D-DAY: He Survived Omaha Beach's Deadliest Sector | Jake Larson
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- Опубліковано 27 тра 2024
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In 1938, at age 15, Jake Larson lied about his age and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor his guard unit became part of the US Army and Larson was sent to Ft. Dix, New Jersey to await embarkation to Europe.
Larson was stationed in Northern Ireland, where he was transferred to V Corps, G3 section. Now in a headquarters company, Larson began to assist in critical logistic plannings for Operation Overlord, or D-Day.
On June 6, 1944, Larson landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach and was tasked with setting up an operational command post once a beachhead was established.
Larson would survive Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge and later write about his experiences in his autobiography entitled "The Luckiest Man in the World". Jake would also find unexpected fame as a TikTok and UA-cam sensation, sharing his stories to a new generation of people around the world.
Interview recorded on November 2, 2023
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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas
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So blessed to have his story
Just think how many stories that are lost forever because they didn’t get to sit down and lay down what he saw how he felt what he heard and how that 3 hours of time (however many hours) and at such a young effected the rest of his life. Having the majority 85-90% still ahead of him. If he makes it through the next few hours. Crazy when you think about the extreme luck and decision making to continue with your life and every day after that day is ice cream.
Just think how many stories that are lost forever because they didn’t get to sit down and lay down what he saw how he felt what he heard and how that 3 hours of time (however many hours) and at such a young effected the rest of his life. Having the majority 85-90% still ahead of him. If he makes it through the next few hours. Crazy when you think about the extreme luck and decision making to continue with your life and every day after that day is ice cream.
The bomb he is talking bout is called bagalores
For the barb wire
How these men did what they did, saw what they saw, then came home, started families, & worked, building this country…
They EARNED their title as “The Greatest Generation.”
And most of them never talked about it, much less cried to shrinks. These guys experienced REAL trauma, and they sucked it up and kept it moving. It hardened them and made them stronger, but most of them didn't strut around like tough guys with a chip on their shoulders. They knew they had nothing to prove to anybody and were happy to be alive after what they experienced. Call me cynical, but I can't picture any of these "gentle parented", never spanked, ultra-sensitive, gender confused, safe space hiding while they're facetime crying to their shrinks because "somebody was passive aggressively mean to them", video game and anime cartoon raised kids of today lasting a single day in their shoes. 🤦♂
Absolutely
Thousands died, and now men are the most hated group in America.
AMEN!!
@@meiphukingdiqqRealistically a bunch of undiagnosed PTSD and a life full of quiet trauma. These men from WW2 are legends
“Is there history of service in your family sir?”. “No, but I created one”
Such a casual badass statement
The golden age of stoicism
He said "i started one ".
He had one quote to get right… and this is what happened lol.
*"No, but I started one."*
These stories should be told in our schools, because sadly I think the younger generation have no idea how grateful they should be, not only to those who survived, but also to all those who died giving them the freedom they now enjoy
I try to tell these stories, but I'm tellin ya... a lot of them aren't listening.
My generation is lost. I was born in 07 and they’re completely disconnected from reality it seems. I’m going into my senior year and everyone around me still seems to act like middle schoolers. All they care about is drama and being the victim and all that bullshit it’s really disheartening.
Well said
@zippyflamez4597 absolutely especially in high school before they end up in one of these colleges chanting death to americans
To be fair, these days it feels like every generation has lost their way, not just gen-z.
We're BLESSED having you here to tell your story ❤️🙏 thank you
yes our nation is blessed to have them and their service.
though our politicians and management has failed us. it started in the early 1960s.
today you have drag queens and opens trans in the US military. the navy using a drag queen to recruit.
one day this gentleman will pass. all those sacrifices and toil so "bob" can make believe and pretend he is carol on the US tax payer dime and call that:
service and devotion to our nation.
Amen to that! What an incredible American Hero.
Take care and thank you for your service! ❤😊❤
🇺🇲❤
Amen!!
Poor guy was sent into the gates of hell. No armor. No support. And he may have survived. But he never left that beach. It’s been with him every day for the last 80 years.
I guarantee you, he may have aged but he is stronger in spirit than any beach head.
I'm sure his good memories far outweigh the bad
@@devonjaggers7377they do not
@@Mr_ZimmI don’t understand how you cha speak for how this man has felt , over the past 80 years inleee you’ve spent significant Time with him.
There was armor, it just sank to the bottom of the channel.
101 and sharp as a tack.
Incredible.
This man and his fallen comrades deserve more respect than we can give. Thank you for your service.
It’s pathetically sad that people don’t see how fortunate we are to hear his story from HIM!!! Thank you sir….. your a true legend!!
My Grandfather came ashore on Omaha Beach D-Day plus 1. He was anti-aircraft artillery. He saw some pretty serious action, and many of his men were lost. He went against orders to hold his fire and fired on an enemy aircraft to save his men that were about to be strafed and killed. He got in trouble, but all his men wrote letters, saying if he hadn't done what he did, they would all be dead. Later he was there when the storm came and broke up the mulberry harbor. He went out and rescued some men that were swept into the water. He would call his men and talk to them after the war. He was haunted by it all till he passed away. He was a good man.
So to this man in this video and my grandfather, I salute you both. And to the men that died that day and many days after I think there is but only one quote that truly honors them.
It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived. George S. Patton.
Awesome story God bless
Your Grandfather was a hero. One of the Greatest Generation.
I’m so glad your grandfather told you his story. It’s beautiful. My grandfather would never tell us his story. He was in the Navy in WWII and passed away in 2013. He was so soft spoken, but always had a twinkle in his eye. Deep down, I know he had a story to tell, but didn’t want to relive it.
Thank you Jesus! These men were truly great!
Amen 🙏
My heart shatters as to what this country has become, knowing that men like him, fought through hell & back to protect the country they believed in.
Its definitely sad the mess we have made of the world these men gave everything to protect I bet they are turning in their graves watching us waste the gift they fought to give us I hope soon things start to improve or soon it's us who will be in the next big war
@@RossNaylor-uq4jpand fear mongering is half the problem. Yes the nation has issues. But it’s genuinely not near as bad as people freak out about.
@@Eclipse-lw4vfit’s at least as bad as we think if not more.
@@Eclipse-lw4vfyou obviously don’t pay any attention at all
Right w/ you. Now we have people crying because people aren’t labeling them w a “Them” pronoun 🙄
I'm a 68 year old man with eyes fulll of tears watching this.
I'm 30 and ugly crying!! He has touched generations. 😭
A Patriot would
I'm 45 , from Czech republic 🇨🇿my grandfather also fought in WWII, he was imprisoned in the Gulag, Russia when the war started he was 17y.old, he and his brothers, one did not survive there. Then together with the brigade they liberated Czechoslovakia, he was wounded in the battle but survived. It is still a very strong emotion for me. They fought for our freedom all these men. They are real HEROES❤...
I'm 38 and crying
I'm 35 years old 😭😭 this man is a hero
I was in the 116th Brigade, 29th ID in the 80's. The D-Day vets would come out when we paraded, they called us their brothers. I loved those middle-aged men. What they did was absolutely incredible.
Even in the 80's, those WW2 guys were well beyond middle-aged.
sorry is that cap
I heard him talk when he was younger. Glad to hear he’s still around ❤❤❤❤❤
Papa Jake is a tiktok legend!
What an honor to listen to this man's story. He is, in fact, here to tell the stories of those who can't. He's here to tell his story. And I feel so lucky and grateful to be here to listen. This man is the voice of what is "The Greatest Generation". Thank you, Staff Sergeant.
My Dad was in the second wave. He was in the 84th Infantry , 335 HQ. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was stationed in Krefeld, Germany during the occupation.
Wow. He must have been hard as nails. What a legend. Did he ever tell you any stories or interesting facts? I can imagine he would have been a fascinating man
My Paw Paw was 4th Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was assigned to the 4th Reconnaissance before the war. On D-Day, he landed on Utah Beach in the 1st wave.He served under General Patton and General Omar Bradley. He endured five major battles including Normandy, Liberation of France, Battle of Bastogne, Battle of the Bulge and Hurtgen Forest. The war ended in May of 1945, but he stayed until August, returning people out of concentration camps to their homes. He also served in Korean Crisis from September 4, 1950, until September 4, 1952.
Told me some crazy and nasty stories over the years when I got older to hear them. He never wanted to talk about it with anyone but me and my dad for some reason.
Baddest son of a bitch I know but the sweetest man you would ever meet.
I served with the Red Bulls, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the opportunity. We can never fill the boots of you that served before us.
Every time your videos or shorts show up on my feed I make sure to watch the whole interview out of respect for these men, their legacy shall not be forgotten.
Same. I just put dinner on hold after coming across the short. I can eat a little later. Hearing about the sacrifice these brave American men made on our behalf is an honor. God bless.
Dude this man was born like 30 minutes away from where I was, and about another hour from where I live now. What an honor!
I'm humbled and glad to be watching this at 2:24 AM instead of any other social media garbage.
What an incredible man. Beyond a hero. This man built America with his blood, sweat and tears, and bare hands since the day he was born.
He fought for modern day people to complain about addressing them with the wrong pronoun.
This man was chosen to stay behind. Somebody had to stay behind to speak for those young men. God Bless him.
A great man from the greatest generation. Thank you sir.
You Sir represented the fallen heros as well as any American.
Outstanding!!
80 years of Thank You today. Keeping it going Soldier. 101
This is the most important channel on UA-cam.
You should check out the memoirs of world war 2 channel also. Both are great
6 JUN 44 🇺🇸 80th Anniversary D-Day, Salute Papa Jake! 🕊
My great grandfather was on a submarine for the entire duration of WWII and Vietnam, he died many years before I was born so I don’t know too much about his time in the war, but these stories always make me emotional. I hope my Great Grandfather Omar is doing well in the after life and I hope your comrades are as well. You can never know just how grateful I, and many others are for what you did and what you sacrificed for us and those still around today. I thank you for your service, I’m joining the Air Force in about 1 months time, but I know my service will never even begin to compare to what you, my Great Grandfather and countless other went through, from the bottom of my heart thank you 🙏.
I have the
humble honor of taking care of these men in their last days, it has been incredible for me to be able to share some time with these heroes.
Thank you all for your service.
God bless America
I to have spent time as a care taken being a navy vet myself there's been no greater honor taking care of vets. The stories and respect I carry for these men second to none.
Wonderful man, Jake Larson, quick to give praise and honor to the other great heroes, but insists that he's no hero... This man is humble and grateful and loyal. Absolutely the Greatest Generation. Thank-you, Jake! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
Ooorah
Rahh!!!
Outstanding! My father served in the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division and landed in the second wave on Easy Red. He died at 90 years old in 2008. He was extremely proud to be a member of the 1st Infantry Division from North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Omaha, Normandy Hedge Rows, St. Lo, Mons, Aachen, Cologne, Battle of the Bulge, and into Czechoslovakia. He was there and saw it all - wounded twice. His decorations had clusters.
Did 1st infantry Division liberated St lo?
@@salsepulveda494 Where was 1st Infantry Division during St Lo battle?
@@82AIRBORNE82 Corrections - The 4th Infantry Division was at Cherbourg. From Microsoft Co-Pilot - The 1st Infantry Division (“Big Red One”):
During the breakthrough out of Normandy at Saint-Lô, the 1st Infantry Division swung to the west, took Marigny, and then trapped 30,000 Germans near Coutances.
The division played a crucial role in the liberation of France and continued its advance across Northern France 2.
Therefore, during the Battle for Saint-Lô, the 18th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division was actively engaged in the fight to liberate the city (St. Lo) and secure victory for the Allies. Their efforts contributed significantly to the success of this critical battle. 🇺🇸💪🏼The Major of St. Lo was in the 29th Division and died of wounds received during the battle for St. Lo - the city. His body was placed at the entrance to St. Lo in recognition of his heroic effort during the battle. The entire battle for St. Lo involved several U.S. Divisions and a dramatic number of casualties for U.S. forces.
Sorry for your loss of a great American hero
I’m curious….i e heard that men who went through many of the long term combat deployments such as he did , suffered PTSD . Was that an issue for your father ?
Mr. Larson I read your book. Happy to see you as part of the AVC. Thank you for your lessons in gratitude and realizing what luck can be in many forms. I write cards to other veterans and deployed and I'm very lucky for the opportunity to do so. Thank you for helping me find purpose in life. Your continued service is unparalleled.
Amen
Man’s reliving it all as he’s telling the story. God bless him and all his fellow buddies.
This man shall live forever through these stories.
Absolutely crazy how lucid & clear he still is at almost 101 years old. Thank you for your service Sir, my great uncle passed in 1942 on a bombing run over Germany. I never got the pleasure to meet him but the way my family spoke of him & the way those RAF pilots were revered is something else. They don’t make em like you anymore sir.
That poor man, he suffured so much. God protect his soul.
GOD has protected his soul.
@rameybutler-hm7nx Poor man? What a small mind you must have to think this legendary war hero, this life fully lived, this picture perfect example of what masculinity should be, as a"poor man"..... TSK TSK what a small mind in deed. Poor man my ass! He is a blessed man!!!! 🙏🏼 Thank you sir!
@@KrysteeTorgesonwho is anyone to speak for him unless he directly asked…
He endured so much. Suffering is a matter of perspective of experience
@@Puppy_Puppington so should be said to EVERYONE commenting as if speaking for him.. blessed or poor, all are a matter of opinion. However, many people have made comments like mine with a different opinion or with the same, so why am I the only one you've directed your comment at?
His memory is like he was still there. The smallest of detail and feelings as he’s going through the worst experience of his life. It is truly an honor to know here his story and how he viewed the attack. God bless you sir and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your service!❤
His duty to honor those he served with and those who didn’t make it home! Oh it is gut wrenching. It’s the same every time; they’re the heroes! They’re the ones who made it possible for me…”. There HAS TO BE a better way for us to honor these veterans and what they did! I know words just aren’t enough! But they have to suffice.
As a veteran myself, I would give so much to be in the same room as Jake, buy him a beer(s) and simply listen to his stories of his friends and experiences. What an incredible human.
I never was able to serve and I would love to meet this hero my self. Mr. Larson thank you so much for your service. I would love to tell him that. And thank you as well for your service. I could reply on her but not make a new comment.
Sir, you are also a hero. Every single one of you that ran up that beach that morning are a hero, living or not. Thats a type of bravery that none of us can relate to.
You cant help but Love these men. My Pop joined the Navy in 1932 and served till october 1946.served in a Blimp Hedron on the east coast Before the war then was transferred to the Pacific on the USS Wasp CV 18 as Chief Radioman. He was a CPO.
When he said that he is the last one left and you see on his jacket "to the last man" it really hits you bcs it means him.❤
I had the privilege of meeting Jake in Normandy in 2022.
He is such a kind person and ful of humour.
I will always cherish that memory
Victoria, look at you.😮 ha ha
My Grandfather went in on the second day of D-DAY and he was with the 115th Regiment and 29th Division Infantry I'm so very proud of what my grandfather accomplished and all the veterans of all wars accomplished
Thank you Sir for our freedom ! My father served during WW2 in the Pacific as a Navy surgeon on Guam & Okinawa. He took care of the Marines from Iwo Jima . 🙏❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Semper Fidelis.
Thank you for keeping their memories alive. They shall not grow old.
From UK this brought tears to my eyes. We owe all of you so much.
Truly an honor to listen to you speak. Veteran myself. You all lead the way for so many of us, it was an honor to wear the uniform after men like you.
Just ordered this book, thank you sir for EVERYTHING you've done for this country. Your service and those who you honor now are not forgotten. Excuse me for saying 🙏🏼 but you are a hero
My Dad who landed on D-Day and fought 11 months in Europe always said same thing as this gentleman that he was no hero the real heroes were those who gave their lives for freedom!
That’s what a real man looks like.
Thank you for your service, sir! God bless you! 🫡
I'm so grateful for hero's like this. True American.
Nothing but love and respect for this gentleman. As a younger vet, I thank you for all you and your friends did, we folk living today owe you far more than could ever be repaid.
There will never be another generation as great as yours thank you and God Bless!❤
My father was there on D Day .He never talked about it. I didn't find out until after my mother passed and gave us all a copy of his DD214 I can only imagine the horrors he must of seen ,all the way to surrender
The real heroes never seem to. God bless him
I have never felt so humbled
It’s papa Jake glad to see him tell is story on here so more people can listen to his experience
Always brings a tear to my eye. So brave, thank you sir for the sacrifice you and your generation made for all of us 🙏🏻
Every time I listen to this veteran he makes me tear up and be grateful for all who had served. Giving beyond what most would.
I remember watching this interview 2 years ago. I love to see he's still around.
Saved this to show my daughters when they get a little older, this mans story will live on!
I could sit and listen to this man for hours. And do it with a tape recorder. It's the history of men like this that gets lost to time and never to be heard again. And it's sad.
Thank you so much Jake. Your service to the country was immeasurable. You are a hero and all that gave their life also are. We are forever in debt to your generation that fought to keep the world a safer place.
These Veterans are the Real superheroes.
He helped change world history. The best generation that has ever lived on earth. I admire them deeply and honorably!
What a beautiful story. 101 and still so lucid and thankful for his blessed life. His family must have been so blessed tonhave such a faithful servant for and progenitor.
My Dad's friend piloted a landing craft on D Day he made 12 trips to and from tenders delivering ammunition, one shell would have blown him to pieces! He knew he would get through it all and he did without a scratch! He died in 1975 at an early age but at least he got home and had a family, God was on his side that day! This man is a true hero a special man indeed!
This video needs to go viral
I’m so glad I got to know my grandpa who was in WW2. It felt like he knew everything. He could fix any car problem, any house thing. He was incredibly handy and just knew how to do it all. He was simultaneously as soft as a kitten and as ferocious as a bear when he needed to be, but then followed that up with love and kindness. I wish he had lived a little longer so I had gotten to know him better as a person. We never had long chats about life or his experiences and I wish I had gotten that. I feel like he had so much more to teach me and I never took advantage of that, and now all of that knowledge and wisdom is gone forever.
God needed you to tell your testimony to the world right now when we need him the most. God bless you brother.
I live just a bit North of Owatonna, MN. Thank you Mr. Larson for your bravery and service. I mean that from the bottom of my heart as a daughter of a Korean war vet and daughter-in-law of an Airborne Korean vet.
THAN YOU JAKE!! Thank you for your service and doing your duty both then and now, by telling the world what you all did!!
Absolutely crazy how great his mind and memory still are. He remembers his corp and their names. I don't remember my teachers or classmates from grade school and I'm a third his age.
Now that's a real man! Great memory. God Bless him and all the men that went with him. 🇺🇸
Mr. Larson, I cant thank you enough for my freedom. Forever thankful for you and your brave generation. Much respect.
I've never been so touched by a story. I'm literally in tears. God bless our heros.
My grandpa was in WWll and always said how blessed he was, I def cried the last 2 mins of the video ❤
Was at the 80th anniversary up in Normandie this past weekend and the thing that makes it real are these stories. Thank you sir for reminding a new generation of how another saved the one after
Thank you for your service!!! It was a miracle! Both MG42's must have needed a barrel change or ammo reload right then! But the odds of BOTH needing it at the same time are slim. You were MEANT to survive that to bear witness for what happened there for all your comrades that didn't make it. I have been next to an original MG42 when it fires, and my God do those have a high rate of fire! The sound gives you chills, especially when you know those men faced down a number of them at once! Once you've seen one fire in real life, you can't imagine how ANYONE got off that beach alive! May the Lord Bless you and keep you, may he make his face to shine upon you and grant you peace! My Uncle was 82nd Airborne on D-Day, he was inland from this brave man trying to keep reinforcements from coming up and disrupting communications. Both men brave beyond measure!
I give thanks to every single person who bravely fought in WW2, regardless of creed, colour or nationality. I am grateful we can learn about the history of the war from eye witness accounts as it reinforces just how real it was rather than just reading it in books. My grandfather was in the UK medical corps and he would never speak about what he witnessed, right up until the day he passed.
Thank you for your service and bravery.
You give thanks to Nazis? 🤨
This man is the definition of courage! Actually willing to lay down their lives!
He’s experiencing it all again as he speaks about it. Tough as nails. The most respect for this man and all that we’re with him
This Man is a Hero ! God bless Him . We owe this Man much gratitude.
Hey Mr. Larson. Thanks for giving me and my family a great life in America for over 50 years.
It’s 3:42 am and I have a big day at work in a few hours, I needed to sleep but once I saw this clip of this video I had to go check it out, god bless this man and all the other men 🤝💪🏼
These men are the true heroes of our lifetime.
I hold the men that fought in WW II, which includes my Grandfather, in the highest regards. I am very thankful and grateful to every one of them for the sacrifices they made so we could be free. Please let's not forget that immense sacrifice. God bless you, Sir. Thanks very much for sharing such important stories.
GOD Bless this Incredible Gentleman and All of Our Hero's 💙🙏🕯♥️🕯🙏💙
I need his story. It breaks my heart all they went through. I’m grateful to hear him tell us his story.
Thank you for your service sir !!!! The sacrifices that these brave men and women had to endure ............
I can’t imagine going through what these men have gone through, or seeing what they’ve seen. And nor do I want to. They went into hell and never really got out of it.
All you hero’s will never be forgotten and the stories you men have are life changing weather you know it or not. Thank you all to those who served, and are serving god bless you all and god bless America 🇺🇸 🫡🫡
His story is absolutely amazing. So are the stories of the other Veterans on this channel. We are honored to hear them in our lifetime.
Omg what a man to fight for our future
Love Jack Larson. Glad you got to interview him.
Yep😮
This guy is special, if I'm not mistaken he is one of the very last combat veterans from WW2 so this is special, all the accounts from WW2 vets on here are special. Happy memorial day to this guy and everyone in that uniform of our country much respect 🇺🇸🦅🦅💪🏻
You shouldn't wish anyone a happy Memorial Day, especially those who have been to war. It's not a happy day. It's a day for us to reflect on those we lost in combat. It's also not a day for BBQ's and "starting summer", unless you're doing a BBQ or something to honor those we've lost.
These are the most courageous men of the last century.
It is an honor to watch this gentleman tell his story.
Can you imagine what these soldiers and sailors did on that day? I hope some of you put that in perspective to what we have/do nowadays. Greatest modern generation.
The greatest generation by far , on both sides of the pond ..... Bless you Sir .
Absolutely fascinated by this hero's story and thankfully we had men of his greatness when we needed it most!
Very interesting. Fabulous memory. Thanks for your service.