MG-42 Laid Down INTENSE Fire As He Ran Across an Open Field | Battle of the Bulge

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, at the age of 17, Vernon Staley tried to join the military. However, his father refused to let Vernon join as he wanted him to finish high school.

After graduating from high school, Staley was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 70th Infantry Division, where he served as a combat medic. The 70th Infantry Division spent nearly 90 days in combat during the final days of the European Theater.

In December 1944, upon arriving in France, Staley was assigned to Task Force Herren. Task Force Herren played a role in fighting the German winter offensive–Operation Nordwind.

Staley took part in a rescue operation of the 276th Regiment, which had been captured by German troops. During the operation, Staley was pinned down in a field. After making it to safety, Staley was assigned to tag the dead soldiers.

In July 1946, Staley finished with the rank of Private First Class. He was awarded a Combat Medical Badge.

Interview recorded on May 12, 2023

00:00 Intro
02:09 Family Background
02:35 Pearl Harbor Attack
03:50 Drafted
7:30 Arrived in France
08:21 Deployed to the Rhine River
09:25 Battle of the Bulge
10:33 Crossing an open field under MG fire
14:43 Tagging the dead
15:53 Man jumps on grenade
17:12 Dodging an artillery shell
19:30 Other medic's who were killed
20:08 Horrible prison camp conditions
23:50 Patton's MP's take his car
25:58 The war is over

[anti-antifamclovin]

WWII vets are very humbling for me. I faced nothing in Afghanistan compared to what they went through. We're not going to have them here much longer and the world will be worse off when they're gone 😢. Thank you to this man and all the other heroes that stood tall in the face of danger! I don't even want to imagine what the world would look like without their sacrifices

[StoicBarber]

Finally a Medic story!!! I was a medic too in Iraq 07-09 with the 25th inf out of Hawaii.

[kierstenbrast]

My great grandpa Gustav Brast was a medic in WW2. I didn’t get to meet him but my grandpa spoke highly of him. My grandpa, Weldon Brast worked on engines and tanks too. Grandpa passed recently, 88 years old, he was a father figure to me and my older sister. To say we miss him is an understatement. She took care very good of him for the last seven or eight years.

[donaldwrightson]

Thank you for your service, Mr. Staley!!! God bless you and all who served in WW2!!!!

[aIex]

Crazy to think that we're the last generation to hear these heroes stories in person.

ALL WWII veterans alive are a minimum of 94 turning 95 assuming they were born 1928, enlisted at 17 in 1945.

Less than 3% of these heros are still alive.

[beauteoussounds]

Vern is one of the nicest men I’ve ever known! So great I discovered this interview. It’s been years and years since I last saw him. He was one of our customers at a chrome plating, machining shop I worked at. It was a tough job for me and he was always a gentleman and a good shoulder to cry on. He had great stories but he never told me about his time as a Medic. So impressive!❤

[danielaramburo]

Medics are the bravest soldiers. You expose yourself to heal wounded soldiers.

[richardthornhill]

Thanks to all our Veterans who served.

[rikijett]

Sir, it would be an honor to shake your hand. Thank you endlessly for your service!! May God bless you always!! ✝️🇺🇲

[Miohunter]

So glad you are recording these stories, it's so important people hear these.

[JulezWinnfield]

His memory recollection from 1944-1945 is better than mine from 6 months ago.

[Solhai]

It means a great deal to be able to listen and be told such a candid account.

[sparky]

Truly proud proud of you Sir!!God bless you!!

[joeritchie]

Thank you for your dedicated service. Love you. You are a hero.

[DRFelGood]

Thank you for your courage and service to our nation ❤✌️🇺🇸

[joelpierce]

Thank You for your service Sir. I am ashamed of how our country is squandering you, and your comrades sacrifices.

[alicemcpherson]

Thank you for your service Sir. We are all indebted to you.

[markjamison]

He has a great mind and well spoken for his age . Honorable man wealth of history .

[mitchellculberson]

Thank you for your service to a FREE and grateful nation.

[reddirtdad]

My dad went in with the 8th Armored. Very first casualty they had was the medic. I wish he had been able to tell his story.
Thank you for your service, sir.