Yesterday was the 80th anniversary of D-day. When this first aired most of our guys were in their 40's. Now there are only a few left. God bless them all.
My Uncle met Ike. On the evening of June 5th 1944 not long before he departed to Omaha Beach. My Uncle just celebrated his 101st birthday this month. God Bless America.
Eisenhower is my favorite president. My mother and I saw him in April 1955 when he visited The Citadel campus in Charleston, SC. The vehicle in which he was riding passed us as we were walking into the front gate from Moultrie Street. He waved and gave us his wonderful big grin. I was seven years old.
In his farewell speech as US President, he warned for the extending destructive power of the Military Industrial Complex. No person ever, in the same kind of position, spoke these wise and daring words !
@@skelejp9982 Eh, turns out his words were misguided. No World War ever since or slaughter even close to what wars used to be, praise be to the military complex I guess, right?
Agreed. And then the camera pulling up and away like that to show the entire scene was exactly like the end of the film Field of Dreams. I wept both times...
My dad was part of the D-Day invasion with the British Army, when he was 19. He greatly admired Eisenhower, who addressed them all once and gave the advice "Never pass over a free lunch, or the chance to go to the John" - dad often quoted that! He died in 1995. What an amazing generation they were.
Your dad was part of the greatest generation that gave us the freedom we have today. I don’t know you but his blood runs in your veins so I salute you my good sir!
President Eisenhower was a Giant. A real man...confident enough to address his shortcomings and perceived failures. Giving credit to others. What a man!
A remarkable man Eisenhower. I'm danish, born 20 years after the war ended. My country was occupied in April 1940 by the german army and later on liberated by the allies in early May 1945. Mom taught and told me the story about all these young american men who lost their lives for our freedom. I'll never forget that and never stop being grateful.
US Citizens are willing to die for oppressed peoples. It is the US Government and it's cinnection to the Military Industry Complex that cannot be trusted. Very sad how far our Government has become so corrupt and uncaring.
@@JamieMerchant-w8bThat is certainly true. But all the other combatants that fought to liberate Europe did so to liberate their own homes and families including the French, Polish, Russians, Dutch, Danes., etc. The British fought to keep their country from being overrun by the Nazis. The Americans didn’t have to be there to protect or liberate their own country. The Americans made the sacrifice for ideals. Nothing more, nothing less. I know that is not a popular concept that Americans can be “good guys”, and we all know the mistakes we have made since then….but in 1944/45 Europe, the American sacrifice was for other people. And, I’m not taking away from the monumental contributions by all the Allies by saying this. We could just as easily have stayed home rather than to get involved in yet one more European war of conquest.
My father was a medic on D-Day. He told me many stories of that day, and I know several of them was hard for him to talk about. The one that I will never forget was especially hard for him to talk about. My father and a fellow GI that went through boot camp together all the way to D-Day was hit 3 times. One of which grazed the side of his friend's head and the other 2 shots was in his shoulder and in his chest. My father picked him up and over his shoulder and ran as fast as he could in an attempt to get him to safety. All the while talking to him and his buddy was answering him. Before he got him to safety, his friend stopped answering him. Once he got him to safety my father found out he had died while my dad doing his best to get him where he could safely treat his wounds. My dad past way in 1997, and I know it haunted him the rest of his life. All the American soldiers were a breed of Men that unfortunately the world will never see again.
Don’t underestimate the younger generations. We were raised by these men and their sons and daughters. We know the cost of freedom. We received the best traits and cautionary stories from our greatest generation loved ones. America is strong and so are its young people.
@@bharper9422 Very true Billy. Unfortunately our youth nowadays has to question their gender and they have pink hair. Sad to see with the political left pussifying America
MrBojangles7890 maybe so especially compared to the greatest generation but I do believe most would rise to the occasion if a situation like World War Two happens again. Our society built by the greatest generation has afforded people to have the time and ability to dye their hair or other unnecessary extravagances.
Yeah, I definitely think of Eisenhower as well, THE PERFECT PERSON to have the job he had during WW2. I seriously doubt anyone else could have done a better job than Eisenhower when it came to leading the Allies against the Axis forces. Like I said previously, I think Eisenhower was the inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings." Eisenhower was no wizard by any stretch of the imagination, however he did quite a lot to make sure all the Allied forces were trying to fight together and that way getting the most out of all the people available!! Plus, the plain & simple fact that he knew & appreciated the fact that a lot of those troops were going to get killed in battle on the following day & he took the time to try to talk to them & shake their hands & thank them for being a part of the Allied forces says a lot to me. He knew a great number of them may perish & so he shook hands with as many as he could & thanked as many as he could cuz tomorrow would be too late for a number of them. He was a good man for showing such appreciation for those that would die but also achieve victory in doing so.
It also says a lot that they were the ones going into battle but they are reassuring him & telling him not to worry. That they would take care of what needed to be done! Truly Great Americans!!!
He drove the Jeep on the beach w Cronkite. Every old soldier knows what that means. He didn’t insist on a driver. His voice sounds like my father and my uncles who also grew up on the American prairie. He was a smart, humble, decent kid from Kansas. Thank God for him and his men.
I think he also flew in a modified P-51 Mustang as passenger to observe the military operation in France behind enemy lines, when he reported back to Gen Marshall, he got an earful from Marshall because of the recon mission.
God has a vast complex mysterious plan for everyone and everything. He is omnipresent, all powerful and omnipotent. You are thanking him for Eisenhower and others ending it. Given these beliefs and your proclamation do we curse god since his will included the war?
Eisenhower is so engaged and earnest. What a mind this man had. Probably thinking legacy at this stage in his life. Love how Cronkite just lets him talk too. This is really youtube at its best.
His 'legacy' was already clearly set in place: A triumphant Supreme Allied Commander of European WWII forces that freed Europe and defeated Hitler's Germany and two successful terms in The White House as President, etc.
Wonder if he remembered how horrible he intentionally treated the German POWs. Keeping them in open fields with no shelter from the weather and turning away people trying to bring them food while they starved in his camps. Bad things happen in war we all know this but when your the so called good guys your not suppose to allow these kinds of things to happen. Their soldiers were no different than ours. They had their heads pumped full of Germania just like our guys had theirs pumped full of Americana.
@@MrBigstick25 WRONG. The German soldier was not like the US soldier. The whole-scale atrocities the Germans committed gave Eisenhower every reason to treat them with the minimum or no respect. Were all the US soldiers perfect? No!!!! The principles of freedom "pumped" into the American's head is way different than the principles of tyranny "pumped" into the German's head.
This filmed interview of General Eisenhower is one of the most remarkable, meaningful and important journalistic events in American history. The enormity of its value must never be underestimated.
3:04 gave me chills already. Those children pass by the man who says hello, unaware of what it means to him to see them enjoying their walk on that beach.
3:08 Absolutely amazing those little kids and the nuns walked past the supreme allied commander of Europe of world war 2 and just former president of the United States If they realized who those men were they would have stories to tell for a lifetime
I cannot believe that I have never see this. I was in the 82nd and have always been obsessed with Normandy. Cannot believe this has never come up on my feed before now. It was amazing hearing Gen. Eisenhower talk about the invasion in detail while he was actually there. This was the ultimate Normandy tour huh ? Very emotional for this 54 yr old paratrooper. 2/505 PIR
This was right after Kennedy and we had this in history class in `68 so maybe it was a Catholic HS thing.... Walter Cronkite was a professional and someone I appreciated growing up in the B& W world, but then the fox crowd came along
Eisenhower was a very thoughtful and pragmatic man. He analyzed the details and made the call, and it changed the whole damn thing. A man like that does not rise to a position of decision making very often. Thank God we had Ike
Too bad he took Montgomery's job as C-in-C of all allied ground forces in September 1944 after Montgomery had got the allies well ahead of schedule and liberating Brussels, Belgium. Eisenhower dragged the war on longer than it should have with his broad front strategy which got nowhere for six months, wasting hundreds of thousands men in pointless secondary campaigns in the Hurtgen Forest, Lorraine and Alsace and then falling back into a retreat in the Ardennes.
On this trip, Eisenhower got the news that Churchill had just suffered his penultimate, debilitating stroke, so he left France and visited him in hospital in London. Churchill could no longer speak but he was alert, so Ike just held his hand for ten full minutes, comforting his admired friend. Suddenly, Churchill stirred, broke the grip and gently raised his hand. He made the V for Victory sign to Eisenhower, for Eisenhower. Eisenhower moved back and said, very sadly, to Churchill's aid who was in the room, "You know, I've just said goodbye to Winston. But you never say fairwell to courage." Two of the greatest leaders who ever lived.
is there a source for this story? I could only find a Quora answer that doesn't even mention the V for Victory sign. The dates don't seem to match either, unless Eisenhower spent over six months on this trip
Eisenhower should be on Mount Rushmore. Led the Allies to victory over the Nazis and navigated the nuclear Cold War. Humble and ragingly competent, he answered the country's call.
Thomas Hartman : This was June, 1964 . Eisenhower would live on for another 5 yrs until he passed away in March, 1969. Afterwards Cronkite would live on for another 40 yrs until his own passing in July, 2009. RIP Eisenhower 1890-1969 & RIP Cronkite 1916-2009.
My grandfather was at Normandy on D day and he never spoke about it. The family just knew because of my grandmother's stories,she said he came home a completely different man than the one who left. My grandfather was a hard working farmer all of my childhood and the greatest memory I have was the day I graduated Basic training in the Army. My grandpa to my surprise came to see me and he hugged me and wept, I never saw him do that before. Coming from a man that went through all he went through that stuck with me all these years. God bless those men who treaded those beaches on that day, they are the reason so many of us are even here today.
@@tommytbone9778 he and his wife obviously spoke about something, but he never spoke about it to any of us when I was growing up, and frankly most veterans dont either......PADNA
@@bosskey7212 Well, my GrandPa lost his job with the White Motor Co. `17 when he got drafted with his 2 older brothers, he got sent back 3 mths. later when they were lost in action... My old man was from Del Rio (Kin still there, the sun never sets on the Reid empire) & joined Eisenhower`s Army Air Corp. and sent to Waco in `41 as a flight instructor, and after the war went to school in Cleveland met Ma & that`s where he & GrandPa sat around the card table and the one Scot- Ulsterman with his Texas drawl had a rye & Gramps with his deep Hibernian brogue had whiskey & their stories would some times come to tactical comparisons between Pershing & Eisenhower or Sgt York and Pa`s Audie Murphy.. We`d go to the annual Catholic church summer games in the 50`s & a few of the old timers who survived that day on the beaches that morning or the beaches at Anzio would be in the beer tents yappin away about the old times and older kids just looked in amazement... we all enjoyed those old war shows on tv 12 o`clock high, Combat so those times listening were just what we wanted to feed our need to play army in the woods... And then when Nam came around it was our turn.. so maybe it was because we lived in one of those close knit Irish neighborhoods that made my experience different , Padna
ike was 74 when this was made. his recall and command of the details is amazing. explained the difficulties of the hedge rows,how they circumvented the obstacle, and the name of the soldier who invented the workaround and what happened to the soldier, lost his leg, hardly an aloof commander, we fought not for gain but for ideals and values, i hope and pray we never have to do this again. well done sir
This should be shown every June 6th on CBS! I can only imagine the strain on the Generals mind during those 45 seconds he was deciding to go or not. Perfect example of having the right leader at the right time.
I agree completely. It should be shown midnight to midnight on continuous loop, every June 6th, with all other programming preempted. We'd have nothing without those soldiers--and the soldier that served as Supreme Commander. The enemy HAD to be stopped, and was. Every living person since owes those soldiers everything they have--or will have.
It was one of the/my Enlightenment heroes, Edmund Burke, wot writ it, or at least something so similar Santayana robbed it The history doomed etc quote I always thought it was Santayana too until I saw it in one of Burke’s essays Cheeky Santayana, very cheeky
Jeff Webb I have made a point to watch these videos with my kids and explain to them in detail every Memorial Day how brave Americans and Allies gave their lives to preserve our freedom. I would hope other mothers and fathers would do the same.
I saw this in 1964, and today, Oct 06, 2020 it still gives me a thrill watching it. How sad these two men are no longer with us. The 20th Century was an incredible one!
Can anyone imagine General Douglas MacArthur participating in a video like this, relaxing and being with ordinary people? I can't. Dwight Eisenhower was such a decent and humble man.
GENERAL MACARTHUR WAS A GOOD GENERAL AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE JAPANESE HELPED HIM SET UP A WORKING GOVERNMENT! BOTH THESE GENERALS HAD THEIR PLACE IN WW2 SUCCESS. HAD TRUMAN FOLLOWED MACARTHUR; THERE WOULD BE "NO" COMMUNIST RED CHINA OR NORTH KOREA TODAY!
You can tell he was a man who understood responsibility, accepted his role in the results, and how he was able to work with a wide range of personalities.
Eisenhower was great General, Patriot, and true gentleman. This documentary should be a maditory part of our school curriculum. Many thanks to our military service man and woman.
IKE and George Marshall were the George Washington s of the 20th Century. We were fortunate that we were blessed with Men like this. May They Rest In Peace.
@@siggifreud812they come from the last batches of the real old school soldiers: classically trained to ride on horseback. They saw the 1st World War, ironically Ike never went to Europe during the Great War. They saw the first combat applications of chemical weapons, tanks and airplanes. Good Lord, they went through two world wars. Some of them were still in leadership during Korean war. All of them were either dead already or retired and dying during Vietnam war. They soldiered on. Their deeds r immortal.
What a treasure this video is! To be able to hear the supreme allied commander describe the events as he remembered them is a true privilege! And no one could have conducted the interview better than Walter Cronkite! Nicely done CBS!
This is simply priceless. One thing that struck me is Eisenhower here was not only a retired general, and the leader of the allied command in WWII, but he was also a former president of the United States - and there he is driving the jeep himself; there are no squadrons of media and Secret Service agents hovering all around. There is only Walter "the most trusted man in America" Cronkite and former president Dwight David Eisenhower. Imagine anything close to this happening today. Fighting against Adolf Hitler's fascism brought out the best in our country all across the board, from General/President Eisenhower to the brave recruits storming the beaches of Normandy, to all the hardworking sacrificing Americans back home building the machinery that made the difference. All my life ( I was born in 1955 ) I've been honored to share the same birthday with one of the greatest Americans and presidents we've ever known - October 14th. He will forever be my favorite president; we were lucky to have him.
While it didn’t last, there was a period after 9/11 where all Americans felt United this way. Petty crime in New York was all but gone for days. Everyone cheered cops and fireman from every city not just New York. It was a sad act of terror but the following weeks were very inspiring. If only we lived like that without something like 9/11 causing it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890, which would have made him 73 during the time of this interview. His memory and recall of the events twenty years before is spectacular. In his letter that he wrote in case the operation failed, he said "The landing has been a failure and it's no one's fault but mine" If our current crop of politicians in the 70s were anywhere near as humble, lucid, articulate and intelligent as this man, we would be living in a very different world.
The greatest generation stormed those beaches and I'm proud to say my dad was among them that morning of june 6th. My dad made it to 90 yrs. Damn, i miss that generation.
I miss my Dad and Mom. My Mom was an Army nurse in the ETO... Third Army. She would of been 100 yrs old. Dad worked in the Manhattan project. He'd be 104 this year...
From brave men storming beaches to coward men burning city’s in OUR USA in 2020. Glad my grandpa has passed. I’m sure he would shed a tear for today’s society. Stay safe America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
WOW, I have never seen such a great interview. I never heard President Eisenhower talk so much before. WOW I am so suprised I thought I had seen it all. WOW!
there`s a lot more of him out there, Lad... The General of my Da`s Army Air Corp & my 1st Republican I voted for in `56 and I know he`d never recognize our party today.. You`d love the 2 hour youtube D-Day Allie advance prep they have available
It's incredible how presidents in the 20th century could actually speak so professional, gentlemanlike, and with charm. Every sentence sounds like something from Tolkien.
Having been there at D-Day plus 75 years, it was truly an honor to get to meet, spend time, and share jokes and stories with the few remaining brave men that stormed the beaches
Cronkite said that he wasn’t a real big fan of the General, but he developed a deep respect for him after doing this documentary. The General didn’t use any notes in the entire documentary, it had all been done from memory. He was the consummate commander!
@Carol Young We have openly extreme right wing too. There never seems to be a middle ground anymore. Our Nation wants to keep us pitted against one another.
Deep respect. Did you notice how often Ike took responsibility? He did not shy away from the terrible cost. No excuses. He told it, like it was. Very tough.
@tinwoods Sure. That's why "the orange oaf" just sold 800,000 tickets to his next rally. You'll be crying and yelling to the sky on election night this November. Don't worry, you'll get to bed early that night, as the election will be over around 8:30.
As a Brit, I believe Eisenhower to be one of the finest military leaders in history and pivitol to the success of the Western Europe campaign. Having to deal with the diplomatic, political and military dynamics of such a huge enterprise must have been incredibly stressful. Patton, Bradley and Montgomery might have got the headlines but he is the one who put the whole paper together. What an interview this is!
@@jshepard152 'Eisenhower to be one of the finest military leaders in history and pivitol to the success of the Western Europe campaign.' Eisenhower made a mess of the landings in Italy, he was nowhere near the operations in Normandy, whee things went well. He made a mess of a winning situation when he took over as land forces commander in September 1944. 'Having to deal with the diplomatic, political and military dynamics of such a huge enterprise must have been incredibly stressful.' Stress was when your homeland was under threat, as it as for British and Russian leaders. The USA was 3,000 miles from any fighting.
My father-in-law landed at Omaha beach with the 29th division and his brother landed with the fourth infantry division at Utah all three brothers survived the war and celebrated the liberation of Paris
I was eleven years old when this was telecast. Am I getting old. My father was in the Navy in the Pacific on June 6, 1944 on the battleship USS Massachusetts. My father is 94 and in pretty good health.
I was eight in 1964 my father was in the Royal Navy (HMS Hotspur) serving in the Mediterranean mostly. Sadly no longer with us but one of the greatest of generations. Best wishes and good heath to your father.
This is a priceless gem and possibly one of the best videos I have come across on You Tube. The greatest general of the 20th century and hero of WWII with the most trusted man in America. I do not understand how anyone could have the audacity to dislike this.
Don't you know the current trend is to erase any history that makes the United States look good at all. The only thing they teach about World War II in school today is the fact that we dropped a nuclear weapon but they don't tell why. As long as we keep letting them change history it's our fault also.
I support your sentiments completely. You said it quite well; I'm afraid in today's "PC" world where we in the US have literally thrown moral values and reverence for God under the bus, that this would cause such a panic if shown in schools that you wouldn't believe it possible. Sad, but it won't happen. Truly, this country has degraded beyond repair thanks to left wing liberals and democrats who want to erase all that is good, historical and more than anything "religious" from everyday life and in schools.
God bless you Ike. He died roughly 5 years after this interview. The soldiers who fought in this war at the very least got to take some solace in fighting under a man like Eisenhower, who clearly cared deeply for the average troopers and the boys on the front lines. He seemed like an ordinary man, humble and well-spoken. Wasn't too big for his britches.
@@ivangamez9773 and that set the scene for the cold war and gave the Russians an advantage for the next 45 years. It was the wrong decision from a strategic perspective.
@@aeroAdvocate How Germany was going to be divided had already been agreed between FDR, Stalin, and Churchill at the Yalta Conference months before the Soviets took Berlin.
Gotta love how Ike just told it like it was and didn’t beat around the bush. Every question Walter asked was answered quickly with almost zero hesitation.
Although, and with respect, the title of the 'pontoons', the Mulberries, seemed to elude his recall and after the stormy weather loss at Utah, the successful emplacement at Arromanches was SO important to the mission. Can anyone imagine WHAT, had the assault been beaten back into the Ditch ¿?
Just seeing this, to hear Eisenhower talk about the war and the strategies is amazing to know the planning of D-Day, when he said it was reported there was a tear in his eye, his response, its a natural human response, very humble man considering his position
My Uncle was at D Day+2 and The Battle of the Bulge and survived; my Dad fought in Italy and stayed in the Army for decades after. I grew up listening to President Eisenhower and Walter Cronkite and it's very emotional hearing their voices again and the evocative music of CBS Reports in this amazing documentary. All my thanks and never ending admiration for all the Allied soldiers and Resistance fighters who defeated fascist tyranny in World War II.
Beautiful video. Eisenhower, before D-Day, was more worried than the soldiers sent to their missions. He would meet paratroopers-of the 101st Airborne Division-to give them encouragement. However they were already motivated; Eisenhower was more worried than them. He cared deeply for his men. He was a great leader.
@@bill4270 yes, have you tried papers not from the states, Die Zeitung, Guardian, the FT, Le Monde, you don’t have to speak the languages, google translate and now ChatGPT can translate everything for you, so that’s no excuse anymore
That’s part of why he got the job, because he could handle big egos better than most. Don’t forget he also had to deal with Churchill, FDR and the rest
As a public school teacher for 37 years I used this video when I taught about WW2. I would also show D-day from a foot soldier's prospective . This is like going back and interviewing Gen. Washington on the battle of Yorktown. National Archives material!
Mr Jones, GOD BLESS YOU! In this day n age where most teachers seem to come out of the left-leaning colleges and the kids of today haven,t a clue of what happened n why during WWII, your students will have an understanding of the history of they era. It is my belief that is the reason (one of them) so many are turning into socialists/rioters/arsonists/looters/anarchists.
Wow, so lucky that this was recorded. Just got back from a Normandy visit. The visit to the American Cemetery was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience.
In 1964, i saw this t.v. special while I had a 15 day leave after completing Army Basic training at Ft. Dix, N.J. The next day, I went back to start the next phase of training! I have never seen this special since then & it brings back a lot of memories of my youth! Since I was only born in 1946, (after WW II), it's hard to think how little time had elapsed from D-Day to when this show was made! p.s. My last grandchild (Luke) was born June 6th, 2014, on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day!
Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) did a brilliant job of minimizing the issues of personality between the generals under his command. He was an optimistic, cheerful, fair minded, nice guy, who could listen to others - part of what made him the gifted, effective, likable leader he was. I knew an old Lt Colonel from WWII who knew & thought very highly of General Eisenhower. Those guys are all long gone.
From 1,17:10 to the end is incredibly well said and should give everyone who values freedom and liberty all the reason you need to show respect for our military, our Flag and our nation.
My mom was still a kid, so I wasn’t around yet, but this whole WW2 mission was definitely a just cause ! And no General is perfect, but I was impressed with the humbleness of Eisenhower, and how much he was always thinking about how precious the lives of each soldier was. I can see why he was chosen to be the leader!
I was only born in 1990, but always looked to Ike as such a powerful leader during WW2. This does not disappoint. It’s nice to know not only was he a great leader, but also a good person. Kind, humble, honest, intelligent, and a nice sense of humor. You can tell he really cared about his role. I’m so grateful to hear him talk and to get to experience him myself!
@@476233terry obviously lacks the qualities which make someone a serious person. On the other hand, you, clearly, do not. I'm 72, and it does my soul good to know that much younger people such as you are around.
I’ve been reading books and watching documentaries about the war and I have never seen this until now. This is awesome. Listening to how he talked is the best thing ever.
The greatest generation. Many gave the ultimate price. And. Never came home to see there loved ones How much we do owe these brave men and woman. Words will never be enough. ,,,,God bless you,,,,
My dad was a mechanic in a photo recon squadron stationed in England. He was on guard duty the night of June 5th and one of the airborne convoys flew over his base. He said that it was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen (and heard).
Brings tears to my eyes. Eisenhower's honesty, and his obvious emotion when describing his letter of failure should it all go south....such men aren't made like that anymore.
A dear friend of mine was in the second wave at D-day. His insights into the landing were incredible. He fought his way across Europe, through the Battle of Bulge and into Austria. He is still alive, I need to call him and go visit.
My personal favorite D-Day Documentary. Nothing beats Gen Eisenhower & Walter Cronkite in Normandy! Remarkable history for sure! Get this on DVD or thumb drive so you can show it to your children! A great history lesson for sure! Just back from Normandy for the 75th. A remarkable place indeed! Thanks, CBS News for sharing! TC
I remember when this showed on the TV. I was not quite 6 years old. This is when I learned that my Dad was involved in the Normandy Invasion and, as just about all little boys will do, I had quite a few questions. My Dad, usually fairly easy-going, used language that I had not heard from him - he told me to "Shut Up" (usually, it was "Hush") and not pester him. I knew Dad was in the Navy during WWII but he would rarely talk about the War. It wasn't until just before his death (Aug, 2004) that those questions from that little boy were answered. Even after 60 years, Dad would choke-up as he told me what he went through..... His ship (USS FOSS - DE-59) was on Pickett Duty off Omaha Beach and that Dad could hear the Artillery, Machine Guns/Rifles of the Germans.... and the screams/cries of the Soldiers being hit.... and to hear them crying out for their Mamas.... Dad never wanted to ever visit Normandy. The memories were still too strong....
This is an incredible video. A lot of details I have never heard before. Incredible leadership. I cant believe I have never seen this before. The story on Mallory coming to Ike and apologizing to adding more stress to Eisenhower after initial phase of Day went better in certain area than he thought. I have watched this 3 times in a row to make sure I did not miss anything.
How humbly, Eloquently and gracefully Eisenhower spoke. I am amazed at how those great American and British leaders of that genre had such command over the English language and how easily they could accurately convey their thoughts through their words. Their hard work, experience of courage, effort and pragmatism earned them the wisdom to teach us all great lessons. Compare it to the gibberish and slang we listen to today from our media and celebrities. They are elevated by their misguided fans on social media to influential authoritative positions of ignorance.
There is something of an American tradition of our great Generals also being excellent writers. Grant and Sherman were two of them, Eisenhower was a third. He wrote his two books entirely on his own, no ghostwriter needed, thank you.
@@waterheaterservices so no registered Democrat or Independent served in the military or can study and appreciate military history? What an incredibly generalized statement to make. The greatest soldier I ever knew was a Democrat who hated what was happening under the Republicans, and he went ashore at Omaha. I'm a registered Democrat and I served, and I have studied military history for 20 years so please try to engage your brain before saying such things.
This video has been absent from public view for a long time. During the 1990's it re-aired(I missed it) for the 50th anniversary of the invasion. I was a graduate student of history at the time and was writing a masters thesis about Eisenhower and his post-war pursuit for a unified and peaceful Europe. So glad I finally got to watch it, I especially enjoyed his reflections about meeting and talking to the 101st Airborne troopers. He was so upset afterwards, being told about the extreme casualties that was supposed to follow. This is pure history here, what an awesome interview.
When you listen and watch this you realize what a smart leader we had in Eisenhower. I hope we can find more like him and less of the empty shells we've had since .
If you pay close attention, there is a brief shot of C-47 3X when he is talking about visiting the 101st. That C-47 was "That's All Brother" and it was the aircraft that led the formation of 800 aircraft into France that day. "That's All Brother" is still flying today and was at Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
"Ah, I gotta get to bed. Get an early start, hit the gym before work. Just quick look at UA-cam. A cool, Eisenhower talking about D-Day, just a brief look" ...Aaaand of course I saw the whole thing. Additionally, I started reading more about D-Day until 5 in the morning, and had a tough day at work. But this was so worth the watch. Simply brilliant.
I'm old, 72, and your comment gladdened me. I'm very happy there are still people around who have a sense of greatness, and of what is important and lasting.
I wonder if they would have given their lives if they knew America would embrace homosexuality, abortion, transgenderism and physician assisted suicide.
My 12 year old son wants to play call of duty and military games such as those. I told him once he understands what war really is, he can still choose to play it. The horror of war, the fear, the tragedy which those games dissociate from war needs to be understood. I believe I will show him the end of this video, the cemetery and Ike’s beautiful speech. I pray he will understand what Ike is trying to say. I will talk with him.
Yesterday was the 80th anniversary of D-day. When this first aired most of our guys were in their 40's. Now there are only a few left. God bless them all.
They saved the world 🥹
Absolutely! The Greatest Generation
Well don’t vote for what they fought against.
They saved us all
@@franklehman1593 don’t let their sacrifices go dishonored. You and I are going to have to save it again much closer to home.
My Uncle met Ike. On the evening of June 5th 1944 not long before he departed to Omaha Beach.
My Uncle just celebrated his 101st birthday this month.
God Bless America.
My grandfather didn't meet Ike personally but he watched as he passed within feet of him when Ike visited his Battleship the USS Texas
Was your uncle a Screaming Eagle?
@@chrisml8105 no he was not. Wounded battle of Saint-Lô and also at Hurtgen Forest.
@@carlkozlosky8094 I'm very glad you got to meet him. Happy birthday to him, and many many more! I thank him for his service.
Did Ike speak in terms of costs?
eisenhower was so dignified
how we need people like him today
Hahahahahahahaha
True gentleman.
@@arcana_mystery I am much more embarrassed by Joe Biden and the idiots who support this weak and stupid liar.
Yes, we do. We need politicians. I'm a president like this.
Eisenhower is my favorite president. My mother and I saw him in April 1955 when he visited The Citadel campus in Charleston, SC. The vehicle in which he was riding passed us as we were walking into the front gate from Moultrie Street. He waved and gave us his wonderful big grin. I was seven years old.
Notice how Eisenhower constantly gives credit to others- - decisions “we” made, “our” decisions etc. Such a rare, truly great leader.
He's very humble and candid.
In his farewell speech as US President, he warned for the extending destructive power of the Military Industrial Complex.
No person ever, in the same kind of position, spoke these wise and daring words !
@@skelejp9982 Eh, turns out his words were misguided. No World War ever since or slaughter even close to what wars used to be, praise be to the military complex I guess, right?
@@SpaceTravel1776 On 1 Northern Korean City, allied dropped more tonnage of bombs than on the whole Western front during WW2.
@@skelejp9982 Yep, and no world war. If they hadn’t? Another world war. And not a single thank you from you and yours? Ah well.
Eisenhower, Cronkrite, so real, so interesting. Serious men talking about world serious events. What a treasure this video is.
Cronkite lied to us in 1968 after the Tet offensive.
As a history buff I can't believe this is the first time I've seen this. What a masterpiece of documenting such a monumental moment in history.
I thought the same thing!!! June 2020 and never heard of this.
Same here
I saw it when it aired back in 1964 when I was in high school. CBS did a few of these back in the day.
Exactly! This is amazing
Man, This is fricking awesome!!!
20 years later and Eisenhower still had an amazing grasp and recall of the details.
20 years isn't that long
@@m42037 It can be when you're 72 years old.
Not a bit of Biden in him!
The final 5 minute monologue from Eisenhower is enough to just leave you absolutely speechless. Wish we still had this kind of leadership today.
Agreed. And then the camera pulling up and away like that to show the entire scene was exactly like the end of the film Field of Dreams. I wept both times...
Leaders like Eisenhower could not be elected today. They have too much integrity to lie and divide us.
Astounding when we see the corruption being unveiled at the top levels of all of our government institutions!!!
We do. There was peace in the world under President Trump.
Trump=Hitler&Mussolini
My dad was part of the D-Day invasion with the British Army, when he was 19. He greatly admired Eisenhower, who addressed them all once and gave the advice "Never pass over a free lunch, or the chance to go to the John" - dad often quoted that! He died in 1995. What an amazing generation they were.
I humbly salute your Dad and all the other heroic young men and women of those days. Greetings from Finland.
Your dad was part of the greatest generation that gave us the freedom we have today. I don’t know you but his blood runs in your veins so I salute you my good sir!
President Eisenhower was a Giant. A real man...confident enough to address his shortcomings and perceived failures. Giving credit to others. What a man!
Yes he was.
A remarkable man Eisenhower.
I'm danish, born 20 years after the war ended. My country was occupied in April 1940 by the german army and later on liberated by the allies in early May 1945.
Mom taught and told me the story about all these young american men who lost their lives for our freedom. I'll never forget that and never stop being grateful.
Might I recommend a movie or two?
The Fighting Lady
Sink the Bismarck
Memphis Belle
US Citizens are willing to die for oppressed peoples. It is the US Government and it's cinnection to the Military Industry Complex that cannot be trusted. Very sad how far our Government has become so corrupt and uncaring.
It wasn’t only American’s
Thank you.
@@JamieMerchant-w8bThat is certainly true. But all the other combatants that fought to liberate Europe did so to liberate their own homes and families including the French, Polish, Russians, Dutch, Danes., etc. The British fought to keep their country from being overrun by the Nazis. The Americans didn’t have to be there to protect or liberate their own country. The Americans made the sacrifice for ideals. Nothing more, nothing less.
I know that is not a popular concept that Americans can be “good guys”, and we all know the mistakes we have made since then….but in 1944/45 Europe, the American sacrifice was for other people. And, I’m not taking away from the monumental contributions by all the Allies by saying this.
We could just as easily have stayed home rather than to get involved in yet one more European war of conquest.
My father was a medic on D-Day. He told me many stories of that day, and I know several of them was hard for him to talk about. The one that I will never forget was especially hard for him to talk about. My father and a fellow GI that went through boot camp together all the way to D-Day was hit 3 times. One of which grazed the side of his friend's head and the other 2 shots was in his shoulder and in his chest. My father picked him up and over his shoulder and ran as fast as he could in an attempt to get him to safety. All the while talking to him and his buddy was answering him. Before he got him to safety, his friend stopped answering him. Once he got him to safety my father found out he had died while my dad doing his best to get him where he could safely treat his wounds. My dad past way in 1997, and I know it haunted him the rest of his life. All the American soldiers were a breed of Men that unfortunately the world will never see again.
All the American soldiers were a breed of Men who came from the land of the brave and home of the free. Long live D-day heroes.
I agree and we have all of them to thank for giving us the opportunity to be able to be free and live in the greatest country ever.
Don’t underestimate the younger generations. We were raised by these men and their sons and daughters. We know the cost of freedom. We received the best traits and cautionary stories from our greatest generation loved ones. America is strong and so are its young people.
@@bharper9422 Very true Billy. Unfortunately our youth nowadays has to question their gender and they have pink hair. Sad to see with the political left pussifying America
MrBojangles7890 maybe so especially compared to the greatest generation but I do believe most would rise to the occasion if a situation like World War Two happens again. Our society built by the greatest generation has afforded people to have the time and ability to dye their hair or other unnecessary extravagances.
Eisenhower was a genuine human being. We could use more people like him today.
it is hard to believe that we have come from President Eisenhower, when I was in grade school, to such a weak and stupid man, Joe Biden.
A true man of service. Not many of those in power these days.
Yeah, I definitely think of Eisenhower as well, THE PERFECT PERSON to have the job he had during WW2. I seriously doubt anyone else could have done a better job than Eisenhower when it came to leading the Allies against the Axis forces. Like I said previously, I think Eisenhower was the inspiration for JRR Tolkien's Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings." Eisenhower was no wizard by any stretch of the imagination, however he did quite a lot to make sure all the Allied forces were trying to fight together and that way getting the most out of all the people available!!
Plus, the plain & simple fact that he knew & appreciated the fact that a lot of those troops were going to get killed in battle on the following day & he took the time to try to talk to them & shake their hands & thank them for being a part of the Allied forces says a lot to me. He knew a great number of them may perish & so he shook hands with as many as he could & thanked as many as he could cuz tomorrow would be too late for a number of them. He was a good man for showing such appreciation for those that would die but also achieve victory in doing so.
It also says a lot that they were the ones going into battle but they are reassuring him & telling him not to worry. That they would take care of what needed to be done! Truly Great Americans!!!
@@kennethdeanmiller7324 Yes, it was very challenging to work with Churchill, de Gaulle, Montgomery, Patton, etc
He drove the Jeep on the beach w Cronkite. Every old soldier knows what that means. He didn’t insist on a driver. His voice sounds like my father and my uncles who also grew up on the American prairie. He was a smart, humble, decent kid from Kansas. Thank God for him and his men.
What does it mean?
I think he also flew in a modified P-51 Mustang as passenger to observe the military operation in France behind enemy lines, when he reported back to Gen Marshall, he got an earful from Marshall because of the recon mission.
God has a vast complex mysterious plan for everyone and everything. He is omnipresent, all powerful and omnipotent.
You are thanking him for Eisenhower and others ending it.
Given these beliefs and your proclamation do we curse god since his will included the war?
@@ramal5708 The collings foundation have a TP-51C trainer which they've painted into the scheme of Stars Look Down, the aircraft Eisenhower flew in
What did it mean when you wanted to drive the Jeep?
Eisenhower is so engaged and earnest. What a mind this man had. Probably thinking legacy at this stage in his life. Love how Cronkite just lets him talk too. This is really youtube at its best.
Great note ... Cronkite is not interrupting or going for the "gotchya" questions.
Chris_0803 this was journalism at its best!
His 'legacy' was already clearly set in place: A triumphant Supreme Allied Commander of European WWII forces that freed Europe and defeated Hitler's Germany and two successful terms in The White House as President, etc.
Wonder if he remembered how horrible he intentionally treated the German POWs. Keeping them in open fields with no shelter from the weather and turning away people trying to bring them food while they starved in his camps.
Bad things happen in war we all know this but when your the so called good guys your not suppose to allow these kinds of things to happen. Their soldiers were no different than ours. They had their heads pumped full of Germania just like our guys had theirs pumped full of Americana.
@@MrBigstick25 WRONG. The German soldier was not like the US soldier. The whole-scale atrocities the Germans committed gave Eisenhower every reason to treat them with the minimum or no respect. Were all the US soldiers perfect? No!!!! The principles of freedom "pumped" into the American's head is way different than the principles of tyranny "pumped" into the German's head.
This filmed interview of General Eisenhower is one of the most remarkable, meaningful and important journalistic events in American history. The enormity of its value must never be underestimated.
3:04 gave me chills already. Those children pass by the man who says hello, unaware of what it means to him to see them enjoying their walk on that beach.
I love that he said “If the GIs could have seen that 20 years ago...”
3:08
Absolutely amazing those little kids and the nuns walked past the supreme allied commander of Europe of world war 2 and just former president of the United States
If they realized who those men were they would have stories to tell for a lifetime
I wonder if they saw this documentary and realized then just who said hello to them on that day.
@@namcat53 not trying to be a smartie,but I'm sure they recognized that immediately,or not long after.
I cannot believe that I have never see this. I was in the 82nd and have always been obsessed with Normandy. Cannot believe this has never come up on my feed before now. It was amazing hearing Gen. Eisenhower talk about the invasion in detail while he was actually there. This was the ultimate Normandy tour huh ? Very emotional for this 54 yr old paratrooper.
2/505 PIR
This was right after Kennedy and we had this in history class in `68 so maybe it was a Catholic HS thing.... Walter Cronkite was a professional and someone I appreciated growing up in the B& W world, but then the fox crowd came along
This was fabulous ... first time to see it I am ashamed to admit!!!😢
@@tommytbone9778 I think you meant the cnn crowd.
@@stonyman82nd57 naw, I think I nailed Roger Ailes right in his big fat kisser
Watching on June 6, 2024 the 80th Anniversary. Well done by two special men!
Very true. We could use some good men like that around now for sure!
Eisenhower was a very thoughtful and pragmatic man. He analyzed the details and made the call, and it changed the whole damn thing. A man like that does not rise to a position of decision making very often. Thank God we had Ike
Too bad he took Montgomery's job as C-in-C of all allied ground forces in September 1944 after Montgomery had got the allies well ahead of schedule and liberating Brussels, Belgium. Eisenhower dragged the war on longer than it should have with his broad front strategy which got nowhere for six months, wasting hundreds of thousands men in pointless secondary campaigns in the Hurtgen Forest, Lorraine and Alsace and then falling back into a retreat in the Ardennes.
On this trip, Eisenhower got the news that Churchill had just suffered his penultimate, debilitating stroke, so he left France and visited him in hospital in London. Churchill could no longer speak but he was alert, so Ike just held his hand for ten full minutes, comforting his admired friend. Suddenly, Churchill stirred, broke the grip and gently raised his hand. He made the V for Victory sign to Eisenhower, for Eisenhower.
Eisenhower moved back and said, very sadly, to Churchill's aid who was in the room, "You know, I've just said goodbye to Winston. But you never say fairwell to courage."
Two of the greatest leaders who ever lived.
is there a source for this story? I could only find a Quora answer that doesn't even mention the V for Victory sign. The dates don't seem to match either, unless Eisenhower spent over six months on this trip
Please provide a source. Great story if true
@Brad Watson Dumbest reply I've ever read, congrats
Incredible stuff if factual and i wouldn't doubt it for one minute not questioning the character of Eisenhower .
@Brad Watson Interesting observation Mr. Watson .
Eisenhower should be on Mount Rushmore. Led the Allies to victory over the Nazis and navigated the nuclear Cold War. Humble and ragingly competent, he answered the country's call.
You have defaced the 7 Grandfathers enough.
Cronkite and Eisenhower, in their respective fields of expertise, two giants of the twentieth century.
Sounds like a young Dan Rather doing the voice overs as well.
jamesw1313 One giant. One self important pygmie. One person that acted. Another person to Monday morning quarterback any decision.
Rather, led the decline in news reporting
One a giant statesman and the other a giant propagandist.....
Thomas Hartman : This was June, 1964 . Eisenhower would live on for another 5 yrs until he passed away in March, 1969. Afterwards Cronkite would live on for another 40 yrs until his own passing in July, 2009. RIP Eisenhower 1890-1969 & RIP Cronkite 1916-2009.
My grandfather was at Normandy on D day and he never spoke about it. The family just knew because of my grandmother's stories,she said he came home a completely different man than the one who left. My grandfather was a hard working farmer all of my childhood and the greatest memory I have was the day I graduated Basic training in the Army. My grandpa to my surprise came to see me and he hugged me and wept, I never saw him do that before. Coming from a man that went through all he went through that stuck with me all these years. God bless those men who treaded those beaches on that day, they are the reason so many of us are even here today.
On todays episode of things that never happened
Wait a minute soldier, Ma says he never spoke of it, yet she has stories.... it don`t add up, Padna
@@tommytbone9778 he and his wife obviously spoke about something, but he never spoke about it to any of us when I was growing up, and frankly most veterans dont either......PADNA
@@priestsonaplane2236 is that right after your terrible music shows?
@@bosskey7212 Well, my GrandPa lost his job with the White Motor Co. `17 when he got drafted with his 2 older brothers, he got sent back 3 mths. later when they were lost in action... My old man was from Del Rio (Kin still there, the sun never sets on the Reid empire) & joined Eisenhower`s Army Air Corp. and sent to Waco in `41 as a flight instructor, and after the war went to school in Cleveland met Ma & that`s where he & GrandPa sat around the card table and the one Scot- Ulsterman with his Texas drawl had a rye & Gramps with his deep Hibernian brogue had whiskey & their stories would some times come to tactical comparisons between Pershing & Eisenhower or Sgt York and Pa`s Audie Murphy.. We`d go to the annual Catholic church summer games in the 50`s & a few of the old timers who survived that day on the beaches that morning or the beaches at Anzio would be in the beer tents yappin away about the old times and older kids just looked in amazement... we all enjoyed those old war shows on tv 12 o`clock high, Combat so those times listening were just what we wanted to feed our need to play army in the woods... And then when Nam came around it was our turn.. so maybe it was because we lived in one of those close knit Irish neighborhoods that made my experience different , Padna
ike was 74 when this was made. his recall and command of the details is amazing. explained the difficulties of the hedge rows,how they circumvented the obstacle, and the name of the soldier who invented the workaround and what happened to the soldier, lost his leg, hardly an aloof commander, we fought not for gain but for ideals and values, i hope and pray we never have to do this again. well done sir
looks like we're looking at part 3 in the years to come.
+qqqq
@@joeswanson733 that's just sad but true isn't it. Freedom paid for by others but forgotten by the privileged
Writing Crusade in Europe surley helped his recall..
@@joeswanson733 NO, only Puitn is looking for an out, they have no answers
This is one of the best hours of television I’ve ever seen. Sadly it took me 40 years of life to find this gem.
Methinks I saw this in AP USA History after the Test😂
I wish we had all this information in the 50s and 60s and each generation.
@@junesmallwood4921 We had this in our `68 history class , the Korean war is the real hidden one
I am ashamed to say I have never seen this. I am 77 my dad was in Niece and Marceills at end 1944
This should be shown every June 6th on CBS! I can only imagine the strain on the Generals mind during those 45 seconds he was deciding to go or not. Perfect example of having the right leader at the right time.
I agree completely. It should be shown midnight to midnight on continuous loop, every June 6th, with all other programming preempted. We'd have nothing without those soldiers--and the soldier that served as Supreme Commander. The enemy HAD to be stopped, and was. Every living person since owes those soldiers everything they have--or will have.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it - George Santayana
It was one of the/my Enlightenment heroes, Edmund Burke, wot writ it, or at least something so similar Santayana robbed it
The history doomed etc quote
I always thought it was Santayana too until I saw it in one of Burke’s essays
Cheeky Santayana, very cheeky
Jeff Webb I have made a point to watch these videos with my kids and explain to them in detail every Memorial Day how brave Americans and Allies gave their lives to preserve our freedom. I would hope other mothers and fathers would do the same.
Today’s CBS might believe it ‘fashionable’ to show it from a German viewpoint..
I saw this in 1964, and today, Oct 06, 2020 it still gives me a thrill watching it. How sad these two men are no longer with us. The 20th Century was an incredible one!
It was an incredible and tragic one at the same time
That's amazing you remember seeing this when it aired. Thanks for sharing.
It makes Pres Biden appear obviously not okay, weak, and decerebrating while planning everyday how to set the stage for Marxism.
I envy you for living in those times, now there's nothing but tik tok and onlyfans prostitution
@@wolfmama1938 Better Marxism than facism, I feel. But probably capitalism better than both.
Eisenhower. A General, a President, and then a General again. He served his country until he died.
Can anyone imagine General Douglas MacArthur participating in a video like this, relaxing and being with ordinary people? I can't. Dwight Eisenhower was such a decent and humble man.
I can see why he was a president.
GENERAL MACARTHUR WAS A GOOD GENERAL AND HIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE JAPANESE HELPED HIM SET UP A WORKING GOVERNMENT! BOTH THESE GENERALS HAD THEIR PLACE IN WW2 SUCCESS. HAD TRUMAN FOLLOWED MACARTHUR; THERE WOULD BE "NO" COMMUNIST RED CHINA OR NORTH KOREA TODAY!
Yeah, right.
I doubt it, Mac was a bit of a primadonna
You can tell he was a man who understood responsibility, accepted his role in the results, and how he was able to work with a wide range of personalities.
His speech at the end, last 3-5 minutes... so good Walter didn’t even interrupt or question it...
Most of today's journalists would be interrupting him left and right
Right?
And foxytv vilify this man to no end... like anyone they hate
Eisenhower was great General, Patriot, and true gentleman. This documentary should be a maditory part of our school curriculum. Many thanks to our military service man and woman.
IKE and George Marshall were the George Washington s of the 20th Century. We were fortunate that we were blessed with Men like this. May They Rest In Peace.
@@BRuane-pw6xq don't forget bradley. he was the logistics genius.
@@siggifreud812they come from the last batches of the real old school soldiers: classically trained to ride on horseback. They saw the 1st World War, ironically Ike never went to Europe during the Great War. They saw the first combat applications of chemical weapons, tanks and airplanes. Good Lord, they went through two world wars. Some of them were still in leadership during Korean war. All of them were either dead already or retired and dying during Vietnam war. They soldiered on. Their deeds r immortal.
@@miguelladinodevera614 my grandfather was on the expedition (horseback) when the US army went into mexico after pancho villa in 1916, I think.
What a treasure this video is! To be able to hear the supreme allied commander describe the events as he remembered them is a true privilege! And no one could have conducted the interview better than Walter Cronkite! Nicely done CBS!
This is simply priceless.
One thing that struck me is Eisenhower here was not only a retired general, and the leader of the allied command in WWII, but he was also a former president of the United States - and there he is driving the jeep himself; there are no squadrons of media and Secret Service agents hovering all around. There is only Walter "the most trusted man in America" Cronkite and former president Dwight David Eisenhower. Imagine anything close to this happening today.
Fighting against Adolf Hitler's fascism brought out the best in our country all across the board, from General/President Eisenhower to the brave recruits storming the beaches of Normandy, to all the hardworking sacrificing Americans back home building the machinery that made the difference.
All my life ( I was born in 1955 ) I've been honored to share the same birthday with one of the greatest Americans and presidents we've ever known - October 14th. He will forever be my favorite president; we were lucky to have him.
While it didn’t last, there was a period after 9/11 where all Americans felt United this way. Petty crime in New York was all but gone for days. Everyone cheered cops and fireman from every city not just New York. It was a sad act of terror but the following weeks were very inspiring. If only we lived like that without something like 9/11 causing it.
Dwight D. Eisenhower was born on October 14, 1890, which would have made him 73 during the time of this interview. His memory and recall of the events twenty years before is spectacular. In his letter that he wrote in case the operation failed, he said "The landing has been a failure and it's no one's fault but mine" If our current crop of politicians in the 70s were anywhere near as humble, lucid, articulate and intelligent as this man, we would be living in a very different world.
The greatest generation stormed those beaches and I'm proud to say my dad was among them that morning of june 6th. My dad made it to 90 yrs. Damn, i miss that generation.
I miss my Dad and Mom. My Mom was an Army nurse in the ETO... Third Army. She would of been 100 yrs old. Dad worked in the Manhattan project. He'd be 104 this year...
🇺🇸👍 👍
@Hermann Goering You can't think like that, hindsight is always 2020. They went with the best info they had.
From brave men storming beaches to coward men burning city’s in OUR USA in 2020. Glad my grandpa has passed. I’m sure he would shed a tear for today’s society. Stay safe America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
midnight rider --- Me too, so many questions left unanswered, I wish I could go back in time.
I love Dwight D. Eisenhower. A great man put into a very difficult situation. He was also president of the USA. Nothing but respect for the man.
WOW, I have never seen such a great interview. I never heard President Eisenhower talk so much before. WOW I am so suprised I thought I had seen it all. WOW!
there`s a lot more of him out there, Lad... The General of my Da`s Army Air Corp & my 1st Republican I voted for in `56 and I know he`d never recognize our party today.. You`d love the 2 hour youtube D-Day Allie advance prep they have available
It's incredible how presidents in the 20th century could actually speak so professional, gentlemanlike, and with charm. Every sentence sounds like something from Tolkien.
Having been there at D-Day plus 75 years, it was truly an honor to get to meet, spend time, and share jokes and stories with the few remaining brave men that stormed the beaches
Cronkite said that he wasn’t a real big fan of the General, but he developed a deep respect for him after doing this documentary. The General didn’t use any notes in the entire documentary, it had all been done from memory. He was the consummate commander!
@Carol Young We have openly extreme right wing too. There never seems to be a middle ground anymore. Our Nation wants to keep us pitted against one another.
Deep respect. Did you notice how often Ike took responsibility? He did not shy away from the terrible cost. No excuses. He told it, like it was. Very tough.
baffles my mind how anyone could form a disliking for General Eisenhower, he was an incredible man in every sense of the word
Eisenhower was good General who didn't boast about war like Patton, and Macarthur.
@@Mike-01234 Tell us all of when Patton boasted about war. Please quote his statements and when he made them.
What a fantastic leader : decisive and humble ...... we miss those qualities in our days -
I agree. But I believe his biggest stumble was allowing the USSR to get to space first. But we made up for it in 1969!
tinwoods bruh
And the lack of supporting his allies
@tinwoods Sure. That's why "the orange oaf" just sold 800,000 tickets to his next rally. You'll be crying and yelling to the sky on election night this November. Don't worry, you'll get to bed early that night, as the election will be over around 8:30.
@tinwoods Well, thank God you're so polite too.
Wow. 20 years studying Normandy and this was the best education ever. Ike was a true man.
This video is a national treasure.
As a Brit, I believe Eisenhower to be one of the finest military leaders in history and pivitol to the success of the Western Europe campaign. Having to deal with the diplomatic, political and military dynamics of such a huge enterprise must have been incredibly stressful. Patton, Bradley and Montgomery might have got the headlines but he is the one who put the whole paper together. What an interview this is!
Rubbish.
@@thevillaaston7811 But you can't be bothered to even say how it's rubbish.
@@jshepard152
'Eisenhower to be one of the finest military leaders in history and pivitol to the success of the Western Europe campaign.'
Eisenhower made a mess of the landings in Italy, he was nowhere near the operations in Normandy, whee things went well. He made a mess of a winning situation when he took over as land forces commander in September 1944.
'Having to deal with the diplomatic, political and military dynamics of such a huge enterprise must have been incredibly stressful.'
Stress was when your homeland was under threat, as it as for British and Russian leaders. The USA was 3,000 miles from any fighting.
My father-in-law landed at Omaha beach with the 29th division and his brother landed with the fourth infantry division at Utah all three brothers survived the war and celebrated the liberation of Paris
Wow!!!!
That’s awesome
Could u imagine the drink they had! Sorry for my language but my toast would be “go fu?! Yourself nazis!”
This documentary is priceless. It is the narratation of the story of D-day and the battle of Normandy by the man himself. Cronkite simply splices it.
Tomlinson)
Malone
Movie
I was eleven years old when this was telecast. Am I getting old. My father was in the Navy in the Pacific on June 6, 1944 on the battleship USS Massachusetts. My father is 94 and in pretty good health.
I was eight in 1964 my father was in the Royal Navy (HMS Hotspur) serving in the Mediterranean mostly. Sadly no longer with us but one of the greatest of generations. Best wishes and good heath to your father.
That's great to hear.
God bless your father
I was 12, My Dad was training to be sent to Italy in June 44.
I, too was 11, and I remember watching it with my father who fought in the Pacific.
This is a priceless gem and possibly one of the best videos I have come across on You Tube. The greatest general of the 20th century and hero of WWII with the most trusted man in America. I do not understand how anyone could have the audacity to dislike this.
Least we forget. My 99 year old was there with the Merchant Marine and his stories are amazing.
My god this is incredible..this film should be shown in every school possible...never seen this before so thank you very much..
can we start with competent grammar skills first in school?
The Dark Portal what year did you Earn your Badge for the Grammar Police?
Don't you know the current trend is to erase any history that makes the United States look good at all. The only thing they teach about World War II in school today is the fact that we dropped a nuclear weapon but they don't tell why. As long as we keep letting them change history it's our fault also.
I support your sentiments completely. You said it quite well; I'm afraid in today's "PC" world where we in the US have literally thrown moral values and reverence for God under the bus, that this would cause such a panic if shown in schools that you wouldn't believe it possible. Sad, but it won't happen. Truly, this country has degraded beyond repair thanks to left wing liberals and democrats who want to erase all that is good, historical and more than anything "religious" from everyday life and in schools.
@@THE-HammerMan That is NOT Party Approved Correct Thinking and Speech.
God bless you Ike. He died roughly 5 years after this interview. The soldiers who fought in this war at the very least got to take some solace in fighting under a man like Eisenhower, who clearly cared deeply for the average troopers and the boys on the front lines. He seemed like an ordinary man, humble and well-spoken. Wasn't too big for his britches.
Ike didn't care for ink ink the newspaper
This was shown in disciplining Patton for treating a soldier badly. Ike was always respectful to his allies.
Ike valued human life and allowed the Russians to take Berlin in order to save American soldier lives.
@@ivangamez9773 and that set the scene for the cold war and gave the Russians an advantage for the next 45 years. It was the wrong decision from a strategic perspective.
@@aeroAdvocate How Germany was going to be divided had already been agreed between FDR, Stalin, and Churchill at the Yalta Conference months before the Soviets took Berlin.
Gotta love how Ike just told it like it was and didn’t beat around the bush. Every question Walter asked was answered quickly with almost zero hesitation.
Although, and with respect, the title of the 'pontoons', the Mulberries, seemed to elude his recall and after the stormy weather loss at Utah, the successful emplacement at Arromanches was SO important to the mission.
Can anyone imagine WHAT, had the assault been beaten back into the Ditch ¿?
Just seeing this, to hear Eisenhower talk about the war and the strategies is amazing to know the planning of D-Day, when he said it was reported there was a tear in his eye, his response, its a natural human response, very humble man considering his position
My Uncle was at D Day+2 and The Battle of the Bulge and survived; my Dad fought in Italy and stayed in the Army for decades after. I grew up listening to President Eisenhower and Walter Cronkite and it's very emotional hearing their voices again and the evocative music of CBS Reports in this amazing documentary. All my thanks and never ending admiration for all the Allied soldiers and Resistance fighters who defeated fascist tyranny in World War II.
Beautiful video. Eisenhower, before D-Day, was more worried than the soldiers sent to their missions. He would meet paratroopers-of the 101st Airborne Division-to give them encouragement. However they were already motivated; Eisenhower was more worried than them. He cared deeply for his men. He was a great leader.
I noticed everytime I see Ike talking to the press about D-Day, theirs tears in his eyes and voice, some of Ike died too on D-Day
I remember watching this show in June 1964. I was eight years old--watching with my father who was a navy vet in Pacific.
Wow how interesting! Do you remember what he had to say? What his opinion of Ike was?
Ha, me too ! Your old man was covering mine, my dad was very appreciative of the air cover. I miss them all.
From a great General who cares deeply for the men that fought that day and through to victory.
Humbling to watch. One of the best documentaries you will see. Tremendous.
This piece of journalism from 1964 is better than any journalism done in the past 10 years.
Well that’s a little bit of an overstatement. I’ve seen some pretty good journalism in the past 10 years
@@MrJimheerenReally?
@@bill4270 yes really. Open a newspaper every once in a while or a magazine that’s not filled with cars and pretty ladies
@@MrJimheeren You mean USA Today, NY Times, WA. Post?
@@bill4270 yes, have you tried papers not from the states, Die Zeitung, Guardian, the FT, Le Monde, you don’t have to speak the languages, google translate and now ChatGPT can translate everything for you, so that’s no excuse anymore
General Eisenhower was so gracious in giving credit to others and claiming luck on his behalf.
That's what made him so effective handling egos like Montgomery and Patton.
That’s part of why he got the job, because he could handle big egos better than most. Don’t forget he also had to deal with Churchill, FDR and the rest
Ike would take full blame if invasion failed, wow, very humble leader, invasion would have failed if any wheel chair general was in charge
Thank you CBS for re releasing this. Much appreciated. Thanks.
One of my mom's uncle's landed at Utah beach with the 4th infantry division. Then got to help liberate Paris. Thanks.
June 2020 for me. Glad it finally came up in my recommendation.
As a public school teacher for 37 years I used this video when I taught about WW2. I would also show D-day from a foot soldier's prospective . This is like going back and interviewing Gen. Washington on the battle of Yorktown. National Archives material!
Mr Jones, GOD BLESS YOU! In this day n age where most teachers seem to come out of the left-leaning colleges and the kids of today haven,t a clue of what happened n why during WWII, your students will have an understanding of the history of they era. It is my belief that is the reason (one of them) so many are turning into socialists/rioters/arsonists/looters/anarchists.
THIS IS SO MUCH GOLD!! I am glad we have youtube now.
Wow, so lucky that this was recorded. Just got back from a Normandy visit. The visit to the American Cemetery was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience.
In 1964, i saw this t.v. special while I had a 15 day leave after completing Army Basic training at Ft. Dix, N.J. The next day, I went back to start the next phase of training! I have never seen this special since then & it brings back a lot of memories of my youth! Since I was only born in 1946, (after WW II), it's hard to think how little time had elapsed from D-Day to when this show was made! p.s. My last grandchild (Luke) was born June 6th, 2014, on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day!
Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) did a brilliant job of minimizing the issues of personality between the generals under his command. He was an optimistic, cheerful, fair minded, nice guy, who could listen to others - part of what made him the gifted, effective, likable leader he was. I knew an old Lt Colonel from WWII who knew & thought very highly of General Eisenhower. Those guys are all long gone.
Eisenhower’s concluding remarks must be taught to all Americans, so that the people know about sacrifice to preserve freedom. Priceless wisdom
Sounds so presidential
From 1,17:10 to the end is incredibly well said and should give everyone who values freedom and liberty all the reason you need to show respect for our military, our Flag and our nation.
not just Americans....but the world....including the Mid-East
I agree I'm late by 3 years but he seems like a great person from what I know about him now
they died for Bretton Woods and a communist Poland, and with a lag, a communist China.
Thank you for the repost. We will never forget.
Perhaps the most honest interview I’ve ever seen. His closing remarks should never be forgotten. Thanks to those who gave up so much.
My mom was still a kid, so I wasn’t around yet, but this whole WW2 mission was definitely a just cause ! And no General is perfect, but I was impressed with the humbleness of Eisenhower, and how much he was always thinking about how precious the lives of each soldier was. I can see why he was chosen to be the leader!
I was only born in 1990, but always looked to Ike as such a powerful leader during WW2. This does not disappoint. It’s nice to know not only was he a great leader, but also a good person. Kind, humble, honest, intelligent, and a nice sense of humor. You can tell he really cared about his role. I’m so grateful to hear him talk and to get to experience him myself!
😂
@@terry4137 I’m not really sure in what context this is funny. Care to explain or inform me?
@@476233terry obviously lacks the qualities which make someone a serious person. On the other hand, you, clearly, do not. I'm 72, and it does my soul good to know that much younger people such as you are around.
What a sharp mind. 20 years later details it like it was yesterday... Impressive man. I miss this kind of America...
I’ve been reading books and watching documentaries about the war and I have never seen this until now. This is awesome. Listening to how he talked is the best thing ever.
The greatest generation. Many gave the ultimate price. And. Never came home to see there loved ones
How much we do owe these brave men and woman. Words will never be enough. ,,,,God bless you,,,,
Such a humble man, God bless him.
That's why Monty hated him.
Absolutely, complete opposite of Monty
@@krisfrederick5001 Monty just didn't want to accept that his greatest moment was El Alamein.
@@andrewpestotnik5495 --- With American tanks, food, & supplies!
@@Freshstart6354
'With American tanks, food, & supplies!'
Would you like to know what the proprtion of American items were?
A great General who went on to become a fine president. And in the end he warned us of the enemy from within
Ike’s final words are so heartfelt and touching. I doubt anyone else could have said it better.
Thank you so much for this interview I’m looking at it 2024 and it’s a great reminder of what older generations had to go through
My dad was a mechanic in a photo recon squadron stationed in England. He was on guard duty the night of June 5th and one of the airborne convoys flew over his base. He said that it was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen (and heard).
General Eisenhower - One of the greatest Americans to have ever lived!
I'm so glad this was filmed! It's fantastic. So important for future generations.
One of the men that saved the world from darkness , god bless you sir
What an amazing time capsule, so glad this is online. Incredible speech at the end
Brings tears to my eyes. Eisenhower's honesty, and his obvious emotion when describing his letter of failure should it all go south....such men aren't made like that anymore.
A dear friend of mine was in the second wave at D-day. His insights into the landing were incredible. He fought his way across Europe, through the Battle of Bulge and into Austria. He is still alive, I need to call him and go visit.
Brilliant idea! Just don't thank him for his service.
You do, and record it with your phone!
Please do - and record it!
My personal favorite D-Day Documentary. Nothing beats Gen Eisenhower & Walter Cronkite in Normandy! Remarkable history for sure! Get this on DVD or thumb drive so you can show it to your children! A great history lesson for sure! Just back from Normandy for the 75th. A remarkable place indeed! Thanks, CBS News for sharing! TC
Thank you CBS, for uploading this masterpiece.
I remember when this showed on the TV. I was not quite 6 years old. This is when I learned that my Dad was involved in the Normandy Invasion and, as just about all little boys will do, I had quite a few questions. My Dad, usually fairly easy-going, used language that I had not heard from him - he told me to "Shut Up" (usually, it was "Hush") and not pester him. I knew Dad was in the Navy during WWII but he would rarely talk about the War. It wasn't until just before his death (Aug, 2004) that those questions from that little boy were answered. Even after 60 years, Dad would choke-up as he told me what he went through..... His ship (USS FOSS - DE-59) was on Pickett Duty off Omaha Beach and that Dad could hear the Artillery, Machine Guns/Rifles of the Germans.... and the screams/cries of the Soldiers being hit.... and to hear them crying out for their Mamas....
Dad never wanted to ever visit Normandy. The memories were still too strong....
This is an incredible video. A lot of details I have never heard before. Incredible leadership. I cant believe I have never seen this before. The story on Mallory coming to Ike and apologizing to adding more stress to Eisenhower after initial phase of Day went better in certain area than he thought. I have watched this 3 times in a row to make sure I did not miss anything.
How humbly, Eloquently and gracefully Eisenhower spoke. I am amazed at how those great American and British leaders of that genre had such command over the English language and how easily they could accurately convey their thoughts through their words. Their hard work, experience of courage, effort and pragmatism earned them the wisdom to teach us all great lessons. Compare it to the gibberish and slang we listen to today from our media and celebrities. They are elevated by their misguided fans on social media to influential authoritative positions of ignorance.
There is something of an American tradition of our great Generals also being excellent writers. Grant and Sherman were two of them, Eisenhower was a third. He wrote his two books entirely on his own, no ghostwriter needed, thank you.
General/President Eisenhower should have his own monument in DC
The Obamaists and Sanderists would trash it.
@@waterheaterservices so no registered Democrat or Independent served in the military or can study and appreciate military history? What an incredibly generalized statement to make. The greatest soldier I ever knew was a Democrat who hated what was happening under the Republicans, and he went ashore at Omaha. I'm a registered Democrat and I served, and I have studied military history for 20 years so please try to engage your brain before saying such things.
@@PJPlaysGuitar813 they didn't say all liberals like that, they said some would destroy it, and they would've destroyed it in our current time.
Fliegenklatsche say it louder please for the people in the back
they would try to tear it down.Why?Just because.
This video has been absent from public view for a long time. During the 1990's it re-aired(I missed it) for the 50th anniversary of the invasion. I was a graduate student of history at the time and was writing a masters thesis about Eisenhower and his post-war pursuit for a unified and peaceful Europe. So glad I finally got to watch it, I especially enjoyed his reflections about meeting and talking to the 101st Airborne troopers. He was so upset afterwards, being told about the extreme casualties that was supposed to follow. This is pure history here, what an awesome interview.
When you listen and watch this you realize what a smart leader we had in Eisenhower. I hope we can find more like him and less of the empty shells we've had since .
If you pay close attention, there is a brief shot of C-47 3X when he is talking about visiting the 101st. That C-47 was "That's All Brother" and it was the aircraft that led the formation of 800 aircraft into France that day. "That's All Brother" is still flying today and was at Normandy for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
"Ah, I gotta get to bed. Get an early start, hit the gym before work. Just quick look at UA-cam. A cool, Eisenhower talking about D-Day, just a brief look"
...Aaaand of course I saw the whole thing. Additionally, I started reading more about D-Day until 5 in the morning, and had a tough day at work. But this was so worth the watch. Simply brilliant.
I'm old, 72, and your comment gladdened me. I'm very happy there are still people around who have a sense of greatness, and of what is important and lasting.
I remember watching Walter Cronkite on the news when I was a kid in the 1970’s. I was very fortunate for him to be part of my life.
God Bless those men who sacrificed their lives for generations to come.
I wonder if they would have given their lives if they knew America would embrace homosexuality, abortion, transgenderism and physician assisted suicide.
My 12 year old son wants to play call of duty and military games such as those. I told him once he understands what war really is, he can still choose to play it. The horror of war, the fear, the tragedy which those games dissociate from war needs to be understood. I believe I will show him the end of this video, the cemetery and Ike’s beautiful speech. I pray he will understand what Ike is trying to say. I will talk with him.
We don't see many great programs like this today where they speak in a tone that shows how serious the subject matter is.
Dignity.