IWO JIMA Marine Describes HAND-TO-HAND Combat Against the Japanese | Donald Mates
Private First Class Donald Mates of the Third Marine Division saw some of the greatest action in the Pacific Theater of World War II at the Battle of Iwo Jima.
After seeing combat in Guam, Mates was sent to Iwo Jima with the Fourth Platoon, tasked with locating the dangerous Japanese spigot mortars. At age 89, Mates reflects on his experience in one of the most grueling battles of the Second World War.
Donald Mates passed away on June 1, 2023, at the age of 97.
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Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:05 - Introducing Don Mates 1
1:06 - Why the Marine Corps?
3:27 - Boot Camp In Paris Island
5:02 - Deployment Expectations
8:10 - This Isn't Like The Movies
9:28 - Action Witnessed
11:31 - What One Experiences In War
13:22 - Introducing Don Mates 2
13:50 - Marine's Bond, Specifically With Trimble
17:40 - Time Between Guam and Iwo Jima
19:22 - The Tide in the Pacific
21:25 - Introducing Don Mates 3
21:50 - The Battle
31:00 - Grenades
35:23 - After the Explosion
42:16 - Honoring Jimmy Trimble
44:17 - Conclusion
Donald Mates died less than 2 weeks ago on June 1st 2023 at 97 years old. We all thank you for your service and bravery. Rest easy sir.
So many men were wounded,died or had their mind and soul damaged or destroyed. They gave so much so I could live my life. Please read Sgt Reckless, the total story read how the japanese worked koreans to death. Study the batan death march and the chines comfort women. America was not and is not perfect but we are trying. An American Indian
RIP
o7 o7 o7
After all he went through on Iwo Jima and afterwards, he went on to see the 2020s. What a tough man.
Thank you for leaving this comment. May his soul rest in peace.
Proud to say this is my great uncle!!!
Jennifer Suchan ....treasure!
Me to xusn
God bless Jennifer he payed. So I didn't have to
True USA don't make me cry
@Whatisthisplace Whatisthisplace God bless him and u both of them
God Bless Donald Mates. He passed June 1, 2023. RIP Semper Fi. Love you Dad.
God bless you, your father, and your family. What a man
Heaven has a place for you ❤😢
FTN
@@user-wg8we4yz4j????
God bless your father's memory.
“I’m still looking for that recruiter.” Laughed out loud at that! Maximum respect to this brave old gentleman.
ME TOO. I THOUGHT NO ONE OTHET THAN ME, B CO 62ND TK BN
I love you! My grandpa Sgt. Paul Junior Stewart, USMC, Silver Star, Pacific & Chosin.
I totally did too 😂
Even recruiters back then were shady! Lol….must be part of their recruiting heritage. 😂
_'I wanna tell ya, _*_to this day_*_ , I'm looking for that recruiter.'_
My dad served in the Marine Corp in WW2. He was on Guam and Iwo Jima but he never talked about being in combat. He came back home a different man. Before serving he was a carefree and happy young man prone to jokes! When he returned he was never the same and was always dour and prone to lose his temper. As a young boy I didn't understand but as I grew up I began to see what he went through. Semper Fi dad...4/1/1923 - 7/11/2011
My father and my uncle served in WWII. My father was in intelligence at the war dept. my uncle was navy in the Pacific. I can’t tell you what my uncle went thru. He never talked about it. He was catatonic for a short while. After that he’d never eat meat, eggs, or even wear leather. He lived his life solitary in the country side.
Iraq vet here. I lose my temper very easily and blow up on people who love me most.
@@user-gw2gv6eu6uany way to avoid that my dad was in Iraq up to about when they took down the udays villa. I’ve heard the stuff that happened, he’s technically a war criminal but he was ordered to by brass, gets angry and stays alone in his room 24/7 and smokes. I haven’t seen him in years and before that even longer. Hope one day he’ll stop being so angry and solitary.
My brother went to Viet Nam at 17. He was a wild and crazy guy, full of life and humor. All that changed after 2 tours in the Nam. He was still wild and crazy but not the same. He never told war stories but was proud of his service. The war haunted him until 6 years ago. That was when it killed him, he was on a chopper crew and did some work with agent orange to clear the jungle canopy the enemy hid under. He died from a cancer caused by exposure to this weed killer. He was a hero to me and I miss him very much. God bless all of our brave servicemen who put their lives on the line for the liberty so many Americans take for granted.
Both my grandfather's saw combat in WW2. Neither of them ever talked about it. They didn't want to relive that. It was brutal
I raised my children to admire men like this, instead of celebrities. These men, and women, truly were "The Greatest Generation"
I wholeheartedly agree. Sadly, most teenagers today have never even heard of Iwo Jima, or Guadalcanal, or Saipan, ect.
Big facts
This Young American still remembers, always will remember
Only Men....no need to include Women....otherwise if you are serious I know for sure your children have not been raised well.
Bob Nipko we need to respect all of those who serve our country.
My grandfather’s cousin, Darrell Samuel Cole, was killed on the first day of Iwo. He had been in the Corps since 1941 and was at Guadalcanal and a few other battles. He received the Medal of Honor posthumously and the USS Cole was named after him in 1996 (the same involved in the terror attack in Yemen in 2000).
Wow. Respect 🇺🇸
God bless this very brave man. What an outstanding career. Thanks to him. ❤🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Wow! Amazing story. God Bless his soul
This a very intelligent man as well as courageous.
My father was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1915. He passed away several years ago at age 99. Dad served in the 9th Army in early 1944 as an infantryman in the Rhineland area. Dad rarely spoke of his combat experiences, although he had a box hidden away with his Bronze Star and newspaper clippings during his deployment. Dad inspired me to serve and I retired after serving 29 years from the Navy by way of E-1 through O6. Dad also boxed in the Army and taught boxing to kids at the local gym in Miami, Florida. He went on to retire as a union heavy construction carpenter at age 66. Dad and all of his friends and especially the Soldier in this video are, and were, truly the greatest generation. Semper Fi.
My father was a marine during WW II, his job was clearing mine fields with a knife. He told me he used the knife to prove around the land mines. He said it was very scary and he pissed his pants. Bc he saw his buddies left and right who were blown up and either killed or lost limbs. He was discharged after the war and went to college and jointed ROTC. When Korean War started, he enlisted as a lieutenant and fought in Korea. He went all the way up Korea to the Chinese border. But had to retreat when Chinese soldiers enter the war. He said only the first couple lines of charging Chinese had rifles and those behind them only carried ammunition. The Chinese soldiers behind the first lines would pickup the rifles of their fallen comrades and kept on coming. After the Korean War, he stayed in the Army through Vietnam war and retired as a Lt Colonel in early 70s. I myself joined the military and deployed to Afghanistan and retired from the Army. My oldest dAughter is a West Point cadet and will be graduating this year. That’s three generations of military service. I just hope that my daughter will not have to fight in a meaningless war.
Which islands was he on?
Just for your own personal edification.... We no longer probe with our knives. You use a stick. Lay your hand palm up. You lay the stick lengthwise along your hand so the end is hanging off your palm. You then close your thumb over the stick. This way when you probe, you won't set off magnetic triggers (which they didn't have back then) and when you do hit something, the stick slides out the back of your hand instead of possibly depressing the mines trigger. I tell you this for two reasons. First, to show how things change and second we had to navigate a 25 yard minefield for training. At the end of it, I was exhausted, nerves were shot and my utilities were soaked with sweat. This is TRAINING where there was no chance of me being hurt. I can't imagine it being life or death. Much respect.
Best wishes for your highly accomplished daughter, Sir
We fought the Chinese in WW2. A lot of people don't know about it. My grandfather said to me, that we should never get into a War with China. He said they're like sharks teeth, there's always another row waiting for you. Something similar to what you are saying. Also they were reproducing faster than they were killing them. MacArthur was correct, they should have listened to him.
We will never know how much we owe men like this.
#TRUMP2020
How you repay this man and his friends? Stand up for your freedom, because some of his friends cannot anymore
Patrick Ancona You Americans really live in a fantasy cocoon.
Patrick Ancona that’s an eloquent synopsis of the God honest truth my friend! Well said! Semper fi
@Patrick Ancona 👏👏👏
I am a Vietnam combat veteran. For what it is worth, I find this man utterly believable and accurate. It echoes what thousands of Nam vets also experienced.
Welcome home! Thanks for your service.
Welcome home , although it's very late in being said , you are a HERO in my eyes , just as much as everyone who has worn a military uniform and has defended our great Nation.
God bless.
then... Thank you for your service. You guys were true heroes, trying to save the Vietnamese people from Communism. South Vietnam would be like South Korea if we had won. Serriously thank you for your service. IF there is ever a war against North Korea or China I would be ready to fight and if need be lay down my life.
I don't. Or Vietnam. Read Miles Mathis.
My dad was there with him. Never talked about it and struggled a lot with what he had encountered. Thank you, Don at 60 now, I see it much differently.
I am from South Korea. We will never forget the brave heroes who fought against imperialism.
My father passed away 4/26/19 age of 96 .He was incharge of the landing crafts that took the 1st wave of Marines into Iwo also a member of UDT-1
Then I'd just like to thank him for his service. It was people from everyday walks of life who served their country, not always willingly, to help keep us later generations free from tyranny. It's because of brave people like him, including the ones who didn't get to see home again, and all vets, that I'm able to enjoy my life as a free individual, and it makes me very thankful for the things that I have in my life and that I didn't have to experience the horrors that they had to endure. Thank you sir.
Those guys totally brave just like the song say “from the halls of motozoma to the shores of Tripoli “
Steve Arkie Montezuma
Fist true seal correct if wrong .
Tremendous
A man who lived a lifetime by the age of 17. Very humble.
hpygolkyone he went AT 17, he fought the battles at 18 and 19.
Ok, same thing. He still lived more of a life time before the age of 20 than most ppl today. No need for particulars
My great uncle Don
Imagine fighting alongside your best friend, and losing him like that. Tough men.
This is the most honest veteran I have ever heard. Thank you both for your time. "WAR is a RACKET." - USMC Major General Smedley Butler (1935)
There will never be another group like them. I salute them all.
No social cohesion in the countries anymore I'm not getting shot for my country
another group like them is now fighting overwhelming odds in Ukraine; a salute to them as well.
@@retniretep9477 Ukraine is a bankers wars globally we're all going to suffer for it
war is a racket
yup that generation is cut from a diffrent cloth so much class and respect, disapline something my generation and younger dont have... i try my best to look up to people like this and other vets .. i was born in 97 im 25 made ALOT of mistakes but learned so much from them
The greatest generation, my grandfather and all five of his brothers served in the war . Three in the air corps and three in the navy in both theaters. They all survived the war and were the largest number of brothers to serve during the war and all survive. The last one passed in January of this year at 98. All but one lived into their 80s and 90s. In remembrance of Penton Dean, Bill Dean, Ike Dean, John Dean, Alfred Dean, and Eugene Dean. My family's greatest generation .
Austin Dean fantastic. Truly the Greatest Generation.
Very cool, mr. Dean! Talk about sacrifice and service! Proud your family must be!
Great story, Thank you. My Grandfather had 5 nephews from two families that all served in WWII. One was shot down in Europe three times, two were there on D-day, one was bayonetted and all came home !
I’m sure your grandfather and uncles were great man I can’t imagine what one of them witnessed and lived through no matter Area of operation, and their individual assignments, your grandfather and uncle soon so I want to live in their days. let alone all of them. Their generation makes yeah average person nowadays life seems so small. Thanks and gratitude to your family.
They all survived?!? Then your family and your great-grandparents were luckier than many families. My grandmother's entire graduating class of six boys in 1940 from her small town on the Canadian Prairies were all killed in the Dieppe Raid in 1942. She couldn't talk about it 60 years later without tearing up. One woman from the town lost three sons in the war. She would wander the roads in a state of shock. "I can't believe I'm never going to see them again", she would say over and over.
Great memory for his age. Hope my head will be just as clear later in life.
This man is an American treasure! I'm honored to hear his story and the men he spoke of.
Our greatest generation
There is nothing that can compare to the battles that these you brave men went through. I am a former soldier with the US Army who never saw combat but was made very aware of all of the battles that these men went through. These are my brothers and I salute them every day of my life.
I graduated Parris Island MCRD about 6 months ago and I'm so proud to be able to carry on the traditions of men like this, Semper Fi.
Semper Fi Marine. I graduated basic training at Parris Island in October of 1983, for many years it was my greatest accomplishment.
Thank you for your service gentlemen.
Don't know if u is still active but I would never be on the US armed forces these days! Those dudes at Iwo were genuinely fighting evil ass fascism. Now the US is really a semi fascist police/corporate state. Many say the Germans/Japanese really won war in a way cause US is so fascist now ourselves. You're representing corporate interests now - no comparison to those guys on Iwo or my own father on Okinawa!!
God bless you leathernecks and thank you for your service.
@@woodrowpreacely7521 close. These older folks represented the same interests unfortunately.
Truly the greatest generation. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE 🇺🇲
No. They fought Hitler, which was wrong and stupid.
They truly were!!!
yet that generation fought for civil rights remember the services were segregated
@@prltqdf9 WHAAAA!??! Hitler killed 6 million Jews.
No hyperboles. Just frank, honest descriptions. Understated accounts of heroes, courage and, despite this Marine's humility, glory. "Just doing their job," entailed more bravery than most of us will ever comprehend. Hand to hand combat battle for three hours!!! "The Greatest Generation"? Absolutely.
My Uncle was a Marine who fought on Iwo Jima.... He passed away at 93 yrs. He was one tough guy, and refused to ever forgive the Japanese. He would still get in a rage when he talked about Iwo Jima
Same with my Grandfather. He would be coking my Grandmother in his sleep talking about Japs. Lost him in 2020. He was 16 when he Joined and had his first purple heart before 18. He had a Grenade wound him in a fox hole on Iwo Jima.
The greatest generation. My dad flew B29s from Guam, Saipan, and Iwo.
High Kudos 👍 B - 2 9
This man makes me so proud to be an American. Thank you sir for all you've done for us. God bless
These guys paved the way & gave people the right to be Weak, wear manbuns, choose if you wanna be a boy or girl, disrespect Everyone & expect Everything! Sad
@billyclub56 I agree, and it's a damn shame. Weak men bring hard times, and these sissies and weirdos in our society will be thinned out one day, hopefully.
My great Grandfather was a .50 cal machine gunner for the 3rd division in Guam. Robert L Mull. I love seeing stories about his division.
Reading your comment from Guam, USA! Been here since 1989 as a teacher. Now I'm retired.
My grandfather was in the 3rd armored division during Korea God bless them men for their service
As a former Navy corpsman, 1970-1971 (honorably discharged on 10 November 1971), I've just three words for Don Mates: Semper Fidelis, Marine! You'll be a Marine to the end of time. I'll be a Navy man (who dearly loves all Marines and most sailors) to the day I die. Thanks for doing the wonderful video interview.
🇺🇸
@@garyschultz7768 no
What beautiful and sincere words Andy!
@@larrysnyder1038 Yes🦅🇺🇲
Thank you for your service.. my dad was in the Navy for 26 years but four years were active from 1965 to 1969 and then he was reserves 1969 until 1992,he worked for the veterans administration for 30 years after that and retired in ,2000. Daddy loved the Navy and he would have stayed in for life if it wouldn't have been for my mom not wanting to leave the city she grew up in.. I did and mom even said I was brave because I married a marine and we were active duty for 10 years.. he was anyway because I didn't get married until he was in the Marine corps for 2 years. I liked the active duty life but we were at peacetime then even though we we were in twentynine palms during the Gulf war and let me tell you that entire base out in the desert was cleared out and it looked like a ghost town when all our Marines got sent over to the Gulf war around December 1990 and from January 1991 and they didn't come back forever it seemed until like around July or August of 1991. God bless you and thank you for your service. So many navy corpsman assisted me when I was in the hospital having my daughter. I had to see section and thankfully there were about two Navy corpsman who were already good friends of mine that I knew from working at the PX. The Navy corpsman were awesome and I respect you all.
Much love and respect from Japan 🇯🇵
Thank you, Domo Arrigato, to all the people of Japan!
I'm glad that your ancestors surrendered to the U.S., if it had been Russia, you might look like North Korea. I'm glad you're free. My fellow countrymen in the U.S. are squandering their hard earned freedom, please hang on to yours!
@@Dee-nonamnamrson8718 sending prayers and love to you and your family and all of Russia that are in suffering 🙏🏽❤️
@@KangazRooBoyz Thank you! We can use all the prayers we can get. I pray all is well in Japan, and that happiness makes itself readily available to you and your loved ones.
I think it's important that he acknowledges the effects of the propaganda of the time, and frankly notes that as a young man he felt that nothing bad was going to happen to him. Frank and honest. I respect him.
The propaganda then is nothing like the propaganda of today in 2022. It seems half the country will believe anything
The Japanese “spigot mortar” the gentleman mentions he saw on Iwo-Jima fired a 660 lb shell and was immense. Terrifying. I’ve heard other Marines speak about it. Eugene Sledge mentions it in an interview when speaking about Peleliu and Okinawa. And I’ve heard it mentioned in interviews about Bougainville & tarawa. These guys are men among men. Real life action hero’s.
I as an English man wanted to listen to what the young American did back then, as My parent were in the European battle in England! My mum was in the W.R.A.F she died aged 95 on 27th September 2019! I would like to say a big thank you to all those that were in WWII whatever front they were in as they are all thoroughly brave souls and had they not stood up and been counted, none of us would have the life they gave to us! It is honestly chilling to hear what this man went through! I do not know if he is still alive and would just like to say thank you for what you did back then! We are all bloody lucky to have had people like this back then! Sigh
England had their own WAACs?
@@roderickstockdale1678 WAAF if WW2, 1939 to 1949. WRAF 1949 to 1994.
@@MuckSpreader99 women’s army air force?
@@roderickstockdale1678 womans auxiliary air force.
Imagine being so Marine, that you pick sands of Iwo Jima out of you like pimples. What a beautifully told story.
A little gangrene .... a little bit of Iwo Jima coming out of me....I feel like a million dollars. Thank you...
@@iconiaman DICKHEAD.
This guy had me laughing in the first 3-minutes with how he joined the service. These men really went through a lot of trauma and pain and I truly believe they are our best generation. I salute them all.
Mr. Mates would be 93 years old at this writing. I hope he is still here inspiring young men to be better men as his story was so well told and as I said, inspiring. I can see how he was chosen for his training and his jobs. He is, to this day, an extremely bright, intelligent and thoughtful man. I am a Vietnam era vet but I was so very fortunate to be chosen to do a job not near combat but in support of some of the brightest an best in the Navy. I could go for a long time honoring this man but must congratulate this man’s family for having such a hero to respect and honor. You are such a fortunate group.
96*
This is my husband's uncle. I have heard many of his stories and all are extremely intriguing. We are all so very proud and grateful to him and so many other for their uncommon valor and bravery. He is alive and well and as sharp as ever! My son is in the Army mostly due to his admiration and respect for Uncle Don.
173 years ago i was born, who am i?
Donald A Mates passed away 6/1/23 - I am his granddaughter
@@marywoodruff2650 He’s in heaven guarding the gates I’m sure. May he rest in peace.
Wow... I never comment but this was one of the best remembrances I have ever heard. Neither myself or any of my siblings or cousins have ever served in the military but my father and his three brothers all served in WW2, my grandfather in WW1,his father rode with the confederate calvery and his great grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. They served and many died so we can enjoy the freedom so many take for granted. I salute you all and we will never forget.
The Forrest Gump sequence talking about Lt. Dan’s heritage just ran through my mind, haha
@@Naltddesha I was visualizing it as well
What an Impressive Blood Line ! Great Heritage!
Cleveland is proud of Don.
Hero in my books. Incredible that he still picks volcanic ash/shrapnel out of himself. Thank you For doing this interview too Don.
THANK YOU Gentlemen for taking the time and effort to document history.
My dad was in 3rd marine div, also was part of the third wave attack on Iwo Jima , he was a field musician of company C 3rd Marines .He passed in 2001,I have the bugle he carried with him and a small film container labeled "sand from Iwo Jima. He told me about the landing there, and it was just as Don had described. They were very lucky to get out of there with their lives. True heros by my standards.
My dad was also in 3rd marine div 3rd wave on Iwo
So the 3rd marines did fight on Iwo?
@@marchitson5757 my dad as well.
My great grandpa died in iwo jima during the ww2
Donald Mates is an amazing man. Brave. Level headed. Articulate. Fantastic powers of recall.
This man tells like it really is even to this day it's the same story. Semper Fi.
It is possible he’s reliving some parts of his experience. I’ve had *my* experiences come back to haunt me - the sights, sounds and especially, the smells. I *still* have reactions in hospitals fifty plus years later, and hospital disinfectant is the worst. I’ve smelled *ether* (early sixties anesthetic) when describing what it was like. Only dealing with Mengele himself would have been much worse, and that was for that portion - being treated like an object, an experiment…. There was more, much more. These people endured worse, though.
I could listen to this man talk for hours. Thank you Don for your service.
Shut up and make your own life interesting you dirtbag
My grandfather, his four brothers, fought in WW2…two in the Army, one Navy and one Marine and all seven of his sisters, two were WAC officers and the other five were WACS. They all served in the theaters of war. On my fathers side, his father was stationed aboard the Arizona and was enroute with messages when the attack happened. My father was killed in Vietnam and he was a Marine. Our families were very military oriented and I was nudged through the scouts. Got sick of college and my senior year, so I joined the Navy as a sonartech submariner. Found out I was claustrophobic at sub school and went surface sonar on a destroyer. After my first enlistment I went straight into the Army as a prime power technician and retired as a 1SG. All of my family was so proud of me and they were all alive while I was on active duty. Funny to see that recruiters have always been less than honest. Great video 🫡😉
My uncle was a Marine on Iwo Jima and when angry would sometimes rant about those "sons of Tojo".
Lee Marvin the actor survived Iwo Jima, also a Marine my generation knew as Captain Kangaroo!
@@dogpatch5220 Captain Kangaroo never left the continental united states, didn't land on Iwo, and didn't serve with Lee Marvin. "Keeshan was born in Lynbrook, New York.[3] After an early graduation from Forest Hills High School in Queens, New York, in 1945, during World War II, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, but was still in the United States when Japan surrendered. He attended Fordham University on the GI Bill. He received his Bachelor's in Education in 1951.[4] An urban legend claims that actor Lee Marvin said on The Tonight Show that he had fought alongside Keeshan at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. However, Marvin never said this, not having served on Iwo Jima,[5] and Keeshan himself never saw combat, having enlisted too late to serve overseas.[6]"
Ty Lockton [4].He did say it but it was a joke, and then it turned into a myth. [5].Marvin was never in fact on Iwo, having previously been wounded on Saipan.
30:59 "... the battle lasted , hand to hand, about three hours. ... hand grenades were handy." This elderly gentleman makes me feel like Sponge Bob Squarepants.
Hand to hand? ...Bullshit!!!
rob baxter read Eugene Sledge's book. Titled: "With the old breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa. His company K35 has more than 40 men throughout the war and he said only 2 of them luckily didn't had the chance to kill a Japanese by hand. The rest of them did more than twice. Imagine that.
@@jimfontaine9788 you need to have some respect for your elders if this man said they did something over there they did it a lot of men didn't come back they have no reason for Stolen Valor this is the greatest generation to ever walk this Earth and can never be replaced you need to do a little research before you call bulshit
rob baxter Were you there?
@@patricksmith5282 Were you?
You have to love men like this. I've always admired the courage and tenacity of the American soldier (especially in in WW2), but those who fought in the Pacific deserve special admiration. They're almost always very modest, downplaying their own incredible bravery, but there's no finer example of soldiery. God bless them all. I'm very grateful to them
My dad was a World War II vet, Us navy, South pacific. He was assigned to a destroyer that was blown out from under them in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The name of the ship escapes Me. He was then assigned to a ship called the Norton Sound where they saw action off Iwo Jima and then Okinawa. He said Okinawa was the absolute vision of hell with the kamikazes. His ship's mission was to pick up downed US pilots and to kill any Japanese in the water because they would throw grenades on board the ships or fire any weapons that they had to try to kill the Americans. Dad used to wake up screaming in the night about the incoming kamikazes. I miss him everyday. He was my true hero and another humble example of the greatest generation.
My great grandfather served in the 1st infantry division on the storming of Omaha beach he went on to serve in all 4 branches during his more than 20 years of service and heroism before becoming a drill instructor during Korea and retiring to work with his hands for the next 65 years total badass and all around great guy I was happy to know for much of my early childhood of which I can remember well thanks to your family as well for service and valor 🤝🤝🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
How intelligent this vet is; a brave guy!
Great and interesting interview. My father also served in the Third Marine Division in the Pacific. He served on Guam, Bougainville and Iwo Jima. He passed away about eight years ago at the age of 92.
Reading this from Guam, USA. Blessings to your dad. I'm a retired teacher not in the military.
A great warrior and patriot. Incredible clarity on those events so long ago.
About killing people?...
rob baxter not just any random people. They were killing the people who made the concentration camps.
preludeF20Bking dudes a what they call troll, every comment made is a ignorant remark towards the servicemen. I just noticed your comment as I was listening to other vets speak ❤️🇺🇸
He had his last operation on his war wounds in 1982! This is just unbelievable!
Not really, people can have shrapnel and bullets in them for years and years.
Mr. Mates, you really are a treasure for our country. I wish more young people would hear your story, and understand the horrors that you and your generations had to endure in WW2.
never met my uncle, just got his name, He was killed aboard the Sub. USS Argonaut. my dad got 4 battle stars and a bronze in Europe and a cousin captured at corigidor survived the bataan death march and was one of the 80 men out of 800 who survived the sinking shino maru. but they are all the Greatest Generation, and there will be no more like them, thats for sure.
Imjusttoo Dissgusted No: The guys who fought in Viet Nam without the support of their own country were the greatest.
Joel Gehrke anyone who fought for their country is the greatest
I like to think if we needed to step up for something like this again we could find great Americans to serve. But thanks to the men and women of that generation, hopefully we will never have to find out.
But I would hope some would still answer the call if it came to it
@@jsgehrke but these guys fought a greater war…mostly voluntarily after surviving the Great Depression so the title is bestowed upon them in honor of everything they went through;enduring the worst economic crisis in this country’s history then going off to fight the greatest war ever! The Vietnam boys grew up easier…they were the suburban generation! They had diners and skates and rock and roll! These guys grew up poor in farm towns and slums.
My heartfelt salute. Thank you Sir for my freedom. You and your lost buddies are real heroes.
Lost my dad at Iow. Have a picture of a young sweet man and his Purple Heart. Now every time I see a man in a military uniform I get so proud and tear up.
Another national treasure. This generation accomplished so much and really did save the world. Salute and all my respect.
The whole point of the war was to establish Israel as a nation. It's no coincidence that hitlers personal seal is also the family seal of the Roths childs.
My dad served from 1962-1966. He taught me to respect these amazing soldiers from WWII as well as all military, I've tried to pass that along to my kids as best I can too. My son ships out to Army basic training in Fort Leonard Wood in 4 days and I couldn't be more proud because I know he's becoming part of a long line of strong men and women who bravely went before us. God bless Donald Mates, others who sacrificed, and the hope we still have for future generations.
What a brilliant man! His honesty and insight is blinding and can only come from someone who has seen action!
These were ordinary people put in extraordinary situations and I'm glad he lived to tell the story. My dad would never talk about his WW2 experience. I guess a lot of vets don't talk about what happened maybe it's too traumatic for them but I'm really glad a lot of them opened up about it like Don Mates to let us know what their god awful experience was like. God bless all the combat veterans out there who were sent to do what their country ask them to do. This guy is a hero and has been paying a physical and emotional cost of this for his whole life. Before we send people into harms way we better make sure we are doing it for the right reasons.
What an amazing Man. I’m a recent combat vet. I saw enemy close up only a few times. And nothing like he endured. I hope this man has peace, he’s and angel to many like us.
I am so grateful that he shared these stories with us. Thank you sir!
What a brave hero! Too bad there are so few of these real heroes left!
This man was still undergoing surgery close to 40 years after he was wounded. We all owe him a debt that we can never repay. All we can do is live our lives in the best way we can, teach our children about dignity, honor and faith. And to do whatever we can to protect our democracy that he and so many like him paid so dearly to defend.
My grandfather passed in the late 90s. He served as a train engineer in Europe taking troops to the front. Kwai came into the picture in there somewhere and my father was forever looking at train pictures from that theater hoping to see his fathers face in the drivers seat of the engines. He never did. They weren't talking when my grandfather passed. Sad. My grandfather, as so many ww2 vets, simply never really talked about the war. It was horrific
Most honest man youde ever meet, I wish I had the privilege
Don Mates, veteran of WW2, Marine Corp., and all around badass !! my generation sucks, these guys were freaking beasts
We didn’t live during a world war lol, jackass
@@folland34 you are a jack's ass.. this generation is not fit to fight any wars anyway..😂
Most kids nowadays complain about taking out the trash! This Great American did more in 1 year of his life than any kid nowadays will do in 5 lifetimes! God bless him and Semper Fi Devil Dog!
@@folland34 just take out the garbage please. Don’t worry Mommy will pay you to do it!
Everybody complains about the kids these days. Well who is raising them? Do your damn job & show them the way rather then complain about them.
They were built different back then. I’m proud to have served in the USMC. Men like him inspired me to join, but I never had my metal tested the way he and others like him did. They all deserve the highest respect and honor. Semper Fi.
Semper Fi Marine. Thanks to all our veterans and especially these sharing their memories.
Incredible story. An honor to even hear it. So many heros. My grandfather was red arrow Brigade in New Guinea. I wish he could have sat down and talked like this. I heard in bits and pieces. Didn't talk much about it, though.
Much respect to you and our military service men current and past
I’m so grateful to our boys that fought for me and my country. I wasn’t born yet but I pray for them now that they’re old. God bless them and keep them.
I imagine this Man has gone through some hurt but barely a mention of it, just speaking of others, those days are not something I can begin to imagine, thank you for doing what you did and recalling what you can and your ongoing work too. thanks for recording these memories of life changing times for so many that need to be remembered by so many.
A Man's Man Right There .
Until 40 years later, he would pick out pieces of shrapnel still coming out, or specks of volcanic ash. “Like a pimple” holy hell, sir
What a heart wrenching story. What great man Don Mates. Wish I could remember all the names of Marines that he named, who didn't make it. What an Honor to hear his story.
My reply is short but none the less sincere. I'm just in awe of all the men of world war two . Honour & Respect . Lest we forget .
Agreed ... wonderful story by one of the greatest generation.
As a fellow Eagle Scout, I am in awe of your service. Thank you.
I’m also an Eagle Scout! That’s amazing and many people don’t recognize the accomplishment. I used to get made fun of all the time back in high school for being in the Scouts.
Only words to say, Respect sir
Thank you, Don Mates, for what you did, for what you endured, for bearing the loss of your friend Mr. Trimble.
"Leathernecks..." Perfect. TOUGH men. Mr. Mates personifies why the scariest thing the bad guys can hear is "the Marines have landed." God bless you sir. And Thank You!!!
Nothing more scarier than a Marine:)
My Dad served in the 'Third', on Bougainville,, Guam, and Iwo Jima.......
Tremendous
my Grandfather, Antonio "Bully" Gugliano was there in Iwo Jima. The famous flag raising: the 2 men on the left of the photo my Grandfather saved them before they raised the flag. He was in the 4th Marine Division. God bless all the Veterans! I am Veteran of peacetime in the 80's. Army 77th Field Artillery. I was in the first MLRS Unit in the Army at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. My Grandfather played for the Marines in Baseball, was the 1955 Championship in his weight division as a Boxer (knocked out Marciano once in a sparring match), used to be a Track star in high School, used to average 4 touchdowns a game while playing Semi-Pro football, a Real Gentleman. Italian, married to my Grandmother (mother's side) for 35 years before he died of a heart attack on his front lawn with our dog, T.J. (named after my grandfather Tony Junior) and Grandmother after coming home from a wedding....he was truly one of the Greatest men I ever knew. He did not live long....59.5 years!! He was also a roofer for 45 years having worked on most of the major hospitals and big buildings here in Syracuse, NY.
Hand to Hand Combat is a whole different story. This Hero's journey and listening to him tell this intense experience had me in tears and covered with chills from head to toe!! I can't even imagine being in his situation and being so young, just a kid, so far away from home, chilling and an amazing survival story I've ever heard. I am ever so grateful for him and all the soldiers that protected me and our Country. I can't Thank him enough and also his family who worried and waited for his safe return home. I am also a Proud daughter of a WW2 US Army Master SERGEANT and a Proud sister of a USMC Private First Class Vietnam era who earned a Purple Heart. Thank You Sir. 🇺🇲
I hope this gentleman is still around and doing well. The guys that lived this stuff and are still here are national treasures
he just passed away yesterday. i am his granddaughter. 6/1/23
@@marywoodruff2650sorry for your loss and thank you to your grandfather for his service.
Semper Fi Mr. Mates. My great uncle fought in the Pacific. I knew a gentlemen who also served in the Pacific. My mom and dad are also USMC veterans (Vietnam Era). I was conceived, born and raised in the USMC. They’re still making quality Devil Dogs out there, but not quite like Don.
Fighting still like the Dogs of the Devil... Keeping firm always ready
Shout out from Cleveland OH! Thank you for your service Marine. We salute you.
My dad served in the same 3rd division. Was also trained at Paris Island, and also saw action on Guam & Iwo after Bougainville. These two might have even been in the same foxhole at some point. Dad passed in 1997.
Thank you Don Mates, for your brave service. I was an Army Infantry 11 Bravo, in the 1990s and I can't even imagine how hard Marine training at Paris Island is in the early 40s or now. You are part of the reason that I did not have to speak German - unless I wanted to in high school!
Yeah, i remember being in afghanistan, during one of the elections, and for whatever reason they decided to hit us with dozens and dozens of mortars and rockets instead of the average 2-3. Even then, after 30-45 mins of puckered butt holes, i vividly remember thinking how this probably wouldn't have interupted their meal. Thinking about bastogne (which funny enough was the name of task force i was attached to), and having to essentially sit in the open because the ground is frozen solid and you cant dig a decent fox hole, all while going through barrages of every kind of artillery the germans had, and all fired by a highly trained battle hardened enemy, mind you. With no where to run, no cover, no qrf, no air support. All while feezing w no warm clothes. There was no comparison.
My grandfather served with this man, he fought in the 3rd Marine Division during WWII, K Company, he said after training at Paris Island they sent them to Guadalcanal but by the time the division got there it was mostly taken care of so they went to Bougainville where his best friend and neighbor was the first casualty on the island, then because the re-taking of Guam was the first American territory we took back he said he was the first American to land on the beach to re-take that soil, their final battle was on Iwo Jima and he said as he was trying to get off the beach he ran over John Basilones body (Medal of Honor award winner for his actions on Guadalcanal). Still have CD interview recordings of him and something that always struck me was he said before the battle of Iwo Jima the division was brought to an open theater where they where briefed on the island, they said to remember where you sat and the people next to you because we expect heavy casualties on the island, after the battle the remaining original members of the division went back to that theater and their exact seats, only 7 of the original members of the division where still there, their division had suffered something like 150% casualties. He passed away November 4th, 2014
Your grandfather was a great man! I thought I’d better say that before I tell you you can’t have 150% percent casualties lol so if there was 100 men after the battle were they on minus 50 men!!! 100% casualties is everyone!!!
@@simonostinelli493 actually they did, almost everyone from their original division got wounded or killed, my grandfather was wounded several times but never left the line, plus all the reinforcements that joined them on the island to replace their loses, resulting in 150% meaning of ALL the additional reinforcements they got at least half where also wounded or killed.
Azsouth OfLotro your wrong sorry a casualty of war by definition is killed in action,injures sustained that mean your out of the fight disabled by physiological trauma deserted missing or captured not someone who’s been injured and can carry on fighting! Just google military casualty!!!
Azsouth OfLotro you’re grandfather was a great man though sorry not trying to be a prick! I’m just correcting you for future reference
@@simonostinelli493 Just to clarify, I know I'm not wrong, I'v studied this my entire life, I have my grandfathers books from the time which corroborate the major stuff he has said, including casualty counts. Just to leave you with a story I grew up on: I'm sure after the grenade went off, killed one in his foxhole, blinded him from the concussion (blood coming out of every hole), and messed up the other guys hands so he couldn't fire the machine-gun, he would have taken a day off, unfortunately the front line fell back a decent distance (I can't remember how far exactly) and he was cut off as a result of the banzai charge, the only reason why one of the scouts in front of his gun and he and his foxhole buddy survived was because as the grenade landed in his foxhole someone had thrown a phosphorous grenade in front of their hole and as a result the Japanese charge split around them like water hitting a massive rock. When they somewhat recovered my grandfather who's arms and hands still worked fired the machine-gun while the other marine still alive who was not blind spotted for him, in the morning after he regained his sight he counted over 50 dead Japanese soldiers in front of his foxhole. When they had figured out what happened the survivors decided to get back to their lines. they met another squad on the way back that had been caught behind enemy lines then had to maneuver around Japanese soldiers who did not charge to their deaths and a sniper that was covering the only pass back to their lines, they lost two people to that sniper and when they made it back to the lines at the medical area, the scout from in front of his hole just sat down and quit the war, my grandfather went to the head of a mortar group and told them where he saw some enemy soldiers firing at him, he ended by saying the mortar team put in the measurements, fired right on the spot he said to, and he said he saw a Japanese body go flying and broke apart in the air from the explosions, he told the head of that group "I guess you got'em".
My Dad was a Leuitenant in the Army Air Corp, island hoped the Pacific as part of a B-29 Squadron and was in Japan for just over a year as part of the U S Occupation Forces. Interesting note - for the psychological effect upon the Japanese population, U S Soldiers and Airmen assigned to the occupation forces had to be over 6 feet tall.
What an incredible story. This is what heroes are made of ... Semper Fi
What a story, really harrowing face to face brutal combat, these interviews are great, just shows what these men had to go through, such incredible heroes.
the sand imbedden in his legs just made him mad..One tough guy..
What an amazing man and a recollection of events so well told. We owe the lives we live today, and the freedom we have because of fearless men like him!!! It's crazy to think that he was just a kid having to handle all of that.....
Great bloke, salt of the earth. Love & respect from a Scotsman. 💙♥
My great grandfather was a frogman he's told me stories of his service and how he lost his teeth in the war! You brought out a lot of memories thank you for that and thank you for your service.
I have listened to quite a few stories like this from veterans. This Hero Mates story is incredible. To volunteer to go find those rockets, I thought they always say never volunteer for anything.
What an amazing man!!!!
My father served with the 3rd Division in Guam and Iwo. Thanks for posting.
I listen to a lot of these. This is one of the best and most captivating I have heard. God bless him.
My great uncle bob(jones) served with the 3rd marines. he always said being ill when his company went ashore at iwo jima saved his life. he went into battle on the 5th day. he passed in 2004. i miss him.
Which regiment?