Marine Films Enemy In the Open on Tarawa's Front Lines & Wins Oscar | Norman Hatch
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Major Norman Hatch joined the Marine Corps in 1939 and served as a combat photographer in the Pacific. Hatch was present during the battles of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, and Iwo Jima. Hatch is well known for shooting the Academy Award-winning short documentary “With the Marines at Tarawa,” (1944).
Interview recorded on November 5, 2011
Norman Hatch passed away on April 22, 2017
Edited by TJ Cooney
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You need to unfuck your audio bro. You're recording all these old gentlemen yet not giving them a glass of water, so all we hear are gross sticky mouth noises the entire video. Do you not have earphones on to monitor the audio quality? Stop, give them a glass of water, reposition the mic, repeat. Adjust your levels until the audio is clear. This is unacceptable. This guy died. Now his only testimony to the world on KZhead here is marred by crap audio quality. I lasted 3.5 minutes. I will only remember him as the gross mouth sound dude because YOU failed at your job. Stop that. Do your job.
If you guys are giving the veteran being interviewed candy to suck on during the interview please stop. This is the second time I've seen it and it's distracting to listen to.
This Marine was probably 90 when this was filmed and passed away at 96 yo. What a legend!
I hope I speak this clearly and quickly at 90. Many people his age speak way slower.
ok
My grandma joined the army in 1945 when she turned 18 and met my grandpa. The war ended and she started a family. Went and seen her a couple days ago, she's 96 now. She's all there like this gentleman but she's weaker now. 6 years ago she refused heart surgery and was given 2 years. The stories from this generation are crazy..
the cameraman died?
@@jgunther3398 time gets everyone, even the cameraman in the end😕
How switched-on for your age can you get ? This guy is 110 % And survived Tarawa only sporting a cine camera and a pistol. Respect from the UK.
the guy's a boss yes fantastic
After the war, he worked for the U.S. Department of Defense as a civilian from 1946 until 1980. He later opened and ran a photo agency, Photo Press International, for 21 years.
This gentleman reminds me so much of my grandfather, also from Massachusetts, who was an infantry officer in WW 2. These men were just cut from a different cloth than today's generation. They were a combination of tough yet thoughtful, with rock solid values and morality.
Bcz They grew up in a tough time with hardships and going thru the Great Depression. They weren’t spoon fed weak Pansy babies like so many nowadays. Life and everything was tough. So they were a tough generation. Then after fighting the Nazis and Japs and kicking their butts and winning WW2 they really became the best of the best nicknamed “the greatest generation “. And Yes of course they had more morals, values, ethics and good character traits back then more so than people now too.
Hustle,life experience, personal preparation,and practical skills, were what youngmen sought out to find their place in life.
You mean they were MEN and not children in an adult body like Gen Z today.
@@alericc1889 Yes. I cannot imagine my Grandfather crying because Starbucks ruined his cappucino! Snowflakes disgust me. They're too pathetic to even realize how pathetic they are!
@@alericc1889 These men didn't wonder about what they would like to do or what was the easiest way. They just saw what was right and that was what they did.
I was a combat photographer and video production specialist. We trained with marines and airforce at Fort Meade. Signal corps… our video and camera shots were gone through and put up onto a website basically css and that’s where the news papers and news channels would pick and choose what the military allowed and didn’t allow to be shown. I think it all should be shown. I had friends that died taking those shots. Or from suicide. It upsets me to no end.
what years where that?
What years were you in?
I was combat camera in the Marines with 2D Marine Division. 2008-2013. Trained at Fort Meade.
@@AndrewGood-ws2flI just passed my asvab and other tests. I am looking to join the combat camera field. Very excited
That so sucks, it never stops....
"I raised my hand and became a Marine forever". Many thanks to him and all the others that did the same.
Semper Fi
@@geoffgill5334 Let me be clear that I quoted the line. I didn't serve, but respect and honor those who did and do. I'm not sure if I am worthy of a Semper Fi reply, but I will take it as a forward to the quote. God Bless our Military members.
Semper Fi brother.
My father was a Marine in the landings at Tawara, Tinian, and Sipian.
What was his name.....and unit? My father was Merlin Jahraus.Jr....was on all those landings.....first wave at Tarawa. Fox Company, 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Div. Shot twice at Tarawa, head wound and shot thru the wrist....then hit by shrapnel in the face and leg wound at Tinian.
@@mrjag69 Sorry don't know exactly, he was a gunnery sgt. , purple heart. Recall his boot camp stories under Hollering Jack Smith. Told of a march were one of group picked horse radish roots and came back to camp with burned legs. Had a commander named Boyes, (and I think there were two in or over the unit ) one of the Boyes lived in Florida, the other in the state of LA.
This old gentleman is a very lucid and articulate storyteller. I am absolutely enthralled by his story. Much respect sir. All the best.
This gentleman was a good friend of my late Father.
Semper Fi David.
Lies 🐂💩
I am of the mind that some of the greatest men to have ever lived, served in WWII. They grew up during the depression, accomplished 100x more with 1000x less than we have today, and were some of the toughest people to ever walk this planet. They went on to start businesses, invent things, even become presidents in numbers never seen before or since, Godspeed to those who have passed like this great man, and god bless the VERY FEW who remain.
I agree with you 1000%!!! That’s why they were called “THE GREATEST GENERATION”! Had the great privilege to meet some of them in person and listen to their incredible story’s.
Toughest people to walk the planet? Seriously? You have absolutely no clue. The troops who fought for and created this country would probably have an argument to make. MUCH tougher in 1776-83 than ANYONE in the 20th century. At least everyone in the 20th century had shoes and food. Can't say that for Washington's troops. In any event, a read of some real history, not internet history, will show you some truth.
@@joehamlet7576 he said, "some of the toughest", not all of the toughest.
What a lot of complete poppy cock stop living in a deluded fantasy world, people who have fought in every war ever qualify as the greatest generation and this also applies to future wars if anything the soldiers of the first world war faced significantly tougher conditions
@@darklordojeda tomayto, tomahto....
As a former Navy photographer, I have a great deal of respect for combat photographers. He is a great storyteller.
Dinfos still sucked! haha!
I was with Norman and Robert Sherrod and others, in 1968 when we flew to Tarawa Atoll with Former Marine Corp Commandant, David M. Shoup. I was there to help produce a Documentary film Titled "Tarawa D+25" . It can be found on KZhead under that Title. It was a memorable assignment in so many ways.
Thank you for the link. Outstanding film. Great vintage combat footage from the Marine photographers. Everything on Tarawa must of been still so fresh in 1969. It must have been a fascinating doc to work on. I got a chuckle from the news correspondent who said he waded 700 yards across the deadly beach, with his carbine and typewriter held over his head. Everyman on that island was a hero.
"I'M WORRIED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE REST". That should scare everyone.
Sharp as a knife! And damn does he look good still! That was amazing hearing how these films were shot, and he is completely right, where are the rest of the film that didn't make it in the edit? God I hope they kept it somewhere. As he said, "it's history". Thank you, and all others like you who served and also worked to preserve the memory and actions of the men who fought to defend our freedom! 🇺🇸
Still? He died six years ago...and this was recorded over a decade ago. Just letting you know, most of these posts are not "timely."
Probably the bottom of the ocean just like damn near all the d day footage
Google “Suitland archive fire 1978.” There lies the most likely answer.
The good video, probably never made it out of the edit bay.I'd love to have a compilation of "that type " of video. Also,there was audio, that also stayed in the edit bay.
@@JEM133 I heard like over 90% of the dday footage got lost overboard the frickin ship but yeah I wish we had more aa footage I love that stuff
Hatch: One of the greatest military cameramen in US history. To film what he did in a 3 day firefight to the death w/ 10k+ men on a tiny open land 2 × 1/2 mile Betio atoll Tarawa w/o injury is extraordinary.
My recruitment story is a bit different. I saw the Navy recruiter on a Tuesday. Took my ASVAB and physical on Wednesday and Thursday nite I was in Great Lakes. I had been a runaway and when I turned 17 I joined up for 3 meals, roof over my head and a safe place to sleep at nite. What a great time!
What year?
@@kenfrievalt7826 1980
Norman Hatch. What a guy! What struck me was his commitment to show history and the truth , and you can tell how he respected our greatest ever President’s leadership in letting the American people know about the reality of war.
FDR? Greatest president ever? Seriously? You are insane. FDR was pretty much a dirty rat bastard. You REALLY need to read some real history. Bottom line, though, George Washington is the greatest president this country ever had. Without him, there would not even be a country. He taught all the rest of the presidents how to do it.
What an amazing storyteller. Many thanks for sharing. I could listen to him talk all night.
What a man. I've had children and grandchildren that served in the last ten years and their impressions were that we're currently in serious trouble. I would hope to look as good when I'm his age, but at 63 I already know that's impossible. LOL. RIP
Could you expand on why we’re currently in serious trouble?
I've got a remedy for that dam trouble and it's called 00 buckshot
@@user-hc9dm4bi4fof course not. This is a throwaway line the right uses all the time with no real data to back it up.
@@user-hc9dm4bi4fbecause of the military relaxing regulations and not pushing their soldiers as hard.
Yup, these coddled thumb suckers would rather sing kumbya and live as socialist slaves than fight for freedom they’ve taken for granted.
He is talking about a time just prior to the US entry into WW2, when the American Army had only about 150,000 to 170,000 men, no tanks, antiquated artillery and no modern fighter aircraft. This when all the other major powers were already at war, and each country had millions of men in service.
Tarawa was the first book I read about the Marines in WWII. It was a book written by Colonel(at that time) Shoup who led Marines ashore in the 1st Wave. Tarawa wasn't the biggest or the bloodiest but Holy Smokes it was the scariest. Col. Shoup contacted Major Shoettel by radio to give orders and updates. Maj. Schoettel responds, nothing left to land. Issue in Doubt!! It was an absolute cluster f&ck. Many of the landing craft got hung up on coral reefs and the Marines had to wade ashore in chest deep water for 500-700 yards through withering machine gun fire, guns, mortars and snipers. When they got to the beach there was a 3ft. high wall of coconut logs to hide behind. Then it was time to regroup in an ad hoc fashion and go over the wall, bit by bit. There was also a long pier that extended out into the bay that flanked/split the landing and that was crawling with snipers. Plus a partially sunken old hulk that was also loaded with snipers. Edit: I guess it wasn't a book by Col. Shoup. Maybe there was a forward by Shoup. I couldn't find any Tarawa books written by Shoup online.
It was Robert Sherrod.
@@brianthraillkill3816 Yes I think that was the one. I read 2 books on Tarawa. One of them had to be Sherrod's. Thanks.
The General who was supposed to command on the beach got hung up under the pier, some say hiding, and Shoup took charge of the beachhead. He was awarded the MOH for his actions.
@@freedomlover24-7 Why do you Boomers always crap on the younger generations? Are you that insecure?
I knew a 2nd Division Marine that almost got killed on Tarawa when a shell landed next to him nearly blowing his left arm off his body. I sure did learn a lot from him. Sure did inspire my military career.
This man is a national treasure.
buried treasure!! LMAO
Please show some respect.@@Jagar_Tharn
I've been seeing this film for the past 60 years in various documentaries. I always wondered who had the guts to film it right in the very middle of the action showing Japanese troops running across the battlefield less than a hundred feet from the Marines. I'm glad I now know it was Major Hatch.
First time I heard the recruiters came out to the house to check out his family background.
1st command post on Tarawa was Major General Merritt Austin Edson 1897-1955 USMC, Chief of Staff 2nd Marine Division.
Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir, Semper Fidelis!!!!!🥰😍🤗❤🤍💙💪🙏👍
Its incredible just how tech savy and switched on this guy is for someone his age. I was pleasantly surprised when he mentioned the website etc etc. What an amazing, knowledgeable, brave man. I take my hat off to you, sir. Thankyou, sincerely, for everything that you have done and all that you have brought to Humanity throughout your amazing life.
Man what a story. I thank God for the matter of fact courage of this Marine and his generation, including my vet dad who was just like that. 2 men of that generation could accomplish more than 100 today. Love where runs to the top of the hill with no weapons and runs into the enemy with the skipper alone--that's how this stuff often comes down.
They were the greatest generation I don't think this generation could do what they did.this from a old MARINE well maybe the MARINE CORPS could handle it. Long live the MARINE CORPS forever. Hurrah
Semper Fi! Very admirable! My sister's father in law, Tony Visconti, had fought on Iwo Jima. I'll never forget how he sat me down, as I was getting ready to deploy for the first time, and showed me his unit's historial plus some other things, photos and what not, he had from his time in the Corps, and "passed the torch" so to speak from one Marine to another. Finished my time in the Corps with a chip on my shoulder: I am not going to be the one who let's these guys down! All of my Dad's brothers fought in the war, and my Mom's oldest brother as well. Except him, my Dad, he was too young. But he went to Korea in the "Truman year"! lol. Tremendous respect for all our WW2 veterans! And all our Vets, period! I for one am thankful. May God bless you all!
This is well worth watching. A lot of insight into his unique role within the Marines.
It is a real shame our standard of journalism has fallen so far from this
I don’t think the modern military believes it owes the American public any level of transparency. Indeed, they’re not much different from most branches of government. As a local photojournalist I once visited the Army’s communications school at Ft. Meade. I wonder what they teach their students and what they do with all their graduates.
Standard if everything... across the board
Much respect Sir!
What a story, a life well lived. Glad I saw this interview
Thank you for all you've done for this nation and the world!
If you are here, you have probably seen the famous footage shot by Major Hatch of the assault on the Japanese sand covered bunker, during which Lt. Sandy Bonnyman won the Medal of Honor. Still camera shots also exist that show Maj Hatch with camera to his eye filming, right in the middle of the assault, under heavy fire and literally climbing up the side of a bunker that was filled with very live Japanese Rikusentai. Thanks to his bravery ( and that of the other combat cameramen present ) , we have a priceless record for all time of the battle of Tarawa.
This dude talks about going to hell and back with such calm and poise. Love this interview. True heroes.
Thank you for sharing your story, service, sacrifice and courage for America and freedom ❤🇺🇸
My great uncle fought on tarawa. It's neat to think that he might be in some of the clips in this video. thanks for doing this project.
What a fascinating video!! Hes as engaging to watch/listen to as the material he filmed!!
I remember watching him on “Lost Evidence: Tarawa!” Norman Hatch literally a legend for filming the “Battle of Tarawa!” 😮😮😮
That man was still as sharp as a tack 👍🏻🙏🏻
Yeah, incredibly put together at 90 some years. I don’t think I have ever heard anyone this age that’s so with it.
"His father threw us down the focsle and said 'You take whatever that Chief tells you to do and you do it and I don't know you.' I didn't wait for things to happen, I went looking for them." I like this quote. He is giving the kids over to good hands, but simultaneously reminding them that they are there to stand on their own two feet. I don't doubt the Captain would have stepped in, but it would have required extraordinary circumstances. Possibly most important, he's not stuck in a holding pattern, he's simultaneously empowered and humbled. The captain is free from the burden of trying to be patient with people nowhere near his level.
Semper Fi, Marine! From a 1967 Marine.
1967 Marine myself Semper Fi
What a legend, so sharp at 90 years of age and such an important role he played. Also a connoisseur of history. I love the mention of ANZAC day, essentially our (Australia and New Zealand’s) version of D-day back in WW1. It’s nice to know it is recognised outside of the Commonwealth, and as someone who had family land on the beaches of Gallipoli and survive that campaign and Europe, I’m pretty chuffed to that our troops receive this legend’s recognition! Great episode!!
I know about ANZAC day because I have an Australian friend but most of my fellow Americans don't, aside from veterans. I wish we paid more attention as a society to our allies.
As a keen lover of history, I have often seen this footage in documentaries, and still images in books, unaware of the man who took them. Its always a pleasure listening to that generation, they always had great stories to tell, or wisdom to impart. What a wonderfully spirited man he was, god bless you sir, wherever you may be.
How incredibly sharp this man is.
The cameraman never dies lol....good footage for real though
Thank you for this thoughtful and well done interview. It's another service done for us for these veterans to recall and describe their service. I sincerely hope also the raw footage taken is not lost.
I remember these reels from a young age, being able to see Americans and Japanese in the same frame firing at each other was wild. You can feel the intensity in those shots. I knew it was something I never wanted to see but couldn't look away
That shot at about 15:54 of Japanese running about 100 ft away from the Marines is amazing.
As an Australian, it really warmed my heart that he knew about ANZAC day and its history so thoroughly. _At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them._ *Lest We Forget.*
what a brave man
Reading about war is one thing. Seeing war is a whole different level. Thanks to all the men who recorded the greatest generation in combat for all to see.
That was awesome. I could listen to him for hours.
Thank you sir for your service ❤
Semper Fi dude, Tarawa was one of the worst battles of the PTO.
This man was so interesting to listen to. Talk about a history lesson..
Thanks for all the film. History won't be forgotten
I went down on a “qwhim.” Imma use that now whenever it’s considered a questionable whim. 😂
The shot at 15:55 was recreated by Stanley Kubrick in Hue battle scenes in Full Metal Jacket. Have seen it many times before FMJ was in theaters, very iconic because it showed Marines and enemy in the same shot. Respect to combat cameramen. Have read that Marine recruiting dropped off sharply after the public saw footage of dead Marines at Tarawa.
Believe it or not, at one time during WW2 they had to conscript men to join the marines. Or so I heard.
Thank God for people like him. His last comment on worrying where the cut footage is as it is lost history, was very pertinent , it can never be retrieved. cheers
"…and on July 7th of 1939 I raised my hand and became a Marine forever." Damn straight. Semper Fi.
Thank you for showing this! It means a lot, my grandpa was also in the first wave at Tarawa 🇺🇸
Thank you for everything you did to keep us informed
Thank you for your selfless service Mr Hatch.I have watched all your work, I can find.May God bless you and your entire generation.
That was a great interview. The mission hasn't changed. I was a USAF combat photographer in the late 1980s-early 90s, and what he described still held true for me and my environments and duty.
Mr Hatch tells as good of a story about his experience on Tarawa as his camera work does. The film he and the other cameramen took is incredible it shows the fearseness of the battle up close and personal. It's amazing to think he and others went into battle with a camera and not a weapon.
Great story. It’s not what you know but who you know that determines your life choices. Without his friend he would have been another dog face marine carrying a rifle not a camera. Without his determination to be a part of the camera crew he wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to film the warriors and the carnage. Great story thanks!
Best Informative History of War I've Seen!! THANK YOU!!! ✝️🙏❤🇺🇸 US Navy Veteran
Lived across the street from Sgt Walter Fieguth USMC who saved the landing at Tarawa November 19-23, 1943.
Fast forward to today, the military industrial complex does not allow the press to do anything without handlers orchestrating their every move.
Thanks to this man and the others like him gave us but a glimpse into what the war was really like.
This guys story is beyond awesome. He is a national treasure !
Amazing information, this man was really on the ball. His recollection of the war, the individual actions of the Marines was amazing. Wish I could have listened to him tell history as it happened would have been the dream come true.
What a remarkable man. As mentally sharp as you can get for his age. What a legacy he left to us all.
This is an excellent interview He's so smart and verbal that I can't think of anything to add to his story, but the Word par excellence!
What a great and inspiring story ! Hoorah Marines
Please start putting what speeches the opening president quotes are from in the description. Great videos as always. As a civilian videographer and photographer learning about wartime videography and photography is insanely interesting.
And maybe drop the George Weapons of Mass Destruction Bush one. He's to blame for many of our American troops deaths.
You must be a teenager if you don’t remember George bush jr speech after sept 11
@@whata86 20, people born after 9/11 are now in their 20’s that happened in 2001, it’s currently 2023. The first president I remember is Obama, the first time I was old enough to understand politics was trump V Hillary, young people exist. I’m sorry I didn’t travel back in time to experience stuff when it happened.
@@JohnNeo19 that’s my point . How would you not know that . I’m assuming you at least have a high school education .
@@whata86 my brother in Christ what do you think we do every 9/11? Listen to presidential speeches? Nah man we learn about 9/11 itself, about the war that came after and how we caught bin Laden, but they do not teach almost anything about bush or what he did beyond showing the footage of him being informed about 9/11 in the elementary school and telling us that he went back to the White House and refused to bunker down. Other than that we learn nothing about bush in relation to 9/11. A lot of it is also spent doing a memorial service and learning about victims. But we don’t really learn much about the president at the time and we don’t listen to his speeches in school. While I was in school was also when they caught bin Laden so they incorporated that into the schools and we learn quite a bit about how Obama put a bunch of resources into finding bin Laden. Also Isis was at its peak when I was in school so we also spent a lot of time learning about isis and al-Qaeda took a back seat
Semper Fi. Thanks for your service and willingness to get up front and personal.
Awesome! Thank you for your service!
The spirit of America, respect from the 🇬🇧 RIP Sir 🙏🏻
I come from a family of MARINES, grandpa 3 great uncles one was hit in the head on tarawa machine gun rounds 2 but got lucky the helmet caused the rounds go around his head.my father was in Korea 2 uncles, my brother and me.we are MARINES for ever taught me how to live my life with honor and discipline. Long live my MARINE CORPS and god bless my brother MARINE'S. We made my mother a MARINE she was tough and completely love me and my 3 brothers.she was so proud of her family. Semper Fi
Thank you for all you've done for this nation and the world!. This man is a national treasure..
Love that he mentioned Gallipoli and the Anzacs. New Zealand is a young nation. It was moments like Gallipoli that shaped our identity as a nation.
What a great and inspiring story ! Hoorah Marines. This man is a national treasure..
Do we still have war reporters ? Excellent video , I love this guy , just plain smart .
Respect and to mention Gallipoli and ANZAC Day is a nice bonus.
This guy is as sharp as a tack. Great interview!
I first read about Tarawa in high school back in the 70's (76 hours I think it was called) and have been interested in the history of that battle ever since.
Nice man. Respect your elders kids. They just might have a story to tell.
Absolutely priceless thank you.
Brilliant story. I wonder if he was in New Zealand, Camp Paekakariki where thousands of young Americans did their training. I grew up there with the legend of those brave young men part of my life. Thanks again.
The answer is yes, he was in New Zealand. And he filmed in NZ. The 2nd Marine Division was based in NZ at the time. That is where they did their final training, including amphibious training, for the Tarawa landings. And it is where they left from, for the Tarawa operation.
Amazing footage. That looked a lot like John Basilone taking his canteen to that that shot-up drum about halfway through the interview btw
Amazing is an understatement, I don't believe Basilones outfit was at Tarawa
The Marine photographer filmed in the same battles as my father who was there as a Chief gunner in the Navy.. Excellent description of these historical events.
Absolute legend 👍🇮🇪
Major Hatch would have known the Australian cameraman Damian Parer who filmed with the RAN, AIF & USMC. Parer was killed filming marine's advancing on Peleliu.
Combat Camera for 12 years in the Air Force with 5 deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and there was NOTHING that I was up against or saw that was anywhere near what this fine gentleman went through and saw. Insane respect for my fellow combat cameramen and women! We may be stupid for running through war with a camera, but we did it with honor and pride as well as with as much transparency as possible for future generations to learn from.
Thank you Devil Dog for your incredible service!