Landing Troops in the First Wave on Omaha Beach, a U.S. Navy Radioman Remembers

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  • Опубліковано 11 лип 2022
  • Abraham Laurenzo was a senior in high school when he heard the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor come over the radio. Angered by the attack he immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After 6-weeks of basic training, he was sent to Miami of Ohio where he learned to operate radio equipment.
    On June 6, 1944, Laurenzo was the radioman aboard LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) 409. The landing craft would deliver 200 troops in the first wave on Omaha Beach. After successfully dropping off the troops the ship collided with an LST (Landing Ship Tank) and had to return to dry dock in England for repairs.
    Laurenzo would go on to make subsequent landings delivering fresh troops in the south of France. Near the war's end he would find himself transporting German prisoners of war.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 109

  • @krisfergiejohnson
    @krisfergiejohnson 2 роки тому +126

    That’s my Pop Pop! I have heard the stories as he told them to my kids for their history reports, but not like this. Thank you to the American Veterans Center for capturing these oral histories! I am proud to be the granddaughter of an Eagle Scout & Vet and the mother of a future Eagle Scout!

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +12

      That's your grandfather? Wow! You must be very proud. Our country is very grateful to him. He knows more than most that freedom is not free. Did he ever mention that to your kids for their history reports?

    • @jeremyferguson8655
      @jeremyferguson8655 2 роки тому +3

      @@RubyBandUSA When I was in elementary school I wrote a report based on this man's stories of dday and had some of the pictures he'd brought back. My Pop Pop too :)

    • @derelictspodcast
      @derelictspodcast 2 роки тому +2

      Way 2 make it about u

    • @ajkash3867
      @ajkash3867 2 роки тому

      Thank you for sharing pop pop with us! What an amazing man.

    • @nedaCFilms
      @nedaCFilms 2 роки тому +3

      @@derelictspodcast she is proud, as she should be. This is what UA-cam is about. Sharing our stories, in the comments as well.

  • @GIN0MAN5432
    @GIN0MAN5432 2 роки тому +61

    My great grandfather drove a higgins boat first wave on omaha beach. So much respect for these men. Thank you sir for your service.

  • @richardthornhill4630
    @richardthornhill4630 2 роки тому +15

    Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

  • @mikesupczenski5867
    @mikesupczenski5867 2 роки тому +30

    My grandfather was stationed in Hawaii as a 3rd Class Navy Radioman. He communicated to ships in the pacific. I always wonder how many sailors he coded to out there

  • @ottoso7044
    @ottoso7044 2 роки тому +11

    I love these d-day interviews! 🇺🇸 thank you sir

  • @rtrobinson88321
    @rtrobinson88321 2 роки тому +9

    Thank you sir for your service to this country. God bless you

  • @Benny-um4io
    @Benny-um4io 2 роки тому +23

    Love em! So many ww2 veterans are dying everywhere as they are old so time is limited but thanks for them interviews.

    • @thomasmeigs4589
      @thomasmeigs4589 2 роки тому +2

      Yep, and the next generation of Americans will say the same thing about the Korean and then Vietnam war veterans. Hopefully technology will be able to capture all of the willing participants stories before they pass on. One can only hope!

  • @warskye5686
    @warskye5686 2 роки тому +5

    Sir Thank you for your service You have done your Duty We are truly Greatful.

  • @blakezimmerman9004
    @blakezimmerman9004 2 роки тому +10

    Great man, great interview!!! My father went to Sampson for basic training for the Air Force in 1954.

  • @anlerden4851
    @anlerden4851 2 роки тому +9

    very beautiful American Military Program for me. I love all American Veterans so much with all my heart.😊😇🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪👍

    • @JoelMMcKinney
      @JoelMMcKinney 2 роки тому

      ... all except the traitor dixicrats

  • @RubyBandUSA
    @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +7

    Abraham Laurenzo: thank you so much for your service. You were very brave. We will never forget you, and thanks to the American Veterans Center channel your story will live on.

  • @mobydick3895
    @mobydick3895 2 роки тому +26

    What he said there towards the end of the video, about his "made a man out of me very quickly", and his reference to what he had learned as a Boy Scout, it touches your heart to hear a man make such statements. It points out that, one of the goals of a Boy Scout is that it is introducing Boys to the beginnings of the concepts unique to men. I was never a Boy Scout, but, the Boy Scouts are something that we have lost, and it is a shame.

  • @deniscruz6112
    @deniscruz6112 2 роки тому +3

    I have so much respect for veterans, specially those who fought in a war, I had the honor of helping out a WW2 vet that lived beside me, Mr James Robbar from Elgin Illinois, he served in the Marines corps in the pacific, I could never get him to tell me stories of his firefights, all he would say was that he saw and experienced things that he wished no one else would. RIP James and all those vets that gave their lives for this nation.

  • @hermanmackay8611
    @hermanmackay8611 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you for your service. Welcome home.

  • @jamiecalder5459
    @jamiecalder5459 2 роки тому +2

    Thank you sir for your service 🇺🇸

  • @xvsj-s2x
    @xvsj-s2x 2 роки тому +5

    Thank you for sharing your personal story and thoughts including your courage, sacrifice and courage for freedom. 🇺🇸 God Bless You and your family 🇺🇸

  • @Jakal-pw8yq
    @Jakal-pw8yq 2 роки тому +3

    These stories from older World War II veterans are absolutely fascinating and when this gentleman recited the scouts honor in detail like that I was blown away! You can tell that he has lived a good life and he carries himself with pride and dignity.

  • @elephantjr22
    @elephantjr22 2 роки тому +9

    These are great men I could only pray and hope I could raise my sons to be men of this stature ..
    Thank you sir for your service God Bless America 🇺🇸

  • @isaacguidorangel1013
    @isaacguidorangel1013 2 роки тому +7

    ORGULLOSO DE ESTOS VETERNAOS. MI TIO VETERANO DE LA KOREAN WAR,

  • @haroldmclean3755
    @haroldmclean3755 2 роки тому +1

    A Good Honest account of his service 👍
    God Bless Him 🙏

  • @rikijett310
    @rikijett310 2 роки тому +2

    Sir, thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!! Sorry you barfed all the way.😔 ✝️🇺🇸

  • @Coppersaguaro
    @Coppersaguaro 2 роки тому +1

    I love his Boy Scout oath at the end. The Boy Scouts raised me right and it’s a shame this has gone away. He’s a hero.

  • @hippy8255
    @hippy8255 2 роки тому +1

    incredible that 80 years later were still getting these interviews

    • @vivians9392
      @vivians9392 2 роки тому +1

      78 years later...

    • @hippy8255
      @hippy8255 2 роки тому

      @@vivians9392 you can't be serious 😂

  • @Joelontugs
    @Joelontugs Рік тому

    Thank you for your service

  • @sm-wq3by
    @sm-wq3by 2 роки тому +4

    Love these! So much respect for them
    I know this is for Americans but would love to see some British guys too

  • @user-iv9qx3nv3i
    @user-iv9qx3nv3i 2 роки тому

    he sharp, his narrative was very well spoken. True Hero

  • @teutonalex
    @teutonalex 2 роки тому +4

    Crazy to think most of Omaha’s casualties were from just two or three machine gunners at most and some accurate mortars. Hard to imagine if a front line like on the Eastern front had met them.

  • @chocolatefrenzieya
    @chocolatefrenzieya 2 роки тому +3

    Oooh, a skipper would lose his command for that peace time.

  • @chillis28
    @chillis28 2 роки тому +1

    👍👍 Much respect sir!!

  • @Emmet72
    @Emmet72 2 роки тому +1

    What a great person.

  • @donnhughes7139
    @donnhughes7139 2 роки тому

    All my WWII heros have passed on, not many of them left, I'm thankful we have these few left to document their experiences....God Bless our military, we owe them so much !!!

  • @johngrogan7585
    @johngrogan7585 5 місяців тому

    Thank you Sir

  • @alifilmz7316
    @alifilmz7316 2 роки тому

    Priceless. Thank you for getting these interviews! We need to keep these stories.

    • @americanveteranscenter
      @americanveteranscenter  2 роки тому

      Our pleasure, thank you for watching. Saving these incredible stories from our heroes is why we are here.

  • @JoelMMcKinney
    @JoelMMcKinney 2 роки тому +4

    AMERICA BABY!

  • @-.Steven
    @-.Steven Рік тому

    A most excellent video! So proud of Abraham for living up to Scouting values while serving our great nation!

  • @jameswhite4446
    @jameswhite4446 2 роки тому

    I am privileged enough to have completed RMA school in San Diego in 1996. But can't even begin to imagine the hell you guys went through. Respect and Salute sir. Thanks and God bless.

  • @Charles36.
    @Charles36. 2 роки тому +2

    I was 7 when I heard a veteran talk about this with my dad I’m 26 now and I can still see the pain in that man face. It’s funny how things like that stick with you

  • @bobkin611
    @bobkin611 8 місяців тому

    Incredible how good his memory is. My wife will ask if I’ve eaten anything, and I can’t even remember a meal 3 hours prior 😂

  • @CH-vs4jv
    @CH-vs4jv 2 роки тому

    Those guys had serious balls. Hero to a man.

  • @riverbender9898
    @riverbender9898 2 роки тому +1

    I salute you Sir.

  • @kfcinafrica2111
    @kfcinafrica2111 2 роки тому +1

    My Uncle was in the 2nd wave with the 29th on Omaha.

  • @moonglow630
    @moonglow630 8 місяців тому

    My uncle was also in the Navy at Normandy. He was responsible for clearing underwater mines.

  • @mcdonnelx2
    @mcdonnelx2 2 роки тому +7

    Hi, I'm Brazillian and love the chanel. May I can ask for something? Please, make the videos with subtitles. With all respect for those men and women, I love theyr stories, but it's hard to understand a lot of words they say.
    Thanks.

    • @JoelMMcKinney
      @JoelMMcKinney 2 роки тому +1

      push the "CC" button in the bottom right.

    • @mcdonnelx2
      @mcdonnelx2 2 роки тому

      @@JoelMMcKinney I did, but it's not very accurate and sometimes Google messes with everything

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +1

      Dude, you are going to have to learn English. The USA cannot be all things to all people. We mainly protect democracy throughout the world and throughout time (exception being Ukraine). But when it comes to language translations ... learn English.

    • @mcdonnelx2
      @mcdonnelx2 2 роки тому +1

      @@RubyBandUSA I'm not asking for translation. I'm asking to put subtitles in english. I can understand an young person perfectly. The problem is with the speach becouse of age. Again, I respect all this brave man and becouse of that I want to know more about them.

  • @mickhealy572
    @mickhealy572 2 роки тому +7

    During the dieppe raid all the landing craft had hull mounted cameras taking footage as the craft landed and troops wadded ashore and without a doubt they would not have failed to mount these on D-day landing craft, there is no logical reason why they would not, so where are the D-day landings footage like that of dieppe? too gruesome for the survivors and families of the lost no doubt, I assume it lay's hidden and buried somewhere in the military secrets safe house and in the future when those directly concerned are dead from age I wager they will surface.

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому

      Mick, I don't know about you, but as an American there is no amount of passage of time that would make that footage bearable to watch for me at least. All German soldiers should have turned on the filth known as hitler instead of fighting the Allies.

    • @mickhealy572
      @mickhealy572 2 роки тому

      @@RubyBandUSA god no it would be horrendous and sickening to watch for anyone let alone one with personal attachment.. as for the average german christian soldier they simply did there duty and believed what they were told and knew nothing of what was really going on with Hitler, of course. you cant expect them to know do you? free and open press and talk was not an option in the war.

  • @nassermj7671
    @nassermj7671 Рік тому +2

    Apparently only 10% made it to the beach. Men (kids) falling L & R!
    Why we call them the Greatest Generation. RIP all.

  • @wesinman2312
    @wesinman2312 Рік тому +1

    Great story, and while I was never in the service, I was a Boy Scout, and I can honestly say it helped me throughout life. One of the greatest helps was simply the motto, "Be Prepared". Same thing Jesus said.

  • @kevdadd1976
    @kevdadd1976 Рік тому

    Salt water showers, anyone ever had to take a salt water shower knows what he’s talking about. This guys great !

  • @craigiefconcert6493
    @craigiefconcert6493 2 роки тому

    This is amazing. This guy remembers his scout pledge verbatim decades later.

  • @video951
    @video951 2 роки тому +3

    I have photos of lci boats in pozzuoli in 44 if he would like to see them

  • @lilyoda3865
    @lilyoda3865 10 місяців тому

    He must have been TRIPIN !!! Imagine your just sitting in your office doing work and BANG a massive F’n dagger comes stabbing through the wall of your room 😂😂😂😂 props to you THANKYOU for your service pops

  • @shizerydelery
    @shizerydelery 2 роки тому

    Keep myself: “physically strong, mentally awake, & morally straight.”

  • @wisconsinfarmer4742
    @wisconsinfarmer4742 Рік тому

    It is insane that such intelligent men agreed to wage war on America.

  • @bigfish322
    @bigfish322 2 роки тому +3

    Thank God for these men and Women!! Hate to think what would happen if we had to repeat a war like this with the generation that is out there now!!!

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +1

      Bigfish, you underestimate the current generation. Haven't you read about all the Congressional Medals of Honor awarded the past 10 years?!! We have very capable brave folks in all ranks of the military. We also have the best technology and tactics. But I am worried about new tech from China that could disable our aircraft carriers.

    • @bigfish322
      @bigfish322 2 роки тому

      True but where our military is heading is a very dangerous place with going WOKE!! Pronouns,transgender and many other nonsensical issues have left us very vulnerable!!!! China and Russia are rubbing their hands with anticipation!! Weak leadership leads to a weak military!!

    • @jeremyferguson8655
      @jeremyferguson8655 2 роки тому

      the moment makes the generation

  • @mikeshafer5366
    @mikeshafer5366 Рік тому

    My grandpa had to join the national guard because too old to enlist in reg army. He stormed omaha beach 1st aid kit and a red cross bullseye on his helment though a pacifiest he had a 45 caliber side arm which at 1 point he had to use. He won the highest french medal for liberation of paris or france im not sure which. But the big story i remember was the battle of the bulge. He came home after the war my uncles put ketchup on mashed potatoes. My grandfather told my uncles he BETTER NEVER SEE KETCHUP ON MASHED POTATOES AGAIN. Until several years later he said it was too much to take because of the snow turned into blood. He was a 1st aid medic

  • @KingsOfTheCrown
    @KingsOfTheCrown 2 роки тому +1

    Does anyone know what salt water showers would do to you? I cant think of what negative effect it would have besides the water being cold

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +2

      Well, if this was an episode of Seinfeld they might refer to "shrinkage"

    • @KingsOfTheCrown
      @KingsOfTheCrown 2 роки тому

      @@RubyBandUSA 😂😂 Like a frightened turtle 🐢

  • @Airbornedroneworks
    @Airbornedroneworks 2 роки тому

    They don't make em like they used to

  • @adamgardener8624
    @adamgardener8624 2 роки тому

    A bBoyscout is : trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

  • @wayneshilcock3027
    @wayneshilcock3027 2 роки тому

    The Wolf Pack submarines would have been their biggest fear (D-Day), but I don't think he knows that most of the ship and aircraft bombardment of Omaha Beach missed their targets and virtually all of the German defenses were untouched.

  • @jonahpedersen5429
    @jonahpedersen5429 2 роки тому +1

    Tarawa

  • @roo3434
    @roo3434 2 роки тому

    LOL @ the thumbnail text
    good joke

  • @AngelMorales-fg7cw
    @AngelMorales-fg7cw Рік тому

    5:25

  • @tylerstone8589
    @tylerstone8589 2 роки тому

    I wanna like this video , but these 18 years olds ,wow what were you doing at 18, thieve videos are priceless

  • @Chasing72
    @Chasing72 2 роки тому +1

    In Normandy, his LCI was landing assault troops whereas in Southern France, he was ferrying troops. No disrespect to this gentleman’s service, but he was below decks in a radio room and didn’t see anything, so he can’t be certain how much worse Omaha Beach was than southern France.

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +2

      Give him more credit than that. He was there and talked to people, saw the dead, saw the wounded, heard the stories, heard the bombs, heard the machine guns.

  • @melbourne-heat.69-71
    @melbourne-heat.69-71 Рік тому

    I have pictures of "Omaha Beach" in pristine condition all the American troops walking up the hill they were taken 11 months before the War ended..May 1945..The picture was taken about "5" feet away from the first row of troops some of them are looking into the camera some are looking down on their left shoulder's they have a patch with a big star on it..Maybe somebody's Dad or somebody's grandfather in the front row..🇺🇸When America was America now in 2023 it's a total debauchery..💨🤦‍♂️

  • @christophermcguire7888
    @christophermcguire7888 2 роки тому

    Gold Juno Sword Utah stiff compared to Omaha, those bloody mg42s like ripping calico from the east to the, west curved hit in the head the chest the back a human abotoire Slaughter house, thanks sir, all the trumpets sounded for them, on the other side

  • @austint7533
    @austint7533 2 роки тому +1

    If they were being shot at with .50 caliber machine guns it must have been Americans shooting at you bc the Germans used 7.92x57mm Mauser in the MG42 and 34

  • @Zdaren
    @Zdaren 2 роки тому

    god all old people look the same its so depressing, i could never let myself get this bad, i would have to end it atleast before 80 if not 70

    • @jazzcat1056
      @jazzcat1056 2 роки тому +1

      Move along then.

    • @michaelrichards4255
      @michaelrichards4255 2 роки тому +2

      Lol can’t wait till you’re old, gonna laugh at you and say “good!”.

    • @hippy8255
      @hippy8255 2 роки тому +2

      this man is probably pushing 100 and still looks fine and seems to be all there mentally, these kinds guys are a treasure man, you could learn a thing or two from them

    • @johnrobitzsch2092
      @johnrobitzsch2092 2 роки тому

      You don't have the guts to kill yourself. I am 82 years old and I would put myself against you any day of the week! It is people like you who talk against old people that makes America so hard to live in!

    • @michelle60134
      @michelle60134 2 роки тому

      When you’re young ya think I’ll never get that old until you get there then it’s to late ha. You can’t stop Father Time so be prepared it’s coming for you too😐

  • @adamgardener8624
    @adamgardener8624 2 роки тому +2

    Dude. Why does the intro have George Bush Jr. saying "Good will prevail" ? He is inherently evil. Wtfffff?!?!

    • @jazzcat1056
      @jazzcat1056 2 роки тому +1

      Heard that too.

    • @darklelouchg8505
      @darklelouchg8505 2 роки тому +1

      "Inherently evil", give me a break. Good lord, it fit with theme. Get over it.

    • @adamgardener8624
      @adamgardener8624 2 роки тому

      @@darklelouchg8505 get over a man who allowed the country that he is supposed to be leading to get attacked by operatives that were trained by the CIA in order to lie our way into a war on the false preposition of WMDs that lasted 20 years and cost more than 1 million civilian lives and countless casualties ?
      Get over THAT ?
      No.

    • @RubyBandUSA
      @RubyBandUSA 2 роки тому +2

      It was the perfect and righteous thing for him to say shortly after 9/11/2001. Maybe you're too young to remember, or remember it differently?

    • @adamgardener8624
      @adamgardener8624 2 роки тому

      @@RubyBandUSA he lied us into a 20 year war so his Halliburton buddies could get rich. Nothing righteous about GW Jr. or Chaney. They are evil , for profit, war mongers.
      They dont care about your freedom. They only care about their income.

  • @Kvmtooloud
    @Kvmtooloud 2 роки тому +3

    The Canadians landing on Juno Beach was no picnic