As a 20 vet, 73-93 who served a four year tour of duty in Okinawa 82-86, I stand tall listening and reading Mr. Sledge and give him the sharpest salute I can muster. The heat there iwas unbearable, wearing out people just by walking. What he endured for us, for me, epitomizes the phrase "Freedom is not Free". Nobody understands that more than the American fighting men and women, particulary Private Sledge. God bless this man and R.I.P.
After reading With the old breed,my life changed,thats how good it is,now i understand why my WW2veteran grandfather was so respected by everybody i wish i could hug him but he is gone since 1993,if you know a veteran thank him before its too late
When I was about to go to Vietnam in 1971, I was in the air force my father who served in WWII In the pacific he was at a lot of the battles mentioned in his book. he was a sailor he told me what I was about to endure. so I knew wha I was going to go thru but Vietnam was totally a different war. thanks to mr. sledge. I now know what my dad endured in WWII.
My Dad was a wireless operator air gunner in the RAAF .They attacked the Imperial Japanese Navy off eastern Malaya . Five Lockhhed Hudsons attacked .. only one returned . He flew over a hundred combat missions against the Japs .
The nearest parallel to Sledge's memoir is that of Sam Watkins, who served as a private in the Army of Tennessee under Braxton Bragg and Joseph Johnston during the Civil War. He wrote a book many years after the war, "Company H, Or, a Side Show of the Big Show" detailing his war experiences. I've often wondered if Sledge was not inspired to write his own memoir after reading that one. Sledge's grandfather had also served under Bragg, and one might imagine that he and Watkins knew each other.
do you think you would find these kids..down at wall street saying ..down with America and big business..no!! these men are from the greatest generation...these punk kids around now that think they are owed something for just living in America make me sick!!!!
My father was on a Navy destroyer (USS Nelson DD629) covering the Normandy invasion. The ship was struck by a torpedo from a German E Boat. It blew off the aft portion of the ship and killed 25 of his friends and shipmates. My father never spoke of his time in the war. Now I understand why. He was part of the greatest generation. They answered their country's call without question. Semper Fi Marines! Anchors Aweigh Sailors!
@sewallm60 who are you calling an idiot. Do you work for the programing department at the History Channel? If so YOUR the fucking idiot. Did you even read the comment I replied too?
may God assuage your anquish, PVT Sledge...and thank you for your service. YOU suffered so I can live in peace. You have the gratitude of me and all the others who have come to know. Rest In Peace.
Not only owe the marines a profound depth of gratitude, but all service men and women who served our country from its fledgling beginnings as colonies to a current world power. Without the men and women who took bullets for us, we wouldn't have the modern privileges we take for granted. I thank those who served, for you are bravery than me by stepping into the recruiters office.
I'm a son of a Philippine Scouts, my family served the Philippine Scouts since the time of the Philippine American War and I myself a former veteran of the US Army. My father fought in Bataan and did the death march. He won't talk about the war he went through. His advice to us stay away from the military and finished college and get a good job.
@kasper2514 The stories of today's troops is bullshit .. we have a McDonalds in Afghanistan for gods sake..its no real war ..real war ended after Vietnam ...not that im disrespecting today's guys im just stating facts that what they endure is NOTHING when compared to ww1,ww2,Korea and Vietnam
@Rustyshacklefization Yeah ain't. I don't recall exact numbers but hadn't they lost over 2500 on the first day of Iwo? I'm just going on the fly here so I could be VERY wrong. I was watching some youtube vids last night while having a few on the War in Afganistan. IMO, I don't know what we should do about that place. Leave or turn it into a glass plate. Those bastards been fighting since Biblical days, prolly fighting long after we're done there. What do we do?
@Rustyshacklefization ture it can't compare, and thank G-od its not like it was then, but the suffering and sacrifice they do endure, should never be made light of.
After watching this story, I should be ashamed to ever complain about anything that ever happens in my life. There is no hell.........like the hell of war.
I now know why my Grandfather did not talk about the war he fought in. He fought in Vietnam and never told anyone what he experienced. Took it to his grave. I did not know about the horrors of war until seeing this. The war documentaries will never get it like Sledge's book. R.I.P. Mr.Sledge, best serviceman I ever saw.
@ATL11595 its so sad when they won't talk about it because those stories get lost and the history of the war becomes an academic study of generals and statistics.
@ATL11595 thank G-od war today isnot as deep of a hell as then simply because its fought differently. they don't really do trench warfare now and battles are smaller. they don't throw 5000 men into a slaghter and hope someone comes out the other side. people still die, but not dropping like mosquitoes like in the pacific or vietnam. i am glad out boys don't have to go through the kinds of suffering he did. its still hell, but there are levels of hell.....
@tracmag ture but even if it were needed i don't think america would have the stomach to fght a war like that the way it need to be fought. nowaddays, we would never use the nuke under any circumstances. we'd just keep fighting them in the hills for years and years until the people back home put enough pressure on politicians to make them pull out without a decisive voctory
@wadyano You are assuming that the worlds technology will always be around because of the faith you have in the human race. Suppose that man puts himself back in the stone age through a great war or the earth itself puts him there, what then. Because man does not have the ability to learn from his mistakes , he will make the same ones over again.
@ATL11595 my grandfather was also in vietnam he rarely talks about the war his best friend died in his arms after getting shot in the chest by a sniper.
I've had his book since it was first released. It was a difficult book to put down. Being an amatuer WWII historian for more than 50 years now, it's by far the best read I have ever encountered. I've read it three times now in the last 30 years. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone could actually survive such conditions day in day out. R.I.P. Sledgehammer.
I read his book about a year ago. Its a must read for anybody who is interested in WWII. Infact, whats ironic about this timing, is that I am on the waiting list for "With the Old Breed" in my local library to read it a second time. I am pleased that I am on that waiting list, which shows the popularity of the book, and that people are reading it and are being informed. RIP E.B. Sledge.
Respect...Rest in peice Dr. Sledge. Your services to this country shall not be forgotten.
jizzinmypants191919 1 week ago
Thank you Mr.Sledgehammer...Now I know what im gonna do with my life your, i believe your story is a statue for every soldier in the world...R.I.P
gerafreeman 3 weeks ago
As a 20 vet, 73-93 who served a four year tour of duty in Okinawa 82-86, I stand tall listening and reading Mr. Sledge and give him the sharpest salute I can muster. The heat there iwas unbearable, wearing out people just by walking. What he endured for us, for me, epitomizes the phrase "Freedom is not Free". Nobody understands that more than the American fighting men and women, particulary Private Sledge. God bless this man and R.I.P.
johnnyu278 4 weeks ago
After reading With the old breed,my life changed,thats how good it is,now i understand why my WW2veteran grandfather was so respected by everybody i wish i could hug him but he is gone since 1993,if you know a veteran thank him before its too late
motoshop07 1 month ago
Hmm.. I found myeself wiping away a tear.. It was a movng story.. RIP Sledgehammer.
NorthernNorwayDigger 2 months ago
When I was about to go to Vietnam in 1971, I was in the air force my father who served in WWII In the pacific he was at a lot of the battles mentioned in his book. he was a sailor he told me what I was about to endure. so I knew wha I was going to go thru but Vietnam was totally a different war. thanks to mr. sledge. I now know what my dad endured in WWII.
LONHKIRBYTX007 2 months ago
My Dad was a wireless operator air gunner in the RAAF .They attacked the Imperial Japanese Navy off eastern Malaya . Five Lockhhed Hudsons attacked .. only one returned . He flew over a hundred combat missions against the Japs .
peterm3964 2 months ago
The nearest parallel to Sledge's memoir is that of Sam Watkins, who served as a private in the Army of Tennessee under Braxton Bragg and Joseph Johnston during the Civil War. He wrote a book many years after the war, "Company H, Or, a Side Show of the Big Show" detailing his war experiences. I've often wondered if Sledge was not inspired to write his own memoir after reading that one. Sledge's grandfather had also served under Bragg, and one might imagine that he and Watkins knew each other.
dirac33 3 months ago
R.I.P Sledgehammer.....
onefugowie 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
do you think you would find these kids..down at wall street saying ..down with America and big business..no!! these men are from the greatest generation...these punk kids around now that think they are owed something for just living in America make me sick!!!!
earn youre own way...
thank them for your Freedom..all vets
onefugowie 3 months ago
even today his wife is beautiful. look at those eyes.
wadyano 4 months ago
The best book I've ever read.
My father was on a Navy destroyer (USS Nelson DD629) covering the Normandy invasion. The ship was struck by a torpedo from a German E Boat. It blew off the aft portion of the ship and killed 25 of his friends and shipmates. My father never spoke of his time in the war. Now I understand why. He was part of the greatest generation. They answered their country's call without question. Semper Fi Marines! Anchors Aweigh Sailors!
NAGGERNUTZ 4 months ago
I've read over 100 books on WWII. Then I read his book and it changed me.
mindeloman 5 months ago
And when he gets to heaven,
To St. Peter he will tell,
"Another Marine reporting, Sir,
I've served my time in Hell!"
Your with your buddies now, Sledgehammer. Semper Fi, Mac.
fizzpop910 8 months ago
My grandpa Gordon Walker was on the first ship to arrive at Okinawa.
ArcolaBridge 10 months ago
What happened to the history channel.....
Silentskip001 11 months ago
@Silentskip001 apparently aliens landed at some point and built a pawn shop.
vetitoe362 11 months ago 3
@vetitoe362 fucking idiot
sewallm60 5 months ago
@sewallm60 who are you calling an idiot. Do you work for the programing department at the History Channel? If so YOUR the fucking idiot. Did you even read the comment I replied too?
vetitoe362 5 months ago
may God assuage your anquish, PVT Sledge...and thank you for your service. YOU suffered so I can live in peace. You have the gratitude of me and all the others who have come to know. Rest In Peace.
Darthbelal 11 months ago
I've read this book 3 times. I think it should be required reading in school Unfortunately they are afraid to "offend" someone or "hurt feelings"
AndrewW1039 11 months ago
Not only owe the marines a profound depth of gratitude, but all service men and women who served our country from its fledgling beginnings as colonies to a current world power. Without the men and women who took bullets for us, we wouldn't have the modern privileges we take for granted. I thank those who served, for you are bravery than me by stepping into the recruiters office.
ATL11595 1 year ago
I'm a son of a Philippine Scouts, my family served the Philippine Scouts since the time of the Philippine American War and I myself a former veteran of the US Army. My father fought in Bataan and did the death march. He won't talk about the war he went through. His advice to us stay away from the military and finished college and get a good job.
r2ro43 1 year ago
They ALL have stories to tell, and we should not be ignorant to hear them.........WW1 thru Afghanistan.
kasper2514 1 year ago
@kasper2514 The stories of today's troops is bullshit .. we have a McDonalds in Afghanistan for gods sake..its no real war ..real war ended after Vietnam ...not that im disrespecting today's guys im just stating facts that what they endure is NOTHING when compared to ww1,ww2,Korea and Vietnam
Rustyshacklefization 11 months ago
@Rustyshacklefization Yeah ain't. I don't recall exact numbers but hadn't they lost over 2500 on the first day of Iwo? I'm just going on the fly here so I could be VERY wrong. I was watching some youtube vids last night while having a few on the War in Afganistan. IMO, I don't know what we should do about that place. Leave or turn it into a glass plate. Those bastards been fighting since Biblical days, prolly fighting long after we're done there. What do we do?
kasper2514 11 months ago
@Rustyshacklefization ture it can't compare, and thank G-od its not like it was then, but the suffering and sacrifice they do endure, should never be made light of.
wadyano 6 months ago
After watching this story, I should be ashamed to ever complain about anything that ever happens in my life. There is no hell.........like the hell of war.
flesch317 1 year ago 17
@flesch317 watching this sure makes our everyday troubles a cake walk.
midway27272727 1 year ago
@flesch317 and no war like the pacific war. they reach a level of hell i don't think any war before or since could approach
wadyano 4 months ago
I now know why my Grandfather did not talk about the war he fought in. He fought in Vietnam and never told anyone what he experienced. Took it to his grave. I did not know about the horrors of war until seeing this. The war documentaries will never get it like Sledge's book. R.I.P. Mr.Sledge, best serviceman I ever saw.
ATL11595 1 year ago 12
@ATL11595 id suggest you watch the documentary "First Kill: Vietnam" here , my dad was in vietnam and told me about his experiences, War is Hell </3
Phoneman22 8 months ago
@ATL11595 its so sad when they won't talk about it because those stories get lost and the history of the war becomes an academic study of generals and statistics.
wadyano 6 months ago
@ATL11595 thank G-od war today isnot as deep of a hell as then simply because its fought differently. they don't really do trench warfare now and battles are smaller. they don't throw 5000 men into a slaghter and hope someone comes out the other side. people still die, but not dropping like mosquitoes like in the pacific or vietnam. i am glad out boys don't have to go through the kinds of suffering he did. its still hell, but there are levels of hell.....
wadyano 5 months ago
@wadyano so far it's that way but historys story is not yet finished. History does repeat itself.
tracmag 4 months ago
@tracmag ture but even if it were needed i don't think america would have the stomach to fght a war like that the way it need to be fought. nowaddays, we would never use the nuke under any circumstances. we'd just keep fighting them in the hills for years and years until the people back home put enough pressure on politicians to make them pull out without a decisive voctory
wadyano 4 months ago
@wadyano You are assuming that the worlds technology will always be around because of the faith you have in the human race. Suppose that man puts himself back in the stone age through a great war or the earth itself puts him there, what then. Because man does not have the ability to learn from his mistakes , he will make the same ones over again.
tracmag 4 months ago
sleg's son looks so much like him its eerie
wadyano 5 months ago
@ATL11595 my grandfather was also in vietnam he rarely talks about the war his best friend died in his arms after getting shot in the chest by a sniper.
wassssssssup245 3 months ago
I've had his book since it was first released. It was a difficult book to put down. Being an amatuer WWII historian for more than 50 years now, it's by far the best read I have ever encountered. I've read it three times now in the last 30 years. It never ceases to amaze me that anyone could actually survive such conditions day in day out. R.I.P. Sledgehammer.
leesherman100 1 year ago
RIP Eugene You Lost A Battle But Not The War, God Bless You In Heaven.
NYPDTACTIC 1 year ago
R.I.P.
MrS5099 1 year ago
Comment removed
atltom58 1 year ago
I read his book about a year ago. Its a must read for anybody who is interested in WWII. Infact, whats ironic about this timing, is that I am on the waiting list for "With the Old Breed" in my local library to read it a second time. I am pleased that I am on that waiting list, which shows the popularity of the book, and that people are reading it and are being informed. RIP E.B. Sledge.
dror91 1 year ago 2
Thanks for posting this. He's been a hero of mine for a long time.
untergrunt 1 year ago
Thanks for the video.
HaRiMaKuN 1 year ago
A tribute to a real American hero. Semper fi, Sledgehammer.
rlsgroupadvertising 1 year ago
You rest now Brother. We'll keep watch.
God Bless and Semper Fi!
MIT1369 1 year ago 2
Semper Fi ! Rest in eternal peace Sledgehammer!
apollosa506 1 year ago 2
True hero in every sense of the word.
RIP
GoodwinSchools 1 year ago
Another marine arives at the gates of heaven and says to god " I've served my time in hell" rip sledgehammer
sk8er2dacore 2 years ago
we can never repay them..
IHIoMiCiDe 2 years ago 2