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As a marine, I was stationed on Okinawa for 18 months in the late 70s. I went from one end of the island to the other, and I found Okinawas some of the most friendly people in the world. I road motorcycles with them, boated, diving, and partying. Never was there a hint of animosity or hostility , only hospitality and friendship.

Free educational documentary is something precious and I'm happy you provide more of them.

I,m so glad to see this documentary. My father was 19 years old and a sailor of the US Navy, seabees, 147th naval construction batallion and on Okinaw. In the 60 years of my life before he passed away at 90 years old, he never uttered a single word about okinawa and i never heard a single story of his time there. I always assumed it was too rough on him and he put it in his past and wanted to forget about it. I appreciate this documentary for now at least i know the history.

🇺🇸 My Dad.... First Marine division ...first wave to land...only 19 yrs old. God Bless them All...Never to Be Forgotten..🇺🇸🇺🇸

Your study of The Battle For Okinawa is not complete until you read: WITH THE OLD BREED, by E.B. Sledge.

My Dad was on Okinawa with the 6th Division, First Battalion of the 29th Regiment, USMC. It is true that they took the airfields quickly, just how quickly gave the Marines some amusement. A Japanese pilot landed his plane and left the engine idling for the ground crew. It was only then that he discovered that the "ground crew" were US Marines.

My dad was a US Marine stationed on the Battleship USS Arkansas BB-33. His main job was an anti-aircraft gunner on a turret above a crane. They had quite a time with the Kamakazi's. Sometime after the air threat had subsided the Marines were pulled off ship for guard duty on shore supply areas.

Eugene "SLEDGE HAMMER" Sledge! You and men like you will not be forgotten! Semper Fi

My grandfather was an enlisted US Army Air Corps. He was tasked to pick up dead soldiers & marines. He said they were ordered to eat. When they would open their rations, flies would swarm onto their tins. These flies have just hatched from the dead bodies scattered about. He was traumatized by it. He only shared it when his great-grandson joined the USAF and was stationed at Kadina Air Force Base.

My father was an Radioman attached to the Infantry (Army) during this battle. He was also in the Phillipines under MacArthur. He said the most frightening thing about this battle (of which he only spoke if prompted to) was the Japanese artillery barrages at night against our forces. During these barrages, Japanese Infantry would attack and jump into our foxholes, and try to kill us hand to hand. Okinawa was the only Pacific battle where the Japanese had equal amounts of artillery as compared to US Forces. One night in his foxhole, my father suddenly pulled back his head. Then, the end of his nose got shot off. Providence.

My Great Uncle Sgt Everett Pyle lost his life on Okinawa. According to one of his buddies that told my Great Grandmother, it was a Japanese hand-grenade. He stayed alive for a day and a half in a captured cave. They could not move him cause there were so many snipers and taking him out of the cave was certain death. He was in the 383rd infantry.

Best organized description of these battles ever! Thanks so much.

Thank you for providing this. I remember reading about the horrible losses suffered on both sides including a Marine company commanded by a private when everyone who outranked him was killed fighting their way over one of the escarpments.

its so crazy to hear the story of the battle for the island i grew up on as a child in the 80s, 40 years after the battle raged...

My mother was a brainwashed 16yo suicidal bomber. She set off her grenade when captured by the Americans but it was a dud. She was lucky that the Americans shot and wounded her. Her father and two brothers were killed in the battle. She married an American soldier and became a proud American citizen.

My father and Australian soldier told me when I was young that it would have cost a million men to take and defeat Japan on the main islands, we have to be grateful that this did not come about

My uncle was a SeaBee..he said it was rough and one guy drove the roadgrader or bull dozer while the other would watch out for sniper's or return fire....he didn't talk in detail and this being in 1966-67 it was still fresh in his memory Im sure looking back today. He was a fine man and many other's with him too.

My 97 year old cousin who passed a couple of years ago was on the Bunker Hill at Okinawa when kamikazes hit the deck. 400 sailors died. All the planes were filled with fuel which was a major contributing factor.

Both my uncle, a captain in the 1st Marine Division, and my father, a signalman in the US Navy on the USS Hornet, were at Okinawa. I once asked my father why he wouldn't consider buying a Japanese car and he said, "They tried to drop bombs on me." He took it personally.

I spent two years on the rock. This illuminated much of the myriad of stories surrounding those days. Thank you very much. Arigato.

My father was stationed there in the mid-50's in the air force. They still had to be very cautious due to unexploded shells and grenades.

My Marine sharpshooter uncle was part of reconnaissance into Okinawa and received his 2nd Purple Heart there. He also fought on Sugar Loaf. Fast forward ~13 years and as an Army brat, I explored Sugar Loaf, which was kitty corner from our house in an Army housing area. Used to go up there and find spent shells, caves, and bones. Also, with some other kids, dug up a bomb in our backyard. We immediately knew to run inside and call the Bomb Squad. Our photo and story was in the military newspaper. As strange as it may sound to those who only know about Okinawa thru WWII, it was a wonderful place to grow up as a military kid. I still go back there; it's a beautiful island, with unique customs and traditions, and friendly Okinawans.

Very well researched and presented. Thank you!

That was a fantastic production . The narration of the tactics really helped to understand what was going on . My full respects to every US serviceman who fought in this battle . Those guys went through hell .

I'm excited. Thanks for this! Huge fan of WWII history. You guys always knock it out of the park so I'm looking forward to see what you guys have produced.

This was really well done. Covered just about everything. People know "Okinawa" but not its place as one of the most significant battles of WWII and in American History.

Mighty good job! Very informative and detailed account of the battle. Thank you for this video.

Great Video, my granps is okinawan and was a toddler when all this happened, in his 18's till he was around 23 he was a Police Officer near the Kadena Airbase where he worked along with you guys for sometime, after that he moved far away from Japan. To this day we see the scars that the war left on him.

What a nice production. Thank you!

What an excellently produced piece of education. Thank you.

Very well done. Glad you covered the suicides and Desmond Doss and general Buckner. Also glad you put in the Japanese names of places as well.

Well done. Thankyou for making this documentary; five stars. It must have been tough as a G.I. to still be slugging it out in close combat when VE day had been celebrated six weeks ago.

Horrifying but also fascinating thank you so much for your content and your efforts sir

It never ceases to amaze me how Americans question whether or not dropping the A-bombs on Japan was necessary. Okinawa should've made it abundantly clear why it was necessary.

Excellent! Thank you.

That was excellent, many thanks.

For anybody who's looking at this video the absolute must read is written by Eugene Sledge of the 3/5 Marines How Company and it's called With the Old Breed. I've read dozens of books on both theaters of War but this is without question the most complete and the most intensely descriptive book I have ever read. For all of us World War II buffs, particularly the Marines you have got to read this and at least put it on your bucket list.

Very well done. Really enjoyed it

My grandfather was the toughest man I have met, and although he rarely liked talking about his time in Okinawa when he did I can always see his eyes get watery especially when explaining how he had to kill young boys who fought in the war and watched his best friend battle buddy get blown apart by a grenade right in front of him. Too bad my family has all his accolades and things now. Not sure what company he was in but RIP Manuel J Francisco

That is a great video, thank you!

The best doc I've seen yet on Okinawa,keep up the amazing fact finding work buddíes, I absolutely enjoy your work. Keep it up, I'm looking forward to .more beçause í a.m à truly a Binge documentarywatcher. THANKS Again PEACE!!!!!

Well done, thank you!

Excellent program.

I'm really glad you went into so much detail about this battle! You got yourself a new subscriber 👍👍 As far as any marine is concerned, the 'dog-faces' in the army had NOTHING to do with this victory. I'm glad you're here to set the record straight

Great docu! I know it's a lot of work but please do more! I love learning out the Pacific. All they seem to teach in public school was details of European conflict.

Thanks for this!

My father (Harold Ray Eynon) served Navy and his ship (DD Calhound) was sunk doing picket just off shore. He retired from service in 1959.

What an excellent documentary very descriptive very informative very well-researched

My dad was there . Tony panas 7 th division 184th infantry regiment 3rd battalion company I.

THIS is going to be...AWESOME! Hopefully there'll be a good amount of colorization possible of the footage.

Incredible documentary!

Very detailed and informative.ive a great deal of interest in military history due to my late Father telling me of his service with George S Patton during world war 2. I also worked with a veteran of the korean war who was present at incheon and wolmido and the retreat from "frozen chosen reservoir" as a member of the first marine division.while I am abhorrent to war I'm still interested in the history side of it.thank you for this presentation.

Great video 👏👏

good doc, well detailed very informative, thank you................................

My grandfather was a pacific theater vet from ww2 he died years before I was ever born but the stories he either written down in his journal or told my grandmother and mom he said that the Japanese military man is a tenacious brave and willing to die for their beliefs and they would come in waves like it was never ending and the tunnels were absolutely terrifying to go in

My Dad was there, 77 th Infantry. Statue of Liberty division.Great video.

Lived there for 10+ years and it’s awesome to hear stories of the people who most of the bases are named after.

A truly excellent documentary. Brave Americans of all battle forces proven the valor, commitment and tenacity to win. Makes me wonder how todays youth would answer the call.

Good job brother, good job.

Good work.

My uncle was killed in Okinawa. 6 Marine, Military records show he died May 26, 1945 but death certificate and tombstone show May 20, 1945. He is buried at the Punchbowl in Honolulu, but the first interment there was 1949. Can anyone explain either of these mysteries for me? We only found out in 2019 that there is a memorial on Okinawa for all of the KIA from WWII and my uncles name was found by total coincidence on his 100th birthday.

Excellent

Well done I thank you.

Stationed on Okinawa 1969-72 US ARMY. I explored many of the caves where the Japanese soldiers, and civilians held out in. The early 70's was tensions were high as the Okinawans protesting the America's occupation.

Great vid.

I’m currently on Okinawa.

My dad was in the Coast Guard, one brother was in the Navy, one brother was in the army in Italy, and one brother was on Guadacanal, etc (I am told that he did not stutter before he was drafted). When they all came home (four brothers from the same family went), they all had to curb their potty mouth when around Grandma) I was in the Navy and in VN and my sister was a Navy Nurse. We all appreciate sacrifice and honor those who served, and wonder at the stupidity of war.

The battle that took place on Okinawa in 1945, really did make one thing crystal clear, that being the special new bombs dropped on Hiroshima & Nagasaki helped save a lot of lives: American AND Japanese.

My Dad was in the 6th division, first battalion of the 29th regiment. He carried a flame thrower and saw a great deal of combat.

Excellent 3d images

I understand the Royal Navy sent several carriers and the supporting ships and logistic ships as well. Nimitz apparently asked for them to get in closer to Okinawaas their armoured decks made them virtually impervious to Kamakazi aircraft.

My dad was there for Thanksgiving, so it started in summer but was still going on by the end of the year, 1945

Knew 2 men who fought on Okinawa. Marine both. War hurts.

Most people don't realize more Sailors died in the battle of Okinawa than Marines or Soldiers.

Its hard to imagine such a war happened..

My grandfather was a marine during the battles of peleliu and Okinawa from what I’m aware. He was with the 5th Marines and got hit twice in peleliu. May family doesn’t talk much about it being that my dad was in Vietnam but I’ve heard some stories from uncles and my mom.

It would be greatly appreciated if the Army University Press could provide a list of recommended resources regarding each of its battle studies. What histories and memoirs best reflect the actual event on the ground or the planning behind each event? Do the battle studies adhere to the "standard history" or are there parts of these studies that differ slightly from the academic narrative? As a former infantryman I have my own thoughts regarding the transliteration of battle events into historic events. Regarding Okinawa I am interested in how the Army's Battle Drills (if they even existed at this time) were adopted at the company level. Who drove the innovation on the front the Colonels, the Captains, or the Corporals? Was there one particular battalion or company that created the procedure that worked to reduce the bunkers? Were the innovations Marine innovations and not Army innovations? I would appreciate it if the AUP could do another series that focuses on "The Soldier's-eye View" of combat!

Nice

My dad was on one of the only ships that survived the typhoon. They went out to sea and rode the storm out. All other ships anchored in shore and were washed out.

Great

My grandpa was at Okinawa, Leyte, and Phillipines, as well as the occupation of Japan. He never spoke about the war. There were very painful memories that he locked deep inside him somewhere. Maybe he had to in order to go on after the war. I suspect many of those impossible memories came from Okinawa.

Captain Julian Dusenbury of Company "A" ( The men called it "Rebel Company".), 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Division, USMC on the night prior to the assault on Shiri Castle crawled through mud, over bodies, and sneaked past Japanese sentries over nine times to drag back boxes of ammunition through enemy lines to his men. During the mopping up process a sniper shot him, which put him in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. After he was evacuated, his men found a Confederate battle flag he had been keeping in his helmet and since they had no formal US colors to fly they flew it over the castle in his honor and of the Company to which they belonged. General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr. (Son of Confederate General Simon Bolivar Buckner Sr.) thought it was not appropriate for the flag to remain in its place because "Americans from all over are here" so he ordered it replaced with the US flag. Captain Dusenbury was written up for the nation's highest honor the Medal Of Honor for his actions in bringing ammunition to his men under extreme conditions. However it was knocked down to a Navy Cross. After the War he was elected state senator of the state of South Carolina and he often advocated for Veterans as a member of the Marine Corps League and his state. He died on January 29th, 1976. He didn't mind that he didn't get the MOH. www.findagrave.com/memorial/63904409/julian-delano-dusenbury/photo ____ Time Magazine, March 21, 1949: Before the South Carolina House of Representatives last week was a $60 million bonus bill for veterans. Representative Julian B. Dusenbury of Florence, an ex-Marine captain whose legs were crippled by sniper bullets on Okinawa, asked for the floor. He rolled his wheelchair to the microphone. Said Dusenbury: "I am a citizen of South Carolina first and a veteran second. In a state as poor as we are, I would be for $60 million for roads and for schools. We have [only] so much wealth, and we have to help the state by making it go around ... I certainly am willing to put my political life on the line any time for this country." The bill was tabled, 90 to 16. ____ marines.togetherweserved.com/usmc/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=AssignmentExt&ID=396683 Semper Fidelis.

37:20 one of the greatest true stories of humanity over brutality & devotion to life I’ve ever heard. Desmond Ross is a inspiration to us all.

My uncle Lenard Smith a US Maine with the 6th Maines I think was wounded there on the 4th or 5th day of the invasion of Okinawa. He saw no more action until the Korean War since he stayed in the Marine Corp reserves. He was wonded in Korean too..

@Harold Davis my husband was stationed in Okinawa as a Marine in 1975 to 76. I was able to be with him. I also remember the protesters at that time. We went on a tour with the uso to see the caves. We were in Futema.

Something left out on a reverse slope defense is plunging fire. Depending on the terrain, it is possible for a machine gun mounted on a tripod t&e to fire at distance and allowing the drop of the rounds to pelt a beaten zone on the other side without being exposed.

My father was part of the Invasion with the 7th Infantry Division.

My grandfather was in the U.S. Navy at Okinawa, and he still hated the Japanese untill he passed away !

A long time ago I crawled around in those caves. It was forbidden but I left no trace. I was but a child in those days. If I was to be sent back today the treasures I missed would be so much more appreciated.

I remember Shuri Casttle from the videogame "Call of Duty World at War" the Japanese emerge from spider holes all around the castle and charge at you shouting "Tenno Heika Banzai" it was a hard level!

Stationed in Okinawa in the 1980's, I got my hands on a copy of Masahide Ota's "The Battle Of Okinawa" hardcover. It goes into more detail about the dismal conditions of the Japanese troops inside those tunnels and caves, as well as the poor treatment of the native Okinawans, who were not considered 'true Japanese' by the Japanese military that was stationed there. They didn't get the deplorable treatment that the Japanese Army rendered to the Koreans, Chinese, or Filipinas, but it wasn't good. Ota suggested that one of the reasons for the larger number of surrenders in Okinawa than other battles was that there were a large number of Okanawan conscripts that didn't have the same buy-in to the Emperor-god that the 'true Japanese' soldier had.

The ferocious defense of the Japanese at Iwo Jima and Okinawa sealed Japan to be the first nation to be hit by nuclear weapons. Today many young Americans think that was inhumane and racist. Would they want to be the parents whose sons were killed in the invasion of the main islands and learn that Pres Truman hesitate to use the atomic bomb because he had moral qualms on using such a weapon to end the war swiftly????

I was stationed there at Yoza Dake air station ( radar site ) June 1971 to December 1972 located abut 5 or so miles south of Naha...Had a great time there, I was 18 years old....70 now!

My only reservation about this otherwise fine video is that the Doctrine narrator, LTC Nikki Deane, sometimes sounded a little too chirpy given the grim context of the Okinawa campaign phases she was commenting on.

The very first phrase apparently quoting some Japanese soldier catches the situation brilliantly: "It's like a frog, meeting a snake, and waiting to get eaten!" Clearly the mood of the average soldier in the Japanese Army was not the same as the mood of his superiors in the highest command-positions.

The battle of Bellau Wood would be an interesting video.

My father was in Okinawa in 1944/45 his work with explosives and he was a tunnel rat putting explosives in the tunnels, plus he worked on a airport with heavy equipment, I don't know if he fought it the war, for the United States Army, but I know he was there around the battle of the war. Rest in Peace Dad, George Gustafson

Read With the old Breed it opened my eyes to thing those men went through. It will humble you they needed to be as ruthless as their enemy.

A well researched and well presented document. Pity about the rather intrusive backgrouind music and drumming though