NORMANDY INVASION: D-Day's DIRTY JOB that No Soldier Wanted | George Ciampa
Born in 1925, George Ciampa had dreams of becoming a pilot, and with war looming he tried to enlist in the Army Air Corps, but was rejected due to poor eyesight. In November 1943 George was drafted into the 610th Graves Registration Company, a unit tasked with the grim detail of identifying and burying those US servicemen killed in action.
On June 6th, 1944, now serving with the 607th Graves Registration Company, Ciampa landed on Utah Beach in Normandy shortly after the initial waves. His first task was to recover the bodies of paratroopers who had mistakenly been dropped into the English Channel and who had drowned under the weight of their equipment.
He then began the gruesome task of recovering the bodies on the beach and collecting their personal effects to return to their families. After Normandy, Ciampa spent the next eleven months moving across Europe, processing bodies, both American and German. Ultimately the 607th would handle and bury about 75,000 persons. George's experience instilled into him a unique appreciation for 'the price of freedom,' which he has spoken on for decades.
Our friend George Ciampa passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024 at the age of 98.
Interview recorded on November 4, 2022
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I can't believe this man is 98 years old. Jesus, he looks 50.
slav- could be the italy menu more healthy than other foods.
Yea first look I thought, this dudes from WW2?, grampa was in WW2, died 25-30 yrs ago and he was... old
I agree
Even his voice is young sounding
Dude looks better than a lot of Nam vets. I'm an Iraqi vet, so I absorb everything these guys say.
This man is 96 in this 2022 interview. He passed at 98 in 2024. How in the world did he look and speak so well at 96 is beyond me. It seems he could’ve lived for 20 more years.
Age has nothing to compare with mental acuity, It depends on excercizing our older brains every day and family history ingenerics.
This man is exceptionally coherent. He looks like he’s in his early 60’s. Immaculate. With his liveliness I hope he lives to be 130
He definitely deserves to
Revelation 21:4 New King James Version 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
@@AdamosDad Amen brother
@@Donthetoolman There is too much pain in this world for us to hold eternally, if you go to hell, I'm not sure that you will have the option that a Christian has to forget. Amen right back brother!!
Unfortunately he died 2 years after this interview aged 98 this year in January, RIP
My cousin, African American, from Yazoo City, Mississippi was drafted into the USArmy during WWll. We were talking one day and I remember he told me, during the war, his job was burying the dead. He said after the war he dreamed about it and in his dreams he would see floating around him human body parts. I understood then why he’d once been an alcoholic. I’d known him all my life and never imagined…. But, he married, worked at GM until retirement and was a solid citizen and sang in the church choir. You never know what these veterans have been through.
George here is the most clear and well spoken 90 something year old man in the world. Massive respect to him
"pushing 100", is more like it according to the date of the interview's recording
WHAAT, he is 90+? He doesn't look a day over 70.
@@konosmgr yep. He’s 98
I’d have thought he was in his 70s if I didn’t know he was in ww2
My great grandfather died when he was 105 and look younger than him. he stopped working the fields when he was 98. He was a great man, in his later years he always felt a sleep on his buggy on the way home. The horse knew and just rode him home and waited infront of his house untill he woke up. He fought 3 years in the mountains in Serbia against the nazis, we lost 90% of our family. Out 100+ family members only my father, great grandfather, great grandmother, and my fathers aunt, and some of his cousins survived the war.
Not to many of these WW2 gentlemen left. They are a treasure and this guy looks like he is 58 years old. Salute
Absolutely, indeed, the World War II veterans are a precious and dwindling treasure. Their remarkable courage, sacrifice, and resilience have left an indelible mark on history. Each time we encounter one of these gentlemen, it's a poignant reminder of their extraordinary contributions to the world. This particular individual, looking much younger than his age, serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit that defined his generation. Let us honor and salute all these remarkable heroes who played a vital role in shaping the world we live in today.
According to the video's stated interview date, he would be 97 here... while ' _this guy looks like he is 58 years old.._ ' is a tad generous lol he _does_ indeed, act and appear remarkably younger than his actual age .. I'd have guessed about 80 still that's nearly two decades and insane
He is the best of the best
@@tommyriam8320he looks late 60s
Too*
My great Uncle was a medic on Omaha beach. I tried to ask him about his experience but he politely declined. He just told me haow the workers at ground zero in New York in 2001 were heroes too. He became a school bus driver and fed off the energy of the children. Thank you for your selfless service, Uncle Bill.
I am also a school bus driver and there’s all types and ages who do that job. Old men and women, young guys and girls, it helps because kids are cheery and mostly fun. Some have rough home lives and misbehave but it’s mostly innocent compared to having to deal with the horrors of War. Way less stressful I’d imagine (tho driving a bus can be incredibly stressful depending on how rowdy the kids are on a particular day). There’s good and bad days with the kids, I drive preschool to 2nd grade, mostly 1-2nd graders misbehave and the young ones are very chill.
Awe, George passed away last month. Thank you for sharing your story George. May you rest easy. Thank you for your sacrifices.
Howd u know?
@@rolandosoliza7485it’s in the description. They have a fairly extensive history on him included in it. Also, most WW2 veterans make the headlines when they pass these days. There are so few of them left.
It says so in the description. RIP.@@rolandosoliza7485
😢
😢
Being so lucid and healthy at his age is incredible! looks like for him the war was just 20 years ago. Doing one of the most gut churning jobs in the army is no joke. Thank you for your service George!
My gosh, what you’ve been thru. God bless you and thank you
A living hero. God bless you, a true hero who can speak for those who are no longer on this earth to tell it like it really was❤ He is their voice & so glad he is being heard😊
Absolute honor to hear this man speak. My grandfather was born in april 1925 and just recently passed. He was a ww2 veteran as well.
Sorry to hear that buddy, may the lord ease your heart with time.
My grandpa was born in 1925 and died 2001
My dad was born April 1st 1925 and served in the pacific. He passed 3 years ago and I miss him every day.
Why? Because he was brainwashed into helping destroy the greatest civilization ever produced by man?
Settle down. Most our grandparents did.
This is probably the best 98 yr old you will ever see especially considering what he saw during the war
This guy is 98 years old?!??? I literally know some folks in their late 40s who are more over the hill than him. Good heavens, he speaks absolutely perfectly. One thing is for sure: we are not worthy. Thank you for your service sir.
Thats why hes still alive. All those inarticulate ones are dead now
@@YoonPark-zu1pshe is 96 here, he died this year in January aged 98, RIP
Right I thought he was a Nam vet.
"Understanding the high price of freedom." Well said. Thank you for your service, sir.
The worst thing is, that it's forgoten and it repeats during the years...
The schools now indoctrinate kids to a leftist agenda and either rewrite history or don't teach it at all. Once the greatest generation is completely gone and the next couple of generations after them, the world will forget about World War II and the price of freedom. But by then, the United States will not be free either.
What freedom?
The heck do you mean what freedom
The freedom to sit behind a keyboard and bitch about freedom 🙄🙄🙄
Guy has crazy genetics to look so young, especially with all the stress serving in a war can cause.
Seriously I’ve seen vietnam vets that served in the 70’s that look older than him. It’s wild. Good for him.
Italian genetics, so many of these old WW2 vets on these KZhead channels are Italian American. As an Italian it has amazed me
@@teggianosalerno5050bro actually is saying Italians age better lol. I don't believe it sorry.
@ligma212 look it up man, average life expectancy is very high in Italy. Some areas of Italy like Sardinia have highest concentration of centenarians (people who live to 100) in the world.
@@teggianosalerno5050 yeah it's as if rich people have access to better resources. How's the poor and workers there
This man is a global treasure. Please get more interviews with him. What a privilege to learn from him ! Thank you.
My Dad repaired tanks for Patton's army during his service in Europe. He was shipped to Okinawa after VE day and was 3 days out when the bomb was dropped. He would rarely talk about WWII. I was drafted in 1967 and also worked for Graves Registration in Vietnam. I was a paperwork guy so never got to see what this gentleman did. It makes me so angry to see our country disrespected by some of its citizens who have no clue about the cost of war.
Same here, it breaks my heart & pisses me off seeing the state of our country right now, and the selfish, victim mindset of so many young people my age. These people that are part of the problem, also have the nerve to complain about how life's not fair to them.. and have no idea what was sacrificed so they could live their "hard life"
@@flexincloudsYou are 100% right. We now have pajama boys whining all the time about all their woke aspirations. Not many men nowadays. God bless all those WWII soldiers. Korean War soldiers, and Vietnam soldiers for their sacrifice to our country. And on another note we should never enter another war except if it’s for self-defense. The greedy politicians become rich from these wars and sacrifice our soldiers for their gains.
Ive never served, come from a long line of men who had. Nothing infuriates me more than hearing people disrespect the men that gave up so much so that we here at home never have to witness such horrible tragedies. People royally disturb my calm when they get pissy over something they have no place speaking on.
@@flexincloudsI'll play the devils advocate and say, there certainly are and have been many things that people should complain and fight to rectify or make better, and many unjust situations, but even for the people who may have no clue what a struggle is but claim to struggle etc or have problems, One of the beautiful things about our nation is that they have that right protected by service members. Even the people who may say that they hate the military etc, they've got the right, ironically protected by the military 😅
Or how other countries disrespect us as well. I have lived over seas for about 10 years of my 50 on this planet and most countries hate, I mean really hate Americans and we are the butt of jokes and made into memes. It's sad
He's about the youngest looking WW2 vet I've seen.
Despite his youthful appearance, this World War II veteran's sacrifices and contributions are just as significant, deserving utmost respect and gratitude.
I’ve seen a German luftwaffle pilot who looked even younger.
He's clearly led a very healthy life. Good on him.
still 98 years old and looks max 60
@@kevinkibble8342 You can live a healthy lifestyle,but genetics account for A LOT. This guy has some good genes.
I have a pal who worked Graves Registration during the Vietnam War. They worked out of DaNang, but would often have to travel by road convoy up country to other locations to recover the dead after large operations. He described how a body of even someone you knew would become quickly unrecognizable. He ate only canned fruit and would pillage the C Rats for those items. He always chose the truck carrying the ration supply and would do this on his way somewhere. He had no appetite for anything else. Even to this day if he smells something dead, like an animal that had been run over and left for a time, he gets nauseous. The worst was when he had to open a body bag, that became a nightmare for him. The price of freedom is indeed very high.
Freedom? Most of these wars a corrupt AF. Don't even try that one.
vietnam had nothing to do with our freedom.
Fighting for freedom on the other side of the world. Stop brainwashing yourself
@@marrksexactly....
@@marrks Perhaps he wasn’t thinking of OUR freedom.
So cool to see a WWII vet still so articulate, poised and incredibly young looking. Bless this amazing man!
I've often wondered about the cleanup details after the battles. You always hear stories about the brave men who fought in the battles. This is the first time I've heard a story about the men who had to face the aftermath of war and clean up the mess. It's both interesting and very heart breaking.
If the armada had sailed 20 miles north of Omaha Beach, THEY WOULD HAVE STROLLED ASHORE UNFETTERED! D-Day was a mass ritual murder!
Another thing are logistics. For every soldier fighting on the front line there are few doing logistics. Enthusiasts talk about guns and tanks, professionals talk about logistics.
I can’t believe this man is 98 years old. He looks better and talks better than most people in their 60s and 70s.
I think maybe he got confused about his age LOL
I could listen to this gentleman talk war stories all day long.
I was at the beaches of Normandy some years ago. Standing on the cliffs and walking down on the beach was very sobering trying to imagine what took place. Hearing this man speak of his experiences there is unimaginable. Thank you for your service and thank you for telling some of your story. Absolutely heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.
He looks so young for wwii. My older grandfather was drafted 1944 at 27 with 3 kids, and my dad, the youngest, was 3 months old. My younger grandfather was drafted in 43 but was hardship discharged in 44 when his parents were on a car accident and couldn't run their farm. My youngest grandfather died in 2021 at 99. My elder grandfather died in 2003 at 86.
He is surprisingly young looking & coherent for his age
Sharp as a tac to. God bless this man!
This video could be 10 or 20 years old.
@@jackbarnes9728 ' _This video_ ' claims: "Interview recorded on November 4, 2022" If true , dude's 97 here ..incredible
My dad joined the Army in 1942 at the age of 27. He told me that by the end of the war they were drafting everyone, older men, guys with one eye, we were getting down to the end of our people. When ever I hear these fools complaining about the atom bombs I just shake my head. They don't have a clue.
How fortunate I am to have watched this. The opportunity to see and hear this soldier's experience so clearly and matter of factly. What a rare opportunity. I'm grateful.
My great uncle was killed in Brest, France in 1944. He was sent home to Saginaw, Michigan. Hat's off to this gentleman!
my sympathy to your family
Do you know the circumstances of how he lost his life? I think the Germans had U boat pens at Brest.
This hero looks like he's 65. God Bless!!
Yeah! He is the most well spoken 90 something year old man ever. My great grandfather was similar as in the fact that we was well spoken, strong, regularly went shopping in his own, until he effectively dropped. He died suddenly. I have a feeling that George here might be similar
Wow, one of the most powerful interviews of a veteran from any conflict.
My father was 2 months older, joined in '43 and died in '92, this guy is in amazing shape. Out of 16 million Americans that served in WW2, there are less then 167,000 still alive. This was the greatest generation, they grew up during the Great Depression and went to war, most didn't have any kind of life until they were in their 20's.
I'm so grateful for his service, but man, I can't even imagine doing that job. Just wow.
My aunts father’s (half sister to my mom; different dads) father was 95 when I met him and he was just like this man. Young in spirit, young in the mind, and looked years before his age. Meeting him and hearing how proud he was being a wwII veteran was absolutely insane.
I don't think people that have not lived through fighting for our freedom will ever be able to appreciate it fully. Thank You for your story and your service!
Or serving in the Military.
They weren’t fighting for freedom. No one in the military is or ever has. This is coming from a vet. Read things from general Smedley Butler. It’ll open your eyes. Read tragedy and hope and you learn how it was all engineered for the larger globalist agenda. By the same cabal pushing all of this crap on us now.
I knew a man named Norman Boettcher who was raised in Texas, but his parents had fled Germany, before WWII. He was on the raid of Omaha beach during D-Day, and could speak fluent German.
You have to be a STRONG MAN to see the dead day in and day out and not have any breaks from it. Thank you sir for what you went thru.
RIP George, you did so much for the memory of sacrifices made by your comrades on D-Day with all your hard work to bring awareness.
I went "thumbs up" on it, not because I liked it, but I really respect Mr. Ciampa and his viewpoint from powerful experience. War is not some game.
And being a fool like you is no badge of honor
As a Medic during peacetime, I can't imagine what this gentleman and his unit faced day to day. Unimaginable, and zero psychiatric care following the war. Having continued in healthcare in critical care for many years, my heartaches for not only his MOS, but every single person who served, including my father-in-law, who by some miracle, was in the 28th Division on 12/16/44 and was found in a crater by a passing medic who happened to see him take a breath. He woke up 4 weeks later in England, yet suffered quietly until his death in 2017 at 93. God Bless every Allied solider and their sacrifices that kept America free!
To be fair, there was psychiatric care, which was not very effective care. My grandpa suffered several nervous breakdowns and the va always accepted him in, which is a hell of a lot better than nothing like you are trying to say.
P.s. America is far from free. No one was a legitimate threat to invade mainland usa. Dont even give me any crap about the nazis and how powerful they were. They couldn't cross the english channel. So that tells any objective thinker there is no way they can cross the Atlantic. The us knows this and that's why its always meddling because it knows it has the 2 best natural defense systems to either side so it would take a lot to come here especially if you are land locked. Freedom didn't win in ww2. The ruling class of the countries that won were the only winners. Everyone else lost. You cant claim to be free and simultaneously havee the highest rate of incarceration and largest prison population in the world and claim to be a free country. I mean i guess you can but its laughable that you would say something so absurd. Yeah yeah those people broke the rules. Didnt they? What about the ones in there for most of their lives for victimless crimes? How do you have such a thing as a victimless crime and say you are free? Laughable and unbelievable people not only believe it but repeat it. How in the hell in a free country can you buy a house and pay it off owe nothing on it yet if you dont pay a yearly ransom for it the government takes it from you? What in gods name is free about that? Wake up
These vet stories are really important.
You are a true hero my man. So happy you survived the war back then.
True heartbreak. We can never thank these heroes enough. Salute and God Bless🫡 🇺🇸🦅🪦🕊️⚱️🌹
Don't forget the Brits, Canadians, Polish, Belgians, Dutch, Czechs, Slovaks, and everyone that took part.
@@atenachos6282 Absolutely… Heroes meant all that sacrificed and paid the ultimate price. No disrespect was intended. 🫡 🌎☮️💟
I have the upmost respect for that man! Thank you for your service sir! 🇺🇸❤
If the armada had sailed 20 miles north of Omaha Beach, THEY WOULD HAVE STROLLED ASHORE UNFETTERED! D-Day was a mass ritual murder!
My great uncle Roland also landed on Utah Beach. June 5, 1944 he turned 21 years old, June 6 he landed with the 4th infantry division just like this man did. They were boys quickly turned into men. Not the well trained military we have today but still forced to handle extraordinary situations. Roland was wounded a few days in by an artillery shell that sent him flying into a tree bursting his appendix. After a brief hospital stay in England he returned to the war and was shot several times, but survived. He received 2 Purple Hearts and after that had a long military career as a veteran of Korea and Vietnam.
Uncle said he drove a jeep off the landing craft with 3 passengers. He said after the1st guy got hit. He played dead. When sun went down he arranged the dead and used their rifles and ammo and the jeep and their bodies as cover and shoot at any thing that got with in his sights, without moving the rifle much. One round then wait. Then if another got in his field of fire one shot another and wait. He said that went on for 3 days. The joke he made was because he did not take care of the jeep. He had to walk to Berlin. He got a silver star for keeping the commander that had busted him from SGT to PVT from drowning. But he did not get but one stripe back. Probably afraid he would go on a 3 day drunk again. Like he did on June 1, 1944. He never told me any of this. Until it was my turn. He was born in 1914. Died in 2001. Also a 1st gen Italian. How he knew I was going into a big mess. I have no idea. I bet he also did not sleep well for a few days. He was a experienced machinist. So the Army made him be a MP.
rest in peace to him ❤
I was I the 4th ID. OEF 10-11.
If I ever feel stressed or depressed, I'm just gonna watch one of these. Cause I know no matter what I'm going through, there are men like this, who have faced way worse and got through it.
This man looks like he’s 40! Thank you for serving our nation.
More like 60, but one of the Greatest Generation!🇺🇸
And the mental sharpness, no slurred speech 👌
40?!! Ya right
lol I was thinking this interview looks great for how old it must be. I figured that because he looks so young. Then I saw the date of the recording in the description and my jaw dropped.
@@joelpierce3940 More like 80 but still insane if he's really 97 in this video
Graves Registration is a job no one would want. There's another interview of a Graves Registration soldier that is among the very best of WWII interviews I've ever seen, and he was also involved in combat. This interview is most excellent also. Thank you!
Do you recall the name of the video?
@@chaffycaesar8026 I don't, but I'll look for it in the next few days, and post it on this thread if I find it. It's a great video!
Yes I would definitely like to see that
@@-.StevenPlease post the link here
I found it! Almost 47 minutes long. Great interview! Oh my gosh! It's the same man! I didn't realize that! kzhead.info/sun/ntOzhZaZsKhvrJ8/bejne.html&feature=share8
All young people should be required to listen to this. They were the Greatest Generation for a reason!!! Thank you for your service and RIP.
These are Real Hero’s! not some celebrity brat
We should be required to listen to a brainwashed fool who fought for evil?
@@chrisanderson5239 just another example of our fine US culture! So much to be learned!!
Unfortunately you are correct😢
God bless this man. He has seen more Hell than we can ever imagine. Respect to you Sir and thank you!
My Father fought in WW2 He was a medic I can't imagine the horror He and You All have had to endure...Thank You All For Your Service Lord Bless You All
Thank you for your courage, sacrifice and service for freedom ❤🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️
We always think about the guys that were in combat, and rightly so. But there were so many more like this man who did the really lousy jobs that no one thinks about. God Bless you sir!
Truly. I actually think that I would have preferred to hit the beaches during the landing assault, rather than be tasked with what this 18 year old was.
"The high price of Freedom" - Chilled me to the bone. Perhaps it may soon need to be repaid. Thankyou, George, for paying for mine.
My wife and I had a chance to go to Italy, Germany and Austria 10 years ago. It was a trip of a lifetime. While there we rented a car and traveled a lot of back roads. Every once in a while we would come up on a cemetery and stop. A lot of these cemeteries were for the allies that had died in plane crashes while on bombing missions. It's amazing how well kept they were an when necessary were being restored. It was a real dose of reality. RIP to all veterans and thank you.
The Army National Guard sent me over couple times different states. Austria Switzerland in Liechtenstein I visited well I was there. I never paid or have paid for a plane ticket. Technically I’m not a veteran because I have not serve 90 continuous days lol
It doesn’t get any more real than that. My grandfather missed his original troopship going to England and it ended up being sunk, he survived the war and made it home.
We have a similar story my grandpa told, after charging through the center of russia during Operation Barbarossa and the joys of russian winterweather his Regiment was meant to support the troops in africa, probably to defrost or add a cooling toutch to the campaign, but due to the lack of transports onely halve could be brought over at once whitch the british sunk and hardly anyone survived. So they decided its pointless having more soldiers drowned and placed what was left in Denmark where he luckily survived the war waiting for the Allied invasion there. A sidenote is that towards the end he was due for a holliday and he was eger to see my grandmother and his family here in the rhineland. His commanding officer a major told him "Willi i have to talk to you" lead im into his office stepped to the map whitch showed the official frontline, flipped it over and presented a map of the most likely frontline based on the information he got from fellow officers. He told him that if he goes home they will force him into some hastily formed Volkssturm units and his chances to survive that wouldent be good, so he told him to stay and tell everyone at home to make sure they are as save as possibel. A while laer they surrendered to the british and made it all home alive.
@@Grummel1971There countless unique stories that will never all be known. My Slovak-Hungarian wife’s grandfather who fought on the German side was captured by the Russians and wasn’t released until 1948. Their family thought he was probably dead until he arrived home. He went back to farming for the rest of his life, I never met him as he was long gone by the time I met my wife. My own Canadian army grandfather who missed the troop ship passed almost 50 years ago when I was a young boy.
@@squangan Yes too many storys get lost, especially those of the average soldirs on both sides. My grandfathers brother was against the war and hated the whole military, it dident save him he was killed bevore christmas 44 defending Budapest against the russian storm just 18years old, he is still burried there at a german cemetery but his grave is luckily known.
@@Grummel1971 I have visited Budapest and read the history of its experience at that time. It was beyond brutal what the city went through.
He looks great for being 97 years old at the time of the recording. Thank you for protecting the innocent in a time of need and stopping tyranny. To this day we have not forgotten it and never will. I know it doesn't mean much in this day in age, but your generation did the impossible and fought bravely to defend the freedoms of people around the world. Thank you again for your service to all of us. We owe you our lives for what you and your fellow patriots did.
If only the younger generations of today could really understand and appreciate all the sacrifices these men had to endure at such young ages. My utmost respect!
Plenty of us do but even more are raised by brain dead millennials and gen x and never learn about the past
The younger generation murders these guys when they see one walking down the street. The younger generation deserves the death camps Hitler intended for Jews who did not deserve that treatment. The world is upside down; the good are punished while the most evil and stupid degenerates prosper. I think these WW2 vets know their sacrifice was for nothing. Girls need to register for Selective Service when they turn 17, it's only fair.
If the armada had sailed 20 miles north of Omaha Beach, THEY WOULD HAVE STROLLED ASHORE UNFETTERED! D-Day was a mass ritual murder!
Bit arrogant of you to say that we don't really, will always respect their sacrifice. However, when you see how the world is run, you see how all hands are controlled by the same wrists.
Thank you for preserving the memories and stories of these brave and humble men for posterity.
Thank you Sir for your service.
Everyone else has already said it, but it's remarkable that this man was 96 in this video. He truly looks younger than some guys do in their 60s, and his voice is so powerful and clear. Powerful genes indeed. RIP, Private Ciampa.
I am just so impressed at how this man can still express himself at 97. Wow!!
Mr. Ciampa’s nephew, in the comments here, said he just turned 98 two months ago. God bless him! He mentioned that there is longevity in his family. Mr. Ciampa’s sister just died last year at 107!💪🇺🇸🙏
Wow! He looks amazingly young! He and his unit took on such an important and overlooked task. I’m so thankful that he was gracious enough to share his experiences with us.
Listening to him talk so concisely is like a window into the past. I feel like this interview is taking place 50 years ago.
Yes- me too! I feel the same! He represents a brave courageous, living part of history! Another American hero!!!💪🇺🇸🙏💝
Trans rights!
God bless this man, this both breaks my heart but also so proud of that generation of our American brothers, love from the U.K!
My Father was in the 606th QM Graves Registration Company. He also arrived on a ship 5 Jun 44. He rarely talked about his experiences during WWII. The few things he said stayed with me. I saw pictures of the dead Jews in rail cars. So, I told him, “The other kids said they weren’t real.” To which he replied, “They are!” So, I pushed, “How do you know?” He replied, “Because, I was there.” I watched a movie about “the Battle of the Bulge” and ask him a few questions. He wouldn’t say much, but replied, “More U S Army soldiers froze to death than were shot. They were so cold that many of them made a pact, if they survived they would never again wear a coat.” And, he never did. I saw a large scar on his leg and ask what caused it? He stated, “He was shot in the hip and the bullet exited his inner thigh, breaking his ankle above the opposite foot. He returned to the front lines after six weeks of treatment and healing.” I asked did you get the Purple Heart? He said, “No, they were for those who paid the ultimate price.” In the early 1960’s when sleeping and a plane would fly over the house he would climb under the bed before waking. He returned dead and didn’t know it. He struggled with addictions and relationship issues. I stayed with him the last six years. In 1968, he passed at age of forty-eight. I pray his nightmares have finally ended. I still miss him every day. Sir, and I say Sir because, you are a true Knight of WWII. I appreciate you sharing a few of your experiences. I can see how hard it still is for you to convey them. I think God has blessed you, and encourage you to continue to share. Maybe, it was meant for you share your experiences, least we forget.
Wow your father is my hero
Much respect to your father.
Thank you Sir, for your service. I am so grateful that you all fought for us to be here today. I am 65 years old and I remember my dear uncle served on a ship in the navy in the Pacific. His ship was destroyed. That's all he would ever tell us; his memories were too painful. I think of him as I listen to you and I am so appreciative of what you had to endure for us.
Thanks to all our Veterans who served.
What this man had said throughout his story is so important, especially about what the price that is made for freedom is priceless. How I really would like for everyone today that has never experienced war and don't know why they have freedoms, to listen to this mans truths. Thank you for keeping history alive with with videos of these people speaking of their lives experiences. ❤
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your sacrifices!🙏
I read from George Wilson's WW2 memoir, "If You Survive", that the bodies had to be disinterred at a makeshift cemetery in Normandy in order to build an airstrip. He was guarding the area as German POWs exhumed the bloated bodies that just came apart or popped open releasing extremely foul odors and maggots. I can't imagine what kind of horror show that was. I can imagine this poor man suffering from nightmares and terrible PTSD. He is strong to hold together so well recounting this story. I don't think many vets would want to relive any of those experiences by talking about it.
As an Australian ex serviceman, thankyou for what you did! There is no higher honour for you or your colleagues efforts in what you had to do!
Well said dear friend, stay safe
Spoken like a true Aussie - well done mate!
Sir, It would be an honor to shake your hand. Thank you endlessly for your service and may God bless you always!!! ✝️🇺🇲
Thank you sir, for everything you've done! I cant imagine what that does to a guy. Definitely a job nobody wanted, but a job that needed done, and you did it. You make me proud to be an American! All the respect in the world to you and your fellow soldiers.
Whoa… that’s incredible this man is in his mid 90’s.. I don’t know when this was filmed but it doesn’t seem long ago. That’s incredible
It states right beneath the video - the date of interview's recording i.e., Nov. 2022 It never ceases to amaze how few are prepared or willing to read. It's no wonder even fewer have a clue what's stated in Our nation's Constitution .
We owe these people everything, good to see this man in good health at his age.
Great guy and utter respect❤ I'm Scottish and my father was in the 8th Armoured Division and witnessed horrors etc. British fighting force and discipline were second to none but somehow we only here from the American side. We're all together in what was the greatest triumph over evil but British Soldiers should alway's be at the forefront here!
As Brit I live not to far from Slapton Sands were the disaster of Operation Tiger happened a lot of American families were told their loved ones died on the beaches of Normandy not on in England. This man is amazing all politicians and kids at school should be made to watch this interview. My deepest respect and from the hart thank you of your service 🫡 ❤
That was an awful event. They never even crossed the channel.
Thank you for your service. 🇺🇸
Absolutely, indeed, the World War II veterans are a precious and dwindling treasure. Their remarkable courage, sacrifice, and resilience have left an indelible mark on history. Each time we encounter one of these gentlemen, it's a poignant reminder of their extraordinary contributions to the world. This particular individual, looking much younger than his age, serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit that defined his generation. Let us honor and salute all these remarkable heroes who played a vital role in shaping the world we live in today.
Why they did not include procedures for handling the dead in big mass casualties kind of amazes me. I understand Korea was pretty much the same. Vietnam was different. There were two mortuaries: Danang and Saigon on the airports. They were embalmed, iced down and flown home. There were no helos in WW2, so I guess they had to use temporary graves as a sanitary measure. Decomposition happened quickly as he described unless it was cold outside.
Thank you sir, for accepting a task no one wanted, and doing it with honor for the fallen of both sides.
Listening to this man was absolutely fascinating, what he went through and imagining what he saw makes me wonder how he has retained his sanity. Many thanks and best wishes to him from Australia.
Thank you for your service! You are a hero. Several of Mom's cousins served in graves registration during WWII in Europe
Thank You for your service, George. May God Bless you, always. Both my grandfathers served in WW2 and made it home. One of them served on the USS Osmond Ingram, and the other flew over Germany. While his brother was a Sgt on the ground in the European theatre. They all served in the Asian-Pacific theatre as well. I'd actually love to know more about them as they never spoke much about their service. I lived with the one who flew over Germany and he would raise his flag every morning at the same time every day. I too have inherited that spirit and came to understand at an early age the sacrifices that were made. I have the deepest honor and respect for all of you. As long as I live, I will never forget your legacies.
You don’t often hear about this aspect of the war, but I think it is important that people hear this. The American Cemetery at Omaha Beach is one of the most sacred and peaceful places I have ever been. I am grateful for this man’s difficult service.
The youth of America, those who are 8 - 18, need to sit down, sit still, and listen carefully to this amazing veteran. My father was 33 at Omaha Beach, and never said a word about his experiences there and at the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes from 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945 until I asked him one evening while he was in the local hospital in Ct. in his final days fighting cancer at age 66 to please tell me about what he did in those places, Normandy and Belgium. And he was just one of thousands and thousands who took to their graves their service and heroism in the fight for FREEDOM. Today we see these young punks doing street takeovers squandering their FREEDOM doing stupid and destructive things and I boil. God bless the men and women of the "Greatest Generation"! And may God bless America 🇺🇸 🙏 🇺🇸
It is an honor and a privilege to hear your story from your words. It is a marvel to witness a man that is 98 and have a sharp as a tack memory. You sir are a national treasure. Thank you for your service. Indeed freedom is so costly and yet far too many people now a days take it for granted.
Wow, this guy is the same age as my dad who also served in ww2! While my dad is Sharpe and still cutting grass and driving at his age he's no comparison to this gentleman! I would never have guessed he was anywhere near the age he is! Great interview, is an amateur historian of ww2 I too can understand the true reality of the price paid for freedom! It wasn't just the Frontline troops but also those behind the scenes! This man had several brushes with death but to witness thousands of humans in all sorts of destruction and decomposition is a horror in itself! That you sir for your service to your fellow man and your country! YOU SIR, ARE THE GREATIST GENERATION!
Rest in peace George. Thank you for your service to America and the freedom for which it stands.
My father in law landed on Utah Beach, he was 19 years old. He did not talk very much about the war. However the landing at Normandy was an experience forever embedded in his mind. Rest in peace Dad.
Thank you for your service to a FREE and grateful nation.
My Dad was a WWll vet we never knew what he did in the Army he did not talk about it much other than being in Japan after his death I found his Army papers it said he was a undertaker. Kind of explained why he was a heavy drinker all his life he was also a merchant marine from 1942 to 45 when he was drafted into the Army. He was a good man and worked hard all his life he also was giving and would help anyone that needed help
That is very typical story. My grandfather was the same way. I’ve had to piece together his troop movements since he passed. My dad, his father, always thought he was somewhere where there were Japanese but it turned out he was in Operation Torch in North Africa then on to Sicily and Italy. Was some of the earliest action Americans saw in WW2. He joined up about 45 days after Pearl Harbor. He also received a Bronze star we found out for saving some soldier’s lives. Most just didn’t talk about it.
How does this 98 year old man look to be in his fifties and mentally sharp as a tack. Insane.
Jeez. Always wondered how the deceased were cared for. I don't see how anyone could accept such a task. It had to be done, so thank you for caring for all your brothers.
That experience would haunt you for life, respect Sir 🙌🏻
Very sad that anyone had to go through that. He and the rest of grave registry gave their best for those that were killed and they deserve our thanks. I knew of a young man that went to mortuary school during Vietnam and was drafted after graduation. No surprise where they put him. When he came home he had no desire to be around death again and he changed careers. He also said that what he saw stayed ingrained in his mind for years after that.
Thank you for telling your story. I am so glad these stories are being documented for our future generations to look back on. My grandfather was also Italian, first generation born in Providence, RI. Not far from Boston. He was there at D Day too, as a medic & pushed on to the Bulge.
If the armada had sailed 20 miles north of Omaha Beach, THEY WOULD HAVE STROLLED ASHORE UNFETTERED! D-Day was a mass ritual murder!
The strongest people I’ve ever taken care of in nursing homes are veterans. I know one who just clocked 100 yrs old and doesn’t want us helping him. True heroes 🙏🏽🙏🏽
I REALLY wish i could go across our country and meet these men face to face.
My Dad was a medic on Omaha Beach during D Day... He told me about having to look for body parts and picking who to save and who to die. Said it was the longest and ugliest day of his life!
What was his name? Did he function ok after the war?
Thank you sir from the bottom of my heart for your service to our country. My father fortunately survived the war. He was over there roughly the same time you were. My father passed in Dec. '98. I could not imagine the things that you had endured during your service. You sir, gave your fellow serviceman the dignity of burial or remains sent home to there loved ones. I admire a man who saw so much death to be able to make it home and live your life in peace. God bless you sir! I so miss my Dad!
The things our service members went through was horrendous..A very special generation that was on display for the whole world to see. This man is a National Treasure
Very sharp gentleman!