Landing in The FIRST WAVE on OMAHA Beach on D-DAY | Jake Larson
Become an AVC Patreon member to receive exclusive content and perks. This funding goes directly into helping us capture more incredible stories with our nation's veterans: / americanveteranscenter
In 1938, at age 15, Jake Larson lied about his age and enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor his guard unit became part of the US Army and Larson was sent to Ft. Dix, New Jersey to await embarkation to Europe.
Larson was stationed in Northern Ireland, where he was transferred to V Corps, G3 section. Now in a headquarters company, Larson began to assist in critical logistic plannings for Operation Overlord, or D-Day.
On June 6, 1944, Larson landed in the first wave on Omaha Beach and was tasked with setting up an operational command post once a beachhead was established.
Larson would survive Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge and later write about his experiences in his autobiography entitled "The Luckiest Man in the World". Jake would also find unexpected fame as a TikTok and KZhead sensation, sharing his stories to a new generation of people around the world.
This Video Made Possible with Support From
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillips Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Learn more about the American Veterans Center: www.americanveteranscenter.org/
Donate Here to American Veterans Center:
americanveteranscenter.org/don...
Like us on Facebook: / americanveteranscenter
Follow us on Twitter: / avcupdate
Follow us on Instagram: / americanveteranscenter
Subscribe to our podcast: www.spreaker.com/show/2980518
Please consider becoming an AVC Patreon member to receive exclusive content and perks. This funding goes directly into helping us capture more incredible stories with our nation's veterans: patreon.com/americanveteranscenter
Today's "refugees" are deserters! Imagine our grandparents had fled to Canada, we would all be speaking German now!
The way he lied about his age-hilarious. Still very lucid. "Good man!"Winston would have mumbled ❤
How he was able to while put on the spot
So Ford and GM had factories in Berlin and sold weapons to both sides through the war And after the war they demanded reparations for damage done by allied bombing raids They were all fighting for the same people all along War is a racket and nobody wins except money I am a 65 year old retired American tax payer and I am sick and tired of being lied to and denied health care for war The nazis did not lose WW2 they move to America and Israel There is no such thing as a American veteran/ hero only war crimanls
He was born in 1922, so anybody can do the math. That makes him 100 years old and he's still able to articulately tell his story. Kudos to him for his service and bravery as he exemplifies the greatest generation.
Maybe 99 not sure what his Birth month is
He just turned 100
“Military men are just dumb, stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” ― Henry Kissinger
wow man that's true
Yea and we have a former vice president who's living at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave who's 30 years younger and doesn't even know his own f'n name. And how DARE he not mention this day. I'm sure all these 'rats have had family who fought in WWII and probably WWI.
Omaha Beach was the worst one as far as casualties, 1st infantry got absolutely obliterated. The fact he was on that first wave is absolutely insane. Words cannot express the respect I have for this man.
I've tried hard to imagine how terrifying it would have been to approach those beaches, I can imagine that some soldiers would have frozen in disbelief of what they were experiencing.
dude that water was blood red for A WEEK. A FCKKING WEEK!!! 😮😢 I cannot imagine what went thru his mind, or the adrenaline dumps he felt even at a young age. good god man😭
@@eatassonthefirstdateI'd assume that there's not a lot in your mind apart from "o fuk" and "run"
@@jamespicking1140I saw one interview saying you can't replicate war but saving Private Ryan did as probably as close to what happened that he's seen
i think the numbers were like 90%+ death rate for the first wave
I proudly get to say this guy was at my house tonight for Thanksgiving. He is the man. He still has it for being 99, turning 100 this Dec. Awesome guy to hang with and talk to.
Thats amazing! So glad he's still here.
Thats awesome...how did that come about?
@@philipjoyce8817 He is a friend of the family. He’s best friends with my brother in law and he lives in my home town in CA
@@olmstead50 thats awesome! Soak it all in man!! We don't have too many legends like him anymore!
Awesome. This guy is part of the last of the greatest generation. Thank you for your bravery.
That 1000 mile look in his eyes when he’s recalling his story… I feel him.
No you don't lol no one since the 40s has gone through what this man's gone through 1200 ROUNDS A MIN 4 GUNS????? bro he's facing the German army not some gang or GROUP BUT 200,000 elite German highly trained soldiers fighting communism to the east and over 10,000 Russians volunteered in 1943 alone in Ukraine RUSSIANS not Ukrainians Russians joined and fought with the 3.5 million strong Germany army the rest were spread out ij Africa And Europe some went north to help Finland.
I stop whatever I'm doing and watch these out of respect for the men who lived to tell us about it. You have my deepest respect. Thank you for your service.
I do the same……stop whatever I’m doing and just listen.
Ya, I have a lot of respect for these old timers
God love you
I can’t imagine how scared they would have been! Massive respect.
Same mate 👍
This man has lived for a century and is a veteran of the largest sea invasion in history. What an honour to be able to listen to his story, I can only hope to have half his vitality and clearness of mind if/when I reach old age.
That’s what I’m saying. It’s amazing.
You will✝️
I don't expect nor want to live that long, but shall fate let it be so, I agree. Same here.
You’ll die lonely and sad don’t worry coward
Military history says Okinawa is the bigger invasion.....
80 years later and you can still see the echos of that beach in his eyes…Thank you for your service Sgt. may yours and all other’s sacrifices never be in vain 🇺🇸
15yrs old...can you imagine! Thank you for your service Mr Larson, truly.
He was born in 1922 so he was 22 years old at that time.
He enlisted at 15
@@kyleschultz7883he was born in '22, usa entered war in '41 (pretty sure)
@@jackjones4745December 41
@@jackjones4745He lied and said he was born in 1919 so he could enlist. He was 15 when he enlisted.
Mr. Larson is 99 years old. He survived D-Day and WW2. He seems lucid and is a national hero. This is someone to respect and remember.
especially when in d-day many men were told they were going to die
So many lives through our human history…. Noble good people. We have to remember there are evil people on every side. Those who defend the innocent & defenseless are the best of the best. Those who hurt others and negatively directly impact them…. They don’t deserve a humane death.
Lgbtqia+ people are braver. Period.
@@majormiller493 as a lgbtq person, youre making our community look horrible. really? what to you get from disregarding a ww2 veteran that could be considered one of the nations heros?
national hero 🤣🤣🤣🤡
You can still see the fear in his eyes. I can’t imagine the horrible things he witnessed. God bless him.
Projecting ?
I wonder if many veterans know that many nazi's went to work for the US army, CIA, Nasa , and Nato after the war. Operation Paperclip. Wernher von Braun, Arthur Rudolph, Hermann Oberth, Reinhard Gehlen, von Kielmansegg, Hans Speidel, Kurt Waldheim, Adolf Heusinger , Skorzeny ( also mossad ), etc. Also many Japanese warcriminals went to work for the US army. ( Unit 731 ) The Japanese killed 20 million Asians. About 12 million Chinese , and the raped the city Nanking. The west also used nazi's in Operation Gladio ( bombings and terrorist attacks in Europe ). The west has also financed, armed and trained neo-nazi's in Ukraine. Azov Battalion ,Aidar Battalion, Kraken Unit , C14, Yevhen Karas , Svoboda, Right Sector etc.
“Military men are just dumb, stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” ― Henry Kissinger
It never goes away.
Once you expirience combat you can't live without re-living it, whenever your bored it's all you think about since you've never been so close to death with so much adrenaline, speaking from experience
Wow 1.6 million people have heard his story on KZhead. He deserves the recognition. These were kids fighting in a grown up war. To survive such a horrendous battle and is still alive telling his story 80 years later.
I love these stories. These men are the knights of our time. 15.... I was skateboarding without a care in the world. He was dodging bullets... Long Live The Greatest Generation
No. He enlisted in 1938. He wasn’t dodging bullets until he was an adult, this man isn’t a hero anyway. Nothing but a murderer
It’s almost like his mind doesn’t want him to remember, yet he’s pulling those memories out of files in his brain like it’s all sorted and documented A through Z. Amazing honestly.
It's definitely like his mind doesn't want him to remember. The missing stretches are probably the most traumatic parts -- the machine guns on the beach, trying to do his job in G3 while AA guns are thundering all around him.
Funny you say that, I suffered a traumatic brain injury 10 years ago and during an appointment many months later a neurologist said this to me- picture your brain as a huge filling cabinet that got dropped and burst open, we have picked up what pieces we could and found as many files as we could and stuffed it all back together, its up to you to sort those files out and try to get them back in order! Filling cabinet, its a perfect description for your memory bank!
Å Ä Ö also, we need Å Ä and Ö. Greek from A to O, Alpha > Omega.
The man is more coherent and talks better than Biden.
So in other words it’s nothing like that
It's such a strange feeling, to envy the experiences of D-Day vets like Jake Larson, being a part of a pivotal moment in history like that, and simultaneously thank God that I never had to witness such horror. What an amazing story.
I had this exact thought.
Haven't witnessed such horror yet, you are getting ready right? 🤪
Good way to put it
Don’t get stuck looking in the past. They has their glory and now it’s our turn. You have lived through pivotal moments leaving just as big if not a bigger impact than WW2
@@NiquidFox shut up. WW2 shaped the entire modern world as we know it. And the world would look much different had the Allies not been victorious.
As every year passes there are fewer and fewer of these incredible veterans alive, it makes it vitally important to remember and tell their story, so we don't ever forget what they did for us.
Well see him in heaven he believes everyone is there anyone worth meeting anyhow
Exactly what the government wants. For these people to be gone completely so they can unleash hell on these new generations
It makes me bitterly sad to think that so many young people today already know nothing about the 2nd World War.
@@dersturmerofjewery6038. What a profound, helpfull comment ! 🤨
I had the privilege to meet a veteran of Omaha when I was a kid. He told me his whole story and opinion over a few hours at dinner. I was 12. Later his family told me he had never told anyone, not even any of them about that stuff. He was the only survivor of his platoon on D-Day and was captured on +6 and spent the rest of the war in POW camps. He said he got his nose broken by another GI in a fight over a potato but it was worth it
At 15 years old I was the biggest punk POS adolescent possible. I cannot imagine having the stones this man had to enlist let alone see what he saw. Truly a different breed of men. In absolute aw listening to this story. I’m so incredibly thankful for men like this and channels like this allowing us the chance to hear these mens stories as very soon we will never have the chance. Thank you.
Many of us americans are. I grew up dirt poor in the country in michigan and had a grandfather that went to both theatres in ww2 and came back a raging alcoholic having never drank according to my grandmother who had to divorce him. He was violent and fought cops all the time etc...Passed the alcoholism and violence down to my father.
@@dennisligma4958lol, thats probably not much to brag about...
None of more deserving of the “greatest generation” label than these folks. The men who fought the battles, and the women who held the family together at home. They are truly great for what they did.
@@Corneliuss03 its probably not a brag. But its the truth. My grandpa, in ww2, saw men doing terrible things to humans, even to our own american people. Thunderbird division, he said we are worst than animals during times of war. Respect to those who fight. Its not always a great/happy story.
Time dictates the action. Kids under 13 are skinning and beheading people in Mexican cartels now in 2023. If we were forced to, we would be able to endure war at any age. During times of peace, let kids be kids. Don't compare, be happy it is that way.
When you find these men and women in your travels, stop, listen, remember. If you can record your conversations, we are losing these treasures.
This gentleman is from my neck of the woods. He used to go to the bagel shop near my house.
They’re all dead. Sad.
I had the privilege of meeting a marine who fought with chesty puller, he was in his 90’s then. And he had a room dedicated to the war in Korea and small scale mountains with the little soldiers dug in. As he spoke, he relived those moments some 60 years ago. He showed me his company roster he had framed. You could count on your hand the names on the roster that did not have lines drawn thru it. I wasn’t a full grown man, still a teenager. Looking back I wish I could of asked more and listened more.
I recorded my great grandfathers experiences before he passed in 2019 he was WO5 CB he talked a lot about building up islands across the pacific while they hopped across the pond. My other grandfather who passed last August I wish I recorded him he would always tell some great stories about nam and how he trained the dogs and would get them high cause how common pot was in nam
I whole heartedly disagree. If everyone were to listen to those that came before, and learn of their wisdom, how then would we be doomed to repeat the mistakes of our past? A great enlightening of the masses would garentee the great reset to be initiated by the few.
My Dad was a Seabee in the South Pacific in WWII. His dad signed a letter for him to enlist at 17. I can’t even imagine. Thank all of you for everything.
Your dad was a hero just like this man. With how things are in our country right now I see men like this and completely lose hope. We’ve lost the plot, and with these great generations leaving us I fear our future.
Hope he survived and watched you grow
@@cephasjohn1199 He did. My aunt (my Mom’s sister) told me that my Mom and Dad dated for 14 years. He was a rounder. He was 35, my mom was 32 when my sister was born. 1962. Four kids in basically four years. I’m 58. He was 39 when I was born. 40 when my younger brother was born. ✌️😎
Wow. I was born in '62. I can't imagine having a father who was in the war. I have never realised how close my father was to being in WW2, as well as how close his father was to being enlisted in WW1 Great respect to your father.@@alanratay4583
It's amazing to hear it first hand from a veteran that was actually at Omaha Beach on D-Day. Thank you sir for your service. You are the embodiment of courage.
It was unexpectedly powerful to hear him say he could not remember anything from the bottom of the ravine through to 7pm that night.
Sometimes the brain is brilliant in deliberately forgetting things, keeping memories out off reach
Shock does that. He's one lucky bastard for sure!
I think he just slept right
“Military men are just dumb, stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” ― Henry Kissinger
He blocked it out, too much trauma
Me and my Son went to Normandy in October 2021. We walked on all the D Day Beaches. An amazing experience. We paid our respects to all the Allies that fought. If you ever get a chance, go to these places. It was worth every cent of money we spent as well as every second of our time.
That is one thing I’ve always wanted to do but it seems nearly impossible
It's only when you go to the Omaha Cemetery, does the cost in lives hit you with an overwhelming feeling of deep derp sorrow. Never have I seen such a beautiful place but realising every headstone was once a serviceman. So so tragic, the cost of war.
I went there when I was 16 with British Army back in 07 went to omaha beach sword beach juno and gold saw pegasus Bridge the new and the original and went to point du hoc, saw the American cemetery and the German cemetery it was the best moment of my life, our NCOs made us run oh omaha beach the same run that the Americans had to do and it was tiring god knows how those men did it with all that gear on them sea sickness and the weight from their wet uniform them men were on a different level
they gave their lives our time is the very least we can give them
I agree. I visited. Left me speechless.
This man is still so sharp, tells a great story. The details make it great, mines bursting in the water. "Hey buddy. You got a match? No answer. I turned and looked, there was no head under that helmet." My God, gave me goose bumps.
I'm so glad somebody is getting these men's stories on camera before they're all gone.
My Dad was there somewhere on Omaha Beach with the 1st. Infantry Division, he had enlisted in' 38. He was awarded a Bronze Star on June 6 th. with a 'V' for valor device for his actions that day, I believe he was in the 32 nd. F.A. Btn. at that time. God Bless all those who served and those who perished...Thank you sir for your service Mr. Larson, you were a great soldier...
❤️🙏🇺🇸. My Dad was a Korean War vet. He was 12 on Dec 7, 1941. I remember him telling us that the next day, there were lines of guys signing up to enlist to go fight. I get choked up when I listen to these guys. They are more badass heroes than any character in any movie ever made. We owe everything we have today to these men-and the sacrifices they made to preserve our freedom.
Thankyou for your Dad's Service to Our Country...Would love to Shake his hand and hear his story. Q long held Salute to him from ol Sgt.Love...God Bless .
Sir, people like your father are the people who inspired me to join, let me say from the deepest of my heart and from the old allies of the good old red white and blue, Thank you for your service!
@@gorg2079 God I love these channels, full of amazing patriotic people who rightfully respect the military and those who lived and died for our freedom. God bless you all!
My great grandfather was on a navy vessel on D Day as a gunner. Got to meet him before he passed in the early 2000s, my great uncle whom I knew more was a Vietnam vet Army Ranger 1st LT Richard Spear. An amazing man, buried at Arlington.
My grandpa landed at Utah Beach. He was part of a M-18 Hellcat tank destroyer crew. Due to the conditions of the channel it fell overboard and sank. Their tank destroyer still lies at the bottom of the English Channel. He landed without the machine, so he fought as infantry for a while until he got a new one. He was part of Patton’s 3rd Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. My grandpa aimed the turret gun and operated the machine gun. He died when I was 6, so I never got to talk to him about his experiences. Everything he brought home, including a German Luger, was lost in a house fire back in the 70s. His name and rank: Pfc. Frank “Funchie” Sliko
The American equipment lost in the channel was due to the American command being arrogant anglophobes, and their refusal to use Hobart's Funnies.
Thank you for sharing
Remembering him for so many: Pfc. Frank “Funchie” Sliko. Thank you Bobby, and just thank you, Pfc. Frank “Funchie” Sliko.
God bless i thank him for his service
🇺🇸
My great grandfather was 16 when he enlisted in WW2 with his buddies. His dad actually signed off to forge the document that allowed him to pass as an 18 year old. Those boys never understood what they were getting into, but I can’t help but admire the bravery and courage displayed from the greatest generation. Thank you all so much for your service and god bless. My great grandfather was in the battle of Leyte Gulf, Samar and his ship was severely damaged. So thankful he was able to make it home safe
USS Heermann ^^
I work with a 98 yo WW2 vet you should interview. This guy still comes to work at 98 years old. He fought in Okinawa and in late 45 after the Japanese surrender was one of Mac’s guards. Mac talked to him. In battle, he experienced wooden bullets and burning the enemy out of caves. I’ve learned a great deal of history from this man about the war, the depression. His mind works perfectly.
Please reach out and make it happen!!
Wow! What type of work? How is he? He should be interviewed! An American hero!!!
@@truthtriumphant he’s done maintenance for the last 25 years here after he retired.
My father also landed on Omaha Beach on D Day 1945. He passed in 1996 His name was Antonio Luna from New Mexico. He tells the story of how he became friends at boot camp in Texas , with a person of whose name is not known to me. When they were shipped out to England to prepare for D Day , he said that when they opened the ramp on the boat carrying the soldiers they ran together to the beach where his buddy was shot in half from machine gun fire. When he tried to help him he saw that he was holding only the upper torso of his friends body. His commanding officer ordered him to keep moving , and so my father ran like crazy. He said his speed helped him get to the cliffs that this Great Hero speaks of. Later the film of Saving Pvt Ryan was released, so I purchased the DVD and still framed the landing of which real footage was used in the making of the film, and sure enough I see a Soldier holding half a torso. My eyes were wide open in awe that that had to be my father. My Father was one of those brave soldiers who survived that brutal day, but was never recognized. This brave man's story inspired me to share my fathers story. I hpe he will also be eternally remembered for his contribution to our freedom. We are proud latino/ native American Indians. We have defended this Country from my grandfather in WW1, my father WW2, and my brother Vietnam 1963 . RIP to my Grandfather, My father, and my brother James Luna , a family of brave warriors.
D-Day was 1944, not 1945.
1944.. I smell bull 💩
It's surprising that the mission was a success considering they were all sitting ducks with hardly any cover.
@@JwW-zt2dj because he got the year wrong? He’s not the one who was there dumbass 🤦🏻♂️ and just because you come from a family of pussies doesn’t mean he does too. There’s nothing that’s even hard to believe in his comment 🤦🏻♂️
D-day was in 1944
This man landed with my grandpa. Pap was 1st division 16th infantry regiment I company. He has been deceased since 2014. Great video.
I am german. The husband of my grandmothers sister was killed at Monte Casino, and my own grandfather died in August 1945, he became ill in russian POW camp. I, Brittas boyfriend am now with 57 older than my grandfather became.
@@brittakriep2938 serves him right.
@@brittakriep2938 I think the German stories are underrated. Hearing the Nazi's perspective and what they went through is just as touching and important as Jake's story.
@@ladysovereign2878 serves who right?
@@ladysovereign2878 I think you're about 50 years late on all this hate. The Germans, for the most part, were just following orders the same as everyone else was.
Was watching “saving private Ryan”, and wanted to hear what the invasion was like. It’s an absolute honor to hear his story! Thank you for your service 🫡🇺🇸
Same here. This old fellers been around
Just watched the Omaha beach scene and then instantly searched a real version story, brought me here. How far we have fell as a country
The movie depicted the brutality well, but it was far worse in real life.
@@ChadSimpson-ft7yzin some ways the movie was worse.
@joeberger3441 Well for one then men landed at low tide and had to try to run to the seawall at a distance of several hundred yards. 2 unline in the movie you couldn't see where you were being shot at as the defenses were dug in and well hidden. They were considering aborting the landing until the Navy was able to come in closer and bomb the German defenses.
My grandfather was part of the naval-attack on D-Day. He made it to the shore, laying in the sand where he said he jumped belly-first next to a young man who was severely injured. The young man told him "Please help, I don't want to be here. Please." He had to keep moving on after he confirmed that the young man's injuries were too severe to fix. He held on to that for the rest of his life. Died in 2014 at the age of 91. That moment haunted him despite having survived the war.
I would let him tell me stories all damn day. Legend right here
You'd BETTER ! Do ! Some ! WORK !! INSTEAD !!
I bet you would 😂😂😂😂😂😂
As an active duty member of the Air Force, I can't hold a candle to this man. When people thank me for my service, I say thank you, but all I'm really thinking is for what? Thank the real heroes, who volunteered as teenagers to protect this great country. All I do is sit in an office all day, I'm proud of my service, but these are the real heroes. I can never truly express to this man how thankful I am for his service
Same here. I did one enlistment. Honorable discharge. Nothing like these real heroes. These is no way, I could imagine surviving those trenches. They have my utmost respect.
How's it feel fighting for Israel
Reality is, most combat veterans of WWII deserve to not just to be called heroes, but legends.
@@dersturmerofjewery6038 Fyi your funding them with your tax dollars. There's no escape
@@dersturmerofjewery6038 Boo you
I love this old man, what a story teller! I bet he’s one of the best Grandpa’s ever.
My father left high school and joined the service at 17 in 1944. He was in the sea bees in okinawa and he saw some terrible things but never talked about it. I'm so proud to be his son and I think of him every day.
I get tears in my eyes every time I see one of these videos. I dread the day when the last of them is gone.
We're the last generation to hear the stories of the greatest generation. I always have time for a WWII vet or any senior citizen. Their stories and wisdom is priceless in my opinion
No we are not , incase you haven’t noticed this is a recorded video which will last forever and coming generations will get to watch it
@@meyr1992 I think what he's trying to say that we are the last generation to *_personally-upclose_* to talk and hear the stories of the WW2 vets.
Why is that the greatest generation?
@@andrejambrenac6670 it's legit just a name given for the generation. Like millenials, baby boomers, and zoomers. They're called the greatest generation cuz they grew up in the great depression and fought in WWII
@@andrejambrenac6670 insinuating that they aren't?
I meet this man and got his signature in a book about the making of Saving Private Ryan, at the opening of the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Va when I was about 12! Just hit me like a diamond bullet when I realized this. He was in a wheelchair and had a red ball cap with his Unit/Service Dates on it. He explained he "Wasn't much older than you!" while gesturing to me about his enlistment into the military. I've never forgotten him and his quick story. Life sure is crazy.
The amount of history this man has seen and experience, the amount of technological evolution has to be astounding. This man was born when cars were being commercialized. Nows he’s giving his story 100 years later. Incredible.
*It probably saved my life to turn, it’s like the soul of that guy said “get up and get out of here now”* Chills
This man's memory is amazing, he even remembers how he got into the military. Here I am and I don't know where I left my debit card
It's in your wallet.
😄
Saw this man’s interview with memoirs of WW2 channel. I’m 25 years old and so grateful for what these hero’s have done for our country. Thank you for providing such great content with great storytellers
Live a life worthy of their sacrafice. It's your turn.
Those poor men went through hell!! Whenever I’m feeling down or not appreciative of my life I always watch these men talk about their experiences and it humbles me to know I’ll never had it as bad as these men. It bring me right back to reality and makes my heart warm again to keep trying to do better. I can’t imagine of the horror of what they went through. Thank you for your service, all of you
These “old men” who you’d expect to not remember much of anything, loss due to age, yet remarking and remembering every single detail when it came to their military service like it was last week..and combat, what they saw…they never forgot.
You’re 100% correct. They didn’t. My Dad turned 98 yesterday (8-16) and vividly remembers every detail about the China-Burma theater. Every friend lost. Every bullet dodged. Every toast to their fallen comrades among the grime and grit of the war. It changed my father profoundly from a friendly country boy to a hardened man. Not always for the better.
@@waydegardner7373 It's very strange to think these men were around my age in the 40's. The world today must be unrecognizable to them. People my age today are on the other extreme where we romanticize those times because now we feel too aimless and immersed in comfort. But it was a hell I can't even imagine.
@@zainm5919 that's a really good point can't imagine it
Watching these will forever humble me
He sounds as traumatized 80 years later like it just happened. It's heart breaking that such a distant memory is vivid and terror inducing for a hero like him.
Thank you for your service sir. Such a great generation. My dad was on the same beach as Mr. Larson. he was part of the 3rd wave. HE described many of the same horrors. He always wondered why he made it through when so many perished. I have an enormous amount of respect for these men. God bless them all
Jake, sir YOU are a HERO. THIS is why these MEN and WOMEN are called the “Greatest Generation”. Many, hell ALL….these Americans “signed that blank check” to our government to serve and fight. The memories these heroes must had. Salute 🫡 to you all.
They ended the greatest leader to walk the earth
You’re ignorant as hell for only mentioning the Americans like that. Every allied soldier in that war was the greatest generation that ever lived.
Its unfortunate that they fought the wrong enemy. If they would have known what the future held I'm sure most of em wouldn't have fought the Germans.
@@hand3and3 if they had just known the truths at the time then they'd have fought with Germany
@@nathantorresstanevil6958 no. Dude you dont even know the truth about any history regarding that time. You've been deprived of information. Your mind instantly jumps to the holocaust cause you've been indoctrinated to do so. You don't even know about the 20 million dead white christians killed by communists in ww2.
my grandfather did the same thing, he was only 15 or 16 and he told them he was 18-19 and he enlisted and fought in WWII. That's just how it was back then. Respect to all the brave soldiers who fought.
Thank you for your service, much respect from New Zealand..
It’s sad so many of my generation has little knowledge or care for these brave men who fought for our country sometimes it upsets me that I’m apart of Gen z. Most of my family served in the military and I have upmost respect for all of them and everyone else who did. I love learning about war history and hearing the stories of all these brave soldiers.
I start my military service soon for Canadian Armed Forces. These stories are amazing. Thank you all who’ve served.
As an American. I have nothing but respect for the men and women of the Canadian armed forces... Godspeed.
Have fun serving the beast
Good for you, just enjoy it. Before you know it you'll be 30 looking back wondering where the time went. And thank you for your service!
Canadians were responsible for Juno beach, which some people are not aware of.
Too bad your prime minister is a sociopathic tyrant.
As an Iraqi war veteran with the 101st Airborne Div. I salute you Sir, and thank you for your service. 🇺🇸
Long shot, but did you by any chance know Chuck Keith? He was in the 101st.
TY Sir- for yours!
Alex E, where in Iraq? I know the country very well.
How you can compare your duty in a unjustified war based on lies, made for oil and your president ego with the ww2 when random peoples were drafted for fighting evilish regimes
@@badbotchdown9845 people are evil, that is the nature of your people and your country your race. When we fight infidels like you it isn't any different then the communist regime or the nazi regime or the people of your country. Death is the same no matter what war. No glory. If you were a veteran and old enough you would understand. You're extremely young. Wait 50 years more
Bless him for his service to the people of the United States.... it's always an honor to hear from such Men of Honor
My eyes get misty listening to him. Just an ordinary man who did extraordinary things. Heroism personified.
You can see the man is struggling with PTSD still after so many years trying to get out his words it must’ve been chaos that day, impossible expectations for them to overcome but they did it. RIP
I love this man. He reminds me of my grandparents (same generation) and I miss them so much. It will be a terrible day in our lives and history when this generation is gone.
I wish I could’ve heard these stories from my great grandpa when I was a kid… he was born 1920 died around 08-09 when I was about 8 years old never heard him speak a word but everytime he seen me his eyes lit up knowing he was able to see the 4th Calvin run around the yard
Wow! This is one of the most riveting detailed veteran accounts of D Day I’ve ever listened to … absolutely incredible. I would love to meet this individual and to shake his hand would be such an honor. It felt like I was watching a movie in my head as he was telling his accounts of that day! Geezus these men were brave! What an incredible person! Great Men like him were why we won that war. God bless you Sir!
My dad served in the 101st, 501st PIR. He missed Normandy due to his ship being sunk at was transported to the Azores. He did serve in Holland and Bastogne finishing in Bergesgarten. Then home to train paratroopers at Benning for a possible Japanese assault. There he married my mother and spent their Honeymoon. I followed in the Army in 65 as a 173 trooper and went to Vietnam. I have so much respect for those men who served in WW2 and especially at Normandy. Where do men find the courage to bravely go into that battle scenario? It scares the hell out of me! Much respect.
Wait, you're wording it as if they were shipped out just days before boarding the planes. But they were shipped out to England in January, not June, so something is hugely amiss with what you're saying here. I googled 501st PIR history, and can't find any reports of 501st transport ships being sunk, and it would have been a known fact, because troop ship sinkings usually meant a lot of casualties. In fact I can't find history of any 101st A.B troop transport ships sunk what so ever. So unless he was shipped out with a smaller group to reinforce the regiment in anticipation of casualties suffered in Normandie? If so he never would have made the jump anyway.
When were you born?
@7:40 you can see the PTSD kicking in 🥺 so much respect for these guys man
😢
imagine going through all that then having to go through constant trench warfare for years
I absolutely love this warriors story. Especially when the recruiter threw them a curve ball by asking him what year he was born. God bless this hero
I can listen to the guys all day long. My great great uncle was drafted in 1942..I got his draft card. But I don't know what he did..it's an honor to know someone in my family was apart of this..and these men are so honored to tell their stories. It chills me.
My father, Perry Walker Sparks was in the first infantry,( the big red one). He served in North Africa, Sicily, and was in the 3rd wave on OmahaBeach. He was hit by shrapnel, and laid on the beach for three days. He was my hero ! Love Grandma Debbie
We all need to take the time and watch this. We have no idea what these brave men went through. Thank you for your service. All our servicemen are the real superheroes. Much respect.
Superheroes?????? he and all his comrades were just stupid soldiers who fought and died for the soviets to invade eastern europa more easly
I could listen to him tell his life stories all day. Couldn't imagine at 15 years old what he seen & went through.
I was not expecting that ending with the shrapnel. Thank you for your service to you and all veterans active, retired and the ones that never made it back home.
I’m only 32, but I believe stories like these need to be told to newer generations. Freedom has never been free and will always come with a cost.
Thank God that such men as these lived. There is a reason why this generation is called the greatest generation. Thank you for your service we who love freedom will be forever in your debt
Thank you sir for your service 🇺🇸
This man's eyes have horrors that many of us will never have to see and to him, my cousin who fought on Iwo jima and to every warrior that has given more than we can ever repay and to those who to this day fight to keep us safe I say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
I am a British Army veteran with two tours of Northern Ireland, Iraq (Op Granby) and Bosnia under my belt and I have so much respect for these old fellas and the sheer hell and devastation they endured. They had four times bigger balls than any of today's squaddies. God bless them all and to the ones that didn't make it too?🙏 See you all in heavens naafi fellas!!
oh wow! two whole tours of attempted genocide?!?!? good for you my boy!!!
@@bigploppa154 Thats why I stated British Army and no other nation as we generally adhere to The Geneva Convention and our idea of collateral damage is slightly more important . 🤔
@@Spartacus45 how does the geneva convention feel about the fact that you boys starved half of ireland and 30 million indians to death? how do they feel about the fact that your head of war suggested eliminating the entire german population via anthrax to end wwii? how do they feel about him also knowing that pearl harbor was going to happen and allowing it to go through to save his ass? and how does it feel about tony blair lying about WMDs?
@@bigploppa154 historical, not modern day. but i will say churchill was a war monger
@@antitankguidedmissile6604 churchill was the worst person to live during the 20th century and its really not close. mao, pol pot, stalin, lenin, hitler, idi amin, and woodrow wilson combine to be about as bad of a person as churchill
My God he did this at 15+ years old, Holy hell. Bless this man because he had an angel watching over him. Most 15/18 year olds will never know just how good they have it, There we're alot of young brave people fighting this horrible war.
Read some of these comments. It’s atrocious, the attitudes too many of these young people have. And the lip, good grief. It’s embarrassing. They should be, but they’re too into themselves to feel it, I’d say. No wonder this country is going down the tubes.
@@mynamedoesntmatter8652 As a Gen Z, I want to say that those people don’t represent what we think.
A hell of a story told by a hell of a man. He's been blessed to be able to live to tell this story. And his savior was his Colonel who had him get up from that litter to take command of the shift that night. These men are to be forever cherished, as they exemplify one of the biggest moments in all of American history, even World history, and only few remain today.
This man is a national treasure. You can't get a 15-year-old to look up from their phone long enough to acknowledge you these days, much less volunteer to face the gates of hell. There's a reason this man's generation is called the Greatest Generation.
And thats why the USA need to institute the draft for 18 year old males. They have lost their way.
@@barbj9785 That's stupid. They were just kids like any other, woulda been looking at their phones the same way. The political situation was different. The enemy now are bloodthirsty corporations more than a particular people or government. But if it was the latter, the young people of today would step up. And many still do just in case.
@@Tiger74147 Someone in the thread said you cant get a 15 year old to look up from their phone long enough. Ive always been for the draft. Look at the young men in the USA.
@@barbj9785 You're still required to sign up for the draft when you turn 18, if you're a male. But if you mean they should actually be drafted, we have more than enough military personnel sitting on their butts soaking up paychecks. We need a civil service, not JUST military, teaching practical skills, transportation, engineering, conservation, research, etc.
@@Tiger74147 Agreed.
"There is a God" There sure is Sgt. Larson, there sure is. God bless you brave soldier.
Yes, there is.
@@85rockhound Amen 🙏
There are countless testimonies from GI’s just as Mr Larsons experience. And there is no doubt that they know the difference between luck and providence….they witnessed it first hand, and 75yrs later they it’s as clear to them like it was yesterday. God bless them.
Men who've been to war, had a chance to see God's will live in action. He is a man who has a heart whole and pure to see the divinity in action. Mr Larson captivated me for the duration of this video and I barely blinked ! Magnetic , Mr Larson. Forever young
no there isn't lol
15 year old "boys" signing up to fight for the freedom we have today and now we have 15 yo boys crying about getting a phone taken away or getting yelled because it hurts their feelings. The greatest generation that we could never thank enough for what they did! thank you for everything you did sir. From a Marine I thank you and salute you.
Roger that ! I have a friend here in town that joined the Navy when he was 15, during WW2. When I told him about my service during the 80"s in our local National Guard Field Artillery Unit, he gave me a Soldier Appreciation Medal he had. It means more to me than any award I earned during my enlistment
Feels like your there with him.. I could listen to people like this for endless hours instead of all the endless fake people on social media, they don't make em like this anymore ❤
I enjoy hearing these stories. I want to thank this man for his service to our country and his bravery for enlisting at such a young age. I am 18 now and can’t even fathom enlisting at the age of 15. Truly a brave man.
Bless all these veterans of horrible wars! I’m always on the lookout for veterans and thank them dearly for their service 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
My grandad actually fought on the german site, yet hated the nazis. They had no choice. He fought for 6 years got shot in stalingrad through his chest and stabbed by a bayonet. He almost died but actually was rescued by a russian family whos daugther he later married. So crazy . Later on he got captured in france by the french army and got released when the war was over. Btw i even have the bayonnet he got stabbed with at Home.
Let this be a lesson to us in the future. These children willingly signed up for war at 15 years old to go and protect our freedoms. This is what America was founded on and this is what we should be. The bravery and selflessness shown by him and countless others should never be forgotten and always remembered. Thank you for you service and sacrifice sir 🇺🇸
Not to undermine the thought behind your comment, but realistically they signed up for some pay 😅
If they had statues those people would prob try to tear them down for some made up reason. This country still has people who have the same fundamental characteristics of this generation. And there’s a lot who have no idea about much of anything. Would love to teach some a lesson on paying for all of our freedoms and rights in blood. And SOME want to give up those rights. And tear down statues. I say they can join the army and they could be the brand new anti-personnel mine detectors with their 2 feet
@@TheFinnester pay to go fight the germans and japanese when combat is certain sure thing.
My grandfather did the same .joined at 15..was taken pow by the Germans for a year or so..never met him..he died when my.mom was q0 feom heart complications from being in German prisons..his tombstone has the wrong birth year on it
@@TheFinnester pure fabrication. They were forced by the government they lived in. In the United States they called it (the draft) no one knew who much they would be paid. If you were old enough and a combat veteran you would know that. But your not. When I fought pay wasn't on my mind. Killing my enemies was. We didn't kill your countrymen for money or medals. We did because we wanted to drive your people into the sea.
Laughed out loud at his "WHOA wait a minute!" Great storyteller at a 100 years old. Incredible man!
The things he’s seen (and still remembers vividly) I just can’t imagine. Absolute respect.
Its a honor to listen to the stories. Such a gift to be able to learn from first hand experience before there gone. RIP to all fallen soldiers. We are proud of you and love you
*they're
@@stalkingsley do you really feel the need to correct me on a youtube comment? I can already tell ur some grumpy elderly person lol
Do you mean all fallen soldiers or only the americans?
@@ItsGreg22 haha. I'm neither old nor grumpy.. But it did make me feel a bit better. A tiny and brief but delicious sip of sweet Dopamine. Mmmmoreish.
I was in a hospital for a week after a car accident and shared a room with a WWII vet. I enjoyed hearing his experiences in the war and I really came away with some understanding of what it was about.
I kinda bet you're a little bit glad you landed in a hospital just to get to hear those incredible stories. I'm jealous!
Respect from Malaysian veteran to another veteran.. salute sir..
I could listen to this guy talk all day long everyday
My dad landed on omaha beach between 7:30 & 8:00 am that morning. He was with the 147th combat engineers, 6th engineers special brigade. For a reason I'm not sure of, even tho he was in the army he was in a coast guard boat. He was in LCI (L) US 91. As it neared the beach it struck a mine in the dog white sector. It eventually sank & was struck with German 88's. My dad's brother fought in the Pacific during WW2. He passed away in early 2020. He rarely mentioned his war experiences, he always deferred to telling about my dad's WW2 experiences. He told me that my dad & others from the 147th took turns going back to the damaged US 91 to retrieve supplies to open up a draw that lead up the hill. My dad's WW2 photo album has a pic of what I'm pretty sure is WN 72 (bunker). He wrote a caption on the pic that says "we landed 100 ft from here". My dad passed in 2013, but I miss him & my mom numerous times a day. I'll be sure to put a flag on his grave June 6th as I proudly do every year. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you for sharing that. Men like your father make me forever proud to be an American. #always
@@picolascage5270: Thanks, I miss that greatest generation more than ever. It's not the same without them.
My uncle was in the first wave on Omaha. 29th Div 116th Inf Co F. They landed at Dog Green (or it could have been Dog Red), it's been a while. He had said they landed in front of one of the few places that the engineers were able to clear the obstacles. They were in some heavy battle around St Lo. He was later badly wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.
This is just truly amazing. Being a army veteran myself (11b 10th mountain) I always enjoy listening to these old timers tell their stories. Now all the Vietnam guys are getting old. It’s so sad but I guess that’s life hell I’m pushing 50 and it seems like I was just in yesterday. Everybody was young once and has a story to tell especially these guys. God bless them and what they sacrificed for us
You should be pushing 65-80 if you were in Vietnam if you are pushing 50 that means you were born in the late 60's early 70s.
@@darrylkassle361 never said I was in Vietnam. Read the comment
@@darrylkassle361 never said I was in Vietnam. Read the comment
Hey! I was in the 10th Mountain too! 4-31 HHC AT platoon. 1999 - 2004. I was 11h (before they made us all bravos) I'm 45 so if you're pushing 50 we might have been there at the same time. What unit were you in?
My great grandfather was in WW2 10th Mountain Div in Italy.
Thank you for your service sir from a Viet Nam vet
15, 16 years old and his first combat experice was first wave Omaha beach 😳 thanks for recording this he is so well spoken and has so much to share.
Tears of admiration and awe listening to your eloquence and wit. Our world today is not grateful enough for your courageous doings. Honestly, a remarkable recording for the future. Love from Spain. God bless you.
While on vacation in Mexico back 2008 I struck up a conversation with a WWII Veteran from Britain. He landed on Gold beach that was alot less fortified than Omaha beach. He said that their forces were older more experienced veterans that were well trained. He had heard stories and seen the carnage of what our boy had to endure at Omaha. He told me I should be proud of how those boys not men but boys fought to take that beach. He was astounded at the bravery of those young men. They earned a lot of respect from their British and Canadian Comrades that day.
He was ill informed if he thought it wasn't veterans attacking Omaha. The 1st Infantry Division, which was the lead unit attacking the beach, had already fought through North Africa and Sicily. They were certainly not new soldiers.
@@huntclanhunt9697 plus gold beach where he landed was no picnic. He mustn't have been in the first wave.
What an incredible man! Incredible memory and unrivaled bravery like his colleagues.
Bless your heart, Jake. What spunky 15 year olds you two were!! Off to live an adventure and you're still here to tell it!! Thank you for your service. It was men like you that gave me the safe world I live in today. I can never thank you enough. May God Bless Your Soul.
Love listening to first hand stories like this. British, American, German, Japanese or whatever they all have amazing stories to tell. Its a privilege to be able to sit and listen.
“Military men are just dumb, stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy.” ― Henry Kissinger
God bless this man, man. I need this man’s courage in my life. So good at story telling even at his age. Thank you for posting.
What a story! God bless the brave men that fought for us. I wish we still had men like this today instead of the weak citizens that hate this country now.
I remember every convo I've ever had with ww2 vets I've met the last crow war chief every word a treasure thank you