First off great job I'm really enjoying your reactions to the Pacific. The first time I watched this episode I was disappointed that they covered very little of the battle for Iwo Jima but what I later realized was that while Band of Brothers followed E Company 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division The Pacific is about the four campaigns that the 1st Marine Division fought in during WW2 predominantly centered around three marines, John Basilone, Bod Lackey and Eugene Sledge. All who became famous for various reasons. The 1st Marine Division didn't fight on Iwo Jima. The only reason they showed any of the battle at all is because John Basilone was such a legitimate hero and much of the series was based around his service that they showed his actions and death serving with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima.

The Pacific is a tough watch. Thank you for sharing a bit of yourself with us through these reaction videos.

Absolutely loving your reactions 😊 I’m sure people will/have mentioned it but Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima are great movies from both the US and Japanese viewpoints

Great reaction to this series! John Basilone was awarded the navy Cross for his actions on Iwo Jima (including guiding a tank through a mine field) There are several roads named after him in the U.S. one is outside of Camp Pendleton in Southern Calif. Also there is a U.S. Navy ship named after him! Iwo Jima was vital for the air war over Japan! the airfields were large enough for B29's to use for emergency landings and it's was within rage for USAAF fighters to use as a base to escort B29's to Japan! Those fighter escort missions were known as VLR missions (very long range) A few years ago I met a veteran of Iwo Jima! even in advanced age, he had a steel grip when shaking hands! He said the "he waded ashore" but was carried off as wounded! He considered himself lucky for that!!

My father was a forward mortar scout on Iwo Jima. He never came back the same.

We love you Aria❤

Having watched this series before, I really felt for you because I knew John wouldn't survive the episode. It's really heartbreaking. There is so much pain and triumph in this series; it really is an emotional roller-coaster. Hang in there. Your desire to learn about what these men went through is a beautiful thing. Another great reaction, young lady.

John Basilone Road was something I drove on and by many time. It wasn’t until this show I learned what that road meant

After the fighting was over, Peleliu served as a US Naval base. Survivors of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis were transported to the hospital on Peleliu.

This episode is really tough. John Basilone was the definition of a badass.

Lena never remarried. That's how much she loved John. She passed away in 1999 still wearing the wedding ring John gave her.

Bravo.

This episode is really heartbreaking, but the next episode is the toughest one.

At some point in the future also check out Sands of Iwo Jima (1950), starring John Wayne.

When we raised our flag in Iwo Jima that was a major victory. We one a major battle and a turn point in the war. After the Atomic Bombs the Japanese surrendered unconditionally. Now they are allies.

I told you Jon B's story had more to come.

If you have interest in what was planned for the Japanese main island, look at Operation Downfall. Not to diminish what is portrayed here, but it's thanks to the Japanese Emperor that Japan did surrender ultimately, and make the final battles unnecessary. Emperor (2012) shows some of what occurred afterwards.

if you just watch the bottom right corner it;s kinda like the minnie mouse doll is having flashbacks of her time in the war.

General Kurinayashi was given the task of hardening the defenses on Iwo Jima in June 1944. The navy bombed the Island but did not invade which surprised Kuribayashi. The Marines landed on Iwo Jima on Feb. 19, 1945, which gave the Japanese a FULL 8 months to harden their defenses. So why didn't the US land forces on Iwo Jima during the summer of 1944 when Japanese defenses were at their weakest? Oh yes, we sent the Marines to Pelelieu on September 15th, 1944. Pelelieu was a waste of time and MEN as Admiral Halsey had told the powers that be. I can see the Prima Donna Gen. MacArthur insisting on Pelelieu but why on earth did Admiral Nimitz go along? Had we assaulted Iwo Jima before the Japanese hardened their defenses our casualties would have been significantly lighter.😮😢

While US troops were heavily engaged in combat in both the Atlantic and Pacific campaigns, life at home was changing quite a bit. Wages had increased and more people were moving out to the suburbs. There were many, in the US against any actions in the Pacific and thought, wrongly, that we should be on the side of the Japanese and Germans (in the Atlantic). These groups that included America First and the Neo-nazis were against us going to war in either theater. Before Pearl Harbor they had immense sway in US politics. After the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, their messaging took a massive hit. When we were battling in the outskirts of mainland Japan they came forward again demanding the US abandon the war. After we won, they went underground, only to pop up every 15 to 20 years. And now, the AF has gone mainstream in right wing politics. Neo nazis are still on the outside, being quietly let back in to the inner circles of right wing politics.