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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- Joe Varucene was a US Marine who participated in the 1943 Battle of Tarawa. 18,000 Marines fought a bloody 76-hour battle to seize the heavily fortified Tarawa Atoll from 4,500 Japanese defenders. At the end of the three-day battle, the Marines suffered almost 3,000 casualties. Of the 4,500 Japanese defenders, there were only 17 survivors. Varucene describes the battle in amazing detail including wading ashore under machine gun fire and close quarters combat.
This truly was the Greatest Generation. My father was a B-17 pilot in WW II, shot down, and spent 2 years as a POW at Stalag Luft III. Of his 10 man crew, five were killed and five survived as POWs. He stayed in the Air Force when he returned and was primarily a B-47 and B-52 pilot during the Cold War, but could fly anything that had wings. He wasn't well educated, but he was a natural pilot. He never spoke about his experience nor did he keep any souvenirs . Honestly, when I was a kid, the first hint I had was when a Staff Sergeant came to our house one day for a short visit. I later learned he was the tail gunner on my dad's B-17. Then there was the time we visited the Cox family. I only learned 60 years later that "Chet" Cox was my dad's Squadron Commander when he was shot down. My dad died suddenly in 1971 of a heart attack at the age of 51. My mother was heartbroken until she died at the age of 81.
My dad was my hero and role model. I wanted to be a military pilot (any service and any aircraft), but my eyesight was poor and to be honest, I was too goo at math. So in 1967 during the height of the Vietnam War, I joined the Marine Corps to avoid being drafted into the Army. I became a Marine infantry officer and my first full time job out of college was a Marine platoon commander in Vietnam 1968-69. It was a hard year. I lost a lot of good Marines. It wasn't the 72 hours of Hell at Tarawa, but it was a full year in the field in combat under challenging conditions and a determined enemy.
I served 21 years in the Marines as an infantry officer with 3 years in combat. But nothing was as physically and mentally exhausting as Vietnam. I served 2 more years in combat in Latin America supporting counter-insurgency operations with the host nation's Army and Navy. I spent about 80% of my time in the field those years, but all of the 2 years were considered combat duty because the terrorist targeted American military and civilians. One day, my armored SUV was ambushed and my driver killed.
Anyway, as a tribute to my father, I earned my private pilot's license with commercial and instrument ratings. I flew about a halve dozen different aircraft and took aerobatic lessons from basic to advanced. I wanted to get my multi-engine certification, but it was too expensive and in the Marines I didn't have the time.
While in the Marine Corps, I became a sky diver, a SCUBA diver, an underwater photographer, a wreck diver, a motorcycle touring enthusiast, a X-country skier, a camper and white water canoeist, a rock climber, hiker, sail boater, and after I retied from the Marines, I became an independent consultant to both Special Operations, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and other military technology programs.
My job was to give advice to the technology developers as what the real need were of the military (which they never considered), to teach the new technologies to the military, and to be the technical support to the military on exercises. As such I was sent around the world dozens of times and mostly to remote locations. As a former Marine, I loved it, which is why my clients tapped me for the more difficult environments.
Today, at 75, I made wise investments , I have my Marine Corps retirement, and my social security checks. I'm not rich, but I'm comfortable because of my investments when I was young.
I always carry about $200 in my wallet at any one time and when I see someone who I think is really struggling, I give them a $20 bill. I can't solve whatever problem they have (there are for hire signs all over the city), but at least they can get a couple of meals. I can't solve the homeless problem but I can give an individual a couple of meals, I can contribute to the food pantries to feed the homeless, and I can talk to them about breaking their cycle of homelessness. I don't think they care, but I do.
In the end, I had a wild ride in life, but my greatest hope is that mom and dad in heaven are in some way proud of what I've done.
Beyond that, I've investigated Near Death Experiences for over 25 years. I knew Heaven was real before, but the NDE research has reinforced that belief. There are thousands of NDE testimonies that can be proven beyond today's scientific explanations.
I no longer fear death because I know it is just a transition to another "frequency" in our universe. What I do fear is a long and costly illness for me and my relatives who could possibly take care of me are zero. Not sure how this all ends except I'll be in heaven and whoever will be left with cleaning up the mess I left behind.
Wow that quite the ride you had. I'm very proud of you. When another is hungered you feed them . Someone needs a few bucks you help that's great. You did good myman it's time to rest. You take care it's going to be ok here at the end no worries you did all the right things. Love you all-ways for what you did for us. Your good man. Not agreat man. You notice how good man had one more o in it then god. Good enough for one life time.
I've added you to my "American Heroes" list. You're in good company, with guys like my WW II father, etc.
And I’d add, I’m sure your Dad is very proud of you and all your accomplishments, just as we (all patriots) are proud of you. Thank you for your service to this nation and to helping keep America free and proud! God bless!
Great story, hats off to you my man. You knew what really matters
@BMF6889, My two grandpa's fought in ww2, one was in the battle of the bulge, sergeant of an anti tank unit, and was trained in explosives, which when I was growing up and stayed with both set's of grandparents a lot, he blew a lot of stuff up, and he would let me push down the detonator. My best friend though, was my grandpa who was a medic on the front lines, who shared thing's with me that he never told anyone else. I carry cash as well, and I help those who are homeless, even though I am disabled from a bad work injury, MS, and much more. I am 50, got a settlement and bought a house, and get disability, which isn't a lot. I have had several NDE's, and i know that Jesus is the way. I was with my momma when she died from cancer in 4 day's of diagnosis. I have no kid's, really no family, and I let a friend in a hospital live with me for free, because she gets much less money than me, and her family have done her wrong. I do my best, and will pray for you, this heart of mine worries for those who are asleep. God bless.
All of these videos should be on Major network, national TV, every week. The American people need to know these stories. My grandfather fought in WW1 and was later killed in WW2. My father was in the CBI theater. I am also a veteran. Most Americans do not know the true cost of freedom.
"Most Americans do not know the true cost of freedom" brother you said it - and the price we pay when we tolerate tyranny. Thank you .
@Hoa Tattis who are you ?
@Hoa Tattis" I am not American.Thank God." Probably to your surprise , I cannot argue with that.
My God the stuff that Generation went through! All Heroes and tough as nails. I have so much Respect for these men. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Thank you Sir, for your Service for our Country and our Freedom. Semper Fi.
Joe would have really appreciated your comments. He passed at age 95 in 2020.
Got that right....
I couldn’t have said any better
Amen. My grandfather was at Tarawa. As an officer shelling Red Beach 1 on the USS Schroeder. It was also used as marine triage. My mother and her brothers said he never saw combat. He just happened to see one of the worst battles in US history. Can't even imagine the horror he witnessed. He never spoke about his time at war. It must have destroyed him like every other veteran in this war. I remember asking him if he fought and he would just brush it off and change the subject. He passed in 94'. I wish more than anything I could hug him, thank him, knowing how much of a warrior he and his brothers truly were. The fear just thrown aside, sitting ducks, marines running towards machine gun fire. I was 9 when he passed. Found out about his service history through naval records. Honored to be able to get my hands on his medals and display his burial flag front and center of the family room. We will never be able to repay these brave men. May God bless them all.
Ditto😊
A great story of courage and bravery - thank you for your service! A well done video.
Glad you enjoyed it. Joe passed in 2020 at the age of 95. He was a really great guy. Thanks for watching.
My dad was a first day lander on Tarawa 2nd Marines Red Beach 2……very dangerous day for the USMC……Semper Fi Marines..!!!!
It was in peacetime in the early to mid '60s, but i was in the 2nd MarDiv: G Co,, 2/2. Later I was in A Co, 2nd Motor Transport B.
Great job on taking the story and recording the video. This gentlemen is true hero in my book, just trying survive and doing his job. My deepest respect and thank you for your service sir!!
Thanks for watching. Joe died in 2020 at the age of 95. He was a great guy.
My grandfather was there. Lt. James Perrott from Beaver falls pa. He was the greatest man i have ever known.
My father in law was at Tarawa. Lt wilson. He was on the second wave on the first day. He was wounded on the 3 day in the hand.
He passed away 4 years ago age 95. He occasionally talked about it. Proud to serve his country and being a marine!
My father served on the USS Tarawa, CVA 40, last of the Essex class carriers and the last wooden deck carrier. This was supposed to be an easy assault but turned out to be a horror. I believe it caused an uproar at home because it was the first battle with newsreels showing dead Marines in the surf.
They were the best. My father flew 100 missions in China under Chennault. 75th Fighter Squadron.
Incredible... had a uncle that served with the 2nd Marine Division...told similar story's.... Thanks for your Service !!
Joe would have really appreciated your comment. He passed in 2020 at age 95. Thanks for watching.
@@raymondmcfalone26 No problem...Veteran myself...Army, Infantry... greatest generation ever !!
Great story shared. You can see the emotions just barely held back...
One of my Uncles survived Tarawa. I remember hearing him tell his story. Simular to Joe's recollection.
God bless him! My grandfather fought in the Battle of Guam and Iwo Jima Marine corps I was 13 when he committed suicide in 1983 so I never got a chance to really talk to him about this I was too young to ask questions I'm 50 and a combat vet myself and I have nothing but questions.
As Marines, we learned extensively about this engagement and the mistakes made by those who planned it. Unfortunately it was our brothers who payed dearly for those mistakes. Sometimes your worst enemy is on your side supposedly.
Copy all and Roger that.
Another incredible tale. Thanks so much.
Thank you for sharing your story, service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My father was one of those Marines who waded into shore.
The wounds are still very raw that leave an indelible mark words cannot express our gratitude for your sacrifices 🙏🏻
I was in the USMC infantry for a little over two years and made a number of peace-time landings; ramped landing craft, AMTRACs, and helicopters. When we were loaded in landing craft we climbed down cargo nets into them, and the boats formed a large circle until all the other boats in that wave joined it. The boats continued to circle until it got the signal to head for the beach. If it were an AMTRAC landing, we loaded into it while it and others were still on the tank deck of an LST. When it was fully loaded, it drove out of the LST into the ocean, again circling until a wave was formed and headed to the beach. I liked the helicopter landings (vertical envelopments) best because it took the shortest time to form up and head inland of the beach. You didn't get wet, and I always enjoyed flying.
Whenever Marines make a landing, even in peace time, we were always up before dawn and immediately went to the mess deck for breakfast, which was always steak and eggs. Anyway it was back in the early '60s.
My dad was there, 2nd division marines, talked about it a very little.
My dad too……Semper FI !!!!!
Thank you Sir, God bless you ALL
Thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!!!🇺🇸
A hero through and through, although he would deny it.
My uncle Alexander Peña fought at Tarawa, 3rd Battalion 6th marine regiment 2nd marine division, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinian, he was KIA July 30th 1944 on Tinian, I recently went to funeral service for Pfc Glenn White, he won the silver star at Tarawa, they're still bringing those heroes home, the greatest generation of all time, Heroes, all of them heroes, God bless America!!
Very sorry to hear of the loss of your uncle; I wish he had made it back home.
you are a hero and we owe you so much god bless and thank you for your service
This man is a hero a patriot and a generation we're losing everyday.
Here's something you may wish to read : Japanese Government Loan Issues on the London Capital Market 1870-1913 Toshio Suzuki 1994. Excellent video !!!
My brother worked with these old vets, at the VA hospitals, their injuries, would today have them sent home. Back then, 3-5 times they'd patch them up 30 days R&R, then back on the line. Unbelievable!
I was lucky to know a survivor of the Bataan Death March. He was the kindest, good humored, nicest, most aware, compassionate guy you could meet, always smiling, laughing. Incredible. He'd done his time in Hell; paid his dues 10 times over.
Cool. Our mailman when I was a kid, survived the Baatan death march.. I marveled that he took a job that involved walking all day.
Modest hero. Absolute respect.
Fantastic story, thanks.
Great interview/discussion. Like a good old talk on the porch drinking a beer.
After tarawa the navy started udt frogmen to precheck beaches for landing
It is funny you mention food in the belly. I could go for 48 hours without food and little water. I had that stuck in my brain from day one.
I have heard that when films of the battle were shown in movie theaters there was a huge public response and people were angry that there were so many casualties. Many people thought it was poor strategy.
One reasons that casualties were so high is that the US didn't listen to the British warnings about low tides. When they were low, only the LVTs could cross the reef. Everyone in boats had to wade the 800 yards under fire.
@@wittwittwer1043 that is utterly ridiculous and a major screw up by the planners.
The 442nd Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment best known as the most decorated in U. S. military history and as a fighting unit composed almost entirely of second-generation American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought in World War II.
A very impressive war hero. Many thanks for the sacrifices of all those who served.
Thank you.
My grandfather fought this one ! Hoorah. Marines!
GS m in
God bless this man
What a great generation of true American heroes..that went through Hell.Brave, and tough-ass fighting machines.Most are not with us but will not be forgotten
My Father was a SeeBee on Tarawa, and only 2 of his company survived.
Thanks
Welcome
"It's pure luck forget about the training thing" .
My dad was in Tarawa in the navy ,hes 97
... They did it without body armor, eye protection, gloves, knee pads, or night vision. They were kids - many of them - first time away from home ... And they rose to the challenge.
... These heroes are leaving us, I'm saddened to learn of Joe's passing. May he rest in peace.
Wow, that guy is still able to laugh once during this interview. The battle must have had severe impacts on their minds.
Great questions from monterator. 👍🇺🇲
Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for watching.
quel beau récit merci Mrs
Notice how hard it was for this Gentleman to describe what had happened? They were taught to keep their feelings inside. Tough minded and salt of the earth individuals that were true heroes.
Tarawa was the atoll chain and the battle was fought on the island of Betio in that atoll chain.
I’m not sure todays youth of America could do what you did. They fight for themselves now… not the nation….thank you sir.
I true American HERO, thank you sir for your service and your sacrifice.
If you ever need a description of a small slice of hell this is it. Thankful for him, and the other service members like him.
All My uncles and Aunts fought in the World War 2 and the other wars after this war. GOD Bless these heros and their families
It's sounds like a cliche but thank you sir for your service. God bless-
I knew Joe well and he would have told you "you're welcome" with a smile and would have shaken your hand. He passed in 2020 at age 95. Thanks for watching.
It's true "hard times create strong men " "strong men create good times" "good times create soft men" " soft men create hard times"
These men were harder than steel and we can never thank them enough.
God bless those boys. I hope one day we can be great again.
Finally a good interviewer!
Thanks for watching.
And what was all this fighting and dying for ?
really sad that you would feel the need to post the question. Your either ignorant of history and the evils of tyranny or your just a prick starting trouble. Either way, YOUR part of the problem in this world.
Gut wrenching 😕
Hey Ray, I don’t know if you’re still out and about doing these interviews but there is some folks that I take care of their lawn here in Billings Montana and the guy is a notable former DJs in this area but he served on Catalinas in the Pacific during World War II and if I’m not mistaken from our exchange a few years back he was in most of the major campaigns in the first part of the war in the Pacific. He’s still with us and if it’s something that you take a shining to; I’d be willing to give you some more information
A roommate's Dad in college was in the 1st wave at Tarawa. How this came out:
Five of us shared a house. One spring 3 of us were graduating. One was Marine ROTC about to get commissioned, wearing his dress whites. Another student's Dad was there for his Son's graduation and in all the small talk mentions that his Dad was a Marine in WW2. So we ask if he was in any of the big battles and he demurs, saying "Don't worry about it. In a couple hours I will have to salute you." The graduating Marine says he is awful interested as he has spent a lot of time studying the Pacific Campaign (an interest he and I shared and discussed often). So, he sits for a long time and then says quietly, "I was at Tarawa." The Marine and I just stare at each other absolutely gobsmacked. The son, who knows us like bothers, asks "What the F&*K is going on?" The Marine asks "What wave?" Dad says "First Wave." We shouldn't but could not help saying something to the effect of "Holy SH%T!" Dad stands up and says in The Voice that we are done now and this day is a big day other peoples lives. Then he goes outside. So, of course, the Son demands we tell him what we know of it (we pull no punches) and he absolutely cannot process it. His Dad was a very decent, very successful man who had been very considerate of us in the past and had even given considerable help to one of us who had some unfortunate family circumstances so that he could remain in college. We had no idea. And the Son, over and over, "He never said a thing, ever. I didn't even know he was in the war until a year ago."
This was a Man.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. The only reason we were able to video all these veterans was that we recorded them at their veteran reunions. They tend to open up and reminisce about the war years when they are together with their war buddies.
Keep Moving
What a man!! least we forget
How inspirational these stories and characters are. The triumph of spirit with each other is still within us all if we look.
Interviewer had great questions
Thank you and thanks for watching.
Thank you for serving. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
We will never know what horrors our Military Forces Land Air, Sea, went/go through and its tragic how many abuse the freedoms tbey.fought and still fight for us to have.
🌺🌺🌺
💜💜💜
🥀🥀🥀
🙏🔥🕊️
Semper Fi
what a humble man, and then you look at the handy addicted zombies of today and what have they been thorough. Yet, they still whinge and complain.
Unfavourable what these soldiers went through, the hell they endured and they still made something of their lives. Hats off to them.
Can you tell us what outfit Joe was in? Regiment, Battalion, and Company?
Joe was with the 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
I thought so, they should have never been ordered to go in on an unsecured beach, they waded in under murderous machine gun fire, there's list of Tarawa KIA and wounded, and it's full of 8th marine regiment, my uncle Alexander Peña fought there, he was later KIA on Tinian,July 30th 1944,3rd battalion 6th marine regiment 2nd marine division, landed on Tarawa on 3rd day on Green Beach, went straight into battle, those marines and navy corpsman were Heroes, all of them heroes, greatest generation of all time!!
BMF6889 You are one of the very few people on here who seems to have his head screwed on straight. In my opinion anyway.
Semper Fidelis Devil Dogs ! 🇺🇸
He stripped his rifle down at the end of the pier
All that training worked out I guess..
Higgins boats.... 30-hours floating before landing. I'll bet he was with the 1/8 Marines and landed on the second day. If so, he might have known my cousin who was with him and was killed that day. Noah Alvin Cox; never could find his grave after the War - he is on Tarawa still.
Thanks for sharing your family story and thanks for watching.
Also the 1/6 or the 3/6 , both of those had to wait before landing, your cousins 8th regiment should have never been ordered to go in without a beach being secured, I've read many details of the battle and read that there was a communication breakdown, those brave marines had to wade in under murderous machine gun fire,I get pissed off just thinking about that, my uncle hit the beach on morning of 3rd day and went straight into battle, 3rd battalion 6th marine regiment 2nd marine division, Alexander Peña, he was later KIA on Tinian, July 30th, 1944, those marines and navy corpsman were Heroes, all of them heroes,the greatest generation of all time!!
“All of you won’t be coming back.” 😒
Americans should get on their knees and thank God everyday we had such men in that era!
30 hours in a Higgins boat ? Just wondering if he is confused with the time zone factor .... Tarawa would be almost a day ahead of California time.
He's not confused. The small LCVC Higgins boats for beach landings would load up with men & then circle waiting instructions to head to the beach. If there was a delay the troops stayed in their little Higgins boats for as long as necessary.
@@nightjarflying Yeah, but 30 hours ? they would be punch drunk by the time they got to the beach, standing up, no food, no toilet and under fire ...and he said they were dropped 800 yards from shore because of the reef.
@@harrycurrie9664 What is your point about the reef? 36 transport ships with 35,000 troops would require something like 1,000 Higgins boats & amphtracks to land them all [or 500 boats if in two waves etc]
The Higgins boats are loaded by scrambling down nets & then the filled boats wait for other boats to be filled - it takes 4 to 6 hours just to get all the troops off the transport into the boats. 36 troops per boat - say 30 boats per transport.
Then the Higgins move ashore from 10 miles out in the open sea in the early hours & into the lagoon & then they got jammed up because the expected five foot tide didn't happen that day nor the next because of a neap tide. Thus they could not clear the reef. Only around 1/2 of the planned landings happened that first day & some of those were 12 hours late - say 18 hours sitting in boats.
The guy in the video landed a day later than planned after a day & a half on the boat. That did happen - this was the first beach landing with prepared opposition & it was a cockup.
@@nightjarflying Just saying after 30 hours in a higgins boat they would have had to wade 800 metres to shore .. a herculean effort.
@@harrycurrie9664 The books say that's true - on shore those that survived the bullets & mortars were not fighting men any more. Also this action is only around 100 km from the Equator so a boat with high walls is going to be unforgiving on the troops. Really, really bad planning - the US public was outraged at the unnecessary loss of US lives & nobody was ever punished for it. The Aussies had been telling the US military about the neap tide, but to no effect.
SEMPER FI TO THE MARINES.. OOHARH
I wonder if this Marine is still alive?
Joe passed in 2020 at the age of 95.
@@raymondmcfalone26 and now he’s with his fellow hero’s! God Bless him!
TOILET ?
Wish I could show this to so many in this country today. So that they may know what a real man is. They mixed up your coffee order? Someone cut you off in traffic today?
Amazing we went from men like this to "men" who are insulted by any little thing.
interview well done. makes me cringe. I think he referenced "Cool Hand Luke", using a straw to breath underwater.
Joe - email me (rmcfalone@gmail.com). We can catch up. Ray