Abandoning Ship In the Battle of Midway | Memoirs Of WWII #21
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- Опубликовано: 5 мар 2020
- WW2 Veteran Roger Spooner of the United States Navy recalls the Battle of Midway, abandoning a sinking ship, and spending a night stranded at sea.
Memoirs of WWII Website: bit.ly/2w60kGM
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Written and Directed by Joshua Scott
Filmed by Christian McLean
Edited by Joshua Scott and Christian McLean
Post Audio by Lane Tarr
Archive Footage Sources:
www.archives.gov/
U.S. Department of Defense
Archive Photograph Sources:
U.S. Navy
Geographicus Rare Antique Maps
National Library of New Zealand
National Archives
Musical Score Source:
artlist.io/
Artlist Songs and Composers:
“Last Chance to Change” by Piotr Hummel
“A Glimmer of Hope” by Michael Vignola
“Exigency” by Charlie Ryan
“Scenes” by Runar Blesvik
“But As the Radiance Left Your Eyes” by The Soundkeeper
“Did You Ever Go Sailing (Down the River of Memories)” written by Albert E. Brumley, performed by Lulu Belle and Scotty
I’m Rogers Spooner’s granddaughter. Just letting everyone know Paw Paw passed away yesterday morning. Thank you for all the nice comments y’all were saying about him. He like a long life full of purpose.
I am deeply sorry for your loss! Men like Roger are the worlds hero! May he rest in peace!
@@OLMasterChief thank you so much! & he was! He was full of joy & happiness no matter what! He Ioved everyone he met no matter if he knew them or not. ❤️
@@morgangiannars8664 i hope memoir s of ww2 responds to this!! They should edit the video and put his passing date! I teared up when i learned he died. These videos mean a lot to me. I love their stories.
@@OLMasterChief we had family that had members from WWll today that came to the visitation today. I’m sure there will be more tomorrow at the funeral. I’ve watched this video many times. I had a recording of me interviewing him for my college history report. I found it 2 nights ago on my phone.
@@morgangiannars8664 that is awesome!
Men like him are what makes the world a great place. He saw hard times (the depression), he served his country and put his life on the line, he raised a great family, started his own company, and continues to serve by passing to us the stories of the greatest struggle to preserve freedom in the history of the world. God bless the people who are a part of the greatest generation.
He does that and still drives a semi hauling 3-5 days a week. He's a tough ole bird! I work for him.
@@ericsekula8103 please tell him I said thank you for his service and to keep on trucking brother!!!
Eric Sekula Please tell, thank you for his service for me as well !! 🇺🇸 ⚓️
I totally agree. My grandfathers both were in WWII - paternal grandfather as a Colonel in the Army and served most of his time in the Pacific. My other grandfather was in North Africa into Italy. He was a medic under General Patton. Somewhere I have the letters my grandmother sent my grandfather (and his letters back to her). Though both are gone now I will try to recover those letters and get them in some format for viewing/reading. Some of my grandfather’s stories in the Pacific were unreal. My other grandfather met with General Patton because his superior officer was too scared to meet with him. He even net the Pope.
@Titus
Nobody asked you
I don't know why, but this one raised more feelings than others for me. I think it is the way he gazes into nothing and talks about how he will never forget as long as he lives.
Same!!!
For sure this one made me feel the emotion for sure the way he talked and the look on his face
As a combat vet I prolly connected with this one on a more emotional level. When he stares off hes reliving those memories before he talks about them. Ugh its sad
I was thinking the same thing. Just in awe of his life.
Same here. I've seen just about all these videos but this one was extra touching.
He was my buddy and neighbor. He left us today, our whole town is feeling the loss. He was the oldest active truck driver in the U.S. yesterday, he's sitting with God today.
Happy 97th Birthday, Sir. You are a true hero. Thank you for sharing your story.
For Americans and Japanese Who Lost In 1942 ♥♥♥
Wut?
@Three Stacks
he·ro
/ˈhirō/
noun
1. a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.
So - yes. 100%
@Three Stacks By definition, yes.
@Three Stacks Nelson Mandela once said, "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
Those who joined, whether they were drafted or they volunteered, knew that they would likely not return home if they went to the front lines. To persevere against the inevitable fear and do what was necessary to defend their home or their brothers/sisters-in-arms is certainly heroic.
“The Queen wouldn’t let us come ashore until they hid all their girls up in the mountains” (and he laughs). These WW2 veterans more often than not seem so good natured, modest and warm hearted, which is the impressive part of them being heroes. These are some of the qualities that makes their generation the Greatest Generation.
To hear him say “there ain’t very many of us left” really got to me. This generation of men were without a doubt the most courageous and hard working. It’s a shame we only have a few left. God bless their souls & may we follow their example of strength & courage.
Austin Black - and the “protesters” in DC vandalized the WWII memorial. 😡 🤬
i see WW2 i click.
Ww1 story’s too
most forbidden documentary. Europa The Last Battle at archive . org
Yessir
When men were men, and they went down to the Sea, and the perils the Sea beholds... My 20 years of service (retired Navy) are but a spec to what men like him experienced in 4 years of war. The best, the greatest Generation! Makes me proud to be an American...
Me too. Thank you for your service sir..
Mario Thanks For your service shipmate, I too am a retired EMCS 74-95. To hear these old shipmates and their sea stories is great. My greatest regrets in my youth, as a young sailor, was not spending much time with these old timers. In there fifties back then. I knew a few, including a Japanese WWII sailor in Yokosuka and my Uncle Joe, a Gunner’s Mate 2nd in the Naval Armed Guard serving on Merchant ships, on convoy in the North Atlantic. He taught me how to roll a white to look salty and not look like a boot. I had a chance to spend time with a China Gunboat Sailor, and being young and stupid, I let the opportunity slip by. You never see youth and wisdom used in the same sentence. Can you imagine if the internet and folks like these history folks were getting their stories on video, back in the day. What a treasure it would be. But this young Sailor going from a bird farm to a submarine a true gluten for punishment. I was lucky enough to have sailed through the Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, Midway, Leyte Gulf and San Bernardino Straits during my time. God bless him and those that served. Shipmate be safe.
agree, i did 8yrs as an os from 2001 2009...what these man endured is beyond comprehension, we got all our fancy weapon systems that allows us to fight wars from a far ww2 naval battles where up close in your face
Lordpianz. If you read about Taffey 3, Oct 44 with the USS Johnston, Hoel, Heermann and the Samuel B Roberts it was an eyeball to eyeball, toe to toe fight with the Yamato and a string of Japanese cruisers. The large Japanese guns did not have time to arm and passed right through the tin cans without exploding. Tom Hanks needs to make a movie of that battle. They just found what was left of the Johnston at 18000 ft. Shipmate Thanks for your service and be safe
Thank you for your service sir
"if I'd known I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself" lol. My grandad went right through the Pacific campaign with the Americans on the HMAS Hobart. He said on some of the beach landings where the Hobart was providing supporting fire, there was so many bodies and blood from the US marines on the beach that you couldn't see any sand. He said the bravery of the guys doing the beach landings was beyond belief, and that they were so young.
Couldn't go ashore because they knew them boys would be trying to get that poonani. Good story sir that part made me laugh. Thank you for everything
That or the island girls wouldn't be able to keep themselves off those hunks.
“All crews: prepare to abandon ship.” God that gave me chills. What these men went through is just unimaginable. Thank you for these.
I wish my paternal grandfather was alive today so I can share with him this great piece of history... he fought in WWII alongside General MacArthur in the Philippines....always proud of him, loved his tales, his war stories.... miss you dearly grandpa 💔😔
I do much appreciate this channel and hearing stories of those of the greatest generation. In very glad I found this channel. God bless those who gave so much for this country...and the world.
@@zachtm8390 I agree
@Jordan Sharpe First off, grammar and punctuation are your friend, it helps you write a better developed statement and helps you get your point across more clearly. Second, what does what you are saying have anything to do with what this video is about. This man, among others, were doing what they had to do to protect our country and defeat fascism and hate on a global scale. Thirdly, segregation was a thing but you are forgetting that this generation served to open the door for men of all backgrounds and races to serve their country, and not every white person was steeped in racism or believed in the inequality of races.
Finally and most importantly, you forget that black service men were a very important part of the war effort, more of which we are learning of as time moves in. Yes There was mistreatment of blacks, that is factual, but racism was becoming less and less popular going all the way back to the Civil War.
I think you need to actually pick up a history book and do something called reading instead of just being a voice box for the liberal left and media.
@@nyboy76 thanks
@Jordan Sharpe Oh stop hating on these great old people, not all white people were racist at this time, and WWII served as a great way to begin better equality, as black men for the first time were able to serve their county. Also, greatest generation is the name of that doesn’t mean that all of those people were the greatest, although many of them were.
@Jerry Crooker Wow, you picked out one error on my reply, congrats to you good sir. You get a No Prize for being so gosh darn observant. 🏆
Came here from TikTok to say RIP to a true American from the greatest generation. RIP Mr Spooner. They don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
i live 10 mins away from norfolk virginia, i feel honored knowing this man was 10 mins away from me 76 years ago.
My Great Grandfather served with you! His name was Marlin C. SMITH from Cuba, Illinois. He would tell us how he was so scared to jump in his words "because that was one big pond and a long way down!" He passed in March of 1990. Thank you for your service sir!
My dad john Hancock died within days of Mr spooner.they were the last two.
Rest In Peace Big R you will always be missed and loved until we meet again my trucker brother
These poor guys were not privy to the PTSD diagnosis. They could've gotten more help if they had. They had/Have PTSD, just not diagnosed. so many had to self medicate. I am so proud of "The Greatest Generation". You guys will always be appreciated and never forgotten.
But they didn’t need the “diagnosis” and the “meds” . They relied on themselves, toughed it out and we’e ok. Your PTSD talk is just stupid. Typical of your young soft generation.
My Uncle Stuart Miller was a shipmate of Roger’s at the Battle of Coral Sea and at Midway. He floated in the water while he was injured and spent many months in the Naval Hospital in Pearl Harbor recovering. He never spoke of the ordeal and it is good to hear Mr Spooner’s reminiscences to know what my uncle experienced.
I have a family member that just turned 99 and landed on Normandy. I would love for him to do one of these!
Hi Debra...Wow! That's cool...did you know that Rodger Daltery of the Who? His Dad was a Higgins Boat Capt....Delivering Marines to Normandy! ....My Dad would be 102 now....Island Hopper.... Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High school
@@ericunderwood1482 no I didn’t.
Please just try and do one yourself. We need every story recorded before it’s too late.
Hey Josh we thank you deeply for coming out here to Iron City and getting Papa's story documented. We have been anxiously awaiting this video. I'm fixing to go in here and show it to him. God bless you and the crew and all your travels.
A humble hero from the Greatest Generation. 🙏 🙏 Thank you from Texas.
Tell Papa thanks from me, I love our Navy.
Semper Fi.
One from the greatest generation. We are losing these treasures everyday. Glad he told his story so it’s here for us all to see and hear. RIP to a Great American.
After few years there'd be none to interview
I hope the then interview Korea vets
@@AA-xk7gy and then the Vietnam Vets
Debra Kleid they said they won’t be interviewing Vietnam Vets as of now. They are focused on ww2 vets, cause they’re gonna be gone sooner than the others.
@@0nu I meant after they finish with the WW2 vets and then Korean I would like to see Vietnam further down the road. I love these memoirs and I look forward to these. WW2 holds a special place for me
and thats such a heartbreaking feeling... God bless these men and Rest the souls of the ones that died those years all ago.
GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD BY THE OLDEST OF EM ALL
This is definitely not the greatest story ever told! A great story to be sure but not the greatest. The story of God coming to earth, dying for our sins, and rising from the dead is the greatest story ever told!
@@dmac2899 Alrighty a little unnecessary there lol.
@@dmac2899 ...to some.
"There aren't many of us" that made a tear fall from my eye.
My father served on the Yorktown during Coral Sea And Midway. he gave similar descriptions as this man. Both, along with all the others , were heroes!
"I don't feel like I've missed anything"... Damn, nearly cried when he said that.
Mr. Spooner, I know you would like to forget. But your memories are precious, and we are grateful for your remembrances. Thank you sir, for your service.
This is by far the best series of interviews, better than anything on TV
A true patriot. Thank you for your service Roger!
My Daddy served and never could forget. He suffered the rest of his life.
Thank you for getting this mans story out there. Thank you helping preserve the memories of this conflict.
I cant tell you how much I truly love and respect what your doing. I work at one of the major museums in Washington DC and if you ever need some historical research or other things of that nature done, please dont hesitate to ask. It would be my honor. I have talked about doing something similar to what your doing for years.
thankyou for guarding our western australian coast, your efforts are certainly still remembered here. lest we forget.
RIP Roger. Thank you for your service. 😔
I'm honored to be 🇺🇸...Thank you from the depth of my heart for your sacrafice, bravery, and just all out toughness to the Veterans of WW2..
God bless you, Roger Spooner. Truly, men like you ARE the greatest generation.
Wow..how he pauses and you just know he’s back there seeing the hellish memories run through he’s mind..poor fella..pure hero
True Hero ❤ lots of love from Australia 👍
What a life this man has lived. You just can't help but love him
To the man in this video and to all of your allied comrades:
Thank you.
Love from a grateful younger generation.
It's men like him that makes myself proud of joining the Navy.
My dad's 96 hes the last of 7 brothers his oldest brother was wounded but they all made it home from WWII except his baby brother was too young to go but went to Korea and was killed there .they are the greatest generation.!!!!!
Obviously someone is slicing up some onions while I'm trying to watch this!
Good Lord. I don’t know how these guys did it. My hat is off to them. Forever.
I still can't believe how underrated this channel is 😲 you guys deserve more recognition for the work you do. Many thanks to all the brave men and women who served
These stories are so important to hear, these men are dying and we can’t talk to all of them and because of you guys we get to hear the stories of the brave men who sacrificed their lives for our country (Im also 15)
Some of the greatest videos I’ve ever seen!! Amazing work Josh, and to everyone else!👍👍
as someone who drives truck for a living i would be damn proud to work for someone like him.
Can't get enough of this quality content. Best Generation EVER. NO QUESTION!
I love seeing these videos. And hello everyone
Mr. Spooner this is me giving you a hand shake and and a hug. God Bless you. You a American Boy.
You sir are more of a man than I will ever be. Thank you for your service.
The stories and wisdom of our elderly. More valuable than gold, more beneficial than food, more uplifting than love.
Navy Veteran here,ty Sir for your service 😊
I appreciate you sharing these great men's stories so much!
What a sense of humor. I had no idea that the sailors were in the sea overnight. They were covered in oil. Wow. What they suffered to win the war. Thank you for telling his story of this war hero.
this guy talked so at ease like it happened yesterday.. thank you sir, my dad served in the pacific in the Americal Division 43 to 46
Sad to say this but WE are the last generation to be able to talk or hear these stories in the present, next generation will just be able to watch this. Soon the new generations will forget about the great sacrifices made in these wars. Who knows there might be a new WW3. But i hope the new generation will keep this alive, never forget that millions that had sacrifice there life for peace.
My old man fought in NEW GUINEA and spoke little of the Jungle fighting. He was impressed by the US military and the debt we owed them in turning the tide of the war. His generation, like those men interviewed here, were of a time and character, we will never see again.
That's the truth!
What an incredible hero with an amazing story. I'm glad he is sharing with you and all of us. Thank you for making this great piece of history.
I wish my Grandad was alive to tell his sea stories of 10 battles. Operation Torch in North Africa and 9 battles in the Pacific on the carriers Belleau Wood and Ranger, plus volunteering and going ashore with the Marines in the 3rd wave on Okinawa. His battle station was the twin Bofors 40mm.
The greatest generation unselfishly saved democracy from tyranny. God bless you kind sir.
That mention of taking the village women up the mountain cracked me up but war is hell that’s for sure. Can never unsee what they saw back then.
I love hearing stories from these Vets. God Bless them all. The Greatest Generation that ever lived. My Dad and Step Dad both fought in WWII. They are both now at peace. RIP to all those that died during and after the war.
I lived not far from this man in a town called leesburg. I wish i could’ve met this man while i was there. I moved back to Alabama but I’d give anything to have met this veteran.
Such a nice cheery old man, thank you for your service Roger
This man and men like him are true American hero’s. My grandfather was a fighter pilot and was shot down during the battle of midway. I’m great full he was rescued and I was able to hear some of the stories of bravery.
THESE were MEN!!! RIP Dad WW2 and Korean War Vet....I did Vietnam; that was enough for me.
What a statement...."If I'd known I'd live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself!"
Reminds me of something I read a few years ago....a WW l female veteran by the name of Florence Green was asked on her 110 birthday, what it felt like to turn 110.
Without hesitation Florence replied, "Not all that different from when I turned 109!" 😁.
I got chills watching this episode. Thanks for preserving Roger's story.
A great man from a great generation. SALUTE ☺️🇱🇷
What a good looking, clean cut young man he was. WOW!
My earthly father was in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and others. He passed away when I was five months old. I remember my mom recounting what my father experienced and it sounded like hell. He was an electrician aboard the Birmingham when they came alongside the Princeton which, had been hit by a 500 pound bomb. The Princeton exploded throwing steel schrapnel onto the Birmingham. My father was helping to put out fires and was hit in the upper back. I saw the repaired hole in his battle uniform which, has since been stolen. He survived the war obviously since I am recounting this.
I always got emotional watching this channel, amazing.
This is what being an American is all about. Too many people forget about the hero's of the past and it's so sad.
Hard man, did hard things, and lived a great life. I am thankful to have heard your story. This channel should be a constant reality check for everyone.
I am still blessed with my 95 year old grandfather that is a WWII vet. He doesn’t like to speak about the war. I always wanted to hear his story, but by watching these videos I understand his reluctance. God bless all of these men. They saved our future and words cannot express my love and gratitude for them. Especially for me, my sweet Pa Pa.
He is not a historian, he is a history.
What this channel is doing is so important.
My grandfather abandoned ship on the carrier Lexington at Coral Sea. He was in the water for 26 hours.
Am so glad you survived and returned home. Mr. Spooner, sir your story touched me like no other. 😪 Thank you for your selfless service. You are the embodiment of the Greatest Generation.
My Uncle Keith was a Lt. j.g. in the U.S. Navy, who flew a Corsair fighter off the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12) during WW2. He never spoke about his experiences during WW2. A happy-go-lucky sort of fellow, always with a laugh and a smile on his face. When he got out of the Navy, he flew a plane to the Navy base in Mt. Clemens, Michigan, climbed out of the plane and walked over to join my Grandparents, my father and my Aunt Eleanor. He passed away seven years ago at the age of 90 and his remains were scattered by his children at the family plot in Vasser, Michigan. Rest in peace, Uncle Keith.
We are forever in your debt. Thank you sir and all the men and women who fought and never gave up on freedom. Thank you!
He sure looked well at 97 years old. Just as strong-looking and sturdy. He did a lot of things right in life.
its ashame that people now days dont know or understand whats been given for this country and there freedom i for one am greatfull and will always be for men like this thank you sir for everything
GOD bless that man and all of those who served. In 1989 I met a man in Fiji who survived the bombardment and sinking of USS Sims the American destroyer during the battle of the Coral Sea. He lives on Staten Island NY now. Had it not been for the US and allied navy, the Japanese would have invaded Australia which is my country. Thank you for helping us. Forever we are friends.
My dad and four uncles were all WWII vets they're all gone now they were good men!
My father was drafted following pearl harbor. I miss my father so much !
Seriously, how can you watch this without tears?
This guy is a true hero to all
Hes 97 and still thriving
He still drives an 18 wheeler hauling loads daily.
Good work guys! I really appreciate the fact that you're documenting these men's stories!
Rest In Peace every person who died in WW2
his first sentence every hair on my body stood to attention, these heroes give me goose pimples with their crazy mad feats of bravery and plain stupidity to get the job done no matter what the odds are, this was the first time a whole generation stopped saying 'it can't be done' i never feel that i match up to this our greatest generation
96 years old Georgian (soviet) WW2 sniper interview - in order to get enlisted you had to be between 17-55 years old and had secondary school finished. My 2 older brothers were already in the war, they didn't send any letter and our family knew nothing about them. I wanted to meet with them and without telling my family and school teachers I went to get enlisted. I became a sniper. 8 months later when I was in Stalingrad's hospital only then I managed to write a letter to my family. Unfortunately it was already too late - my mom not hearing from us a word died before my letter reached to Georgia. Throughout the war I killed 59 German snipers ... He lost his 2 brothers in the war and when went to home both his mother and father were dead. 300k Georgian soldiers out of 700k were dead in ww2. My 1 grandfather died in the battle of kerch - his ship was sunk by Germans. My second grandfather came with his leg amputated.
Giorgi Sulukhia
wow!!!
Both my parents were in the Marines in ww2 .
Have a good day 👋🌝
WW2 was brutal on the Russian Front. This story should be on this channel. Amazing family.
Happy Birthday Roger! Hearing you were on Yorktown gave me chills as I know the story of the Yorktown and what she went through and the repairs only taking 3 days which should have been 3 months! The planes from the Yorktown and another carrier found the Japanese Carriers by luck as they were running out of fuel and at the last second they found all 4 of them and sunk 3 and got the last one later! Amazing!
The editing, stories, and music on these vids are 🔥
Thanks Sir and all the great men who sacrificed for this Great War.
Well done Josh and the rest of the crew from Memoirs of World War II! Many thanks especially to Roger Spooner for serving his country during its time of need!