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When I was in sixth grade, during our Veteran’s Day program, someone’s grandparents attended. This is when I learned of the Bataan death march. The gentleman was in the march and was unable to tell the story so his wife did. He stood beside her bawling his eyes out the entire time. That is THE QUIETEST I have ever heard hundreds of kids in a gym at any time in my life and that was the day I knew I was going to serve.
I can’t imagine being a kid, and hearing this from someone. When I was in 7th grade the school did like a scared straight thing. A few drunk drivers that killed people scared the crap out of us
@@tompatchak8706 it was intense, to say the least. To this day, I still avoid saying “I’m starving.” Same school did one of those too lol. We took a field trip to the state pen. During the trip we had a sit down with a couple of lifers. The one I remember was in for killing a man he was trying to rob. The man was soliciting prostitution from the lifer’s girl. He jumped out a closet to rob him and ended up killing him in the process. Different times lol
Was the speaker named Ted R. Williams, and was he in the air warning detachment, 3rd marines, fourth battalion? (NOT THE BASEBALL PLAYER) if he was, that was my great-uncle.
You don't really have to imply that warfighters today aren't as good. There are a few exceptional ones today just as in ww2 and none if them were forced to serve. 😮 My grandfather and grandmother's twin went to the eastern front. One came back. I'm gladvthat we have advanced SO much that we won't have to makevso many heros or lose so many people. I hope.
@@rodgerfoshee7378no Americans fought the eastern front. The soviets wouldn't of let them. All we did was supply them. But according to history there were no American or British on the eastern front. Unless you're German. Than carry on.
My Grandfather was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. I was too young at the time to understand the gravity of the stories my father (a marine himself) would tell me about his dad. To this day, I remember seeing the pride he had of *his* father. I lost my dad a few years back so the memories hit a little harder but I Thank You for bringing this story back to the surface for me. These brave souls should never be forgotten.
Lost my dad almost 4 years ago, crazy how you only think to ask certain things after they're gone. I lost him when I was 21 and thought I was an adult and knew what to ask and would remember everything but once they're gone it's just gone. It's weird, hope you're going well brother, your dad sounds a lot like mine🤙
As a Fil-Am service member, thank you for covering Bataan and the Philippine Scouts. They’re very much the unsung heroes of the opening acts of WWII and it warms my heart to see them get the recognition they deserve
I never served WITH the Philippine scouts, that would have been an honor. However, I did have the lucky opportunity be Apart of a train up with them on an IA deployment that was halted my second year as a TACP and I thought I was in shape... I was proven wrong in almost every way possible except for pull ups. Everywhere I've gone I've always been the best at SOMETHING.... but not in the Phillipines, they're no joke and it would have been an honor to fight beside them. Hell I got out shot at just over a mile by a dude/kid that was JUST getting his moustache... and I'm a damn good shot even under stress... makes you wonder if they're all just pretty equally badass. No quit in those men whatsoever! BAHALA NA!
My father fought with the Americans against the Japanese at 14. He got a municipality after the war for his efforts. My American grandfather is still buried over there. Not enough appreciation is given nowadays to the GIs whom helped my Filipino brothers and sisters.
@brigidtheirish yes. The Japanese decimated the population, killed the land owners, so someone needed to "look after" territory/towns. I think the Americans did it everywhere throughout the Pacific. Even small islands.
@@danceswithpaperhands6221 Wow. I knew that the Japanese were brutal with the territories they occupied, but I didn't know that was how America dealt with the aftermath.
A close family friend celebrated his 17th birthday on that walk across Bataan. One day, riding the train to work, i happened across a bit of newspaper that had an obit for a survivor of that march. I tore it out, and sent it to him. Writing that i doubted he knew the guy, but that at least >someone< was acknowledging what he'd gone through. That i felt it was disgusting that they never gotten any recognition, at least not publicly, for what happened. He wrote back, thanking me for the obit (he didn't know the guy), and for the acknowledgement of their sacrifice and suffering. He included a little hand drawn map of Bataan, his troops and artillery positions on it, explaining how they spent the day they were to surrender blasting the runway with artillery that they'd let the attacking forces think was disabled (until the hour they had been order to surrender), along with some of his debrief from when he was rescued from the POW camp. He was about 5' 5", and upon his release he weighed 78 pounds. He died as that letter made its way to me. Milton Elmore was a great man. I am very glad to have known him.
The Archangel Michael met that man at the gate of Heaven…as the commander of all the Bataan Death March survivors, the US Soldiers and Filipino Scouts who fought so hard to buy the U.S. time to prepare the long flight to roll back Imperial Japan.
Milton Elmores name and story will forever be remembered. I have the honor of hearing it from you and I will make sure it lives on. I may not be famous but I am a US Marine and I will find a way.
Thank you for this story, especially talking about the Philippine Scouts, my grandfather Valentino Juanitas was a Philippine Scout and also a Bataan Death March Survivor. That is how my family became US citizens. My grandmother Alodia was part of the Philippine underground who were spies for the US and Philippine Scouts, she would aid the efforts by smuggling medicine for the troops. Keep doing what you do. Thanks again.
Fast forward to 2023, current Filipinos do not want to be even involved in a war and their military were so ill-equipped, no one wants to fight. Besides, no one fights in the jungle in the era of missiles and stealth fighters.
@@TNLableAs a filipino, I don't think we fight to look or feel cool sporting the most advanced tech. Most of the conflicts in the Philippines happen in urban areas such as the relatively recent Battle of Marawi. Other areas of conflict are in the jungle/remote areas where local terrorist organizations usually hide. Stealth fighters and bombers are generally not applicable in these scenarios
@@gacrux-ni7hw well mahirap lang tayo and we couldn't buy the needed weapons. That is why we already reached 2024 and we still have fucking insurgencies and we can't do something about our external defense. Those weapons are a necessity that we do not have cuz we neglected them. Nah justify ka pa na mukha na tayong kawawa sa mundo kaya nga kinakawawa tayo lagi sa past na giyera eh. Cuz you do not have the power to match the aggressor
Back in 1983, I had the pleasure of meeting a survivor of that death March, the stories he told me. He was liberated from a Japanese controlled coal mine in 1946. Think the fact I was a Air Force brat who had lived on Clark AFB in the mid 50's caused him to take a liking to me...plus I was a recently discharged Vietnam Era Marine. He was a hellava man to call friend. As usual, a great video by the Fat Electrician.
I was blessed with the opportunity to meet a Canadian survivor of a Japanese POW camp. He didn't talk much about what he went through, but i remember the look in his eyes when a Japanese gentleman walked up to us. He lifted himself from the table and turned his back to walk away. Before leaving, he apologized to the Japanese man but told him the memories of what his people did to his comrades forced him to leave. I have visited the edges of hell, but that man had lived there
I grew up thinking we hated the Japanese for being different. I think we just might have hated them for being monsters... I don't know how Japan gets so little flak for what they did compared to Germany... The Germans were perfecting horrific acts while the Japanese were inventing new ways to be inhuman monsters. My college education made me face what Japan did to other countries... What Japan did to women and children. We have photos of what they did. It wasn't forever ago. It wasn't even 100 years ago. I hate thinking about it. I'm Polish and I've seen the photos of the camps... My uncle's photos from visiting family outside Auschwitz. Seeing that prison boat made me wish for the camps. Such horrific suffering...
@@SifernosRatLord wait till you see what the USA did in japan, Vietnam, Laos, Iraq and Others...However it hows no candle to what Stalin did to his own people....in the name of advancement! yeah history is fracked
@@mahtowaNot really to scale, and mostly isolated incidents. Besides Vietnam and Laos. You would have to go back to early colonial Philippines when the US first got control to really see anything near what the Japanese did in WWII.
@@mahtowathe japanese used to infect the chinese people with various diseases then disect them while they were still alive to see what the disease was doing to their bodies. The japanese made hitler look like an amateur.
My grandfather so survived the Bataan Death March. He only told his story once, when I was in the 3rd grade. He mentioned sabotaging the efforts and being stuck in a ship for long time being fed only rice. He lost his vision when a Japanese soldier hit him on the back of the head with a pipe after he stumbled. He never ate rice again once he was freed. To this day, we regret not recording him talking to my class.
He likely wouldn’t have wanted to be recorded. To them, these men did what they had to do for liberty. Most I knew were extremely reluctant to speak 🗣️of it at all.
So...I've watched this video 3 times trying to find some way to react to it other than being numbed by the weight of the story being told. It's shocking...disturbing...to listen to this account while knowing what happened to the soldiers who were forced into the Bataan Death March. You find these snippets of history that SHOULD be taught and bring them to light. Thank you. Until 2 days ago...I didn't even know the Philippine Scouts were a thing. Finding out how absolutely badass they are...damn.
Thank you for these stories. They are a reminder that what we have did not come cheap but was built on the blood, sacrifice, and courage of brave men throughout our history. These were our fathers and grandfathers and we are proud of them.
Stories of the Philippines scouts from the unit history of the 26th Cavalry still ring in my ears from when I started reading them in the '80's only reinforced by media accounts (movies etc) when it comes to you that these men were real flesh and blood, that they actually did these Herculean things and more plus so many of them just evaporated from history like they did it's nothing short of heartbreaking. The unit I was assigned to (decades later) C Troop 1st Squadron of the 26th Cavalry at a certain point in time their history simply goes quiet, it's known the remainder of the unit refused to surrender and retreated to the mountains to carry on gurrella warfare, apparently none survived. Remnants of the 26th were on the death march, some survived that too, my understanding is that none of C Troop survived the war. Here's to lifting a Red Horse to my elder brothers in arms when I return to the Philippines again, I'm very proud of my vague association with you all.
Have you read Ghost Soldiers? Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission. It is insane. I think I held my breath through a good part of it. If you haven’t read it, I think you’d really enjoy it. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Soldiers
This story gives me great pride for being a Filipino. Up to this day, Americans are welcomed with open arms in the Philippines due to the deep connection our people develop during World War 2. My great grandparents on my mother side, were members of those Guerrillas. The Filipino guerrillas also perfected the technique of using Yo-Yos as a weapon beside knives and fight sticks called Arnis. Great storytelling as always. Keep up the great work.
I have to ask, and im not tryna be ignorant cause i genuinely want to know, why dont yall spell it Philipino's instead of filipino? Just always kinda struck me as odd, speaking as a canadian. Have a great day yall
I went in the Navy 1977-1990 and on my first ship I was in the Boiler Room and I was sent to Messcook. I switched from Fireman Recruit to Seaman Recruit and then became an MS(Cook). I learned how to Cook from Filipinos and we joked with each other. I never ate Rice till I was in the Navy and I asked them why they eat so much rice and they replied "Rice to us Filipinos is like potatoes are to you White People" and we all laughed 😂. When I was in Key West and we caught a bunch of fish we would give the fish to married Filipinos and they would keep some and then Cook us single Sailors big platters of Fish, Rice and Vegetables. I wish that I could go back in time and PARTY with those Great People and My Shipmates.❤
My great uncle was in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March and the POW camp. Unfortunately near the end he was shipped off in a Hell Ship to be taken back to Japan, however the Japanese did not mark their POW vessels as such and it was targeted by a US submarine as a Japanese troop transport and they sunk it with a torpedo attack. My great Uncle died in that attack. Thank you sharing these stories as not everyone has heard of them and those that fought on against impossible odds.
Even though he was killed by friendly fire it is still a shame to survive through all the suffering and uncertainty and die rhat close to the end of the war.
My great grandfather was at the Battle of the Pockets at Bataan and Corregidor as a Philippine Scout who fought in 1941. He was released in 1943 as a POW and watched his friends die. In 1944 he became a guerilla and helped the Airborne troops clear Tagaytay Ridge with Hunters ROTC. On Veterans Day, I'm picking up his Congressional Gold Medal.
@@Woody_Florida Thanks. I spent a lot of time looking into his records(many of which got lost in the NARA fire) and his old unit's history, the 91st Coastal Artillery Regiment. I was able to find a pin for his shadowbox that I'm still building. My family always told me he had been "just a construction worker" that didn't talk much about his service and now I see why. He also helped hide an American flag and knew MacArthur would keep his return as it related to "I shall return."
Dude you have rapidly gone in as one of my favourite historians. Came across your work when you collaberated with Brandon Herrera on the Operation Chromedome story where the US nearly commited an atomic self delete. Huge appreciation for your amazing ability to deliver history in a unique and fun yet professional way. Huge respect from the UK.
I want to take a moment and thank you, Nic. My grandfather served in the Air Force and deployed to the Philippines during WW2. I loved his stories he would share with me as a youth, and I think it is critically important for today's youth to hear these stories. You are truly a gifted storyteller, and I love your unique way of making forgotten stories of the past come to life. Keep up the important work you are doing, and thanks for the top-notch entertainment.
"Wermuth the lion" and "Ghost of Bataan" are sick nicknames, wild that he didnt get the Medal of Honor. He just wouldnt die, and time after time came through for his men.
Unfortunately General MacArthur was a narcissist and held grudges. He felt that Wermuth, Wendell Fertig and the other nearly hundred Americans, soldiers and civilians, that stayed and fought with the Filipino guerrillas made him look bad for abandoning the Philippines. While many of the US soldiers that stayed and fought against the Japanese were recommended for many award, MacArthur, or his subordinates, actively downgraded or outright refused putting the recommendations forward. Wikipedia has a fairly accurate listing of many of the Americans that stayed and synopsis of their activities and actions against the Japanese.
Yes Yes you were . MacArthur was a POS even before he got to the Philippines. Tell the Truth that's why he was sent there . Look up the Bonus Army@@steve20097
@@steve20097 the antics he got up to during the Korean war pretty much seal the deal that the guy was a ginormous asshole who thought he was above even the POTUS.
Thank you for recognizing the incredible valor of Arthur Wermuth and the Philippine Scouts. My father was an NCO in the Scouts, one of those who had to move from Ft. McKinley to Bataan. When the surrender went down, Dad and 3 of his privates decided to escape cross-country just hours before the Death March. Joining the flood of civilian refugees, they survived a brutal week of detention at a checkpoint without being exposed. Two weeks later, Dad reunited with his family, and after recovering from malaria, joined the Resistance. After two years of undercover intel gathering, in Sept. 1944 he was field-promoted to captain and trained a company of guerrillas in small arms, espionage & sabotage. When MacArthur's liberation forces arrived, thousands of guerrillas (soldiers & civilians) opened the jumbo cans of whoop-ass they had saved up for the occasion. That was a bad time to be a Japanese soldier.
God bless your father, a brave man and leader no doubt, if he is still alive pass my thanks on to him, if not may he RIP with all those who went before him 🙏🏻💙
@@louiswolff3251 Thank you, sir. Dad passed away about 52 yrs. ago. I wish he had lived long enough for us to talk about his experiences. I only learned what happened thanks to his Army records from the National Archive. Many, many such stories remain untold.
I would love a video on Simo Häyhä “The White Death”. A Finnish sniper with over 500 confirmed kills with a sniper with only iron sights. He even outlived the Soviet Union. Not American but I would love to learn more about this Legend!
@@paulcampbell3208 it is kinda as it 500 confirmed kills total 300 sniper kills 200 kills with his smg and other weapons tho i may have those numbers backwards which is still scary
This story is not only a great rendition of Arthur Wermuth, combined with a realistic recount of life as a Japanese POW which our Anzac's certainly know, but a solemn reminder of how ferocious the Phillipino soldiers are and why they fight so hard.
You sir are filling the gaps that public school left in my knowledge. I never liked or was very interested in history class my entire schooling career, but you have lit a fire in me. I am hungry for knowledge about the history of this country and others, wars, and general badassery from the US and others. Guns and planes and tanks and ships, youve fueled the red blooded american in me and make me more knowledgeable with each of your videos. Plus I fucking love your sense of humor Keep doing the damn thing man, love you and your content. Quack bang out
I was very lucky in HS many many years ago in that I had some very good teachers, one of which is now mentioned in the National Museum of the United States Air Force. As well, I grew up surrounded by Air Force members and veterans that had been involved in a myriad of Air Force projects in the 1960's and 70's. BUFF pilots, EFB-111 Aardvark pilots, F-4 pilots, Project Blue Book type guys, Astronaut program and my flight instructor was a retired Brigadier General who "learned to fly in a P-40" and at 70+ years old was still teaching University courses and taking glider lessons. RIP Chief Master Sargent George Artuso and General Stanley J. Czyzak. These men LIVED history!
@MrSirwolf2001 I graduated high school last year and just recently became obsessed with this whole community, Demo, Brandon, Donut, Fat Electritian, and others. I wish I could've been introduced to all of this sooner, but I'm glad I am now! That's an incredibly interesting upbringing, my family is very patriotic, but I believe only my great grandfather was in the military, and i know very little about it. I have immense respect to anyone serving, from Fire and EMS to police to military, God bless all those who serve and have served!
Dude I just found your content two days ago and you’re quickly becoming my favorite UA-camr. I’ve burned through your entire library like twice already 😂
Thank you for covering this. My grandfather survived the death march. He was barely 18 from a small town in Idaho. Its something that is not covered much. He survived POW camp and lived to be 98. to be 98.
@@CollinKillianyou do realize that people with survivors in family are more likely to see videos like this and that multiple people can have the same relative , right ?
There's something about Idaho, the people there live extremely long lives. My great grandfather is still with us and is 93, doesn't look more than 60, is up walking around, mows the lawn. The guy is massively tall.
I have actually had the honor of meeting a Bataan Death March survivor. Clemson University graduate Col. Ben Skardon. He is someone that every single Clemson student knows about to this day. Sadly, he passed away in late 2021 at the age of 104. The story told is too detailed for the comment section, but it’s very much worth looking up. Might also be worth his own video.
We moved from the U.S. to Pampanga (Angeles City) in 2015 and have visited a few sites commemorating the death march since, but this is the first time hearing about Arthur Wermuth. Wonderfully told story - thank you.
Terrible circumstances. Inspiring man. I salute you, sir. Everyone else sees one man doing something insane at all times. He saw the chances to do one crazy action and inflict injury and fear, then run away and repeat that fear later. Everyone else saw they were going to be surrounded. He saw a target rich environment.
Thank you for talking about the horrors being a Japanese POW. My Grandfather was a Marine guarding the US embassy in China, when they attacked and he was captured the first day of the war, and his treatment was brutal but he made it through the whole war, and lived to be 100. He had stories...
I had a wonderful friend and mentor growing up named Andy Vidra. He was a POW that fought onBataan, and survived the march and the war being moved multiple times. He described many battles and hand to hand combat including repelling Banzai charges. As a 15 year old growing up in the 1970s, he was one of the people who taught me what it meant to be a man, and an American. I am grateful to have had him in my life, as well as other WWll vets. Thanks for telling some of the untold story of Bataan. Our men didn’t just get starved out and surrender, it was fierce and heroic.
My father was in the Philippines after the start of WW2, with the US Army Air Corp. with Philippine scouts. He never talked about this time in his life. He only spoke of time in service after the end of the war. Serving in Japan, England, Morocco, and State side with Air Force. 22 year of services Master Sargent at time of retirement. Everyone just called him Sarg.
Many of the greatest stories in the Army come from following the hardest order to follow, from the Charge of the Minnesota to the Battle of Bataan: "Soldiers, I need more time." You should absolutely do a video on the 1st Minnesota by the way
Just saw this after I posted something saying the same: the 1st Minnesota deserves a video. Their charge, as well as their capture of the 28th Virginia Battle Flag and the refusal to return it, is an amazing story. Growing up in MN, it was a story I was familiar with, but I've come to realize that not many people know the story.
there are only like 4 people in the military. The leaders: Jake, Arthur, Joe/Jay, Lewis, Dan etc. The followers: the soldiers who aren't expected to, but follow the leaders nonetheless, even on suicide missions. "official" leaders: the ones who give orders away from the front lines. occasionally making things worse. The unknown: the ones who may not stand out in a crowd but were there the entire time. The lost but certainly not forgotten. Their stories may not be known to all, but they will never be forgotten by friends and family.
My grandfather fought in Bataan and was POW for the entire war. The few stories he told were unreal. He weighed 96 pounds when the war was over. He worked in a steel mill for Mitsubishi Ship Works, I believe.
First of all your grandfather is a hero! My dad was a veteran of the US Navy South Pacific and growing up in our household there was never anything that was made in Japan. Ever. When I was old enough to buy a car my dad's exact words, not mine, were "there's no way in hell you're going to buy one of those Jap cars." He had a couple of buddies who were captured and worked in the coal mines and companies such as Mitsubishi, but not Mitsubishi. I don't recall the name it's been so many years. But like your grandfather, my dad's buddies were walking skeletons by the end of the war and they could never shake the brutality they endured at the hands of the Japanese. I didn't share my father's feelings especially because since the second grade my best friend is Japanese-American. But at this point in my life being 69 years old I don't fault my dad for his feelings. It was a different time and it was a hellish war in the Pacific. Not that the ETO wasn't but the war in the Pacific was a different beast.😢🙏💖⚓️🇺🇲💯
You Sir, are a one man army! Bringing these stories to the world is an honorable deed. Your humor and presentation is only surpassed by your obvious research. Good on you Sir! I really appreciate your respect to these men and women of which you speak! Thank you.
My uncle’s grandfather was in the Philippine Scouts and survived the March. Not sure about specifics but I saw the video and shared it with him and he told me some of what happened. The Japanese went looking for his pregnant wife (grandma pregnant with his dad) and the family hid her in the oven because they didn’t know what would happen. Both survived the war and moved to the US.
My brother in law is Phillipines Special Operations. I met my current wife through him, while I was on a private contract helping during the time of Marawi (I’m former Psychology Operations). Phillipine Special Operations are some of the coolest, funnest, skilled, and motivated people I ever met. Loved my time with them!
You really deserve to be one of the biggest channels especially because you tell the lost stories of amazing warriors that no one else is telling. We need patriots not people who hate our great country!
My Great Grandfather was a Filipino volunteer and sadly died in the death march after the battle for bataan. Thanks for covering this, not many people know about this battle and the people who fought it.
The thing that amazes me is I have learned WW2 History my entire life and I somehow always learn new things from your videos. Thank you for l you do man
I've thought I've heard every story about World War 2 until I heard this. I don't know how I missed it but thank God you did a video on this absolute "unit" of a man. What a warrior. I wouldn't mind hearing more about "Jock" or "joc" as well.
I had an uncle that was left behind in the Philippines when MacArthur left. He was hidden by a Filipino family until MacArthur’s return. At which time he was sent home to the state. He stayed in touch with that family until the day he died.
Outstanding telling the story of this hero. Bataan and Wake Island when I see these words I feel like my heart drops. I have watched the movies several times over the years and it never gets easier.
My uncle's dad was a marine in the Philippines and was captured on corregadore. Hope that was spelled correctly. It really unsettled him for his entire life. And was imprisoned in Manchuria. He died of esophageal cancer in 1989. He was 17 or 18 when captured. After the war he did odd jobs and drove trucks. I kinda remember him when I was a child. Seemed to me be a nice man. He also worked for my dad .
Guys like you are why I loved history so much I never got below a b on any project in any history class I ever had. You’re a talented story teller bro major props💯
Side note I’m surprised you haven’t done a video on the legend of Gen Mad Dog Mattis, he has enough bad ass quotes to make you feel like you can fight Godzilla, 2 King Kongs, a pikachu on cocaine, and a horde of liberal karens were just told their non binary cat identifying child was a boy
The fact that Sabaton hasn’t written _ANY_ songs about the veterans TFE has covered is surprising. They’re like the encyclopedia of war heroes (though someone like McNasty would detest that hero label)
I worked with a Philippine Scout Veteran & survivor of the Bataan death march. He only had the use of one of his arms due to the damage the Japanese inflicted upon him in captivity. I could see the pain in his eyes when he told us stories.
15:42 This one sentence gave me more info on what led to my great-grandpa’s death than any of my history classes or family historians did (I.E. the “why” behind the marches). My sincere thanks to you.
My Great-Grand Uncles survived the Death March and my Grandfather, also named Crispin, served as a kitchen hand at an American Military base in Luzon as he was only 13 at the time. Along with getting the name "Cris" from granddad, I also learned the stories from the war, learned to appreciate the work of those that fight for freedom as they bleed not for politics but for the people that they love and serve alongside with. Granddad taught me English that he learned while working in the kitchens and he taught me to not harbor hate for the soldiers that fought and bled on both sides. Thank you sir for this story, as bloody and gruesome as it is, it needs to be told and kept alive like the memories of our fallen and the history of all peoples. And as a teacher now, I too wish to be as inspirational as my granddad, his stories and yours as well.
Good stuff! If you ever get a chance, you should do a video on Carlos Hathcock, also known as "white feather," the most decorated sniper in Vietnam. He crawled for a couple days just to get a top VC commander and take him out. He also was the first sniper to take out a Target using a Browning.50 caliber machine gun for a sniper rifle.
I gotta say, people are badass. You should go over Fr Emil Kapaun, hes a pretty inspiring story, though not with a high kill count. Look him up, its pretty cool
From what I recall, my maternal grandfather was a Filipino guerrilla, but was unrecognised for some reason. It's such a shame we lost him in 2002, when I was still around 9 years old, and never get to know his whole story and whether or not he was in Bataan. Either way, thanks for doing this, QB.
First, I love your channel and have gone through almost all your videos in short order. I wish you had been my high school history teacher. One thing you may not know, though I wouldn't be willing to bet on it, is the impact Bataan had on my home state of New Mexico. Of those captured were the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard. Of the 1816 men identified, 829 never came home. In 1989 NMSU ROTC began sponsoring the Bataan Memorial Death March. In 1992 the White Sands Missile Range and the New Mexico National Guard joined the sponsorship and the march was moved to the White Sands Missile Range. Survivors of Bataan have attended regularly, though I am not certain if any are still alive at this time. Participation has grown from approximately 100 participants initially to almost 10,000. There are military and civilian divisions. My cousin has participated in this march several times, though our family didn't have anyone there (Grandaddy fought in the trenches of France in WWI, I was an Army Nurse but never saw combat), he wishes to show respect to those who were there. Thank you for bringing these people and their history to us and giving them the recognition they deserve.
I did a report on this in high school, thank you for filling in the backstory. One of the reasons I enlisted was because of the battling bastards of Bataan
Really appreciate your stuff, thank you. The offbeat humour is entertaining but respectful and nicely balances the informative content. These people deserve to be remembered and you do a great jon ensuring that.
Thank you for sharing this story. My grandfather was a Bataan Death March survivor and POW but never talked about it, though I understand why. Some of my greatest conversations while on active duty was with the retirees who came to the hospital for treatment. Putting out these stories helps keep their history known and not forgotten in the dusty tomes of a library, especially with the WW2 generation all but gone and so many lessons lost.
Dude, I love your story telling. Make a military history documentary. Topic would be irrelevant with the way you weave stories. I would absolutely be so about that. Cheers, brother. Thanks for all the great content.
It is good to see such valor remembered. Living in southern New Mexico I grew up knowing quite a few gentleman that knew the ghost. An entire regiment of "crazy cowboys" were sent out there just before the war. I see the Bataan bridge almost every day. Some year perhaps you can come out and walk the annual remembrance walk in Las Cruces.
My great uncle survived the Bataan death march. His son used his fathers diary to write a book "the naked flag pole". My great uncle never talked about his experience, but you could tell it affected him deeply.
My father also never talked about the war. I only found out what happened after his death by obtaining his Army records from the National Archive. The reports for that period couldn't tell the whole story, but they were mind-blowing anyway.
I'm in rotc for high school, and we recently did a small bataan March and not many of us completed it, I'm glad someone finally went over this even if it was brief
Man I wish our kids had more teachers like you in school. You do our grand parents proud in the way you tell their stories. It doesn't always have to be comedy to have an awesome video. Well done brother.
Something i would love to hear you talk about is the liberation of Camp Cabatuan (forgive the spelling) by American forces after the Bataan Death March. So much luck and pure nerve got many pows home. The biography, Ghost Soldiers, details both the pow experience and the raid to free them, and it is incredible.
Thank you for these videos by far my favorite thing to watch is your videos over anything else on the Internet or on tv.. My daughter is big into history now too. I got her hooked on your channel now also. 🇺🇲💪
A masterpiece as always, thank you for teaching me something new. I enjoy Simon Whistler videos to hear stories but I know they are produced quickly and with errors. YOUR videos however are incredibly detailed, highly engaging, and I get genuinely excited when you post them. The time you spend on them is apparent and they are wonderfully told. Your passion is clear as day and your curiosity is infectious. Congrats on all of your success and thank you for reassuring us in the pinned comment you are still you and this success hasn’t gone to your head. Humor and excitement are tools to convey a particular type of story. This story called for being immersive, emotional, and paying respect. It really feels like your goal is to honor the hero’s of our past in every video you make. Never stop being genuine, never stop being a teacher, never stop being you.
Wow, if any WW2 vet deserves the posthumous Medal of Honor, it would be Mr. Wermuth.... I would love to see you tell the story of Captain Ernest E. Evans and the USS Johnston in the Battle off Samar. Great story about one of the first Native Americans to go to the Naval Academy and captain a Fletcher class destroyer, the USS Johnston. The Battle off Samar is full of really incredible stories of brave sailors fighting a David versus Goliath battle against the IJN.
My father served in 53 with medical unit he made the March to San Fernando a d a streamer ride to a Japanese prison camp. Men from around the world came to his funeral in Barstow California we guess some 1800 attended. Thank u for your pod cast bud. Jdyer
I hope the younger generations are watching your videos. There are so many great people in this country that deserve to be remembered. You're building a legacy.
My great grandfather (Estel Myers) was a Corpsman in Corregidor until the Japanese moved him onto the Oryoku Maru. Being one of the few uninjured medical staff on board it's likely he helped keep Arthur alive. Not alot of the P.O.W.s survived the bombing and made it back to shore into captivity. Belly of the Beast by Judith L. Pearson is a book based on his journal of the events. Cool to see something that is close to some family history.
I'm glad I found this channel and that you are telling these stories, I've only watched this and one other video so far and both of them I had no idea they had happened. Our cittizens need to hear these stories and what these soldiers went through. Thank you.
I think it is a strong testament to the idea of America that so many of their soldiers defer glory of their actions to the actions of the non-Americans who helped them along the way. Excellent video. Thanks for all that you do.
You do realize that the Philippines was a US territory at the time. The people born there were Commonwealth citizens of the USA, just like Hawaiians and Guamanians.
@gryghin that's right and it's not an american/non-American thing. It's what heroes and great people do, recognize the others who sacrificed as much or more in their eyes.
Absolutely love this series of videos. The stories of true American heroes never gets told. Especially in the world we live in today. Thank you for telling these true American heroes stories. God bless them.
I'm so glad someone's talking about him! If you liked his story, you could check out MOH Jose Calugas (who is a Filipino, got it during Bataan) and you could also check out Cleto Rodriguez, another MOH recipient (got it during the Battle for Manila). All are certified OGs, keep up the postings, love the videos!
My Grandpa was a pow who survived the death march. He only ever talked about it once when he and I did a school project together. I have his battle coin and everything from his service. Thank you for this video.
Wow! I am at a loss for words that can adequately express my sadness at the loss of life. Yet I am filled with awe at the bravery of men in the midst of war. Thank you for the history lesson
Can you imagine the conversation at the gates of hell? "how did they know we were there? Karu weren't you last man?" " No, there was a guy behind me" "but you were the last man" "Oh, that explains the grenade" "God dammit Karu"
Dude, I am soooo appreciative of these stories and overviews of people, events, and equipment that most of us have NEVER heard of, and most of which would have never been brought to the attention of folks if not for dudes like you. My granddad passed served in the Army in WWII and fought in the Philippines and Pacific theater, including one incident where he made the local paper for helping take out a Japanese pillbox and earned a Purple Heart from taking shrapnel, but he almost NEVER spoke about his experiences because of the memories and because PTSD was not a recognized thing among his generation. So, it's VERY important that guys like you continue to share the stories that need to be told so that the deeds of these brave men do not become lost over time and generations and, again, for which I am very grateful that you keep the memory of them and their deeds (and some of the wild equipment) alive for future generations.
Just subscribed to your channel. You found some interesting stories and they way you speak when telling them makes it impossible to ignore how truly amazing they are
Sorry not as much humor & excitement. Really hard talking about Bataan. But I still thought it was and important story.
I’m sorry no video ideas for now but one day I’ll get em
Everything you put out is important, the humor is just a bonus dude.
can you make a video on the F-14
You're fine. We still love your content. You're the best history teacher ever.
Fans are trying to get you back on Unsubscribe with Habitual Linecrosser.
Love ALL ya shits bo!
As a Filipino American, Arthur Wermuth and the countless American bravery and selfless acts is the reason why I join the corp when I was old enough.
Semper Fi
God bless.
Oorah brother
@@HellMonk114 sender fi!
@@davej0331 oorah!
When I was in sixth grade, during our Veteran’s Day program, someone’s grandparents attended. This is when I learned of the Bataan death march. The gentleman was in the march and was unable to tell the story so his wife did. He stood beside her bawling his eyes out the entire time. That is THE QUIETEST I have ever heard hundreds of kids in a gym at any time in my life and that was the day I knew I was going to serve.
I can’t imagine being a kid, and hearing this from someone.
When I was in 7th grade the school did like a scared straight thing.
A few drunk drivers that killed people scared the crap out of us
@@tompatchak8706 it was intense, to say the least. To this day, I still avoid saying “I’m starving.”
Same school did one of those too lol. We took a field trip to the state pen. During the trip we had a sit down with a couple of lifers. The one I remember was in for killing a man he was trying to rob. The man was soliciting prostitution from the lifer’s girl. He jumped out a closet to rob him and ended up killing him in the process. Different times lol
Was the speaker named Ted R. Williams, and was he in the air warning detachment, 3rd marines, fourth battalion? (NOT THE BASEBALL PLAYER) if he was, that was my great-uncle.
@@tompatchak8706head a scare straight thing at my school too for billing but the guy only wanted to sail his book
@@JustinRay-jt1ud well what did that teach you?
This man absolutely should be honored with the Medal of Honor, he’s absolutely a legend and we need more men like him these days
You don't really have to imply that warfighters today aren't as good. There are a few exceptional ones today just as in ww2 and none if them were forced to serve. 😮 My grandfather and grandmother's twin went to the eastern front. One came back. I'm gladvthat we have advanced SO much that we won't have to makevso many heros or lose so many people. I hope.
War has changed. It's hard to have heroes like this legend because of how distinctly different war is.
Today's military isn't interested in heroes. The leadership want yes men.
@@rodgerfoshee7378no Americans fought the eastern front. The soviets wouldn't of let them. All we did was supply them. But according to history there were no American or British on the eastern front. Unless you're German. Than carry on.
@ScootsMcPoot M.J. Nicholas google him, there certainly were volunteers who joined Years before America entered the war
My Grandfather was a survivor of the Bataan Death March. I was too young at the time to understand the gravity of the stories my father (a marine himself) would tell me about his dad. To this day, I remember seeing the pride he had of *his* father. I lost my dad a few years back so the memories hit a little harder but I Thank You for bringing this story back to the surface for me. These brave souls should never be forgotten.
Lost my dad almost 4 years ago, crazy how you only think to ask certain things after they're gone. I lost him when I was 21 and thought I was an adult and knew what to ask and would remember everything but once they're gone it's just gone. It's weird, hope you're going well brother, your dad sounds a lot like mine🤙
As a Fil-Am service member, thank you for covering Bataan and the Philippine Scouts. They’re very much the unsung heroes of the opening acts of WWII and it warms my heart to see them get the recognition they deserve
They do deserve more recognition. The Japanese ignored all rules of war.
If you want another great story out of the 57th PS, look into the absolute UNIT that was Narcisco Ortilano
BaHala-Na
BAHALA NA!
I never served WITH the Philippine scouts, that would have been an honor. However, I did have the lucky opportunity be Apart of a train up with them on an IA deployment that was halted my second year as a TACP and I thought I was in shape... I was proven wrong in almost every way possible except for pull ups. Everywhere I've gone I've always been the best at SOMETHING.... but not in the Phillipines, they're no joke and it would have been an honor to fight beside them. Hell I got out shot at just over a mile by a dude/kid that was JUST getting his moustache... and I'm a damn good shot even under stress... makes you wonder if they're all just pretty equally badass. No quit in those men whatsoever!
BAHALA NA!
My father fought with the Americans against the Japanese at 14. He got a municipality after the war for his efforts. My American grandfather is still buried over there. Not enough appreciation is given nowadays to the GIs whom helped my Filipino brothers and sisters.
I think municipality means something different where you are than in the Midwest, because I doubt your father got a *town.*
@brigidtheirish I think it's like a county here state side. It was all revoked after Marcos declared martial law for more Pro Marcos folks.
@@danceswithpaperhands6221 Wait, so he *was* given a municipality as in a local government unit? *Wow!*
@brigidtheirish yes. The Japanese decimated the population, killed the land owners, so someone needed to "look after" territory/towns. I think the Americans did it everywhere throughout the Pacific. Even small islands.
@@danceswithpaperhands6221 Wow. I knew that the Japanese were brutal with the territories they occupied, but I didn't know that was how America dealt with the aftermath.
A close family friend celebrated his 17th birthday on that walk across Bataan. One day, riding the train to work, i happened across a bit of newspaper that had an obit for a survivor of that march. I tore it out, and sent it to him. Writing that i doubted he knew the guy, but that at least >someone< was acknowledging what he'd gone through. That i felt it was disgusting that they never gotten any recognition, at least not publicly, for what happened. He wrote back, thanking me for the obit (he didn't know the guy), and for the acknowledgement of their sacrifice and suffering. He included a little hand drawn map of Bataan, his troops and artillery positions on it, explaining how they spent the day they were to surrender blasting the runway with artillery that they'd let the attacking forces think was disabled (until the hour they had been order to surrender), along with some of his debrief from when he was rescued from the POW camp. He was about 5' 5", and upon his release he weighed 78 pounds. He died as that letter made its way to me. Milton Elmore was a great man. I am very glad to have known him.
The Archangel Michael met that man at the gate of Heaven…as the commander of all the Bataan Death March survivors, the US Soldiers and Filipino Scouts who fought so hard to buy the U.S. time to prepare the long flight to roll back Imperial Japan.
This deserves more likes. Such an awesome story bud.
My grandfather survived that March. Ended up at fukuta 17 when Japan surrendered.
Milton Elmores name and story will forever be remembered. I have the honor of hearing it from you and I will make sure it lives on. I may not be famous but I am a US Marine and I will find a way.
@@Lance_Coolie_VR And i thank you, bruv.
Thank you for this story, especially talking about the Philippine Scouts, my grandfather Valentino Juanitas was a Philippine Scout and also a Bataan Death March Survivor. That is how my family became US citizens. My grandmother Alodia was part of the Philippine underground who were spies for the US and Philippine Scouts, she would aid the efforts by smuggling medicine for the troops. Keep doing what you do. Thanks again.
Badass!
Fast forward to 2023, current Filipinos do not want to be even involved in a war and their military were so ill-equipped, no one wants to fight. Besides, no one fights in the jungle in the era of missiles and stealth fighters.
@@TNLableAs a filipino, I don't think we fight to look or feel cool sporting the most advanced tech. Most of the conflicts in the Philippines happen in urban areas such as the relatively recent Battle of Marawi. Other areas of conflict are in the jungle/remote areas where local terrorist organizations usually hide. Stealth fighters and bombers are generally not applicable in these scenarios
@@gacrux-ni7hw well mahirap lang tayo and we couldn't buy the needed weapons. That is why we already reached 2024 and we still have fucking insurgencies and we can't do something about our external defense. Those weapons are a necessity that we do not have cuz we neglected them. Nah justify ka pa na mukha na tayong kawawa sa mundo kaya nga kinakawawa tayo lagi sa past na giyera eh. Cuz you do not have the power to match the aggressor
Back in 1983, I had the pleasure of meeting a survivor of that death March, the stories he told me. He was liberated from a Japanese controlled coal mine in 1946. Think the fact I was a Air Force brat who had lived on Clark AFB in the mid 50's caused him to take a liking to me...plus I was a recently discharged Vietnam Era Marine. He was a hellava man to call friend. As usual, a great video by the Fat Electrician.
I was blessed with the opportunity to meet a Canadian survivor of a Japanese POW camp.
He didn't talk much about what he went through, but i remember the look in his eyes when a Japanese gentleman walked up to us.
He lifted himself from the table and turned his back to walk away. Before leaving, he apologized to the Japanese man but told him the memories of what his people did to his comrades forced him to leave.
I have visited the edges of hell, but that man had lived there
I grew up thinking we hated the Japanese for being different. I think we just might have hated them for being monsters... I don't know how Japan gets so little flak for what they did compared to Germany... The Germans were perfecting horrific acts while the Japanese were inventing new ways to be inhuman monsters. My college education made me face what Japan did to other countries... What Japan did to women and children. We have photos of what they did. It wasn't forever ago. It wasn't even 100 years ago. I hate thinking about it. I'm Polish and I've seen the photos of the camps... My uncle's photos from visiting family outside Auschwitz. Seeing that prison boat made me wish for the camps. Such horrific suffering...
@@SifernosRatLord wait till you see what the USA did in japan, Vietnam, Laos, Iraq and Others...However it hows no candle to what Stalin did to his own people....in the name of advancement! yeah history is fracked
@@mahtowaNot really to scale, and mostly isolated incidents. Besides Vietnam and Laos. You would have to go back to early colonial Philippines when the US first got control to really see anything near what the Japanese did in WWII.
@@mahtowathe japanese used to infect the chinese people with various diseases then disect them while they were still alive to see what the disease was doing to their bodies. The japanese made hitler look like an amateur.
For him to retain enough humanity to explain and apologize before leaving displays a strong moral core. I pray he can find his peace.
Ya know.... Your dog being named Mushu makes.... It just makes sense
Lol
“My ancestors sent me a lizard?”
@@aryehhallerI like the idea of his reaction better😂
@@WilliamPhillips-og4be “dragon, dragon! I don’t do that tongue thing!😝”
My grandfather so survived the Bataan Death March. He only told his story once, when I was in the 3rd grade. He mentioned sabotaging the efforts and being stuck in a ship for long time being fed only rice. He lost his vision when a Japanese soldier hit him on the back of the head with a pipe after he stumbled.
He never ate rice again once he was freed. To this day, we regret not recording him talking to my class.
He likely wouldn’t have wanted to be recorded. To them, these men did what they had to do for liberty. Most I knew were extremely reluctant to speak 🗣️of it at all.
So...I've watched this video 3 times trying to find some way to react to it other than being numbed by the weight of the story being told. It's shocking...disturbing...to listen to this account while knowing what happened to the soldiers who were forced into the Bataan Death March. You find these snippets of history that SHOULD be taught and bring them to light.
Thank you.
Until 2 days ago...I didn't even know the Philippine Scouts were a thing. Finding out how absolutely badass they are...damn.
There’s a phenomenal book GHOST SOLDIERS you may like.
Thank you for these stories. They are a reminder that what we have did not come cheap but was built on the blood, sacrifice, and courage of brave men throughout our history. These were our fathers and grandfathers and we are proud of them.
Stories of the Philippines scouts from the unit history of the 26th Cavalry still ring in my ears from when I started reading them in the '80's only reinforced by media accounts (movies etc) when it comes to you that these men were real flesh and blood, that they actually did these Herculean things and more plus so many of them just evaporated from history like they did it's nothing short of heartbreaking.
The unit I was assigned to (decades later) C Troop 1st Squadron of the 26th Cavalry at a certain point in time their history simply goes quiet, it's known the remainder of the unit refused to surrender and retreated to the mountains to carry on gurrella warfare, apparently none survived. Remnants of the 26th were on the death march, some survived that too, my understanding is that none of C Troop survived the war.
Here's to lifting a Red Horse to my elder brothers in arms when I return to the Philippines again, I'm very proud of my vague association with you all.
Have you read Ghost Soldiers? Epic Account of World War II's Greatest Rescue Mission. It is insane. I think I held my breath through a good part of it. If you haven’t read it, I think you’d really enjoy it.
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Soldiers
@@Gary_OwenC126thank you for your service, sir! 🍻
This story gives me great pride for being a Filipino. Up to this day, Americans are welcomed with open arms in the Philippines due to the deep connection our people develop during World War 2. My great grandparents on my mother side, were members of those Guerrillas. The Filipino guerrillas also perfected the technique of using Yo-Yos as a weapon beside knives and fight sticks called Arnis. Great storytelling as always. Keep up the great work.
I've never been the Phillipines but many of my friends in middle and high school were Filipino. All very lovely, hard working, and good Christians.
I knew a Filipino in the marines. He ruled. Everyone loved him. The dark green marines even gave him an n pass lmao
Wait... Wait.... Wait... A yo-yo? Like the toys? How
I have to ask, and im not tryna be ignorant cause i genuinely want to know, why dont yall spell it Philipino's instead of filipino? Just always kinda struck me as odd, speaking as a canadian. Have a great day yall
I went in the Navy 1977-1990 and on my first ship I was in the Boiler Room and I was sent to Messcook. I switched from Fireman Recruit to Seaman Recruit and then became an MS(Cook). I learned how to Cook from Filipinos and we joked with each other. I never ate Rice till I was in the Navy and I asked them why they eat so much rice and they replied "Rice to us Filipinos is like potatoes are to you White People" and we all laughed 😂. When I was in Key West and we caught a bunch of fish we would give the fish to married Filipinos and they would keep some and then Cook us single Sailors big platters of Fish, Rice and Vegetables. I wish that I could go back in time and PARTY with those Great People and My Shipmates.❤
My great uncle was in the Philippines and survived the Bataan Death March and the POW camp. Unfortunately near the end he was shipped off in a Hell Ship to be taken back to Japan, however the Japanese did not mark their POW vessels as such and it was targeted by a US submarine as a Japanese troop transport and they sunk it with a torpedo attack. My great Uncle died in that attack. Thank you sharing these stories as not everyone has heard of them and those that fought on against impossible odds.
Even though he was killed by friendly fire it is still a shame to survive through all the suffering and uncertainty and die rhat close to the end of the war.
My Grandmother's cousin died the same exact way. I wonder if they knew each other?
@@tempocrazed maybe... They may even have been on the same ship. Let me see if I can find the ships name again.
@@Fulkerguy PFC, Roy Maghan was on the Shinyo Maru when it sank and did not survive.
I, another veteran, salute your great-uncle for his service, as well as Nana's cousin.
My great grandfather was at the Battle of the Pockets at Bataan and Corregidor as a Philippine Scout who fought in 1941. He was released in 1943 as a POW and watched his friends die. In 1944 he became a guerilla and helped the Airborne troops clear Tagaytay Ridge with Hunters ROTC. On Veterans Day, I'm picking up his Congressional Gold Medal.
That is so awesome. Keep that family story and heritage for future generations too.
Excellent, I collected the CGM for my father last year. For sure you'll meet some remarkable people at the event.
@@Woody_Florida Thanks. I spent a lot of time looking into his records(many of which got lost in the NARA fire) and his old unit's history, the 91st Coastal Artillery Regiment. I was able to find a pin for his shadowbox that I'm still building.
My family always told me he had been "just a construction worker" that didn't talk much about his service and now I see why. He also helped hide an American flag and knew MacArthur would keep his return as it related to "I shall return."
Dude you have rapidly gone in as one of my favourite historians. Came across your work when you collaberated with Brandon Herrera on the Operation Chromedome story where the US nearly commited an atomic self delete. Huge appreciation for your amazing ability to deliver history in a unique and fun yet professional way. Huge respect from the UK.
Thank you im glad you like the videos!
SAME!!!
Greatest shoutout ever.
Keep up the good work, your channel is growing and on regular rotation.
Do a video on "THE BONUS ARMY"
Why did the US not use these guys in Vietnam ? ( by the way I live near West Point)🎉
Arthur hiding in an Japanese platoon and comically handing a grenade to someone before running off is some video game MC shit
The man seemingly specced out luck and stealth
I want to take a moment and thank you, Nic. My grandfather served in the Air Force and deployed to the Philippines during WW2. I loved his stories he would share with me as a youth, and I think it is critically important for today's youth to hear these stories. You are truly a gifted storyteller, and I love your unique way of making forgotten stories of the past come to life. Keep up the important work you are doing, and thanks for the top-notch entertainment.
"Wermuth the lion" and "Ghost of Bataan" are sick nicknames, wild that he didnt get the Medal of Honor. He just wouldnt die, and time after time came through for his men.
Unfortunately General MacArthur was a narcissist and held grudges. He felt that Wermuth, Wendell Fertig and the other nearly hundred Americans, soldiers and civilians, that stayed and fought with the Filipino guerrillas made him look bad for abandoning the Philippines. While many of the US soldiers that stayed and fought against the Japanese were recommended for many award, MacArthur, or his subordinates, actively downgraded or outright refused putting the recommendations forward. Wikipedia has a fairly accurate listing of many of the Americans that stayed and synopsis of their activities and actions against the Japanese.
And im here thinking that mcarthur was a good guy but i guess i was very very wrong
Yes Yes you were . MacArthur was a POS even before he got to the Philippines. Tell the Truth that's why he was sent there . Look up the Bonus Army@@steve20097
@@steve20097 the antics he got up to during the Korean war pretty much seal the deal that the guy was a ginormous asshole who thought he was above even the POTUS.
@@dependablepaulthis is a very unfortunate and negative addition to the “Today I Learned” list.
That sucks.
Thank you for recognizing the incredible valor of Arthur Wermuth and the Philippine Scouts. My father was an NCO in the Scouts, one of those who had to move from Ft. McKinley to Bataan. When the surrender went down, Dad and 3 of his privates decided to escape cross-country just hours before the Death March. Joining the flood of civilian refugees, they survived a brutal week of detention at a checkpoint without being exposed. Two weeks later, Dad reunited with his family, and after recovering from malaria, joined the Resistance. After two years of undercover intel gathering, in Sept. 1944 he was field-promoted to captain and trained a company of guerrillas in small arms, espionage & sabotage. When MacArthur's liberation forces arrived, thousands of guerrillas (soldiers & civilians) opened the jumbo cans of whoop-ass they had saved up for the occasion. That was a bad time to be a Japanese soldier.
My father was one of those captured in Bataan
God bless your father, a brave man and leader no doubt, if he is still alive pass my thanks on to him, if not may he RIP with all those who went before him 🙏🏻💙
That’s impressive as hell.
@@SteveP116 That's heavy, man. Every survivor got a lifetime's worth of PTSD (and we got it second-hand). Blessings to you and your family.
@@louiswolff3251 Thank you, sir. Dad passed away about 52 yrs. ago. I wish he had lived long enough for us to talk about his experiences. I only learned what happened thanks to his Army records from the National Archive. Many, many such stories remain untold.
I would love a video on Simo Häyhä “The White Death”. A Finnish sniper with over 500 confirmed kills with a sniper with only iron sights. He even outlived the Soviet Union.
Not American but I would love to learn more about this Legend!
To bide your time, 100% go check out his other video in the Finnish Meth Man.
@@MrJinglejanglejingleAimo Kouvinen (sp?), absolute LEGEND
500? Are you sure it couldn't be inflated?
@@paulcampbell3208 it is not inflated its actually deflated
@@paulcampbell3208 it is kinda as it 500 confirmed kills total 300 sniper kills 200 kills with his smg and other weapons tho i may have those numbers backwards which is still scary
This story is not only a great rendition of Arthur Wermuth, combined with a realistic recount of life as a Japanese POW which our Anzac's certainly know, but a solemn reminder of how ferocious the Phillipino soldiers are and why they fight so hard.
I remember "Army of One," being a slogan. Probably this incredible man's legacy in a roundabout way. Great job, as always.
You sir are filling the gaps that public school left in my knowledge. I never liked or was very interested in history class my entire schooling career, but you have lit a fire in me. I am hungry for knowledge about the history of this country and others, wars, and general badassery from the US and others. Guns and planes and tanks and ships, youve fueled the red blooded american in me and make me more knowledgeable with each of your videos. Plus I fucking love your sense of humor
Keep doing the damn thing man, love you and your content. Quack bang out
I was very lucky in HS many many years ago in that I had some very good teachers, one of which is now mentioned in the National Museum of the United States Air Force. As well, I grew up surrounded by Air Force members and veterans that had been involved in a myriad of Air Force projects in the 1960's and 70's. BUFF pilots, EFB-111 Aardvark pilots, F-4 pilots, Project Blue Book type guys, Astronaut program and my flight instructor was a retired Brigadier General who "learned to fly in a P-40" and at 70+ years old was still teaching University courses and taking glider lessons. RIP Chief Master Sargent George Artuso and General Stanley J. Czyzak. These men LIVED history!
@MrSirwolf2001 I graduated high school last year and just recently became obsessed with this whole community, Demo, Brandon, Donut, Fat Electritian, and others. I wish I could've been introduced to all of this sooner, but I'm glad I am now! That's an incredibly interesting upbringing, my family is very patriotic, but I believe only my great grandfather was in the military, and i know very little about it.
I have immense respect to anyone serving, from Fire and EMS to police to military, God bless all those who serve and have served!
"Those that cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it". George Santayana. I LOVE HISTORY!
Dude I just found your content two days ago and you’re quickly becoming my favorite UA-camr. I’ve burned through your entire library like twice already 😂
@habitual_linecrosser has some good content as well.
yeah, this channel and Habitual Linecrosser are by far my 2 favorite channels right now. Education, and comedy. Win win.
welcome \^_^ /
wow. pace yourself, jeez!
Welcome to the party
Thank you for covering this. My grandfather survived the death march. He was barely 18 from a small town in Idaho. Its something that is not covered much. He survived POW camp and lived to be 98.
to be 98.
Man considering there were just a few thousand who went on the march, almost everyone leaving a comment had a relative that went through the march...
@@CollinKillianyou do realize that people with survivors in family are more likely to see videos like this and that multiple people can have the same relative , right ?
I can't imagine what those men went through.
There's something about Idaho, the people there live extremely long lives.
My great grandfather is still with us and is 93, doesn't look more than 60, is up walking around, mows the lawn. The guy is massively tall.
I'm also from Idaho and am currently serving. I'm curious to know which town he is from.
I have actually had the honor of meeting a Bataan Death March survivor. Clemson University graduate Col. Ben Skardon. He is someone that every single Clemson student knows about to this day. Sadly, he passed away in late 2021 at the age of 104. The story told is too detailed for the comment section, but it’s very much worth looking up. Might also be worth his own video.
Go Tigers!
Go Mr. Ben Skardon! Thank you Colonel.
We moved from the U.S. to Pampanga (Angeles City) in 2015 and have visited a few sites commemorating the death march since, but this is the first time hearing about Arthur Wermuth. Wonderfully told story - thank you.
Terrible circumstances. Inspiring man. I salute you, sir.
Everyone else sees one man doing something insane at all times. He saw the chances to do one crazy action and inflict injury and fear, then run away and repeat that fear later.
Everyone else saw they were going to be surrounded. He saw a target rich environment.
Dude, you somehow portray laughably absurd situations with so much humanity it almost draws tears. Born storyteller.
Thank you for talking about the horrors being a Japanese POW. My Grandfather was a Marine guarding the US embassy in China, when they attacked and he was captured the first day of the war, and his treatment was brutal but he made it through the whole war, and lived to be 100. He had stories...
I had a wonderful friend and mentor growing up named Andy Vidra. He was a POW that fought onBataan, and survived the march and the war being moved multiple times. He described many battles and hand to hand combat including repelling Banzai charges. As a 15 year old growing up in the 1970s, he was one of the people who taught me what it meant to be a man, and an American. I am grateful to have had him in my life, as well as other WWll vets. Thanks for telling some of the untold story of Bataan. Our men didn’t just get starved out and surrender, it was fierce and heroic.
My father was in the Philippines after the start of WW2, with the US Army Air Corp. with Philippine scouts. He never talked about this time in his life. He only spoke of time in service after the end of the war. Serving in Japan, England, Morocco, and State side with Air Force. 22 year of services Master Sargent at time of retirement. Everyone just called him Sarg.
Many of the greatest stories in the Army come from following the hardest order to follow, from the Charge of the Minnesota to the Battle of Bataan:
"Soldiers, I need more time."
You should absolutely do a video on the 1st Minnesota by the way
Just saw this after I posted something saying the same: the 1st Minnesota deserves a video. Their charge, as well as their capture of the 28th Virginia Battle Flag and the refusal to return it, is an amazing story. Growing up in MN, it was a story I was familiar with, but I've come to realize that not many people know the story.
there are only like 4 people in the military.
The leaders: Jake, Arthur, Joe/Jay, Lewis, Dan etc.
The followers: the soldiers who aren't expected to, but follow the leaders nonetheless, even on suicide missions.
"official" leaders: the ones who give orders away from the front lines. occasionally making things worse.
The unknown: the ones who may not stand out in a crowd but were there the entire time. The lost but certainly not forgotten. Their stories may not be known to all, but they will never be forgotten by friends and family.
You forgot one leader, leo
My grandfather fought in Bataan and was POW for the entire war. The few stories he told were unreal. He weighed 96 pounds when the war was over. He worked in a steel mill for Mitsubishi Ship Works, I believe.
First of all your grandfather is a hero! My dad was a veteran of the US Navy South Pacific and growing up in our household there was never anything that was made in Japan. Ever. When I was old enough to buy a car my dad's exact words, not mine, were "there's no way in hell you're going to buy one of those Jap cars." He had a couple of buddies who were captured and worked in the coal mines and companies such as Mitsubishi, but not Mitsubishi. I don't recall the name it's been so many years. But like your grandfather, my dad's buddies were walking skeletons by the end of the war and they could never shake the brutality they endured at the hands of the Japanese. I didn't share my father's feelings especially because since the second grade my best friend is Japanese-American. But at this point in my life being 69 years old I don't fault my dad for his feelings. It was a different time and it was a hellish war in the Pacific. Not that the ETO wasn't but the war in the Pacific was a different beast.😢🙏💖⚓️🇺🇲💯
You Sir, are a one man army! Bringing these stories to the world is an honorable deed. Your humor and presentation is only surpassed by your obvious research. Good on you Sir! I really appreciate your respect to these men and women of which you speak! Thank you.
My uncle’s grandfather was in the Philippine Scouts and survived the March. Not sure about specifics but I saw the video and shared it with him and he told me some of what happened. The Japanese went looking for his pregnant wife (grandma pregnant with his dad) and the family hid her in the oven because they didn’t know what would happen. Both survived the war and moved to the US.
Don’t care if it was humorous or not. It was still fascinating hearing Wermuth’s story and what he was able to do in the Bataan peninsula.
My brother in law is Phillipines Special Operations. I met my current wife through him, while I was on a private contract helping during the time of Marawi (I’m former Psychology Operations). Phillipine Special Operations are some of the coolest, funnest, skilled, and motivated people I ever met. Loved my time with them!
After much inspection I can confirm that mushu is in fact, a good boy
You really deserve to be one of the biggest channels especially because you tell the lost stories of amazing warriors that no one else is telling. We need patriots not people who hate our great country!
He isn't the first by far... not even the first one that is setup like this...
My Great Grandfather was a Filipino volunteer and sadly died in the death march after the battle for bataan. Thanks for covering this, not many people know about this battle and the people who fought it.
An incredible episode. I love the jokes, but this story deserves the respect you showed it
The thing that amazes me is I have learned WW2 History my entire life and I somehow always learn new things from your videos. Thank you for l you do man
You are without a doubt my favorite UA-camr/history teacher. Thanks for the amazing content!
I've thought I've heard every story about World War 2 until I heard this. I don't know how I missed it but thank God you did a video on this absolute "unit" of a man. What a warrior. I wouldn't mind hearing more about "Jock" or "joc" as well.
The way you tell these stories is nothing short of beautiful, teared up a few times during this vid
If it’s a tossup between McNasty and anyone, the dude is a full blown legend already.
I had an uncle that was left behind in the Philippines when MacArthur left. He was hidden by a Filipino family until MacArthur’s return. At which time he was sent home to the state. He stayed in touch with that family until the day he died.
Homies arise, the round electricity guy uploaded
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Outstanding telling the story of this hero. Bataan and Wake Island when I see these words I feel like my heart drops. I have watched the movies several times over the years and it never gets easier.
My uncle's dad was a marine in the Philippines and was captured on corregadore. Hope that was spelled correctly. It really unsettled him for his entire life. And was imprisoned in Manchuria. He died of esophageal cancer in 1989. He was 17 or 18 when captured. After the war he did odd jobs and drove trucks. I kinda remember him when I was a child. Seemed to me be a nice man. He also worked for my dad .
So grandpa it is.
Guys like you are why I loved history so much I never got below a b on any project in any history class I ever had. You’re a talented story teller bro major props💯
Side note I’m surprised you haven’t done a video on the legend of Gen Mad Dog Mattis, he has enough bad ass quotes to make you feel like you can fight Godzilla, 2 King Kongs, a pikachu on cocaine, and a horde of liberal karens were just told their non binary cat identifying child was a boy
Dude I remember in high school having to explain shit the teacher didn't even know bc of my love of history
@@Finallyfree423 facts, then the teacher gets mad because you explain it better than they could
The fact that Sabaton hasn’t written _ANY_ songs about the veterans TFE has covered is surprising. They’re like the encyclopedia of war heroes (though someone like McNasty would detest that hero label)
There definitely needs to be a Heros 2 album
@@LOTR22090able Mad Jack Churchill needs to be in it when they do.
Also that Japanese soldier that kept fighting until the 1970s.
I worked with a Philippine Scout Veteran & survivor of the Bataan death march. He only had the use of one of his arms due to the damage the Japanese inflicted upon him in captivity. I could see the pain in his eyes when he told us stories.
15:42 This one sentence gave me more info on what led to my great-grandpa’s death than any of my history classes or family historians did (I.E. the “why” behind the marches). My sincere thanks to you.
All I can say is thank you for the story, may this man never be forgotten.
My Great-Grand Uncles survived the Death March and my Grandfather, also named Crispin, served as a kitchen hand at an American Military base in Luzon as he was only 13 at the time.
Along with getting the name "Cris" from granddad, I also learned the stories from the war, learned to appreciate the work of those that fight for freedom as they bleed not for politics but for the people that they love and serve alongside with. Granddad taught me English that he learned while working in the kitchens and he taught me to not harbor hate for the soldiers that fought and bled on both sides.
Thank you sir for this story, as bloody and gruesome as it is, it needs to be told and kept alive like the memories of our fallen and the history of all peoples. And as a teacher now, I too wish to be as inspirational as my granddad, his stories and yours as well.
Good stuff! If you ever get a chance, you should do a video on Carlos Hathcock, also known as "white feather," the most decorated sniper in Vietnam. He crawled for a couple days just to get a top VC commander and take him out. He also was the first sniper to take out a Target using a Browning.50 caliber machine gun for a sniper rifle.
I gotta say, people are badass. You should go over Fr Emil Kapaun, hes a pretty inspiring story, though not with a high kill count. Look him up, its pretty cool
From what I recall, my maternal grandfather was a Filipino guerrilla, but was unrecognised for some reason. It's such a shame we lost him in 2002, when I was still around 9 years old, and never get to know his whole story and whether or not he was in Bataan.
Either way, thanks for doing this, QB.
First, I love your channel and have gone through almost all your videos in short order. I wish you had been my high school history teacher. One thing you may not know, though I wouldn't be willing to bet on it, is the impact Bataan had on my home state of New Mexico. Of those captured were the 200th Coast Artillery, New Mexico National Guard. Of the 1816 men identified, 829 never came home. In 1989 NMSU ROTC began sponsoring the Bataan Memorial Death March. In 1992 the White Sands Missile Range and the New Mexico National Guard joined the sponsorship and the march was moved to the White Sands Missile Range. Survivors of Bataan have attended regularly, though I am not certain if any are still alive at this time. Participation has grown from approximately 100 participants initially to almost 10,000. There are military and civilian divisions. My cousin has participated in this march several times, though our family didn't have anyone there (Grandaddy fought in the trenches of France in WWI, I was an Army Nurse but never saw combat), he wishes to show respect to those who were there. Thank you for bringing these people and their history to us and giving them the recognition they deserve.
I did a report on this in high school, thank you for filling in the backstory. One of the reasons I enlisted was because of the battling bastards of Bataan
Really appreciate your stuff, thank you. The offbeat humour is entertaining but respectful and nicely balances the informative content. These people deserve to be remembered and you do a great jon ensuring that.
Thank you for sharing this story. My grandfather was a Bataan Death March survivor and POW but never talked about it, though I understand why. Some of my greatest conversations while on active duty was with the retirees who came to the hospital for treatment. Putting out these stories helps keep their history known and not forgotten in the dusty tomes of a library, especially with the WW2 generation all but gone and so many lessons lost.
Dude, I love your story telling. Make a military history documentary. Topic would be irrelevant with the way you weave stories. I would absolutely be so about that. Cheers, brother. Thanks for all the great content.
It is good to see such valor remembered. Living in southern New Mexico I grew up knowing quite a few gentleman that knew the ghost. An entire regiment of "crazy cowboys" were sent out there just before the war. I see the Bataan bridge almost every day. Some year perhaps you can come out and walk the annual remembrance walk in Las Cruces.
My great uncle survived the Bataan death march. His son used his fathers diary to write a book "the naked flag pole". My great uncle never talked about his experience, but you could tell it affected him deeply.
My father also never talked about the war. I only found out what happened after his death by obtaining his Army records from the National Archive. The reports for that period couldn't tell the whole story, but they were mind-blowing anyway.
It doesn't always have to be funny. I love WWII history and your brand of story telling is 2nd to none. Keep 'em coming!
I'm in rotc for high school, and we recently did a small bataan March and not many of us completed it, I'm glad someone finally went over this even if it was brief
Thank you for this story. Full respect for Mr Wermuth. He deserves the Medal of Honor, in my opinion.
The fact that I just now found your channel, blows my mind. I love this stuff Soo much
Man I wish our kids had more teachers like you in school. You do our grand parents proud in the way you tell their stories. It doesn't always have to be comedy to have an awesome video. Well done brother.
God bless the Battling Bastards of Baatan. True badasses and heroes.
Something i would love to hear you talk about is the liberation of Camp Cabatuan (forgive the spelling) by American forces after the Bataan Death March. So much luck and pure nerve got many pows home. The biography, Ghost Soldiers, details both the pow experience and the raid to free them, and it is incredible.
Thank you for these videos by far my favorite thing to watch is your videos over anything else on the Internet or on tv.. My daughter is big into history now too. I got her hooked on your channel now also. 🇺🇲💪
Very cool video. Never heard of Wermuth in all my years of reading about WW2.
A masterpiece as always, thank you for teaching me something new. I enjoy Simon Whistler videos to hear stories but I know they are produced quickly and with errors. YOUR videos however are incredibly detailed, highly engaging, and I get genuinely excited when you post them. The time you spend on them is apparent and they are wonderfully told. Your passion is clear as day and your curiosity is infectious. Congrats on all of your success and thank you for reassuring us in the pinned comment you are still you and this success hasn’t gone to your head. Humor and excitement are tools to convey a particular type of story. This story called for being immersive, emotional, and paying respect.
It really feels like your goal is to honor the hero’s of our past in every video you make. Never stop being genuine, never stop being a teacher, never stop being you.
Wow, if any WW2 vet deserves the posthumous Medal of Honor, it would be Mr. Wermuth.... I would love to see you tell the story of Captain Ernest E. Evans and the USS Johnston in the Battle off Samar. Great story about one of the first Native Americans to go to the Naval Academy and captain a Fletcher class destroyer, the USS Johnston. The Battle off Samar is full of really incredible stories of brave sailors fighting a David versus Goliath battle against the IJN.
The turning from Rambo to Bugs Bunny got me laughing way too hard. Cant believe something like that actually worked
My father served in 53 with medical unit he made the March to San Fernando a d a streamer ride to a Japanese prison camp. Men from around the world came to his funeral in Barstow California we guess some 1800 attended. Thank u for your pod cast bud. Jdyer
Bro I'm so glad I found this channel your stories are awesome
I hope the younger generations are watching your videos. There are so many great people in this country that deserve to be remembered. You're building a legacy.
Just an amazing story about an incredible super soldier!
Some things are above and beyond humor when you're awestruck!
Great work as always sir!
Another amazing story of an American hero I knew about. Thanks FE and please keep these motivating and great history lessons coming. CW4 Chief
My great grandfather (Estel Myers) was a Corpsman in Corregidor until the Japanese moved him onto the Oryoku Maru. Being one of the few uninjured medical staff on board it's likely he helped keep Arthur alive. Not alot of the P.O.W.s survived the bombing and made it back to shore into captivity. Belly of the Beast by Judith L. Pearson is a book based on his journal of the events. Cool to see something that is close to some family history.
I'm glad I found this channel and that you are telling these stories, I've only watched this and one other video so far and both of them I had no idea they had happened. Our cittizens need to hear these stories and what these soldiers went through. Thank you.
I think it is a strong testament to the idea of America that so many of their soldiers defer glory of their actions to the actions of the non-Americans who helped them along the way. Excellent video. Thanks for all that you do.
You do realize that the Philippines was a US territory at the time. The people born there were Commonwealth citizens of the USA, just like Hawaiians and Guamanians.
@gryghin that's right and it's not an american/non-American thing. It's what heroes and great people do, recognize the others who sacrificed as much or more in their eyes.
While that may be true, I don't know anybody who was born in the Phillipines who would answer "What nationality are you" with "American" @@gryghin
Absolutely love this series of videos. The stories of true American heroes never gets told. Especially in the world we live in today. Thank you for telling these true American heroes stories. God bless them.
I'm so glad someone's talking about him! If you liked his story, you could check out MOH Jose Calugas (who is a Filipino, got it during Bataan) and you could also check out Cleto Rodriguez, another MOH recipient (got it during the Battle for Manila). All are certified OGs, keep up the postings, love the videos!
My Grandpa was a pow who survived the death march. He only ever talked about it once when he and I did a school project together. I have his battle coin and everything from his service. Thank you for this video.
Wow! I am at a loss for words that can adequately express my sadness at the loss of life. Yet I am filled with awe at the bravery of men in the midst of war.
Thank you for the history lesson
There is gangster….then there is gangster handing a frag to an enemy you’ve been following less than 10 feet away for miles
Shh 🤫👻😂
Can you imagine the conversation at the gates of hell?
"how did they know we were there? Karu weren't you last man?"
" No, there was a guy behind me"
"but you were the last man"
"Oh, that explains the grenade"
"God dammit Karu"
Damn... 😂
Dude, I am soooo appreciative of these stories and overviews of people, events, and equipment that most of us have NEVER heard of, and most of which would have never been brought to the attention of folks if not for dudes like you. My granddad passed served in the Army in WWII and fought in the Philippines and Pacific theater, including one incident where he made the local paper for helping take out a Japanese pillbox and earned a Purple Heart from taking shrapnel, but he almost NEVER spoke about his experiences because of the memories and because PTSD was not a recognized thing among his generation. So, it's VERY important that guys like you continue to share the stories that need to be told so that the deeds of these brave men do not become lost over time and generations and, again, for which I am very grateful that you keep the memory of them and their deeds (and some of the wild equipment) alive for future generations.
This is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels, love these stories.
Just subscribed to your channel. You found some interesting stories and they way you speak when telling them makes it impossible to ignore how truly amazing they are