WWII Tank Gunner Describes Fierce Armored Combat Against Germans | Army | Walter Stitt Jr.

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  • Опубликовано: 4 дек 2024

Комментарии • 88

  • @americanveteranscenter
    @americanveteranscenter  День назад +16

    HISTORY LOVERS - before you comment, be sure to subscribe to this RUclips channel and ring the notification bell so you never miss a future upload!

  • @win300mag1
    @win300mag1 12 часов назад +23

    “Proud…I never think of it from that angle”. That sort of humility is absolutely virtuous. Sports stars and entertainers are all well and good but men like this should be the example.

    • @touristtam
      @touristtam 9 часов назад +3

      Love the reaction. Genuinely touching.

  • @megacluckcluck2302
    @megacluckcluck2302 16 часов назад +8

    Wow. He’s so sharp! Must be about 100 but doesn’t look a day over 75. I hope he has lived a fulfilling and happy life after the trauma of war. Here’s to many more years.

  • @jacksun_jack
    @jacksun_jack День назад +29

    I'd hug this bloke if I could, thank you sir. My admiration and respect from Australia.

  • @mikewebb1487
    @mikewebb1487 День назад +29

    I spent 26 years in the Army as a Tanker. Served on M60A1's, A3's, Sheridans (M551's), M1, M1IP, M1A1 and M1A1 Heavy. Went through M1A2 Transition but was assigned AC/RC as soon as Transition was over. My first unit in the Army was this mans old unit. 2nd/33rd Armor, 1st Brigade, 3rd Armored Division. Kirch-Goins, W. Germany. I was the Battallion Commanders loader in the unit. LTC Bill Chesarek. Our Brigade Commander was future Chief of Staff of the Army. Col. Gordon Sullivan. But I also drove Fuel GOER's in that unit for about four months. We were Fighting Tigers. One of our sister units was next door, 3rd/33rd Armor (Pickles) and 1st/33rd were in Friedburg. Elvis Presleys old barracks and mess hall. IIRC the mess hall was named Elvis Presley Mess Hall. My very first detail in the Army was cleaning out a WWII Japanese Tank. During OSUT at Knox I was detailed to Patton Museum. They had just retrieved and got in a WWII Japanese Tank. It was still filled with mud to the turret ring. I spent two days with a big vacuum hose suckng the mud out and sifting for bones and ammo. What bone I found was repatriated back to Japan. The turret was full of small army ammo and expended brass. Today that same Tank sits down at Benning.

    • @douglashammann1987
      @douglashammann1987 22 часа назад +3

      How interesting! That's a pretty bad ass job!

    • @could4903
      @could4903 10 часов назад +2

      I've seen that tank. quite small

    • @moistmike4150
      @moistmike4150 4 часа назад

      @@could4903 The Japanese who crewed there were also very small, compared to Americans

    • @boiseonewheelvideos9111
      @boiseonewheelvideos9111 29 минут назад

      Fellow GOER driver here! 6/29th FA Idar-Oberstien '83-'85.

  • @markpaul-ym5wg
    @markpaul-ym5wg 21 час назад +11

    My goodness.For those that dont know, task force lovelady was the forefront in fighting on the front lines during the battle of the buldge.This humble mans unit was the spearhead that stopped the germans advance.What a guy.Thank you so much for having him on.Very, very few of these guys are left.

  • @johnfielding001
    @johnfielding001 День назад +49

    Fabulous interview

  • @caninekathy7740
    @caninekathy7740 День назад +21

    my dad was a World War II veteran with the 82nd 508th Co A his last campaign was June 6 1944. God bless you, sir. I salute your courage and honor and all of the veterans of these United States.🇺🇸
    my father had mentioned to me that many young man volunteered and my dad volunteered at the age of 17 in August 1941

  • @menachem2521
    @menachem2521 День назад +28

    From the way Walter relates his experiences with such detail, you can tell that he relives them every day. Thank you for your service.

  • @peacebewithyou911
    @peacebewithyou911 День назад +3

    This is by far one of my favorites.
    Buddy is as sharp as a tack, almost like he was there yesterday. What a harrowing story. So crazy to me how every time he thought he had escaped death or further injury to spend time recovering they’d immediately take it away from him.
    My grandfather fought in Vietnam as a tank commander in the 17th Calvary. I sent him this video and hope he enjoys it. These are two men that have my MOST respect.
    Thank you to all veterans who have served and are currently serving and ones to come. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
    USA USA USA!!!!

  • @jamestregler1584
    @jamestregler1584 День назад +11

    All these humble veterans on both sides of the war ''just doing my job '' went through hell !

  • @moistmike4150
    @moistmike4150 3 часа назад +1

    Grampa on my Dad's side was a Sherman gunner in Europe shortly after D-Day and on until the end. He also had 3 tanks shot out from under him. I remember a Thanksgiving when he was discussing combat with my uncle (on my Mom's side) who also in Europe since shortly after D-Day, but as an infantryman. They both swore that the other was crazy for serving in the role they did. I remember my infantryman uncle swearing that he was terrified for crew inside a tank because they'd "brew-up" (catch fire) when hit, but my Grampa (the tanker) stated that that really didn't happen near as often as he thought. Instead, Grampa was terrified of the artillery and mortars that were constantly falling on the unprotected infantry who accompanied the tanks then when they were in combat. I remember as a kid thinking both their viewpoints were 100% valid. It wasn't until years later that I saw a statistic about one's likelihood of getting wounded or killed in WW2 and the infantry were at a far greater risk of injury/death than the tankers were (although my uncle's descriptions of seeing burned-out German and American tanks and the thought of burning to death in a tank you just can't get out of always gave me nightmares for years). God bless these guys - and God damn the men who start these horrific conflicts.

  • @arthurengelbert788
    @arthurengelbert788 День назад +9

    Amazing 😮 what memories he has. I’m glad that he’s sharing them with us 🫡

  • @shmetienne
    @shmetienne День назад +5

    My grandfather drove howitzers around in WW2, never saw combat but had plenty of hilarious stories of his time, my great uncle received a purple heart in Korea after a mortar had wiped out his entire squad leaving him still alive, his ashes still have shrapnel in the box, it’s surreal but i’ll never get tired of hearing any story of any veterans willing to speak it, it’s extremely important to me

  • @sirfultonbishop
    @sirfultonbishop День назад +9

    Thanks for getting these stories out there.

  • @mikeneidlinger8857
    @mikeneidlinger8857 День назад +11

    My Grandfather who was at Iwo Jima used to take me to play video games. He was so upset when he saw me playing Frontline, which featured tank combat. I'll never forget the look on his face.

    • @cadesmith2362
      @cadesmith2362 День назад +3

      Your grandpa who served in iwo jima took you to play video games? What a chad

    • @mikeneidlinger8857
      @mikeneidlinger8857 День назад +3

      He was a Communist. He studied Economics and became a Union Organizer. He felt that Communism was the best system for organizing workers after The War.
      My other grandfather was at Normandy. He told my father that there would never be another War after WWII.

    • @tomcollins2679
      @tomcollins2679 12 часов назад +1

      Thanks for puking words

    • @mikeneidlinger8857
      @mikeneidlinger8857 11 часов назад

      I started practicing Silat and Escrima in 1993. In 2008 I switched to Tai Chi. I drank a lot of Water and found the Tao about 5 or 6 years ago, and I no longer practice fighting. I just meditate.

    • @moistmike4150
      @moistmike4150 4 часа назад +1

      @@mikeneidlinger8857 Thanks to your grandfather for his service, but "Communist"? WTF?

  • @cbrown033
    @cbrown033 День назад +8

    Dear God thank you for these men, I’m really in awe and so grateful.

  • @banjo1241
    @banjo1241 День назад +12

    Thank you, sir!!

  • @nelsonlanglois9104
    @nelsonlanglois9104 День назад +6

    Salute
    Thank you for your Determination, Dedication and Service

  • @marc1910
    @marc1910 День назад +5

    Thank you so much for letting us hear the details from someone who was on the front

  • @joshuasmith2107
    @joshuasmith2107 9 часов назад +2

    I’m reading a book called spearhead by Adam makos, Great book!! I love reading the books on true events that happened in our wars then hearing a HERO like this talk about his accounts while serving this great nation. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @oldreliable3506
    @oldreliable3506 День назад +3

    i have much respect for tankers! i had orders for the 2nd armored div 80's! but i had came to ft.hood tx from alaska and i got into a support unit!!!

  • @kevinzuniga4910
    @kevinzuniga4910 День назад +3

    Guys you need to remember this happened 80 years ago and this man describes it like it was yesterday! God Bless these veterans because they went through hell!

    • @nvrumi
      @nvrumi День назад

      My thought exactly!

  • @richardthornhill4630
    @richardthornhill4630 День назад +1

    Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

  • @craigstarling4704
    @craigstarling4704 День назад +1

    Thank you for your service sir.

  • @mrcrsmith23
    @mrcrsmith23 День назад +5

    Sharper than I'll ever be.

  • @BlueWaterSTAX
    @BlueWaterSTAX День назад +1

    Well done Walter. Thanks guys

  • @836dmar
    @836dmar 23 часа назад

    Wow. He saw and did so much. We are all so grateful for him and the rest of the Greatest Generation for what we have today!

  • @Beniah107
    @Beniah107 22 часа назад

    What a example of humility and integrity this man is. What a well lived life.

  • @Stew357
    @Stew357 7 часов назад

    Thank you for your courage and service to our country, Mr. Stitt.

  • @lt.random210
    @lt.random210 День назад

    Might be my favorite interview on this channeled. Thank you for your service sir

  • @smokeykitty6023
    @smokeykitty6023 День назад

    Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service. We all owe you and your fellow soldiers more than we can pay.

  • @alexanderhoward2942
    @alexanderhoward2942 День назад

    Thank you for your service and the bravery that got you through battle and the days since. May your squad mates and friends rest in peace. You are a hero sir.

  • @jessehayes486
    @jessehayes486 День назад

    The stories from these men are so valuable, and as the benefactors of their services, it is our duty to preserve those stories.

  • @kevd3046
    @kevd3046 День назад

    Listen to these all day..every one of these lads has a different story to tell and there story needs to be kept for future generations. RESPECT FROM DURHAM ENGLAND 🇬🇧✌️

  • @leegilley221
    @leegilley221 День назад

    You served and did your job. Thank you , sir.

  • @douglashammann1987
    @douglashammann1987 22 часа назад +1

    How old is he? His memory is so vivid! Thank you for your service, Walter 🙏

  • @BloodTypeInk
    @BloodTypeInk 9 часов назад

    3rd armored division "spearhead". My father was a major in Desert Storm with the 3rd Armored Division. Ret. Col James Beagles. The last group to wear those patches before the division of powers. Thank you for your service!

  • @briansteinmacher5811
    @briansteinmacher5811 День назад

    Another great story....thank you!

  • @billballbuster7186
    @billballbuster7186 3 часа назад

    That was a great interview with a very brave and lucky man. He had 2 Shermans shot from under him and saw the destruction of at least 4 more that he witnesses at close quarters without even seeing a German tank. These vets knew the vulnerability of the Sherman, it was not a good tank and hard to get out of when hit. The armchair warriors and gamers of today should take note.

  • @loganmaddocks4703
    @loganmaddocks4703 День назад

    I mean, can you imagine the absolute grit you have to have to be back on the front lines the day after your Lt and gunner were hit with a tank round? We owe these men everything, and we haven't even begun to repay that debt.

  • @robcreel4257
    @robcreel4257 День назад +1

    When asked what he most proud of he said it was his duty to be there.

  • @paulalim1476
    @paulalim1476 11 часов назад +1

    My father was in the 14th Armored Division…….The Liberators.

  • @Bigtooth-Forest
    @Bigtooth-Forest 23 часа назад

    Thank you Mr. Stitt. It's like listening to my own Grandfather again, who served with the 714th Tank Battalion, 12th Armored.

    • @randyvoss
      @randyvoss 22 часа назад

      My dad was in the 56 aib in the 12th armored.....he's gone now but didn't talk about the war ....

    • @Bigtooth-Forest
      @Bigtooth-Forest 11 часов назад

      @@randyvoss 56th and 714th made up CCB. Have you done much research? I could recommend all sorts of material if you're interested.

  • @Matthew-by2xm
    @Matthew-by2xm День назад +1

    Much respect for men like this. Men of great courage. Real American men.

  • @Michael..r
    @Michael..r День назад +1

    Real stuff right here

  • @ВатнаяфабрикаимениКрасныхпарти

    Хороший человек

  • @palashmatt1435
    @palashmatt1435 День назад +3

    I love you ❤

  • @sleepingninjaquiettime
    @sleepingninjaquiettime День назад

    I was a tanker and heard many of stories just like this gentleman's. Lots of guys chose tanker thinking they were going to be a truck driver, so a little different.

  • @jamestregler1584
    @jamestregler1584 День назад

    My old friend George Kambur was a tank commander at the battle of the bulge.

  • @StudSupreme
    @StudSupreme День назад +1

    Jesus Christ, he must be 100 years old! God bless this man. He was contemporary with my father.
    There are no men like this any more. We have lost something priceless. We are LESS without such men.

  • @voltic7133
    @voltic7133 19 часов назад +1

    What a badass

  • @clifford4514
    @clifford4514 День назад

    You Made it PAL. My Father did the same .D Day+6. You were called on back when that meant something.

  • @tumbleweed6694
    @tumbleweed6694 6 часов назад

    "He was probably 14 or 15, only a few years younger than me."
    If that doesn't hit home, then i dont know what would...😢

  • @jimschlat
    @jimschlat 23 часа назад +1

    the real fury

  • @steveg6978
    @steveg6978 8 часов назад

    Ghess.....wow this was very similar to my dad experience

  • @localcrew
    @localcrew Час назад

    This guy went through the wringer.

  • @JohnSmith-dh4gw
    @JohnSmith-dh4gw День назад +1

    Outlived five tank Commanders. Yep, it might be time to go home.

  • @kenanacampora
    @kenanacampora День назад +5

    3rd Armor “Spearhead”.

  • @fjl4797
    @fjl4797 День назад

    What gets me is the fact that he seems reluctant in feeling pride in killing other humans. Which is the human thing. But still…

  • @snapdragon6601
    @snapdragon6601 8 часов назад +1

    @2:25 - Why did they have to give a urine sample back then? I'm pretty sure they didn't start drug testing until halfway through the Vietnam War. Maybe to test for diabetes or something?

  • @chrisscott1731
    @chrisscott1731 День назад

  • @dragospeta3812
    @dragospeta3812 Час назад

    A real War Daddy. And a lot of humor. Thank you Sir for your Service and the Liberty we enjoy today. The Golden Generation!
    😅 "no more steer wheels son?
    Sir, No Sir.
    Get inside.... This is caterpillar in disguise."
    Wish you could come back in France, we tried hard during 2 years to get rid of Macron. We just can't get our hands on the tanks from the 1st Army Regiment close to Versailles. Macron out gunned us, the Yellow Vests, with their guns, grenade launchers and their armored cars. We never vandalized the Arc de Triomphe and we mounted a guard around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Nobody stepped on the memorial.

  • @alexanderfenning8648
    @alexanderfenning8648 День назад

    Sounds like he was in M4a2.

  • @bookaufman9643
    @bookaufman9643 4 часа назад

    What was the urine sample for? Obviously they weren't testing for drugs back then or at least I don't think they could do that with a urine sample in 1942 or 3.
    Was it liver function?

  • @robertkelly5359
    @robertkelly5359 День назад +1

    you people are sick that post ads right at "the good" parts, praying for you
    literally making money off of vets, disgusting

    • @paulprigge1209
      @paulprigge1209 День назад +1

      How do you pay for these? Just curious I don’t think donations will cover.

  • @JasonFromVermont
    @JasonFromVermont 21 час назад +2

    God bless you sir! I’m sorry for this woke mind virus that has ruined what you fought for…. 😢💔

  • @Kwanic79
    @Kwanic79 5 часов назад

    🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

  • @Paul-f7q
    @Paul-f7q 22 часа назад

    He's either 105yrs old or this interview is 30yrs old, lotta questionable dates and no verification, Paris wasn't liberated till the end of August, he says a month after D-day he was there , not buying it sorry.

    • @frostedbutts4340
      @frostedbutts4340 15 часов назад +2

      What a weird and creepy comment. Old fella is 99, most people that age can barely remember what they had for breakfast let alone dates 80 years ago.

    • @win300mag1
      @win300mag1 12 часов назад +1

      Thanks Sherlock. Glad you could solve this mystery for us.

    • @ickster23
      @ickster23 10 часов назад

      If he was 17-18 in 1943, he would be 98-99 now. Yes, there are people in this good of shape at this age. As for Paris, he went to Paris in Dec 44 during the Bulge. I'm sure my points won't convince you, but I put them out for others as a counter to your hypothesis.

  • @anlerden4851
    @anlerden4851 День назад +2

    Thank you so much for your services and lovely dedications to Our Beautiful USA Dear American Sir.🤗😍🥰❤🤍💙🇺🇲🙏✝️