Iwo Jima Vet Ted Below Recalls Historic Battle 75 Years Later (Full Interview)

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Iwo Jima Vet Ted Below Recalls Historic Battle 75 Years Later (Full Interview)

Рет қаралды 148,311

Күн бұрын

PFC Theodore (Ted) Below was part of the first wave of Marines that landed on Iwo Jima, serving with the 5th Marine Division, 27th Regiment, C Company. He was a demolition specialist. He vividly recalls the nerve-wracking moments upon arriving at Iwo Jima and the historic battle that ensued. Watch and SHARE his epic tale.
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:25 - Service
05:15 - Battle of Iwojima
22:47 - Reflection
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Пікірлер: 343

@scottriley1913 4 жыл бұрын

This is very sad, this guy must be over 90 years old and he’s trying so hard to recall events from this horror. God bless him.

@therenaissancepiper 4 жыл бұрын

Scott Riley Ted is a good friend and has only recently in the past 4-5 years begun to have memory issues. I work at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in SW Florida. Ted was one of the early Audubon Bird Wardens here in the Naples area and had an amazing career as a avian scientist and one of the most dedicated environmentalist you’ll ever meet. An amazing man for sure! I’m fortunate and blessed to call him Friend.

@WarblesOnALot 4 жыл бұрын

G'day, Yeah, he's struggling to remember pretty much EVERYTHING he ever did, except for the stuff which he's been trying to forget - ever since it happened. It's actually pretty common..., particularly among old Combat Veterans - when and if they undergo any kind of Dementia, from Alzheimers Disease, through Korsikoff's Psychosis, Vascular Dementia, Parkinson's Disease or Huntington's Chorea.... Between October 1980 & January 1984, while I was a Student Nurse at Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, Sydney (Oz)...., I nursed some 2,000 Veterans of every Military Adventure which Oz had participated in, from 1914 to 1984, for an average of 10 days per Veteran...., so I've seen a fair bit of this. Not knowing his own birthday, or even where he was trained or stationed prior to Combat - but vividly remembering his FIRST Combat - and also all the scariest moments, and the angriest moments, and the happiest moments..., of the whole War - that's "Par For The Course", for whomsoever grows sufficiently old. Because..., all of that stuff was burned indelibly into his Permanent Memories, back when his Hippocampus was totally saturated with Adrenaline & Cortisol, and his Amygdala was fully overloaded. This is all of the stuff which he's spent the rest of his life in trying not to think about... Because..., Everything MATTERS ; In the Long Run...! Such is Life. Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !

@sylviarucker4658 4 жыл бұрын

@@therenaissancepiper I think it is beautiful that someone asked him to talk about his younger days. Never forget how the US survived. Patriot. Not like some today.

@davidmoore2851 4 жыл бұрын

God bless him, for sure. Doing very well for his age.

@dmaextraordinaire8205 3 жыл бұрын

Jeffrey Alton Carter: The Renaissance Piper Thank you for the update on this amazing man. I’m glad that he found a passion after serving. He was and still is a force!

@goutvols103 4 жыл бұрын

This is an incredible Marine to be on the first wave ashore on Iwo Jima and still be alive to describe it.

@judgejimbobrowntown7600 4 жыл бұрын

Yes it is my pap was first wave 5th div bar man made it all 35-36 days he was and still is my personal hero rip my man and god bless this man

@lancewoodward4391 3 жыл бұрын

@@judgejimbobrowntown7600 lp

@lancewoodward4391 3 жыл бұрын

@@judgejimbobrowntown7600 lppo

@andrewsmith3257 Жыл бұрын

These are the real heroes

@paulmello4649 8 ай бұрын

THE GREATEST GENERATION !

@jimfuchs8206 4 жыл бұрын

A true hero. We need to remember he was a young healthy kid. Not athletes or actors, the men that saved this great nation.

@mattralphwright 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed - but not the way social media would have you think though Jim...

@Khurzan72 3 жыл бұрын

Actors back then actually quit acting and joined out of a sense of duty.

@1492tomato 4 жыл бұрын

"How did you keep going after that?" "Because that's what I was supposed to do." That's an American! That's a MAN! That's a Marine!!

@robpelick7460 2 жыл бұрын

The definition of

@josephcoates461 4 жыл бұрын

GOD BLESS THIS MARINE

@danielb8199 4 жыл бұрын

*those marines

@leeneale8776 4 жыл бұрын

Amen

@HappyPoppyFlowers-nr4jh 6 ай бұрын

OOORAH !!

@craigh1790 4 жыл бұрын

The human mind is an amazing thing. Can barely remember a single detail of any of his pre-combat experiences, but then when asked about the actual battle? A cold serious stare..."We were in the first wave..." and then so much detail thereafter. These men are national treasures. They represent the best of what this country can produce. This effort to preserve their experiences first hand is invaluable. Thank you. Semper Fi

@johnb.8687 2 жыл бұрын

They remember more it’s the way the questions are asked

@dennismoore2209 9 ай бұрын

How in the heck did he get nerve to strap 20 lbs of TNT to his back and attack a pill box!!!

@dazzamate4894 4 жыл бұрын

"Well there is still some beauty in life".. in the midst of war and surrounded by death, definitely a different generation.. thank you for your service

@tomjaap2933 4 жыл бұрын

Such bs every generation has their great warriors

@ferrallderrall6588 2 жыл бұрын

@@tomjaap2933 your the bs pal

@andrewsmith3257 Жыл бұрын

@@tomjaap2933not like them

@southboundeightyone4958 3 жыл бұрын

Every time I pass by an elderly man, at the grocery store or gas station etc, I just can't help but wonder where he's been and what he's done in his life. You never know what kind of individual next to which you might be standing.

@SunnyIlha 2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely✓

@dennismoore2209 9 ай бұрын

I love this man. How brave he was. My dad was on Pelilue.

@maryrutkowski7195 3 жыл бұрын

18 years old and his friend's head rolled by... horrific. Bless this man and all the men who served and women/nurses who kept them alive. Thank you for your service.

@robertsocia5863 3 жыл бұрын

My grandfather was at the battle of Iwo Jima lost both his legs one below the knee one just above the knee was the greatest man I’ve ever known!!

@ellieprice3396 4 жыл бұрын

"and I looked up and saw the moon behind the clouds, and it was beautiful, and I remember thinking, well there's still some beauty in life"

@bebop4one105 3 жыл бұрын

I watch this man recall his time spent in a hellish place half way across the world, which he volunteered to do, all to protect the country he loves and I say to myself “how in the hell can anyone burn our flag, topple our statues, and declare us a failed nation?” We’ve overcome astronomical odds again and again and yet people are out in the streets trying to tear down everything that men like this fought for.

@pharox9711 2 жыл бұрын

Are u white by any chance

@robpelick7460 2 жыл бұрын

Those protesting our country these days know nothing except the propaganda they've been exposed to in the classroom...or prison cells

@pharox9711 2 жыл бұрын

@@robpelick7460 mf just say i racist and obviously anyone who doesnt understand the injustices that take place here can justify burning the flag not even just toward black people i myself a black man wouldnt burn the flag but I understand it

@pharox9711 2 жыл бұрын

Mabye because most of those statues honor evil racist men and movements

@vivians9392 Жыл бұрын

@@pharox9711 It doesn't matter! A true patriot of ANY color would feel the same...point made!!

@556user 4 жыл бұрын

What a quality man!

@djonpow 4 жыл бұрын

While he can't remember all......We must never forget. Semper Fi sir.

@glennt8687 3 жыл бұрын

Thank God for the greatest generation and those young brave men.

@hilldwler420 3 жыл бұрын

Everyone of these men deserve the medal of honor

@emtbxl4212 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service.. I will never forget your generations sacrifice.

@vivians9392 Жыл бұрын

This was my Father's generation! So happy at 78 yrs. old that I grew up with these men as my teachers, neighbors, and family! God bless them all!

@SteveGee1986 2 жыл бұрын

I have trouble remembering details from 5 years ago. These guys do a great job telling stories 75 years later.

@whitebloodism 3 жыл бұрын

Absolute hero, when he mentioned all those that lost their lives or part of their lives.

@ernestdougherty3162 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sr for your service to our great country

@alanbolen2880 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service sir!!

@paultempleton530 3 жыл бұрын

If your the me.Bolan I think you are thank you for your service also and thanks for the stories

@nickbristol3457 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Sir! Ted Below you are an amazing person and thanks for sharing your story! And Thank You to all veterans for your service and for protecting this country!

@Jakal-pw8yq 2 жыл бұрын

The pain from the battle and the suffering he experienced on Iwo Jima are just palpable with this old Marine. I can't imagine being 18 or 19 years old and being asked to do what these fine men did. They were boys really. They laid it on the line for us and that's something that I'm always grateful for and very proud to be part of a military family, although I never served my father was a World War Vet as well as my mom. So my sister and I were very schooled in military traditions and in particular the history of WWII. Semper Fi sir and thank you so much for your service!

@LongStraightLines 3 жыл бұрын

Another amazing man from a tough, brave and humble generation. Thank you Ted Below.

@robertguzman1362 Жыл бұрын

These men were incredible no matter what hardship they endured they all have the attitude “they had a job to do” they did it no excuses . Truly the greatest generation .

@halbutler4059 3 жыл бұрын

My dad went in on the buddy system (Thurmond Mynatt his best friend) After boot camp they were split up. Dad was 2nd Div ( Saipan-Tinian), Thurmond (Iwo jima) was wounded so severely they left him for dead on the beach. Much later a Dr realized he was alive & saved his life. As a child I could put my hand inside many of his wounds. He died at 34. Dad is still alive, but won't speak of it. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 Never forget

@tedbaxter5234 2 жыл бұрын

An awesome interview…time takes its toll on all of us - I hope I will be as capable as him if I make it to his age. God Bless him.

@TheGregWallace 3 жыл бұрын

All kids now a days need to watch the videos of these guys period.

@pfrost4011 3 жыл бұрын

God bless Mr. Below. This is why the work you’re doing is so important. Thank you Mr. Below and thank you Mr. Interviewer

@richardschlup1469 2 жыл бұрын

What a man, patriot, hero! Thank you for your service sir!

@rjkeenan8955 3 жыл бұрын

I feel like I have said this a 100 times, yet a hundred times wouldn't make a dent. The Marines and Corpsmen that fought in the Pacific are the greatest Men that have ever walked the face of the earth.

@kazamk5367 2 жыл бұрын

Arghhhhhh bullshet Boy. The New Zealand Military soldiers were and always will be the greatest

@Station7Jason 4 жыл бұрын

Been waiting on this one! my grandfather was a Corpsman on Iwo, still has nightmares about it at 98. Retired in 1960 as an HMMC (E9)

@rebeccasmith9646 4 жыл бұрын

May ur granddaddy have peace. Thank him for his service and sacrifice for the rest of us. We do appreciate all he has done and feel sorry his war still hasnt ended after all these years. Sincery, Becky from West Virginia.

@c5back9 4 жыл бұрын

Becky Smith: my sentiments also. Thank you Becky for finding the right words, I’m sure many others also feel the same way but like me, sometimes struggle to adequately express ourselves properly.

@andrewwebb-trezzi2422 4 жыл бұрын

If your grandfather is still alive, tell him thank you a thousand times for me. What an honour it must’ve been having such a giant of a man for a grandfather.

@raymondrogers3929 4 жыл бұрын

Any interviews?

@eddielane9569 4 жыл бұрын

Thank him for me please.

@dougthomas1582 4 жыл бұрын

I am humbled by this Marines service. God Bless our veterans.

@jamestiscareno4387 2 жыл бұрын

At times you could see him reliving those moments, reseeing the horrors he's witnessed. God bless him.🇺🇸

@generalkayoss7347 4 жыл бұрын

All of the WWII vets are almost gone. Is so important to preserve their memories.

@breadwater1075 4 жыл бұрын

who would dislike this! this man is a hero and a true man. Thank you sir for sacrificing so much in order for us to have a better tomorrow. We owe you a debt that cannot be paid of.

@stevensauvarin6112 3 жыл бұрын

I seen the dislikes, wtf? It's so disrespectful.

@aldooze 3 жыл бұрын

'There are times in our country, we need to defend it'.

@jayrowe6473 4 жыл бұрын

These were everyday people, kids from all over America that answered the call when their country needed them most. Many whose lives were cut short before they really began and we owe them all a huge debt of gratitude at the very least. I wonder how many of today's generation would answer that call...

@antontesta1498 4 жыл бұрын

A very brave and distinguished gentleman. I like when he prefaces; “I’d like to make a note”.

@Royalmerc 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting these interviews.

@AquaticPro-xu5lx 4 жыл бұрын

Thankyou, Marine. Thankyou greatly.

@joeylyons4549 3 жыл бұрын

I could listen to these guys all day. Just unbelievable courage and honor. Bless you sir

@benmiz9742 4 жыл бұрын

They are and always will be the greatest generation. Thank you for you service to protect all countries.

@danielreichert2025 Жыл бұрын

I’ve tried writing several sentences to show my appreciation for this brave soul but came up short every time. I don’t have the words for the proper appreciation of men who fought so gallantly and fiercely knowing that at any moment their lives could be snatched away in a heartbeat. Thank you so much Ted Below 🙏

@markrothenberg9867 4 жыл бұрын

That introduction gave me goose bumps. Damn! Thank you for serving...and telling your story. War sucks!

@danielkneebone4412 4 жыл бұрын

What a wonderful man.

@pangaute 4 жыл бұрын

A privilege to hear first hand a real 'anti-fascist'

@robnordstrom155 4 жыл бұрын

These Antifa punks couldn’t hold this brave man’s sweaty jock strap! Thank God we had men like Ted to answer the call in WWII instead of Antifa candy asses!!!

@LongStraightLines 3 жыл бұрын

@@robnordstrom155 and I bet he doesn't give a damn about gender pronouns. What a hero this man is.

@benyoung552 3 жыл бұрын

Damn right

@pfrost4011 3 жыл бұрын

Antifa snowflakes wouldn’t make a good pimple on a Marine’s ass

@Khurzan72 3 жыл бұрын

Amen!

@scoireamerica1609 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir for your service.

@tomseer7462 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir for helping the greatest country in the world be free and live life and a loving atmosphere peace brother

@americanpatriotism1776 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir for your service!!

@fougee1 4 жыл бұрын

My Dad was there God Bless all these Brave souls!

@rikijett310 3 жыл бұрын

Sir, thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!!!

@matthewXL 2 жыл бұрын

Let’s take a minute to acknowledge how incredible this interviewer is.

@jamesschuler7725 4 жыл бұрын

Good job marine! Interviewer did a wonderful job!

@FerallHog 3 жыл бұрын

Incredible!! What Hero’s. God thank you for Men like these.

@acethemc6633 4 жыл бұрын

What a badass.

@dylanenck4481 3 жыл бұрын

The History Channel needs play videos like this and not Pawn Stars or forged in fire

@amya3980 3 жыл бұрын

"His arm was gone, he had to hold the artery between his teeth to not bleed out"😳😱

@MrWahooknows 3 жыл бұрын

"Because that was my job." Where did we get these heroes?

@gortnewton4765 3 жыл бұрын

Extraordinary man. Humble, noble, kind. Wish I was like him.

@davidmurray9844 3 жыл бұрын

God Bless you Sir. Thank You for your many sacrifices. Look into this warriors eyes, that said it all.

@gud2go50 4 жыл бұрын

I Wish younger people would watch this man's video and take stock of their views about what made America Great.

@THE-HammerMan 4 жыл бұрын

Speechless... God Bless Them All!

@warrenwillis885 4 жыл бұрын

Just like my grandfather thank you for your service you guys made the marines what it is today

@tomjohnson7988 3 жыл бұрын

Respect and much gratitude to the greatest generation.

@jeffreydaniel1550 3 жыл бұрын

18:00 you can ‘see’ and feel the neurons firing in his mind and how visceral it was.! Thank you, sir! Edit: this should be required ‘reading’ /‘viewing’ in EVERY SCHOOL.

@bradforrest6624 3 жыл бұрын

Thank sir for our freedom and everything you do and have done

@mercytoday 3 жыл бұрын

When you are a marine you don’t have to ever worry if your life was well spent.

@davehiggins5903 2 жыл бұрын

A true America hero and patriot from the greatest generation, thank you sir

@jameswells-uk6qu 4 жыл бұрын

GOD bless this veteran! As old as he is, he does very well remembering what he can..it's a good thing he has forgotten some things! Ty sir for your service and being part of one of the most significant times in history! Wow.."cause that's what I was suppose to do"! Greatest respect!🗽💝

@tonymontgomery5827 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for doing these.

@TheDeepsix13 4 жыл бұрын

God bless you sir and Semper Fi...

@dmaextraordinaire8205 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your Service Sir! You make America proud! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

@stevebruce1235 3 жыл бұрын

Thank You For Your Service Sir

@kingofthecatnap5422 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, AVC!

@SunnyIlha 4 жыл бұрын

He had to rush up to enemy emplacement openings, without getting shot dead getting in position, staying there in the open having to start the 19-second TNT fuse and count to 17, again for 17 seconds without getting shot dead while counting, then hurling TNT satchels into cave openings. His buddies decapitated head rolled across him immediately upon exiting the landing craft. This is incomprehensible to us.

@crystalheart9 2 ай бұрын

Thank you Mr. Below for your stories and service, bless him.💖

@lloydsteele9476 3 жыл бұрын

These wonderful veterans are my HEROES AND MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALWAYS. !!!

@noegiducos5609 2 жыл бұрын

As I observe almost all your interviews... Listening to WW2 veterans talking about their combat experiences makes me chill, more than listening to modern soldiers talking their combat experiences.

@lonnyjaw 3 жыл бұрын

The last of the real Americans! God Bless you Ted, and thank you so much for your service my brother!

@SunnyIlha 4 жыл бұрын

Important to him, memorable to him, Was the beauty of the moon on a night, and the tremendous respect he had for the men who went to war as conscientious objectors, opting not to use weapons against other humans, who did combat duty as stretcher bearers (who died, killed in combat in this job).

@Treasureson78RPM 4 жыл бұрын

Semper fi Marine!! Thank you for your great service.

@theyfaceeast 3 жыл бұрын

I love these men. Thank you sir.

@deandeibler8363 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir. True American Hero.

@c0bra969 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the UNCUT VIDEO. You can get a better emotional feel by watching these guys faces and not having the camera cut back and forth. Respect.

@borod5571 3 жыл бұрын

My Grandfather was there. He never talk about it, that much. I used to ask him, But He did tell about when they raised the Flag on Mt. Suribachi, He says everyone was hollering and the Ships was sounding there bells and there Horns. He did say water was the best medicine. Everyone was shot or wounded. He was part of the 1 wave also. I know he wanted to visit there before he died. '' He never did'' . P.S I am proud to say i served 20 yrs in the USMC. And so did my Father served in the USMC during the Vietnam War. And he never talk about it too. And now i see why. GOOD BLESS OUR TROOPS. This is way You Never Disrespect the American Flag.

@jefesalsero 3 жыл бұрын

Interesting listening to the stories of these American WW2 veterans about how many of them had to supply their own sidearms. In the example here, he supplied his own Smith & Wesson revolver from home. In another account I heard the Marine veteran tell a story about how he requested a Colt 1911 from his mother back home in Texas. She managed to acquire the pistol and spent days on a train to travel to San Diego and delivered it to him within days of him shipping out to Iwo Jima. I had assumed wrong that just about all soldiers had U.S. government-issued sidearms provided. Sounds like many soldiers and Marines had to fend for themselves if they wanted a sidearm.

@VWC923 3 жыл бұрын

America's best and bravest generation, God bless sir....

@shyguy9102 4 жыл бұрын

War is hell and there's no way to refine it

@arthurengelbert788 4 жыл бұрын

It still amazes me with each interview I see with a WW2 Vet, That they all couldn’t wait to get involved in the war. Went right down to the Recruiter Office to enlist on their 18th Birthday. Even in many cases, lying about their age so they could join. All these guys have seen and experienced things we never could fathom. The Horrors of War. It also resonated with me that all these guys would say “Sure I was scared. But we had a job to do! I didn’t think anything was going to happen to ME. It was going to be the other guy, If anything.”

@aledakivett9255 3 жыл бұрын

My dad was a Marine 36-66. He joined when he was 19. The next year found him as a man US Embassy in China. He was with the 5th in WWII . When I think of what he and everyone in the greatest generation did to

@aledakivett9255 3 жыл бұрын

Preserve our God given rights I weep as I watch our country being sold out to every kind is evil isim there is.

@oldgoat6009 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your service sir!

@rhumandlove393 3 жыл бұрын

Privileged to hear his stories. I never seen larger ears.

@mikes7639 4 жыл бұрын

My father was wounded on Attu, Its so sad the world has gone through this stuff so many times. All the wasted lives when so young.

@ghostbear200123 4 жыл бұрын

SEMPER FI‼️🍻

@garymckee8857 4 жыл бұрын

Outstanding

@chanelone6463 3 жыл бұрын

He got some! SEMPER FI!

@jimgriffin8978 4 жыл бұрын

This man is not interested in bullshit in his story. He is telling the truth as he remembers it....No add ons .

@dashonnanicole8433 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sir ❤

@walterwayne5405 2 жыл бұрын

My dad was with you Ted. He was 5th Marine Division, 26th Marine Regiment. The 5th was The Spearhead Division. First ones ashore. Semper Fi to all Marines.

@mattralphwright 3 жыл бұрын

I’m a little confused about what sort of so called human - would be able to press the thumbs down button on a video like this. It’d frightening to think that they are out there. These interviews should be mandatory educational videos for all our kids, and maybe a few politicians. I cannot thank you people enough for making sure these hero’s are not forgotten, and the horror that they endured will not be forgotten, and for the love of God - never again repeated. It would be nice to live in a world where there was no war, but the reality is that we do not - so thank goodness that there are people out there willing to lay down their lives, so that the rest of us can continue ours.

@its_vintage2601 11 ай бұрын

This man sat here. Knee dip in mud and blood, in the center of hell. He looks up and still sees the beauty in the world. Truly the greatest generation.