Send Mr. Kelley a THANK YOU Letter! Send them to 3057 Gehring Dr. Flint, Michigan 48506 Please help me interview more WWII Veterans by going to www.rememberww2.org/donate... All donations go to the travel to meet and get more of these heroes on camera. Thank you to the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation for making this interview possible Thanks and GOD BLESS THE WWII VETERANS!
Thank You ‘CB’ Kelley for sharing your recollections!Thank You Joe Kelley for posting this interview! I am GLAD you have a connection to WW 2, most people today don’t My Dad served Cpl. USMC 4th Division ‘43-‘45 aboard AGC-1 (4 Battle Stars) - radio operator.
My father was one of those engineers building those bridges across the river around Naha that night in May 1945 quietly as possible. They were finished with a foot bridge for infantry to advance. At first light 3 Japanese suicide bombers blew the bridge. The 6th Engineering Battalion guys in C company, my Dad's company went on to put up a Bailey Bridge so the armor could cross and press the attack into Naha. My Dad ended up jumping into a hole to dodge an artillery shell and landed on a group of Marine officers who happened to have jumped in the same hole! I have been going through my Dad's memoirs and have been putting them in a book and when I saw this amazing interview it dawned on me he was describing one of the same moments my Dad had written about. What a fascinating interview. I wish Dad had done an interview like this before he passed away in 2013. Around 2000 he started a diary about his time in the Marines. He wanted it written down while his memories were still clear. God Bless You Sir.
A brilliant interview and what an amazing and gracious man, his recollections are so sharp, despite the passage of time, and his humour and wit shine through in all of his stories.
Mr. KELLEY, YOU BROUGHT TEARS TI MY EYES… yiou have a photogenic memory .. I am A Marine, we were taught that ya never call yourself an Ex Marine nor a Former Marine …but rather PROUDLY say, "I’m a MARINE ….” THEN - NOW -ALWAYS-FOREVER”……we learned at Boot Camp in PI …..this saying……"ONCE A MARINE………ALWAYS A MARINE…… I served in the Vietnam war at its very beginning in both Thailand and Laos as a long distance radio operator … I Had 3 MOS ..2519 A WIREMAN ……2531 A VOICE RADIO OPERATOR and 2532 A RADIO RELAY OPERATOR. With your sharp memory you relayed to us the depth of your Marine Combat experiences.. your total recall is truly incredible…. In my mind, you ended your war story PERFECTLY……..by telling us that …you survived the War through Faith and Trust in The LORD… MAY GOD HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU and All those who served so selflessly,and nobly with you..Sir……SEMPER Fi!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
My father was on Okinawa, and my father-in-law was on Iwo Jima. Neither was wounded. My dad came back with malaria, but we were almost unbelievably lucky. Both also survived Korea.
What an incredible account of history. This man is as clear as he can be while recalling violent and graphic accounts. He is absolutely brave and a legend like the others he served with
My father was a Marine stretcher bearer in the 6th Regiment/ 1st Marine Division there at Okinawa Thank you Mr Kelley for your service - a true American Hero- def The Greatest Generation That ever Lived
I never cease to be amazed at the memory of these brave men. Every WW2 Marine I have met had amazing recall. It is because of men like C B that I joined the Corps in 1972.
Thank you to the Veterans for agreeing to share their experiences with us who wish to learn . I’ve interviewed a small amount of WW2 NZ veterans,i would have liked to have started earlier . Thanks also to those who go to the effort of locating these Vets and producing these documentaries. !
We got these cry babies kids now days that don’t even recognize the price that was paid so we have it easy today. Thanks to all these men. I have had a grateful life with no war for me. We owe them so much.
I cant watch these without getting teary eyed. Reminds me of my grandpa when he talked about being in the war. Rest in peace my hero. He was a mortarman that landed on Utah beach, battle of the Rhine, and taking Germany. 🫡❤
What’s amazing is that yesterday I knew only a few famous names from Okinawa. But today, we all learned that Marine Adams was not only a Marine involved in combat, but that he was engaged in demolitions and was killed. But we also know something about the man himself. He had to be a pretty good guy because of how the memory of Adams’ death affected Mr. Kelley so strongly. I know of few other channels that can do that.
Those who gave their lives for our freedoms should never just be a name on a cross...We owe it them to keep their humanity alive. Thanks for watching and please subscribe for more. GOD BLESS THE WWII VETERANS!
This is the generation that we all aspired to one day be as we joined the military and did our best to live up to the standards that they set for us I thank god and these guys for the freedom that we have and a great childhood less we forget God bless them
A great episode with extreme detail.What a memory he has...Okinawa was a meat grinder. It was the only battle where generals of both sides died. I really believe him when he said that only his faith carried him through
Really enjoyed listening to this you guys were the greatest generation and my father fought in Europe and survived but they were never left He's now buried in veteran cemetery memorial cemetery
You can see the old fella reliving the memories from all those years ago, to witness all that death & destruction, wow! What an amazing chap this guy is, a true hero if ever there was one, thank you for sharing those stories with us, God bless you.
I just attend the funeral of a Marine an old friend from Bigfork Minnesota Lyle (Butch) Hocking age 99 years old he was in the Battles of , Tininian, Sipain and Okinawa
Butch was wounded twice he was one of the nicest person I ever met an most of his community attended his funeral which says a lot about him Thanks to him an all those men that put themselves in harms way we as a nation owe everything!
Butch told me about the incident with the jap airplane landing an everyone open Ing up an killing the pilot! Years later. Butch an his wife had a canoe rental business for people wanting to canoe the Bigfork river so one day a fellow stopped in to rent a canoe Butch an the guy got talking an found out the fellow was a former Marine an was on Okinawa he also rememberedthe Jao plane incident but he was on one side of the lands strip an Butch was on the other!
I live 40 minutes from this legend. Thank you, Sir, for your service! I was just reading about how many Michiganders were in the war and thousands are still alive. It’s amazing. ❤❤❤
Awesome cannot wait to see your NH video! I live between Boston and NH ...go to the white Mountains Mnt. Washington ..I've hiked it over a dozen times ..beautiful!
My father suffered from malaria until mid 1960s. He had nightmare and as a boy I heard him moaning in his sleep and woke him in a pool of sweat. He told me to go back to bed that he was just dreaming about the war. He never spoke much about it. He did tell me that they were so tired they emptied the brains out of helmets and used it as a pillow. My father just told me one story in detail. He had a buddy John Goosenberry. (Don't know how to spell it). He was 21. My father's platoon was under attack and they were ordered to run forward with bullets being fired at them and shells exploding. My father and John were running together and there was a fox hole and John said "Jump left Lenny and I'll jump right". Then there was an explosion. My father yelled out "Are you OK John?" No answer. My father got out and looked to the right hole John had jumped into and saw him looking down at both of his legs blown off. John screamed and died. My father relived this over and over. What if he had jumped right? That's the only story I was able to pry out if him. 😢
My dad's dad was deemed too flat footed to serve..my.moms dad was 15 when the war started and he got into the army by the end as a gunner but he never left Halifax, canada. I can't imagine that trauma. Thank you for sharing, what they went thru is truly unimaginable...
Dad had all of WW II. THEN got called up for Korea also. 4 years of combat. First 20 years after war was a problem on home front.. Dad was Officer and spoke German. So after the German surrender. Army kept Dad to get German governments back up and running again. And round up Nazis.. So he never got home until end of September '45.
Thank you Charles.Your a fine man,a decent human being.You did what you had to do.I'm also a veteran of the Air Force 27 years service Ex flight engineer and mechanic.I pray every day for the good lord to protect my family and our beautiful country.I feel God has kept me alive through some hard times so I may help others when I can.I am grateful to you for sharing your story
You rock sir! Love you man. Thank you for your service. The bravery and courage unbelievable. A different time in the world. May the memories of your friends always be kind and positive. May your every day be a blessing. I wish you well. Kind thanks. 🙏
Thank You Charles Kelley for your brave service to the USA. Young men like you who had the courage and patriotism to go and put their lives on the line is becoming a rarity these days. I wish you peace and happiness the rest of your days!
My Dad was with the 6th after The Marine Raiders (what was left of them) were absorbed into the 6th. James (Jim) Watkins Honeycutt, a tall southerner with an MG (Thompson). Dad's identical uniform with the exact same ribbons as pictured next to Mr. Kelly hangs in my closet. Dad had three purple hearts...
My Uncle was a civil engineering student sent out to India to command Indian troops in the Burma campaign, he suffered from malaria & unquestionably had PTSD which had long term effects on the family.
God bless you Mr Kelley❤️. Your statement (paraphrasing) “You can’t do anything without God”. So true. I thank God every morning I wake up. However it’s a great reminder
@@dana102083Is that a serious question? He was taking to Americans, hence the Dear America part. To @johnbowse4693, there are still Americans like me and many others that will do what it takes.
Send Mr. Kelley a THANK YOU Letter! Send them to 3057 Gehring Dr. Flint, Michigan 48506
Please help me interview more WWII Veterans by going to www.rememberww2.org/donate... All donations go to the travel to meet and get more of these heroes on camera. Thank you to the Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation for making this interview possible
Thanks and GOD BLESS THE WWII VETERANS!
Love listening this man, can you imagine if we needed men like him nowadays, I know I sure as hell am not one,❤😂
This is my grandfather, thank you for allowing him to share his story.
Thank You ‘CB’ Kelley for sharing your recollections!Thank You Joe Kelley for posting this interview! I am
GLAD you have a connection to
WW 2, most people today don’t
My Dad served Cpl. USMC 4th
Division ‘43-‘45 aboard AGC-1
(4 Battle Stars) - radio operator.
God Bless him.
And you, for lookin out.
Thank your family. For his services.
Thank you sir!
My grandpa served with the 3rd Marines. He was wounded before iwo jima. I'm here to tell you. Your grandfather is a national treasure. God bless him.
Mr.Kelley is a great story teller, I could listen to him all day.
My father was one of those engineers building those bridges across the river around Naha that night in May 1945 quietly as possible. They were finished with a foot bridge for infantry to advance. At first light 3 Japanese suicide bombers blew the bridge. The 6th Engineering Battalion guys in C company, my Dad's company went on to put up a Bailey Bridge so the armor could cross and press the attack into Naha. My Dad ended up jumping into a hole to dodge an artillery shell and landed on a group of Marine officers who happened to have jumped in the same hole! I have been going through my Dad's memoirs and have been putting them in a book and when I saw this amazing interview it dawned on me he was describing one of the same moments my Dad had written about. What a fascinating interview. I wish Dad had done an interview like this before he passed away in 2013. Around 2000 he started a diary about his time in the Marines. He wanted it written down while his memories were still clear.
God Bless You Sir.
.... Mr. Kelley is as sharp as a tack - God Bless Him.
36:17 “war is such a foolish thing”
What a treasure, peace to you sir. Thank you for your sacrifice and courage
A true hero. Thank you for your service, Sir.
The memory this Marine has is incredible..Sempi Fi Sir.
I'm in New Zealand and would like to thank you & your fellow Marines Mr Kelley.
A brilliant interview and what an amazing and gracious man, his recollections are so sharp, despite the passage of time, and his humour and wit shine through in all of his stories.
Thank you for watching. Please don't forget to subscribe! GOD BLESS THE WWII HEROES!
GOD BLESS THE WWII HEROES!
Mr. KELLEY, YOU BROUGHT TEARS TI MY EYES… yiou have a photogenic memory .. I am A Marine, we were taught that ya never call yourself an Ex Marine nor a Former Marine …but rather PROUDLY say, "I’m a MARINE ….” THEN - NOW -ALWAYS-FOREVER”……we learned at Boot Camp in PI …..this saying……"ONCE A MARINE………ALWAYS A MARINE…… I served in the Vietnam war at its very beginning in both Thailand and Laos as a long distance radio operator … I Had 3 MOS ..2519 A WIREMAN ……2531 A VOICE RADIO OPERATOR and 2532 A RADIO RELAY OPERATOR.
With your sharp memory you relayed to us the depth of your Marine Combat experiences.. your total recall is truly incredible….
In my mind, you ended your war story PERFECTLY……..by telling us that …you survived the War through Faith and Trust in The LORD…
MAY GOD HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE FOR YOU and All those who served so selflessly,and nobly with you..Sir……SEMPER Fi!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
My dad was a Fighter/Bomber pilot in the Pacific,too.
My father was on Okinawa, and my father-in-law was on Iwo Jima. Neither was wounded. My dad came back with malaria, but we were almost unbelievably lucky. Both also survived Korea.
What an incredible account of history. This man is as clear as he can be while recalling violent and graphic accounts. He is absolutely brave and a legend like the others he served with
Please accept our gracious greetings and deepest gratitude from France Mr Kelley
My father was a Marine stretcher bearer in the 6th Regiment/ 1st Marine Division there at Okinawa
Thank you Mr Kelley for your service - a true American Hero- def The Greatest Generation That ever Lived
His memory is amazing! These interviews are facinating. Very brave men!
Thank you sir for your service. Schools don't teach what service men sacrifice there life for us
The attrition of comrades and friends is truly sobering
..
I never cease to be amazed at the memory of these brave men. Every WW2 Marine I have met had amazing recall. It is because of men like C B that I joined the Corps in 1972.
Thank you to the Veterans for agreeing to share their experiences with us who wish to learn .
I’ve interviewed a small amount of WW2 NZ veterans,i would have liked to have started earlier .
Thanks also to those who go to the effort of locating these Vets and producing these documentaries. !
We got these cry babies kids now days that don’t even recognize the price that was paid so we have it easy today. Thanks to all these men. I have had a grateful life with no war for me. We owe them so much.
Sad how our military has turned woke, now they want asylum Seekers to join the forces
Correct, and to think today, they think they have it hard.
Mr Kelly i thank you for my freedom and for telling your story. You are truly an American hero from the greatest generation.
That man is sharp as a tack. It must have been an honor to st down and talk with just a great guy. Great stories sir. You are much appreciated.
I cant watch these without getting teary eyed. Reminds me of my grandpa when he talked about being in the war. Rest in peace my hero. He was a mortarman that landed on Utah beach, battle of the Rhine, and taking Germany. 🫡❤
Thank you for your service Sir. I am so sorry that you and you friends had to go thru this Hell. God Bless you.
Thank You Mr. Kelly for my Freedom
What’s amazing is that yesterday I knew only a few famous names from Okinawa. But today, we all learned that Marine Adams was not only a Marine involved in combat, but that he was engaged in demolitions and was killed. But we also know something about the man himself. He had to be a pretty good guy because of how the memory of Adams’ death affected Mr. Kelley so strongly.
I know of few other channels that can do that.
Those who gave their lives for our freedoms should never just be a name on a cross...We owe it them to keep their humanity alive. Thanks for watching and please subscribe for more. GOD BLESS THE WWII VETERANS!
What a fantastic interview with an incredible human. I loved listening to all Mr. Kelley’s stories.
I can't imagine living with these memories.
We owe our many Freedoms to this man and his fellow soldiers.
This is the generation that we all aspired to one day be as we joined the military and did our best to live up to the standards that they set for us
I thank god and these guys for the freedom that we have and a great childhood less we forget
God bless them
Thank you Sir for your courage, sacrifice and service for freedom ❤️🇺🇸
Thanks!
Incredible interview. Great job by all involved
A great episode with extreme detail.What a memory he has...Okinawa was a meat grinder. It was the only battle where generals of both sides died. I really believe him when he said that only his faith carried him through
Really enjoyed listening to this you guys were the greatest generation and my father fought in Europe and survived but they were never left He's now buried in veteran cemetery memorial cemetery
You can see the old fella reliving the memories from all those years ago, to witness all that death & destruction, wow! What an amazing chap this guy is, a true hero if ever there was one, thank you for sharing those stories with us, God bless you.
I just attend the funeral of a Marine an old friend from Bigfork Minnesota Lyle (Butch) Hocking age 99 years old he was in the Battles of , Tininian, Sipain and Okinawa
Butch was wounded twice he was one of the nicest person I ever met an most of his community attended his funeral which says a lot about him Thanks to him an all those men that put themselves in harms way we as a nation owe everything!
Butch told me about the incident with the jap airplane landing an everyone open Ing up an killing the pilot! Years later. Butch an his wife had a canoe rental business for people wanting to canoe the Bigfork river so one day a fellow stopped in to rent a canoe Butch an the guy got talking an found out the fellow was a former Marine an was on Okinawa he also rememberedthe Jao plane incident but he was on one side of the lands strip an Butch was on the other!
I live 40 minutes from this legend. Thank you, Sir, for your service! I was just reading about how many Michiganders were in the war and thousands are still alive. It’s amazing. ❤❤❤
God Bless you Mr. Kelley, and thank you for all you did for us. My father was in the war, stationed in the European theater.
Thanks! God bless you sir, thank you for your service.
Thanks for your service all of you,!!!!!!
that part when they put oakie in for a medal for his actions but the guys are like oh he saved you too, kelley? -that cancels it out. too funny
What an incredible memory! Thanks for your service, and sorry for the loss of your buddies.
Sir You deserve to be spoiled. Thank you for your wisdom.
Great interview and god bless all of our veterans.
That was incredible! I hope I can remember my time in the Gulf Wars as well as he does when I get his age! Semper Fi, Marine!
Thank you so much sir, one of the greatest generation!
Awesome cannot wait to see your NH video! I live between Boston and NH ...go to the white Mountains Mnt. Washington ..I've hiked it over a dozen times ..beautiful!
He's a hero we all need to realize there are so few WW2 heros left...💓🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
He had some great stories!!! I loved the theatre story, really had me cracking up.
God bless you, Mr. Kelley, for your service and sacrifices. ❤
Thank you for making this piece of history immortal for future generations to appreciate
I wish my Father would have opened up and talked to you like this man did. He just wouldn’t talk.
Your dad was a truly tough man. Didn't want to burden others with all the horrific details. Your dad is a real man
I have listened to hundreds of these stories and this one is one of the best
An hour and a half that I am glad I spent!
Thank you for your service Kelley!
Simper fi. Thank you for your service and sharing your story. 🇺🇸
Thank you Mr Kelly!
God Bless you sir.
Love your work brother! All those women and men are hero's
Also-I was literally laughing out loud. His little jokes hit just right.
USMC 68-71 VMO-6 MAG 36 - This man is a Marines Marine Semper Fi sir
My good Friends father was at okinawa. He was a b a r man His name was marty demiano . The stories were unbelievable. He was shot 3 times .
What a great interview and a great guy! Thank you Mr. Kelly!
My dad was with the sixth there, artillery Capt's bodyguard detail. Ready reserve until 51 then on to Korea.
My father suffered from malaria until mid 1960s. He had nightmare and as a boy I heard him moaning in his sleep and woke him in a pool of sweat. He told me to go back to bed that he was just dreaming about the war. He never spoke much about it. He did tell me that they were so tired they emptied the brains out of helmets and used it as a pillow. My father just told me one story in detail. He had a buddy John Goosenberry. (Don't know how to spell it). He was 21. My father's platoon was under attack and they were ordered to run forward with bullets being fired at them and shells exploding. My father and John were running together and there was a fox hole and John said "Jump left Lenny and I'll jump right". Then there was an explosion. My father yelled out "Are you OK John?" No answer. My father got out and looked to the right hole John had jumped into and saw him looking down at both of his legs blown off. John screamed and died. My father relived this over and over. What if he had jumped right? That's the only story I was able to pry out if him. 😢
My dad's dad was deemed too flat footed to serve..my.moms dad was 15 when the war started and he got into the army by the end as a gunner but he never left Halifax, canada. I can't imagine that trauma. Thank you for sharing, what they went thru is truly unimaginable...
Dad had all of WW II. THEN got called up for Korea also. 4 years of combat. First 20 years after war was a problem on home front.. Dad was Officer and spoke German. So after the German surrender. Army kept Dad to get German governments back up and running again. And round up Nazis.. So he never got home until end of September '45.
😢 the trauma these men lived through was awful. BUT they were MEN! 👍🇺🇸❤️
This is a wonderful interview. Thank you Mr. Kelley and thank you Rishi. 👍🏻
40 seconds in and I'm already enthralled by this man's testimony
Thank you Charles.Your a fine man,a decent human being.You did what you had to do.I'm also a veteran of the Air Force 27 years service Ex flight engineer and mechanic.I pray every day for the good lord to protect my family and our beautiful country.I feel God has kept me alive through some hard times so I may help others when I can.I am grateful to you for sharing your story
one of the best interviews ive ever seen.
semper fi !
I always give your videos a 👍thank you for them and bless all who served in WW2. Most respectfully yours.
You rock sir! Love you man. Thank you for your service. The bravery and courage unbelievable. A different time in the world. May the memories of your friends always be kind and positive. May your every day be a blessing. I wish you well. Kind thanks. 🙏
Great interview and great man 👍
Thank you Sir
Thank you for sharing, much love
Thank You Charles Kelley for your brave service to the USA. Young men like you who had the courage and patriotism to go and put their lives on the line is becoming a rarity these days. I wish you peace and happiness the rest of your days!
My Dad was with the 6th after The Marine Raiders (what was left of them) were absorbed into the 6th. James (Jim) Watkins Honeycutt, a tall southerner with an MG (Thompson). Dad's identical uniform with the exact same ribbons as pictured next to Mr. Kelly hangs in my closet. Dad had three purple hearts...
Thank you for your service sir. Bet none of the guys who fought never dreamed this country would end up in the condition its in,,,,so sad
Yes. I think about that all the time. My Dad USMC on Iwo. Lost him in 2018.
My Uncle was a civil engineering student sent out to India to command Indian troops in the Burma campaign, he suffered from malaria & unquestionably had PTSD which had long term effects on the family.
He’s a sweet old man now, but he was one hardcore badass when he was young…
What a great guy from a great generation of people that we can all learn a lot from Thank you sir for sharing your story 🫡🇺🇸
Semper Fidelis!
God Bless🇺🇸🙏🏻
God bless you Mr Kelley❤️. Your statement (paraphrasing) “You can’t do anything without God”. So true. I thank God every morning I wake up. However it’s a great reminder
“HE spoiled me” , is the best phrase I have ever heard !!! (About GOD!)
🇺🇲"God Bless Our Veterans and Active Warrior's!!!"🇺🇲
🌐🙏🌐
My Uncle Roy was a Navy Corpsman wounded at Ohio
Tried to say that war never left him he carried it with him everyday
Garand Pops with Tops and BAR none!!!
Awesome American!
DEAR AMERICA. PLEASE DO NOT LET OUR SERVICE MEMBERS SACRIFICE BE IN VAIN. PRESERVE OUR CONSTITUTION.
You do know the world wide web is global? Quite a few countries have access.
@@dana102083Is that a serious question? He was taking to Americans, hence the Dear America part. To @johnbowse4693, there are still Americans like me and many others that will do what it takes.
@@dana102083 I am aware of that fact. Thank you. Sincerely, jb
If this doesn’t touch your heart then you have no soul.
When was this interview recorded?
October 18th 2023
these are really good. volume is always low.
I was doing this, talking to veterans back in the 1970 and 1980s when I was in my 20s and 3os I'm 60 now but I don't like talking about it .
Hello!
The guardian angel , then the guy who knew he was going to die. I am sure the presence of god was there.
What is that music track at the end?
"This is my buddy and I'm going to carry him to the bathroom every day". Got it?
Sometimes it seems that only ‘The good die young.’