Marine Iwo Jima Survivor Reflects on Watching His Teammate Being Taken Out by Enemy Sniper

The weight this carries becomes apparent as Don shares the traumatic scene of losing a comrade to an enemy sniper from the same position he was looking out on just moments before. In the fallen man's helmet lay a picture of a beautiful woman and a baby.

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[Sum_Jigh]

I'm extremely impressed with this war veteran of a man being 98 years old and in this good of mental and probably physical well being. He's very eloquent with his speaking.

[Big_Wamu]

My grandpa served in Okinawa as a scout for the army, it would basically be considered a sniper today. Him and his partner would go over into enemy territory, scout positions and shoot any enemy officers they could. He said it was like hunting deer... but easier.

He was one of 15 kids, he signed up for the army at 17 because they gave you more money if you volunteered to go to the front. His plan was to make as much money as he could for his mom before eventually dying in combat. He figured 3 meals and a cot was way better than how he was living in the depression at home so he'd enjoy it before getting blown up.

He was a tough, tough man. He wasn't an atheist but he wasn't overly religious either.

He talked to me about the war if I asked. I always watched the history Channel as a kid and knew he was there so I asked him about it.

The two stories that stuck out the most was about his time in Okinawa. He walked through a bush and there was a Japanese soldier right there, "from me to you" as he said and he knew he didn't have time to get his gun up so he pulled his knife and shoved it the soldiers stomach and looked him in the eye as he died. He realized that it was just a kid like him.

The other story was about how the Suicide Cliffs in Okinawa got their name, he saw all of what happened there. Mother's jumping off the cliffs with their children, horrible things.

He said he knew then that "God had no part of what was going on out there, I was going to have to kill the enemy or they were going to kill me... but they were just like me so I had to learn to hate... even though they were just teenage kids doing what they were told to do, just like I was"... so he became mean because that's what "he had to do".

He ended up surviving... he was actually on a boat going into Tokyo bay when the bombs dropped. "I would've been the first wave going in... and I would've died if President Truman didn't drop those bombs"

When he was told he was going home he didn't react much... "I didn't plan on that" he would say.

I miss him, he was like a real life John Wayne character.

But I can hear him now "God wasn't there, why would I ask him for help?"

[mrmatt]

We are quickly losing this generation of soldier's. This interview is absolutely priceless. A history lesson based on first hand experiences

[canoli]

Survivors guilt all these years later. What a terrible burden to bear. ❤

[aarongrindstaff]

This makes me miss my grandfather. He drove a landing craft during the invasion on D-Day. He didn't tell many stories but the one he told were the best stories I've ever heard. Better than any movie that's been made in my opinion. There will never be another generation like our grandfathers.

[patrickdillon]

My grandfather was in the Pacific for the whole thing. An army radio man. He never told a single soul what he saw over there; not his mom, not his brother and sisters, not his wife or children. He took his war with him to the grave.

[peterbellini]

It was very moving to listen to that Marine. I was listening and tears began to form and make my vision blurry. I lost my Dad (US Army) 2 years ago at 98. New Guinea and then First Occupation Army of Japan 09/1945-02/1946.
So much truth and pain and wisdom in this man. Semper Fi.

[adamorgill]

What a great man, and be able to sit and listen too is a privilege

[Stevie]

As a kid, I never thought it that special when they would have WW2 vets come in and talk to us. They were still reasonably young and were still many of them. Kids growing up now won't get that. Looking back, that was pretty special.
Wish I knew more about the war at that time. Would have been able to appreciate things more.

[joshuabrigden]

1:07 "In hard times you see an atheist praying, you leave them alone!" loosely quoting of course but i love the tone change/ expression of severity in his voice, The wisdom and decency of this man is amazing! Definitely worth watching the whole episode if this is your first glimpse of it.

[bizmofunyuns]

What a legendary man. Thank you so much for your sacrifice sir.

[hammerandgrindpodcast]

Iwo Jima is a battle that is unlike any other. As a Marine, Iwo Jima vets have a special place in my heart and I had the privilege of floating by the island on deployment. One of our sergeants got to go to the island because he had family who fought there and grabbed a bunch of black sand from the beach. I took some and it sits in a glass jar on a shelf above my desk. One of my most prize possessions. Thank you for this interview Shawn.

[DonaldMeyers-vc]

I'm so happy this is forever on film. Such an intense and beautiful interview with an incredible man.

[liuusc]

No tears anymore but still emotional every time talking about it. Respect.

[KiloCavK]

This story reminds me of my interaction with a WWII/Korean War veteran, His name is Gale Balderson, 92 this september on the 9th. He served in WWII in 1945, he was 15 years old. Faked his age and paperwork to enlist. Spent the next few years in Germany as occupation forces. Time spent between germany and abroad. When Korean War Started Gale went as apart of the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment. From my understanding it was Charlie Company. He landed and arrived on the peninsula a few months after June in 1950. Right as the war broke out. He was only 19 at the time almost 20.

They moved towards the northern provinces of Korea along an axis of advance towards the Yalu River. the Natural Divide between North Korea and China. When they arrived at the Yalu, the Chinese along with the Reinforced North Koreans mounted a large counter offensive designed to push everyone back from the Yalu to the South near Incheon and towards Busan. Gale and his 1/8 Cavalry Regiment were engaged in desperate fighting, Hand to Hand, Close Quarters for months. It was a blood bath and hell on earth. Gale was a Machine Gun Section leader because everyone else that could fill the role was dead, wounded or missing.

He was battlefield promoted to the rank of Sergeant. 19 year old Sergeant Gale Balderson held the line, and proceeded to encourage his men, and engage the enemy in direct action. This went on for weeks. Gale and a small group of other soldiers were eventually cut off behind enemy lines in the dead of winter, they had been apart of the Defense of Chosin Reservoir, due to their units being in a mixed withdrawl. They withdrew towards Pusan and Taegu where our military had set up the Pusan Perimeter. Gale eventually made his way back to friendly lines around abouts the beginning of February 1951. He had been declared Missing In Action prior to appearing in Pusan.

He continued to fight and inspire and lead his men in combat operations against a determined enemy. Eventually Gale Balderson would be sent back to America from Japan in 1952 and proceed to be Honorably Discharged for his service.

I have not talked to the man in a few months, but when he spoke I shut up and listened. The main reason he was willing to talk with me about his exploits and keep the memory alive is because we both served In the 1st Cavalry Division out of Fort Hood, Albeit about 70 years apart. I was on a M1A2 Abrams, 1-12 Cav. He was 1-8 Cav in 1945-1952. I ended up a block or two from his old unit. Small world.

[joejohnson]

The recording of personal accounts of soldiers, Marines & sailors of not only WW2, but Korea and Vietnam is so important because everyday more of these folks pass on and their stories ate lost forever . Also support the Honor flights so these veterans can see the monuments that were made in their honor .

[SupaDupaMoisty]

This is amazing. We should all be fortunate men like this exist and are able to keep the history alive of what our countrymen sacrificed for our country.

[xanselmox]

My great grandfather Pvt. Robert L. Mayo fought in Guadacanal, Tarawa and Saipan. He survived the war.

[staggerinstanton]

These Men we're and continue to be the most manly of Men. The hell they went through, was absolutely unthinkable.

[marcribaudo]

My neighbor Bob was in the suck in Iwo Jima and my father was a gunner on a destroyer. We lost 20 years ago now. I was proud of these men. There's few still alive. The youngest death of an American turned out to be 15 on that beach. Today boys are playing with dolls that age. God bless the greatest generation.