів тому +1

      I’m not religious but god bless the Marines and Army Dogs who fought in the Pacific and Europe. We owe them everything

  • @dmaextraordinaire8205
    @dmaextraordinaire8205 Місяць тому +122

    This is what a real hero looks like.

  • @matthewjay660
    @matthewjay660 22 дні тому +9

    My grandfather is still alive at 97. He fought in the USN at Okinawa. 🇺🇸🦅⚓️

  • @JEM133
    @JEM133 25 днів тому +7

    My dad was there with you,1st Marines!
    God bless you all!

  • @Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88
    @Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88 Місяць тому +98

    Two years at war, older in heart, mind and soul than most of us ever will be, but still too young to go to the bar.

    • @shannonobrien9922
      @shannonobrien9922 Місяць тому +4

      Not then......the legal drinking age was 18 then! Plus, overseas they follow local law! I was a US Army brat and went to HS in Germany and I was bar hopping LEGALLY at 16

    • @roderickstockdale1678
      @roderickstockdale1678 4 дні тому

      @@shannonobrien9922he said he was 20 when he got back himself and still couldn’t go in a bar…

  • @jgonzalez101
    @jgonzalez101 21 день тому +6

    So thankful for these brave and courageous men who served our Country with honor and dedication!❤️🇺🇸

  • @skimmer8774
    @skimmer8774 Місяць тому +30

    Mr. Kelley sir I thank you a thousand times for the freedom my family has. We do not take it for granted. Also you sure don't look 98. God bless you.

  • @lonnyjaw
    @lonnyjaw 28 днів тому +4

    Thank GOD for these REAL MEN that fought for OUR liberty and freedom! GOD Bless you Charles Kelley.

  • @gmagee5184
    @gmagee5184 3 дні тому +1

    I love this Marines story! How vividly he remembers and recalls it (like it happened yesterday). The emotion… you can hear it in his voice. His 1000 yard stare. Thank you sir for your service and your generation’s sacrifice! 9:16

  • @Bjorn_Algiz
    @Bjorn_Algiz Місяць тому +31

    Always remember the fallen and those who served and live today to tell their story 😔🙏

  • @gilwhitmore9682
    @gilwhitmore9682 Місяць тому +24

    I don't know how these men did it either, but I am thankful every day that they and all those that followed them did. So lucky to be able to hear these accounts from everyday heroes. God bless and keep them all.

  • @Sauerbrew777
    @Sauerbrew777 Місяць тому +27

    Amazing story. Thank you for recording it for posterity. Also, 54 magazines = 1080 rounds of 30-06.

  • @richardthornhill4630
    @richardthornhill4630 23 години тому

    Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
    Stationed on Okinawa 20 years later. They paid the price for us.

  • @jeffreyknight3884
    @jeffreyknight3884 Місяць тому +23

    It's sad, all the world war 2 veterans are dying off everyday. Damn, I'll miss the stories, including my dad who lived to be 100 years old.

  • @wademccormick4371
    @wademccormick4371 День тому

    Thanks for your service and thanks for helping preserve our history. I feel like a lot of the younger generation have lost touch with our past. These stories should never be forgotten ❤

  • @thomasmerrill2287
    @thomasmerrill2287 29 днів тому +9

    Did all this before he turned 21 they don’t make them like this MUCH anymore thank you sir for your service 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👍🇺🇸

  • @user-tl3uf2fd5k
    @user-tl3uf2fd5k Місяць тому +24

    Read a book called I think it was 40 days in Okinawa. It was very descriptive. I don't know how they came back without having been affected I don't think anybody came back unaffected. Just reading the book affected me. My uncle died in that battle. Killed by a sniper at the very end of the battle. Rip Omer Lemay

  • @leonmeekel5486
    @leonmeekel5486 13 днів тому +1

    2:17 you know, these stories are always so incredible that its hard to relate sometimes. People today can only kinda do it when they have a modern day equivalent like those marines essentially saying: "we are doing our part but we don't know how you guys ever did it when you didn't have flak jackets". But this little moment is something that i, probably along with most people here, can relate to. Just your mom wanting to say goodbye to you right before you are being send to fight far away for a long time. I can't imagine what it must have been like for those mothers and fathers who's children never returned.

  • @BoldLion
    @BoldLion Місяць тому +13

    It's been awhile! I know it's hard to find them and then get to them as quickly as possible!! Love Yaw

  • @minuteman-RN
    @minuteman-RN Місяць тому +4

    Truly and different breed and definitely the greatest generation. Thank you for your service, sir! You and your fallen comrades will not be forgotten.

  • @DaystromDataConcepts
    @DaystromDataConcepts Місяць тому +9

    They really were the greatest generation. I salute all of them, they're bravery and endurance in the face of appalling conditions just boggles the mind. I dread to think how many nineteen year olds today would fare in those circumstances. I fear not very well at all, assuming they even volunteered.
    Okinawa has to be one of the most brutal and appauling battles of attrition in history. May I recommend to those interested the superb book entitled "with the old Breed" a memoir by Eugene Sledge. In it, he graphically describes the most horrific scenes imaginable. Those descriptions of his time on Okinawa and Pelilu will never leave me.

  • @ettajfan5882
    @ettajfan5882 Місяць тому +7

    Thank you for your continued dedication to our WWII veterans. As a proud daughter of a WWII veteran, I wish my father was still alive to recount his own story. He served in five countries in the European theatre as a 19 year old. God bless every veteran and God bless the United States of America.

  • @airgunfun4248
    @airgunfun4248 Місяць тому +9

    My Grandad was 7th infantry Okinawa was his landing. He went from there on a hospital ship to Guam I believe. He was sick for a long time. He got down to 97 pounds. He told his family dysentery when my mom was a kid. When I was a teen he said to me the doctor told him it was nerves. He told me a lot of things that he didn't tell them

  • @SmoothBalla1
    @SmoothBalla1 22 дні тому +1

    Growing up, I’ve always learned that the relationship between a Corpsman his Marines is something special.
    I’m so glad I joined the fold and became one myself!
    Thank you all who served, and paved the path for future Docs🤙🏾

  • @adriannogales7676
    @adriannogales7676 Місяць тому +2

    Mr. Kelley is a national treasure. He and Joe Pinio and Jimmy Malleson, Goertz, Bobby Monroe and the rest of those gents are legends, Oklowitz and all the corpsmen too

  • @RDMash
    @RDMash 29 днів тому +1

    As I say in all my WW2 memoirs, these fighting Men were absolutely the GREATEST Generation!! Thank You All 🙏

  • @robertweingartner2055
    @robertweingartner2055 Місяць тому +5

    Another great video, Josh! Thanks for keeping their stories alive. I dread the day our WWII vets are no longer with us.

  • @Hevynly1
    @Hevynly1 Місяць тому +5

    How does he look that fabulous at 98?! I don't know what I am struck by more- his story or how youthful he looks and sounds! I love that he mentioned the fallen soldiers he knew. It's nice to learn a bit about them as well.

  • @PoupstainKilla
    @PoupstainKilla Місяць тому +5

    I'm in Flint RIGHT NOW watching this

  • @kennethcaine3402
    @kennethcaine3402 Місяць тому +2

    Great video, Great Man, I can't believe he is 98 years old, he has been blessed.
    My Father was on Okinawa, 1st Marine Division his mother's birthday was April 1st the day of the invasion.

  • @brianhornsby4627
    @brianhornsby4627 29 днів тому +2

    This is the generation of folks that were around me when I was growing up. The conversations and lessons I learned from these old timers should have been cast in iron and taught in schools in perpetuity. Great men they were and forever will be. Courage and humility are almost non existent today. Hard times forge strong men. You know the rest. God be with us all. Bless you and no amount of gratitude could be afforded to your generation that would suffice. Thank you, sir.

  • @JLAvey
    @JLAvey Місяць тому +10

    Too bad something like this channel wasn't around twenty-five years or thirty years ago. Could have recorded the testimonies of the last surviving Great War vets. If you're old enough, it gives you something to think about, knowing the last WWII vet will soon die. If Grandpa was still alive, he'd be a bit over a hundred.

  • @nick3d155
    @nick3d155 Місяць тому +8

    I was so excited to see there was a new video today

  • @bitterellaselectricgroove8544
    @bitterellaselectricgroove8544 Місяць тому +2

    Bless him!! Can fight a war but can't go have a beer.
    Thank you sir for your incredible story and service. 🇺🇸

  • @henrywinchester9372
    @henrywinchester9372 Місяць тому +16

    Couldn’t even go in a bar when he got back from fighting in Okinawa… war is awful

  • @macmccollum6064
    @macmccollum6064 Місяць тому +9

    Great video. Great hero.

  • @scottlehman9738
    @scottlehman9738 29 днів тому +3

    SEMPER FI brother. Thank you for your service.

  • @markcmann
    @markcmann Місяць тому +4

    What an incredible Gentleman, he is an excellent example of the Greatest Generation. 🇺🇸👍🏻

  • @Texicankush
    @Texicankush 20 днів тому

    “Jimmy mallison now there was an artist” loved how he says artist bcuz he knew him and what he was passionate about not just some soldier named Jimmy but an artist named Jimmy who had to be a soldier

  • @jeffreylucas2027
    @jeffreylucas2027 День тому

    What a brave man at that age another great story and looks great for his age

  • @ralphbranham8663
    @ralphbranham8663 15 годин тому +1

    My Grandpa was in the Navy at Okinawa

  • @masudaharris6435
    @masudaharris6435 Місяць тому +2

    Only 20 years later, in 1965, Okinawa was a quiet, sleepy place where trash collectors came in horse-drawn carts. Yet, every time it rained, vestiges of the war would wash out of the soil...bullets, parts of equipment, and bits of uniforms. I was told where I lived was the site of some of the fiercest fighting in the battle. But in 1965, we lived in a palatial home, across from a huge sugar cane plantation.

  • @ChairmanLebron
    @ChairmanLebron Місяць тому +6

    Lest we forget.

  • @xvsj5833
    @xvsj5833 Місяць тому +4

    Thank you for your service Charlie 🇺🇸💕

  • @dave3156
    @dave3156 Місяць тому +5

    Very moving account--so glad you got his story! Thx

  • @Wil_Liam1
    @Wil_Liam1 Місяць тому +2

    The greatest generation of all time.. The greatest war machine ever... There will never be another generation that even comes close to them... Thank you sir for your service,HOOOAH !.

  • @Mattman2500
    @Mattman2500 20 днів тому

    I served in the Marines Corps from 2004-2011. Did some time in Iraq early on in GWOT. I'm glad to have worn the same uniform. Has men like this. Marines are a different breed for sure.

  • @williamcarroll8601
    @williamcarroll8601 19 днів тому

    Very brave man and thank you for your service.

  • @jeremyronald
    @jeremyronald 27 днів тому

    If you ever read this Mr. Kelley, hello from a fellow Michigander and thank you so much for your service ❤

  • @davewelsh4505
    @davewelsh4505 Місяць тому +2

    God bless you and thank you for your service!!!

  • @jonathanmanzano3902
    @jonathanmanzano3902 Місяць тому +5

    Thank you for these memoirs

  • @rusty_shackleford
    @rusty_shackleford 25 днів тому

    I wish I was half as hard as as this man..
    We live so great right now due to people like you, sir

  • @williamcampbell6794
    @williamcampbell6794 Місяць тому +3

    The work you guys do is incredible, thank you so much for documenting these stories, it’s incredibly important, thank you.

  • @drew9195
    @drew9195 Місяць тому +1

    Everyyyy timeeee i watch these it makes me cry Jesus Christ. So many brave lives lost. Children. Some not even recognized as adults in most governments (17). And most not old enough to drink. But old enough to watch their friends, new and old blow up by mortar strikes & get left in the dirt under the hot sun for days until the day they’re able to retrieve the bodies. God bless these men.

  • @debrakleid5752
    @debrakleid5752 28 днів тому +1

    I really like this channel and appreciate all you do keeping their memories alive because in the next few years there won’t be any WW2 vets alive.

  • @ChevyBoyCallofDuty
    @ChevyBoyCallofDuty 14 днів тому +1

    Thank you WWII Vets! ✝️🙏🏻🇺🇸

  • @magnumx70
    @magnumx70 Місяць тому +4

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

  • @kranjcalan
    @kranjcalan Місяць тому +4

    Thank for all the videos. keep up the good work.

  • @fufu889
    @fufu889 Місяць тому +1

    Thank you sir! You are incredible & your soldier friends too. You are the best! ❤

  • @asherweck
    @asherweck 24 дні тому

    Can’t imagine having conversations with friends again a common enemy and then surviving the war and knowing/ seeing they perished in the battle. Must hurt like hell

  • @zackbratton5485
    @zackbratton5485 Місяць тому +3

    Thank you

  • @Simbadalion
    @Simbadalion 27 днів тому

    Thank you for your service

  • @2DSTORMS
    @2DSTORMS Місяць тому +1

    Been waiting for a new episode....finally, another great one!!

  • @longtyler182
    @longtyler182 28 днів тому

    My favorite channel on UA-cam. Thank you for finding these vets and recording their stories so they may live on forever now

  • @dianehansen2263
    @dianehansen2263 Місяць тому +4

    Well, here is another 'thank u for serving' and putting your life on the line in hellish conditions. U are indeed one of the greatest generation! 🤟🙂

  • @johngrogan7585
    @johngrogan7585 Місяць тому +1

    Thank you Sir

  • @asherweck
    @asherweck 24 дні тому

    What a living legend. I wish I had half the bravery these guys had..

  • @mikeschillinger4427
    @mikeschillinger4427 27 днів тому

    ❤ what else is there to say? A very moving story to listen to.Thank-you for recording it and to the Marine who so generously shared it.
    God bless our Veterans.

  • @TRockett55IRISH
    @TRockett55IRISH 25 днів тому

    Memoirs of WW2 thank you for another amazing episode Mr. Kelley was one of your best interviews yet and that is saying something keep up the phenomenal work in seeking out the Men and women of the GREATEST GENERATION to get these stories told for all to see just thank you for all this.

  • @kirkmanning6232
    @kirkmanning6232 28 днів тому

    Great presentation!
    The film clips were well done and placed.

  • @garymckee63
    @garymckee63 23 дні тому

    This individual still has a great memory and is very articulate.
    SEMPER FIDELIS

  • @user-xu9hy1hj8c
    @user-xu9hy1hj8c 3 дні тому

    this video is very emotional

  • @Sleeperdude
    @Sleeperdude Місяць тому +1

    Incredible

  • @AndrewGrey22
    @AndrewGrey22 29 днів тому

    Nice job on this one about this great man.

  • @876r876rf
    @876r876rf Місяць тому

    Beautifully edited video

  • @marcusdelk7708
    @marcusdelk7708 6 днів тому

    I truly thank God for this generation. It’s the men like Mr.Kelley who inspire me join the Marine Corps, and answer the call to service when summoned.

  • @Psalms144_1_2
    @Psalms144_1_2 Місяць тому +1

    Amen brother, God bless all who served, God Love you.

  • @lovetolift82
    @lovetolift82 27 днів тому

    I think I can speak for us all... im going to miss these guys when they are all gone.

  • @elliottrau9845
    @elliottrau9845 13 днів тому

    True American Hero! Thank you. 🫡🇺🇸🙏

  • @johnstevens9673
    @johnstevens9673 Місяць тому +4

    Memoris of WWII have the absolute dream job. Getting paid amazing money to travel the country/world with your entire family interviewing the remaining WWII survivors. Wow, I'd do anything to have their job and make the money they do.

  • @user-ur7bf1in4h
    @user-ur7bf1in4h 5 днів тому

    Great man God bless him 🙏

  • @DolloJones
    @DolloJones 7 днів тому

    54 Magazines through a BAR non-stop with no jam damn

  • @waldirleandro4997
    @waldirleandro4997 28 днів тому

    Parabéns pelo relato herói

  • @shoktroop
    @shoktroop 25 днів тому

    These are our national treasures. The Greatest Generation and my family was a part of that! Semper Fi

  • @PrayerfullyBlessedMama
    @PrayerfullyBlessedMama 21 день тому

    My grandfather, my dad’s dad, served in Okinawa during WW2. He was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart 💜. He died before I was born. My dad served in Okinawa at the end of the Vietnam war. Supposedly fulfilling a promise to his dad, to pee on the hill his father had been shot on.

  • @EliteFuller
    @EliteFuller Місяць тому

    respect

  • @thevet2009
    @thevet2009 3 дні тому

    Salute

  • @BornAJarhead
    @BornAJarhead 10 днів тому

    Respect Semper Fi

  • @Naserati-oc9fo
    @Naserati-oc9fo 27 днів тому

    5:22 when he said they were all over the place you heard the coldness in his voice

    • @buzz5969
      @buzz5969 26 днів тому

      Hes in Japan naturally The Japanese are gonna be ALL OVER the place.

  • @maxymus033
    @maxymus033 10 годин тому

    Tq MoWW2.. only 600k ww2 vets alive and hunders of them died everyday of old age

  • @Ddayboy1944
    @Ddayboy1944 12 днів тому

    Having spent only a few days on oki as a marine, I would never have wanted to attack that island. It’s a nightmare of heat and jungle… they did it with maggots and mud. What a mess.

  • @danvanhoose6783
    @danvanhoose6783 2 дні тому

    Dad was with the 6th division marines on Okinawa.then after that in the occupation of China.

  • @michaelfoort2592
    @michaelfoort2592 Місяць тому

    An eloquent man

  • @PaulJordan318
    @PaulJordan318 Місяць тому

    Toughest generation. Glad to have known my grandparents.

  • @christopherch7307
    @christopherch7307 Місяць тому +3

    👍❤️👍

  • @djonpow
    @djonpow Місяць тому

    Semper Fi CB.

  • @Ryan____Z
    @Ryan____Z Місяць тому

    Not old enough to drink legally , but old enough to go into war. Crazy

  • @Aaron-ik8iq
    @Aaron-ik8iq 28 днів тому

    A few years ago I donated money to your channel. I really like your videos. Unfortunately I cannot find the link to donate through PayPal. I don’t do Patreon and I don’t do monthly memberships. I spent more than five minutes trying to figure out how to contribute. 🤷🏻‍♂️