@SirFrancealot You have got to be kidding. The Nanking Massacre extended into 1938. In October 1938, after months of bombing, the city of Canton was captured. By July 1939, Japanese fought the Soviets along the Manchurian border. In 1940, Japan initiated the "Kill All", "Burn All", and "Loot All" Policy (which killed 2.7 million civilians) in China, and also invaded French Indochina. To fault America for Pearl Harbor, in the face of Japan's monsterous aggression, is blaming the victim.
Great video! As for The death of John Basilone not being accurate: Hugh Ambrose, who wrote the companion book for the series, pointed out that the Graves Registration men i.e. the first ones to do a med exam on the body, recorded bullet wounds not shrapnel. The Pacific was accurate in this case!
3:34 - 4:17 what Eugene says there was the most sickest i'd ever heard... i dont have words to say what i just though about the japs there and the entire war...
@MikeMallorca2010 This was also reported in Flags of our Fathers. The author's, James Bradley's, father refused to forgive the Japanese peopel for incidents such as that on Iwo Jima.
Sledge sounds awfully hoarse and scratchy in this video (this video is a portion of a much longer and very comprehensive TV program). I wonder if it had to do with his illness, or if it's just age. By the way, if anyone knows the name of the TV program this video was taken from, please let me know.
If you have read "With the Old Breed", you must read "China Marine". It's a very short book. The manuscript that Sledge wrote that was used to publish "With the Old Breed" was ended by the publishing house when Japan surrendered. But the actual transcript continues into Sledge's life after the war and up to his marriage. "China Marine" is that rest of the manuscript . Do yourself a favor and read it.
It wasn't 100% authentic, for example John Basilone was not killed by enemy gunfire. He was killed by a direct hit from an artillery shell, which is why his body couldn't be returned or buried. But it was more accurate than Band Of Brothers, which had severe inaccuracy and downright fabrication of events.
@WunderDoob Point of clarity...Basilone was not killed by a direct hit from arty, or by mortar shrapnel as many think. Graves registration recovered Basilones's body and recorded three bullet hits. His official death report lists three bullet wounds. The book The Pacific, which was heavily researched, claimed three bullet hits. Basilone's remaining artifacts are in the Museum of the Marines....go take a look. Three bullets, lower left torso, groin, and left arm (almost severed).
@flashingfly No movie is meant to be accurate. Movies have to be appealing and to sell tickets; people need to be paid. I first read "With the Old Breed" a year or so before "The Pacific" was even advertised. When I did hear about the movie, I purposely did not watch it (and have no intention to watch it). I always avoid "history movies" because they are sensational and not accurate. I read books the actual books, never the movies. And was "Doc" Castle who stopped Sledge from taking gold teeth.
Sledgehammer ! You the MAN ! Brother I completely AGREE with you . Political Correctneness has destroyed the military . I am Old School like my dad who was in Korea as an Infantryman . Panama and Iraq is a joke compared to what you did my man .If I idid the stuff you guys did back when I was in Panama I would be in jail by the Rat Bastards on "Our Side" and the same in Iraq . They do not know what its like to have somebody try to KILL you .
@infantryfilms2nd Dude!?!? Are you still in the 1940's? Either that or you just don't get around much... Why in the world would you say that? You think they're still flying airliners into our ships or something? They're not like that anymore, and even though their history isn't the best, they shouldn't be held against it. Every country has a history they're not proud of. So please, open your eyes.
I am so thankful that Mr. Sledge was so honest about his experience. So many vets buried their memories completely, or (quite understandably) refused to talk about them. It is important that the true reality of war is understood.
"we had created bad relations with the Japanese prior to the incident."
Japan created its own bad relations with America. Japan invaded China, committed unspeakable atrocities during the rape of Nanking, and later sunk the USS Panay. To call Japan's subsequent attack on Pearl Harbor killing more than 2,400 Americans "an incident" is surreal in its understatement. Japan's own brutal expansionist policies begged for war -- and they got one.
@RuarkReader There's no question that Japanese imperialism was the biggest contributing factor in the onset of the Pacific war but it would be overly simplistic to say that America wasn't at fault at all. After 1937 subsequent Japanese leaders were all willing to sue for peace if their forces could remain in China but Cordell Hull and FDR, arrogantly assuming the Japanese wouldn't dare to attack America, presented them with hard-line ultimatums instead of trying to find a diplomatic compromise.
@SirFrancealot did you read what you typed??If the Japanese could STAY??
The Japanese were throwign babies in the air and catching them on their bayonets in nanking, they were slaughtering Chinese daily...so, lets let them make slaves of hundreds of millions so they can expand across the Pacific like they planned to do after we were defeated??
You are either too young to know or historically ignorant
War is hell. We should avoid it at all costs. People usually don't mention the fact that we knew Pearl Harbor was going to happen, and that we had created bad relations with the Japanese prior to the incident.
I have Sledge's first book, With the old breed. Was their a 2nd book? If so what was the title please. It is by far the best narrative I have ever read. I possess a cherished copy and have read it at least three times. War is indeed hell!! In fact hell might be an improvment!!.
Does anyone have any idea when this program was filmed?
Keep in mind that-
1. Eugene Sledge passed away in March, 2001- not yet the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (Even though the narrator says at 1:21 that "60 years on, oil still bubbles up from the Arizona's tanks...)
2. Sledge died of cancer- he doesnt look ill in this picture, thus making this pre/ post chemotherapy
So my conclusion is that this seemingly rear interview must have been filmed in the 90s or about 2000
As honest an interview about the savage reality of jungle warfare in the Pacific that you will ever hear. My great uncle fought with the Marines on New Britain, New Guinea, and at Peleliu, where he was severely wounded. The mutilation of our soldiers, and the trickiness of the Japs when "surrendering" that Eugene Sledge describes was commonplace. Small wonder that "possum squads" and collecting gold teeth became routine.
My Father was in the 1st Marines (and still is...once a MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE) in the pacific and saw combat at Guam and fought at the long battle at Okinawa. I have read both of Sledge's books more than once. They should be required reading for every American. Most people have no idea what they went through. My father, who sadly passed away in '94, was and still is my greatest hero. His gift to me was he showed me how to be a person of honor and respect and I will forward that to my kids.
Every time I watch this video what always catches my attention in the intro to the video is the Marine at 0:25 who "cracked". I have become very curious about him. Who is he? How old is he in the footage? Whatever happened to him? Did he survive the war? When and where was this footage of him crying taken? Why was he filmed "cracking"? The questions go on and on.
"With The Old Breed" was the first book ive ever read that truly shocked me while reading it to where i had to stop in the middle of reading just to contemplate the shock of the words i just read. amazing book, i feel that now that ive read it, ive changed some of my outlooks on war. i have nothing but the utmost respect for these men. They deserve the attention of everyone for what they sacrificed
If you enjoyed "With the Old Breed" then don't fail to read his sequel "China Marine". It's not nearly as intense but it does close the circle on Sledges' WWII service. Some very interesting stuff, maybe the most fascinating is his recollection of hearing shells pass overhead in China (the Nationalists were shelling the Communists) for the first time since Okinawa, and his petrified instantaneous involuntary reaction at hearing that sound again. Extremely moving and chilling scene.
We Australians had a reason to hate Japs . They wanted to take Australia ... the ultimate prize. We turned the dirty nips back in New Guinea . We lost thousands in Malaya . the solomons , borneo in the process . Thanks to the Americans who helped us turn the tide . Brothers in Arms thats the truth .
did any marines of the 1st marine div participate in all of the 4 major battles or offensives Guadalcanal, cape Gloucester, Peleliu & Okinawa I mean the servicemen not spectators' bungarra48@gmail
I acquired his book in the early eighties, and have read it three times. Each time more facinated than the last. The amount of living horror is indescribable. He may have never received a bodily wound, but the mental injuries will never heal!. One helluva marine!.
@BandofBrothersfan92 I seen it a few times on the military channel I cant find it on you tube it's a great 2 hour documentary try a google search it's out there somewhere
My father RAAF bombed the Japs from Malaya to Java to New Guinnea .He was proud that he did his part and proud to have killed hundreds of Japs .The Jap was an animal to be exterminated .
Think befor you raise your hand to salute the nationalist Flag
I checked out Gene's book "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" at our library in 1984, I loved it so much I bought a copy. I called Gene & asked him to autograph the book for me. We spoke a good while on the phone and he was so gracious. I mailed the book to him & he wrote something nice in it, signed it, wrote me a short letter, & sent me a First Marine Division patch. A gracious & giving man, he was my hero and always will be. RIP Old Breed Marine, you are sorely missed!!
@TheBaddestRedneck stop quoting conspiracy theories. there was one guy who had his suspicions, but by the time they figured it out the japs already attacked.
That is utterly absurd. We lost 90% of the Pacific Fleet. If we knew about it, there is no way in Hell that our ships would have been harbored in that Goat Rodeo that was Pearl Harbor. Your strategic and tactical accumen is clearly zero.
A true Hero as are all of the war veterans. I strongly recommend everyone to read his book as I am currently doing myself, It's by far the best book I have ever began to read.
The Marines of WW2 were some of the best people our nation has ever called its own. Unfortunantley I can't say that they would be happy about what is currently going on today with our government.
Eugene Sledge is a true american hero, and i am glad he left "With the Old Breed" for us to try to comprehend what men like him did for our country. Their bravery has inspired me to join the USMC.
Eugene Sledge in my mind is the embodiment of a true American Hero.After watching the Pacific and sparking my interest I have begun to read his book "With the old breed" I am truly amazed how he and others went through so much and sacrificed so much for the rest of us. Even though he survived he still suffered the rest of his life which to me shows the hallmarks of a truly good humane man that struggled with the mental aftermath of the true inhumanity and horror he witnessed. I Can't Imagine
@mikeviehl Thank you for saying what I have been saying for years. Unfortunately, political correctness is killing our military. Just ask Lt. Michael Behenna, now rotting away in Fort Levenworth prison for "war crimes" he is innocent of.
He retained his humanity despite all odds against him. His journey back to sanity is documented in the excellent "China Marine," published posthumously.
I read Sledge's book back in the 1990's. He was an amazing soldier and a true gentleman as well. The HBO series on the Pacific war only increases my utter respect for him and all the other US Marines who fought and died in that hellish war.
I've stated this before on here and I will state it again: to any who are interested in the Pacific War, there is arguebly no better book than "With the Old Breed" by the late Eugene Sledge. If you havent read it, you have no idea was an average Marine's life was like during the Pacific War. There is a reason why this book is considered to be the best memoir of the Pacific. You have to read it.
On this day, the first of April, sixty five years ago began the long, bloody, and hell- like campaign for Okinawa. The Old Breed (1st Div) had a "hell of a time", to use an odd metaphor, for just a week less than three months on that island. I encourage everybody to read E. B. Sledge's book, "With the Old Breed", unquestionably one of the best war memoirs every written, to get a real understanding for the life of the average Marine fighting on Okinawa (and Peleliu).
Unquestionably is right. I saw it on the shelf at the library, pulled it out, and saw the picture of him on the back cover. I looked at him and felt an odd connection--I thought, "I could have gone to high school with this kid, he looks so young." I read it and later put it out on display at the library so that more people will read it. It still hasn't gone out, which is a shame.
A good friend of mine is 86 years old. One of the old breed. He still keeps his 2 wool army blankets in his pick up truck. They never forget the hell of WW2.
@druha10304 go fucking die..i cannot believe you said that..he did what he had to do.not cuz he wanted too..you know..go call any combat vet a murderer...see what the fuck happens.
@druha10304 You aren't an ungreatful shithead, you're a disgrace, and do not deserve to live in the U.S., assuming that you do. This man is a hero, along with everyone else who served in WW2.
@druha10304 TO ANYONE RESPONDING TO THIS BOY HERE! HE IS NOTHING BUT A TROUBLE STARTER.
DO NOT WASTE TIME WITH HIM AND HIS COMMENTS! THIS IS A BOY WHO HAS NOTHING BETTER TO DO THEN CAUSE DRAMA AND THAT IS ALL. PLEASE, HE IS JUST AN IMMATURE man BOY. I STRESS "man BOY".
how is the book? is it worth reading? im asking because im in school right now and i barely have enough time to do any reading and i have a whole list of books i want to read, and im trying to prioritize
The book is very well written book. Yes I would recommend reading it also. I had to read it for my W325 class at IU and it was an amazing book. Very detailed and moving.
may God bless mr.sledge!in today's world the aclu would try to have him procecuted for crimes against humanity!if the aclu were around during WW2 we would have lost that war!just like we will lose this 1 thanks to them and those like them!
Sledge's account is mindboggling. Don't forget to also read his 2nd book he wrote later, 'China Marine'. This is also a must-read. He writes in this (shorter) book hís period in 1946 in China and after that his return home and all the difficulties he encounterd reajusting to some form of normalcy in civilian life. In 2010 we can see more of Sledge in the tv series The Pacific. I cant wait.
SledgeHammer is not only a hero and a professor, after March 2010 everyone will know what he lived though and what all the Marines did in The Pacific during WWII. Simper Fi Thank you Marine
Thanks for posting this; I'm currently about Halfway through reading "With the Old Breed" and it was neat to see him telling some of the stories himself.
It was a mess, fought by "the greatest generation." Eugene Sledge saw and lived the hell of that war, and later in life found peace within, never to forget. In an interview, I heard him say he was passionate on the study of birds. Wonderful man, RIP.
I remember seeing that Possum Squad thing years ago when i was a little'un adn i thaught it was US Troops finishing off there troops! It never had the USMC veteran speaking just the video. Cheers
Great film, and a great man, E. B. Sledge. Purchase his book, "With The Old Breed at Peleliu & Okinawa," in 1982, and have read it at least a dozen times. This video should be shown to every Lib in our government.
I read that book. It was fantastic. Try also "Barbed Wire Surgeon". Not a Marine book but written by an Army Doctor who was captured in the Philipines and went all the way through till their camp on mainland Japan was liberated.
this lib has read it, and loved it. seems you and i have come away with two entirely different impressions of the book, as i tell any kid looking to join the armed forces to read this book first.
im at a loss here, what kind of effect do you expect this book would have on a "lib in our government" or the average lib like me? what life changing sentence or paragraph is supposed to enlighten us "lib's" to the l'l W way of international diplomacy?
On my way to Houston this past weekend, I stopped through Mobile just to find Eugene's grave. Felt great to honor a true American hero with my brief graveside visit. Great question! Where are these great Americans today?
Im very sad to say that our soldiers from WWII in the Greatest Genration, and the Greatest Generation in itself are disappearing.
16 Million men and women served in WWII. Of those 16 Million only 2.3 million are still alive today (projection for September '09). Its long been known (and sadly true) that 1000 WWII veterans die each day. Now is the time to find these great Americans and hear their stories. Its important to encourage them to register with any of the many WWII Living History groups.
I did exactly that with my grandparents. I recorded their stories over a time period of three years.
Its very important that we get every single WWII veteran, Korean War veteran and Vietnam veteran to register with any of the many Living History Project groups.
As a young boy,I knew many veterans from the First World War.
They have all gone now,but remarkably,their story is better remembered today than it was 60 years ago.
We cant stop the 'Greatest Generation' from slipping away,but only lovingly tell those yet remaining to us that what they saw,and did and sacrificed for us, was not in vain.
i have always thought that important,in fact i may be the only one in my family who did.both of my grandfathers were of that generation the last of which died july 16th.i'm glad i always asked what it was like,if we dont ask who will remember?they truly were the greatest generation & it dosent seem right living beyond them.when they are all gone this world will be shit.there never has been & never will be a generation as great as them.i feel sorry for those who will never meet them.
Well,the world won't be "Shit",If we don't allow it to be.
The Greatest Generation just went and did it,rather than sit around comparing Bin Ladens eyes with Jesus Christs,and wondering if we should leave Afghanistan to the Taliban or nip them in the bud.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".
I sure wish I could have met this man. I thought I had it tough in the service, but now I know I didn't. Those wonderful men of the greatest generation.
This is no place for negative comments. This video is in tribute to an American soldier who, like many others at that time, suffered unspeakable horrors for the sake of freedom. AurianTitan is right, and i understood Sharpshoot's comment perfectly. Be respectful to the memory of this beautiful human being. Semper Fi!
This book of his is so beautifully written that when he talked about getting into the amtracs on d-day i started feeling every feeling he described... literally
I had the honor and privilege of knowing Sledgehammer. Even sat down to Sunday dinner with him, his wife and son at their home in Alabama in 2000, just a year before he passed away. I was completely in awe in his presence. He is a great American hero.
I read With The Old Breed back in the 80's then again about a year ago. E.B. Sledge is one of the best authors, I think, who has every written about the war in the Pacific. Thanks for posting this.
Please do, marinecorps29 -best war book around. Finished "China marine" also -great book! Ol' Eugene is a natural writer, and his tale speakes for all those brave, poor souls who crawled through and out of hell. Worth every penny!!!!
It's such a hard time for us. But thanks God, Japsy eventually lost and peace will goes on.
chriswk2004 2 months ago
@SirFrancealot You have got to be kidding. The Nanking Massacre extended into 1938. In October 1938, after months of bombing, the city of Canton was captured. By July 1939, Japanese fought the Soviets along the Manchurian border. In 1940, Japan initiated the "Kill All", "Burn All", and "Loot All" Policy (which killed 2.7 million civilians) in China, and also invaded French Indochina. To fault America for Pearl Harbor, in the face of Japan's monsterous aggression, is blaming the victim.
RuarkReader 2 months ago 2
wow i read the book on kindle i dont think it was the book it was very short and all it was saying about Eugene not anything he said...
halodude178 4 months ago
Great video! As for The death of John Basilone not being accurate: Hugh Ambrose, who wrote the companion book for the series, pointed out that the Graves Registration men i.e. the first ones to do a med exam on the body, recorded bullet wounds not shrapnel. The Pacific was accurate in this case!
73sooners 8 months ago
@73sooners Is hugh by chance related to Stephen Ambrose? I recall a book on Iwo Jima i read years ago by Stephen. Horrifying book!
liljgoneman 2 months ago
@liljgoneman Yes Sir. Hugh is Stephen's son! Blessings to you.
73sooners 2 months ago
3:34 - 4:17 what Eugene says there was the most sickest i'd ever heard... i dont have words to say what i just though about the japs there and the entire war...
MikeMallorca2010 8 months ago
@MikeMallorca2010 This was also reported in Flags of our Fathers. The author's, James Bradley's, father refused to forgive the Japanese peopel for incidents such as that on Iwo Jima.
pdhudsonUSMC 2 months ago
There is another enemy of America that needs some Old Breed tactics.
zebradun6 8 months ago
Sledge sounds awfully hoarse and scratchy in this video (this video is a portion of a much longer and very comprehensive TV program). I wonder if it had to do with his illness, or if it's just age. By the way, if anyone knows the name of the TV program this video was taken from, please let me know.
dror91 9 months ago
If you have read "With the Old Breed", you must read "China Marine". It's a very short book. The manuscript that Sledge wrote that was used to publish "With the Old Breed" was ended by the publishing house when Japan surrendered. But the actual transcript continues into Sledge's life after the war and up to his marriage. "China Marine" is that rest of the manuscript . Do yourself a favor and read it.
dror91 9 months ago
it was the mini series 'the pacific' that sent me here. awesome movie, awesome heros.
JonathanS995 10 months ago
it wasn't snafu who told sledge not to take the gold teeth? wasn't the pacific supposed to be as authentic as possible?
flashingfly 11 months ago
@flashingfly
It wasn't 100% authentic, for example John Basilone was not killed by enemy gunfire. He was killed by a direct hit from an artillery shell, which is why his body couldn't be returned or buried. But it was more accurate than Band Of Brothers, which had severe inaccuracy and downright fabrication of events.
WunderDoob 10 months ago
@WunderDoob Point of clarity...Basilone was not killed by a direct hit from arty, or by mortar shrapnel as many think. Graves registration recovered Basilones's body and recorded three bullet hits. His official death report lists three bullet wounds. The book The Pacific, which was heavily researched, claimed three bullet hits. Basilone's remaining artifacts are in the Museum of the Marines....go take a look. Three bullets, lower left torso, groin, and left arm (almost severed).
Semper Fi !
Toddinfantry 7 months ago
@flashingfly No movie is meant to be accurate. Movies have to be appealing and to sell tickets; people need to be paid. I first read "With the Old Breed" a year or so before "The Pacific" was even advertised. When I did hear about the movie, I purposely did not watch it (and have no intention to watch it). I always avoid "history movies" because they are sensational and not accurate. I read books the actual books, never the movies. And was "Doc" Castle who stopped Sledge from taking gold teeth.
dror91 9 months ago
@ schroedermilk
Sledge was born in 1923.
dror91 1 year ago
Sledgehammer ! You the MAN ! Brother I completely AGREE with you . Political Correctneness has destroyed the military . I am Old School like my dad who was in Korea as an Infantryman . Panama and Iraq is a joke compared to what you did my man .If I idid the stuff you guys did back when I was in Panama I would be in jail by the Rat Bastards on "Our Side" and the same in Iraq . They do not know what its like to have somebody try to KILL you .
reddevilparatrooper 1 year ago
Comment removed
infantryfilms2nd 1 year ago
@infantryfilms2nd Dude!?!? Are you still in the 1940's? Either that or you just don't get around much... Why in the world would you say that? You think they're still flying airliners into our ships or something? They're not like that anymore, and even though their history isn't the best, they shouldn't be held against it. Every country has a history they're not proud of. So please, open your eyes.
eneumann7755 10 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
the fucking japs killed my grampa
Dmanrockgod7 1 year ago
I am so thankful that Mr. Sledge was so honest about his experience. So many vets buried their memories completely, or (quite understandably) refused to talk about them. It is important that the true reality of war is understood.
joshuaoha 1 year ago
"we had created bad relations with the Japanese prior to the incident."
Japan created its own bad relations with America. Japan invaded China, committed unspeakable atrocities during the rape of Nanking, and later sunk the USS Panay. To call Japan's subsequent attack on Pearl Harbor killing more than 2,400 Americans "an incident" is surreal in its understatement. Japan's own brutal expansionist policies begged for war -- and they got one.
RuarkReader 1 year ago 8
@RuarkReader I second that.
BubbaMetal 1 year ago
@RuarkReader There's no question that Japanese imperialism was the biggest contributing factor in the onset of the Pacific war but it would be overly simplistic to say that America wasn't at fault at all. After 1937 subsequent Japanese leaders were all willing to sue for peace if their forces could remain in China but Cordell Hull and FDR, arrogantly assuming the Japanese wouldn't dare to attack America, presented them with hard-line ultimatums instead of trying to find a diplomatic compromise.
SirFrancealot 3 months ago
@SirFrancealot did you read what you typed??If the Japanese could STAY??
The Japanese were throwign babies in the air and catching them on their bayonets in nanking, they were slaughtering Chinese daily...so, lets let them make slaves of hundreds of millions so they can expand across the Pacific like they planned to do after we were defeated??
You are either too young to know or historically ignorant
usmc7242 2 weeks ago
@RuarkReader for those who say WE asked for Pearl Harbor, let them google just how many countries Japan attacked on December 7-10 of 1941
It was a LOT more than Pearl Harbor
usmc7242 2 weeks ago
How much is it, and can I buy it in French? ill ask my mom to buy it for christmas
GodzynWeird 1 year ago
War is hell. We should avoid it at all costs. People usually don't mention the fact that we knew Pearl Harbor was going to happen, and that we had created bad relations with the Japanese prior to the incident.
IndigoVagrant 1 year ago
at 3:30 wow
fight4yourfreedom1 1 year ago
dror91 -- I think this interview came from the BBC documentary Hell In The Pacific, which was released in 2001.
RuarkReader 1 year ago
Respect..these are men..men who deserved a life of peace after what they had to do.
FlattusMaximusD 1 year ago
I have Sledge's first book, With the old breed. Was their a 2nd book? If so what was the title please. It is by far the best narrative I have ever read. I possess a cherished copy and have read it at least three times. War is indeed hell!! In fact hell might be an improvment!!.
leesherman100 1 year ago
Does anyone have any idea when this program was filmed?
Keep in mind that-
1. Eugene Sledge passed away in March, 2001- not yet the 60th anniversary of Pearl Harbor (Even though the narrator says at 1:21 that "60 years on, oil still bubbles up from the Arizona's tanks...)
2. Sledge died of cancer- he doesnt look ill in this picture, thus making this pre/ post chemotherapy
So my conclusion is that this seemingly rear interview must have been filmed in the 90s or about 2000
What do you think?
dror91 1 year ago
His memoirs are the best I've read.
pinkxjellybean 1 year ago
As honest an interview about the savage reality of jungle warfare in the Pacific that you will ever hear. My great uncle fought with the Marines on New Britain, New Guinea, and at Peleliu, where he was severely wounded. The mutilation of our soldiers, and the trickiness of the Japs when "surrendering" that Eugene Sledge describes was commonplace. Small wonder that "possum squads" and collecting gold teeth became routine.
RuarkReader 1 year ago
Comment removed
RuarkReader 1 year ago
So fucking hardcore man. Damn...it. So damn proud and honored to be able to call myself an Infantry Marine.
ne0311 1 year ago
@ne0311 Ooorah!! Semper Fi !!
Toddinfantry 1 year ago
@Toddinfantry Semper Fi brother!
ne0311 1 year ago
My Father was in the 1st Marines (and still is...once a MARINE, ALWAYS A MARINE) in the pacific and saw combat at Guam and fought at the long battle at Okinawa. I have read both of Sledge's books more than once. They should be required reading for every American. Most people have no idea what they went through. My father, who sadly passed away in '94, was and still is my greatest hero. His gift to me was he showed me how to be a person of honor and respect and I will forward that to my kids.
1965cyclone39 1 year ago
Every time I watch this video what always catches my attention in the intro to the video is the Marine at 0:25 who "cracked". I have become very curious about him. Who is he? How old is he in the footage? Whatever happened to him? Did he survive the war? When and where was this footage of him crying taken? Why was he filmed "cracking"? The questions go on and on.
dror91 1 year ago
Sledge will always be my hero!
boatstaylor 1 year ago
I have the book and im reading it
itswillymac 1 year ago
"With The Old Breed" was the first book ive ever read that truly shocked me while reading it to where i had to stop in the middle of reading just to contemplate the shock of the words i just read. amazing book, i feel that now that ive read it, ive changed some of my outlooks on war. i have nothing but the utmost respect for these men. They deserve the attention of everyone for what they sacrificed
thedamned38 1 year ago 6
@thedamned38 Yeah same I have the book it shocked me
itswillymac 1 year ago
If you enjoyed "With the Old Breed" then don't fail to read his sequel "China Marine". It's not nearly as intense but it does close the circle on Sledges' WWII service. Some very interesting stuff, maybe the most fascinating is his recollection of hearing shells pass overhead in China (the Nationalists were shelling the Communists) for the first time since Okinawa, and his petrified instantaneous involuntary reaction at hearing that sound again. Extremely moving and chilling scene.
jeffsech 1 year ago
We Australians had a reason to hate Japs . They wanted to take Australia ... the ultimate prize. We turned the dirty nips back in New Guinea . We lost thousands in Malaya . the solomons , borneo in the process . Thanks to the Americans who helped us turn the tide . Brothers in Arms thats the truth .
peterm3964 1 year ago
did any marines of the 1st marine div participate in all of the 4 major battles or offensives Guadalcanal, cape Gloucester, Peleliu & Okinawa I mean the servicemen not spectators' bungarra48@gmail
bungarra48 1 year ago
Fucking hard men
ne0311 1 year ago
I acquired his book in the early eighties, and have read it three times. Each time more facinated than the last. The amount of living horror is indescribable. He may have never received a bodily wound, but the mental injuries will never heal!. One helluva marine!.
leesherman100 1 year ago
What is the name of this documentary?
Semper fi!
R.i.p Sledgehammer!
BandofBrothersfan92 1 year ago
@BandofBrothersfan92 The name of the documentary is Hell in the Pacific and it's great
USNFORTHEWIN09 1 year ago
@USNFORTHEWIN09 Okai, thank you :) do you know where i can download it or buy it? thanks you
BandofBrothersfan92 1 year ago
@BandofBrothersfan92 I seen it a few times on the military channel I cant find it on you tube it's a great 2 hour documentary try a google search it's out there somewhere
USNFORTHEWIN09 1 year ago
My father RAAF bombed the Japs from Malaya to Java to New Guinnea .He was proud that he did his part and proud to have killed hundreds of Japs .The Jap was an animal to be exterminated .
Think befor you raise your hand to salute the nationalist Flag
peterm3964 1 year ago
@peterm3964 Your father is a Hero be proud of him
USNFORTHEWIN09 1 year ago
@peterm3964 im not australian but thanks for your dads service cause all the allies were fighting for the same goal
ch1ldpr3d3t0r 1 year ago
The Greatest Generation. True Titans. A man I'll never be.
600joe 1 year ago
I can't think of anything closer to hell than WWII
k166a 1 year ago
I checked out Gene's book "With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa" at our library in 1984, I loved it so much I bought a copy. I called Gene & asked him to autograph the book for me. We spoke a good while on the phone and he was so gracious. I mailed the book to him & he wrote something nice in it, signed it, wrote me a short letter, & sent me a First Marine Division patch. A gracious & giving man, he was my hero and always will be. RIP Old Breed Marine, you are sorely missed!!
Rosie1938 1 year ago 2
@Rosie1938 thats so cool i too loved his book do you still have the letter, patch and the autographed book?
ch1ldpr3d3t0r 1 year ago 2
A good hero is a victim of circumstance. A great one is a preventer of it.
3rdeye7thdimension 1 year ago
I love this old boy!!
valdostastate77 1 year ago
They knew the attack was coming. It was allowed to get American people to support WWII. It is sad, but it is true.
TheBaddestRedneck 1 year ago
@TheBaddestRedneck stop quoting conspiracy theories. there was one guy who had his suspicions, but by the time they figured it out the japs already attacked.
albusfr 1 year ago
@TheBaddestRedneck
That is utterly absurd. We lost 90% of the Pacific Fleet. If we knew about it, there is no way in Hell that our ships would have been harbored in that Goat Rodeo that was Pearl Harbor. Your strategic and tactical accumen is clearly zero.
kimbiwa 1 year ago
HERO....
onefugowie 1 year ago
a real soldier
34ytrhtrghrf 1 year ago
@34ytrhtrghrf
Marine, big difference
Sturmmann 1 year ago
great book
bulldogwon 1 year ago
Rest in peace Eugene.
fdegraff 1 year ago
that old man is uegene
benzonjordan 1 year ago
I could not put the book down and was very sorry when I finished it.I tried to spin it out so that I could savour it but it was just too compelling.
taff1976 1 year ago 2
@taff1976 Me too.
bman178 1 year ago
A true Hero as are all of the war veterans. I strongly recommend everyone to read his book as I am currently doing myself, It's by far the best book I have ever began to read.
brad22ex 1 year ago
The Marines of WW2 were some of the best people our nation has ever called its own. Unfortunantley I can't say that they would be happy about what is currently going on today with our government.
withtheoldbreed 1 year ago
What's the name of the documentary from which the interview with Eugene Sledge is cut?Can somebody plzzz tell me
ciripa 1 year ago
@ciripa It's called Hell in the Pacific
USNFORTHEWIN09 1 year ago
@USNFORTHEWIN09
Thanks mate!!Helped me a lot!!
ciripa 1 year ago
Nobody returning home from fighting our foreign enemies should ever be feeling the killing they did was wrongful.
Killing in warfare is absolutely necessary and when a veteran tells me he has killed some of our foreign enemies there is supreme happiness!
MrPyroguru 1 year ago
Eugene Sledge is a true american hero, and i am glad he left "With the Old Breed" for us to try to comprehend what men like him did for our country. Their bravery has inspired me to join the USMC.
englishcherry 1 year ago
Eugene Sledge in my mind is the embodiment of a true American Hero.After watching the Pacific and sparking my interest I have begun to read his book "With the old breed" I am truly amazed how he and others went through so much and sacrificed so much for the rest of us. Even though he survived he still suffered the rest of his life which to me shows the hallmarks of a truly good humane man that struggled with the mental aftermath of the true inhumanity and horror he witnessed. I Can't Imagine
kingshyt1980 1 year ago
Thank You Mr SLEDGE for all that you did for us........
JoeBonsall 1 year ago
Eugene Sledge R.I.P. who here like thinks WWII is amazing/
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxish 1 year ago
this is how u win a war,now we arrest our troops
we need to remember history
mikeviehl 1 year ago
@mikeviehl Thank you for saying what I have been saying for years. Unfortunately, political correctness is killing our military. Just ask Lt. Michael Behenna, now rotting away in Fort Levenworth prison for "war crimes" he is innocent of.
pikapp434 10 months ago
SLEDGE HAMMER!!!
metotka 1 year ago
He retained his humanity despite all odds against him. His journey back to sanity is documented in the excellent "China Marine," published posthumously.
untergrunt 1 year ago
Eugene Sledge was nothing short of a hero. His book is amazing.
rtalalaj11 1 year ago 2
I read Sledge's book back in the 1990's. He was an amazing soldier and a true gentleman as well. The HBO series on the Pacific war only increases my utter respect for him and all the other US Marines who fought and died in that hellish war.
jdeweyhs 1 year ago 3
I've stated this before on here and I will state it again: to any who are interested in the Pacific War, there is arguebly no better book than "With the Old Breed" by the late Eugene Sledge. If you havent read it, you have no idea was an average Marine's life was like during the Pacific War. There is a reason why this book is considered to be the best memoir of the Pacific. You have to read it.
dror91 1 year ago 2
i just finnished reading his book and im indescribably impressed with this great hero's courage and devotion to duty
batman2493 1 year ago
On this day, the first of April, sixty five years ago began the long, bloody, and hell- like campaign for Okinawa. The Old Breed (1st Div) had a "hell of a time", to use an odd metaphor, for just a week less than three months on that island. I encourage everybody to read E. B. Sledge's book, "With the Old Breed", unquestionably one of the best war memoirs every written, to get a real understanding for the life of the average Marine fighting on Okinawa (and Peleliu).
dror91 1 year ago 2
@dror91
Unquestionably is right. I saw it on the shelf at the library, pulled it out, and saw the picture of him on the back cover. I looked at him and felt an odd connection--I thought, "I could have gone to high school with this kid, he looks so young." I read it and later put it out on display at the library so that more people will read it. It still hasn't gone out, which is a shame.
AvatarYoda 1 year ago
A good friend of mine is 86 years old. One of the old breed. He still keeps his 2 wool army blankets in his pick up truck. They never forget the hell of WW2.
TheBaddestRedneck 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
a true murderer , like most of the ww2 vets.
i mean hero , he didnt murder
druha10304 1 year ago
@druha10304 How dare you say that?!!!
Where do you get the nerve to say something like that?!!!
You must be out of your mind
dror91 1 year ago
@druha10304 ur an ungreatful shit head
batman2493 1 year ago
for what
druha10304 1 year ago
@batman2493 in mr. sledge's words " there was a killing war on and someone had to do the killing"
batman2493 1 year ago
@druha10304 You're a stupid POS.
ReginaldL 1 year ago
@druha10304 go fucking die..i cannot believe you said that..he did what he had to do.not cuz he wanted too..you know..go call any combat vet a murderer...see what the fuck happens.
IHIoMiCiDe 1 year ago
@druha10304 I am Filipino and I am proud of all those great MARINES!! So
druha10304 as they say you can go to @$#^$& HELL!!!!!!!!!!!
noe7778 1 year ago 3
@druha10304 You aren't an ungreatful shithead, you're a disgrace, and do not deserve to live in the U.S., assuming that you do. This man is a hero, along with everyone else who served in WW2.
nelsondw 1 year ago
chill out dickwad
druha10304 1 year ago
@druha10304 TO ANYONE RESPONDING TO THIS BOY HERE! HE IS NOTHING BUT A TROUBLE STARTER.
DO NOT WASTE TIME WITH HIM AND HIS COMMENTS! THIS IS A BOY WHO HAS NOTHING BETTER TO DO THEN CAUSE DRAMA AND THAT IS ALL. PLEASE, HE IS JUST AN IMMATURE man BOY. I STRESS "man BOY".
Edfiki86 1 year ago
Music to my ears too..!!!
battlefieldghost 1 year ago
How fucked are you now, how fucked are you now, how fucked are you now, you are surely ffuuuucked nooww.
yesiamawizardjonny 1 year ago
The Pacific :D
WaaahWah 1 year ago
The Pacific was great!
WaaahWah 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
with all respect. i laughed my ass off when he said "germs" that my new word :)
TheFarte 2 years ago
@TheFarte
Sledge was a true southern gentleman, in addition to a hero....so you can go gently fuck yourself.
joelelah1 2 years ago 48
This has been flagged as spam show
Most of the Greatest Heros are always southern gentleman.!!!! ...ever heard of Little Texas? ...DK
battlefieldghost 1 year ago
love the way ole sledge said "germs" semper fi
briplun 2 years ago 2
how is the book? is it worth reading? im asking because im in school right now and i barely have enough time to do any reading and i have a whole list of books i want to read, and im trying to prioritize
sergeantbigmac 2 years ago
yes it is well worth reading, it gets to the heart of the fear and savagery of combat.
987steel 2 years ago
its an amazing book..you must read it
IHIoMiCiDe 2 years ago
The book is very well written book. Yes I would recommend reading it also. I had to read it for my W325 class at IU and it was an amazing book. Very detailed and moving.
dylanrocks08 2 years ago
@sergeantbigmac The book is great
USNFORTHEWIN09 1 year ago
may God bless mr.sledge!in today's world the aclu would try to have him procecuted for crimes against humanity!if the aclu were around during WW2 we would have lost that war!just like we will lose this 1 thanks to them and those like them!
bullzi1466 2 years ago 3
Sledge's account is mindboggling. Don't forget to also read his 2nd book he wrote later, 'China Marine'. This is also a must-read. He writes in this (shorter) book hís period in 1946 in China and after that his return home and all the difficulties he encounterd reajusting to some form of normalcy in civilian life. In 2010 we can see more of Sledge in the tv series The Pacific. I cant wait.
19620104 2 years ago 4
I've read 'em both and he's a hero to me and can't wait to see 'the Pacific' in March on HBO!
ECMarine6 2 years ago 3
SledgeHammer is not only a hero and a professor, after March 2010 everyone will know what he lived though and what all the Marines did in The Pacific during WWII. Simper Fi Thank you Marine
crazy4kman 2 years ago 6
fucking a
IHIoMiCiDe 2 years ago
Eugene Sledge an American Hero thanks for keeping us free his book is great wish more veterans would write what they lived thru
nagleou812 2 years ago 34
@nagleou812
Dr Sledge would never had considered himself a hero.
It is ironic that years after his death,he is remembered now as being such.
The most remarkable thing about him is that he reluctantly published his story,and for that alone we should be grateful.
Most of his contemporaries spent their whole lives trying to forget,and never told anyone what they had seen.
Was he a Hero?,of course he was,but he was but one among many thousands.
neohip 1 year ago 21
Thanks for posting this; I'm currently about Halfway through reading "With the Old Breed" and it was neat to see him telling some of the stories himself.
Matt314159 2 years ago 3
I have just finished reading Mr Sledges book.
I have read many such books in the last 30 years,and was rather cynical of its reputation.
I was wrong to doubt it.
God bless you Sledgehammer!.
neohip 2 years ago
It was a mess, fought by "the greatest generation." Eugene Sledge saw and lived the hell of that war, and later in life found peace within, never to forget. In an interview, I heard him say he was passionate on the study of birds. Wonderful man, RIP.
blueblazer68 2 years ago 2
what a goddamn mess
Lufkin139 2 years ago 2
I remember seeing that Possum Squad thing years ago when i was a little'un adn i thaught it was US Troops finishing off there troops! It never had the USMC veteran speaking just the video. Cheers
britishairborne 2 years ago
Great film, and a great man, E. B. Sledge. Purchase his book, "With The Old Breed at Peleliu & Okinawa," in 1982, and have read it at least a dozen times. This video should be shown to every Lib in our government.
stripemister 2 years ago 3
I read that book. It was fantastic. Try also "Barbed Wire Surgeon". Not a Marine book but written by an Army Doctor who was captured in the Philipines and went all the way through till their camp on mainland Japan was liberated.
Semper Fi!
MIT1369 2 years ago 3
this lib has read it, and loved it. seems you and i have come away with two entirely different impressions of the book, as i tell any kid looking to join the armed forces to read this book first.
im at a loss here, what kind of effect do you expect this book would have on a "lib in our government" or the average lib like me? what life changing sentence or paragraph is supposed to enlighten us "lib's" to the l'l W way of international diplomacy?
yours truely: just curious.
MpowerdAPE 2 years ago
what documentary was this?
cornwalis007 2 years ago
Semper Fi!
harlemclown 2 years ago
On my way to Houston this past weekend, I stopped through Mobile just to find Eugene's grave. Felt great to honor a true American hero with my brief graveside visit. Great question! Where are these great Americans today?
camus247 2 years ago 3
Im very sad to say that our soldiers from WWII in the Greatest Genration, and the Greatest Generation in itself are disappearing.
16 Million men and women served in WWII. Of those 16 Million only 2.3 million are still alive today (projection for September '09). Its long been known (and sadly true) that 1000 WWII veterans die each day. Now is the time to find these great Americans and hear their stories. Its important to encourage them to register with any of the many WWII Living History groups.
dror91 2 years ago 4
Very true! I always encourage those with WWII family members to sit down and record their stories. Such heroes! Well said.
camus247 2 years ago 2
I did exactly that with my grandparents. I recorded their stories over a time period of three years.
Its very important that we get every single WWII veteran, Korean War veteran and Vietnam veteran to register with any of the many Living History Project groups.
dror91 2 years ago 2
Comment removed
neohip 2 years ago
Comment removed
neohip 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
As a young boy,I knew many veterans from the First World War.
They have all gone now,but remarkably,their story is better remembered today than it was 60 years ago.
We cant stop the 'Greatest Generation' from slipping away,but only lovingly tell those yet remaining to us that what they saw,and did and sacrificed for us, was not in vain.
neohip 2 years ago
i have always thought that important,in fact i may be the only one in my family who did.both of my grandfathers were of that generation the last of which died july 16th.i'm glad i always asked what it was like,if we dont ask who will remember?they truly were the greatest generation & it dosent seem right living beyond them.when they are all gone this world will be shit.there never has been & never will be a generation as great as them.i feel sorry for those who will never meet them.
churchofruss 2 years ago
That is very deep and thoughful.
I agree with you completely.
Im very sorry for the loss of your grandfather.
dror91 2 years ago
Well,the world won't be "Shit",If we don't allow it to be.
The Greatest Generation just went and did it,rather than sit around comparing Bin Ladens eyes with Jesus Christs,and wondering if we should leave Afghanistan to the Taliban or nip them in the bud.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing".
neohip 2 years ago 3
RIP in PEACE Sledgehammer!
You're one of my heroes!
EC Marine
1/6 HARD!
2nd MARDIV 1990-1994
ECMarine6 2 years ago
Eugene Sledge was born in 1923 not '21
dror91 2 years ago
Dammit where are these real Americans when you need them?
We need them.
Now.
CRAPCANNONS 2 years ago 3
there making a mini series like band of brothers based on Sledges book.
Dogmeat1950 3 years ago
Is that 'the Pacific'? I was wondering what it was based on.
sammy832 2 years ago
ya it is.
Dogmeat1950 2 years ago
That's one movie I would love to see.
blueblazer68 2 years ago
With the Old Breed and Helmet for My Pillow are the source materials for the new HBO mini-series The Pacific. So expect some of this stuff in it.
lilhurt38 2 years ago
I sure wish I could have met this man. I thought I had it tough in the service, but now I know I didn't. Those wonderful men of the greatest generation.
blueblazer68 3 years ago
Semper Fi, Sledgehammer
A true American war hero
bubblyjello 3 years ago
This is no place for negative comments. This video is in tribute to an American soldier who, like many others at that time, suffered unspeakable horrors for the sake of freedom. AurianTitan is right, and i understood Sharpshoot's comment perfectly. Be respectful to the memory of this beautiful human being. Semper Fi!
camus247 3 years ago 2
This book of his is so beautifully written that when he talked about getting into the amtracs on d-day i started feeling every feeling he described... literally
sharpshoot28 3 years ago
thats kinda creepy man..you should get yourself checked out
but yeah i agree with what you said except for the literally part
bruinfootball7 3 years ago
Bruinfootball7,
Its called psychology, sympathy, and being human. Look it up.
AurianTitan 3 years ago
well not that literally i guess, just that my hands got sweaty and what not, i worded that wrong
marinecorps29 3 years ago
is that a joke, "sharpshoot"? sledge served in pacific - not d-day (normandy, france).
tessler6868 3 years ago
d-day on peleliu smart one, i read the book, d-day doesn't always mean normandy as im sure you know.
sharpshoot28 3 years ago 3
yeah, you're right. every island landing was d-day.
tessler6868 3 years ago
I had the honor and privilege of knowing Sledgehammer. Even sat down to Sunday dinner with him, his wife and son at their home in Alabama in 2000, just a year before he passed away. I was completely in awe in his presence. He is a great American hero.
NanMatau 3 years ago 3
I read With The Old Breed back in the 80's then again about a year ago. E.B. Sledge is one of the best authors, I think, who has every written about the war in the Pacific. Thanks for posting this.
bozolips24 3 years ago
Please do, marinecorps29 -best war book around. Finished "China marine" also -great book! Ol' Eugene is a natural writer, and his tale speakes for all those brave, poor souls who crawled through and out of hell. Worth every penny!!!!
camus247 3 years ago
this is the kind of stuff people dont know about war. im gettin sledgehammer's book.
Semper Fi
marinecorps29 3 years ago