BATTLESHIP Arizona Vet: 'The Whole Harbor Was Afire'
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
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America's entry into World War II began on December 7, 1941, and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The most grievous losses were among the crew of USS Arizona, where 1,177 Sailors and Marines were killed - accounting for nearly half of the Americans killed in the attack. A crane operator aboard Arizona, Ken Potts heard the whine of the Japanese planes above as they began their attack just before 8 AM. After an armor piercing bomb ignited one million pounds of explosives stored inside Arizona, Potts and his fellow survivors abandoned ship, traversing the flame-filled harbor in a transport craft and pulling men to safety. They made their way to Ford Island, where they would regroup for the remainder of the battle, and for the war to come.
This interview was conducted on November 20, 2020. As of this date, Ken Potts is one of two survivors of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor. Please like and share this video, a testament to the Americans lost at Pearl Harbor, and those who sacrificed their lives to achieve victory in the Second World War. #PearlHarbor #WorldWarII #GreatestGeneration
Ken Potts passed away on April 21, 2023.
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Mr. Potts talked about losing his best friend on the Arizona - he said he was from Tower, MN but then got choked up and didn’t say his name. According to records, there was a man named Merritt Cameron Helm from Tower, MN lost on the USS Arizona. Rest in peace to both.
If this interview doesn't bring you to tears then I don't know what would. My heart absolutely breaks hearing and seeing the pain in his voice especially at the end. God bless our veterans.....
I read how some people feel that the phrase The Greatest Generation is overused, and is not true. Both my parents served in World War II. My father was Navy, S Pacific and served on two different ships the first one was Destroyer that was hit so badly they had to abandon ship. My mom was a wac in the Army Air corps. The stories that we heard around the dinner table were fascinating and terrifying at the same time. What my parents did and hundreds of thousands just like them did will never be repeated. You have to remember that these are people that went through the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and some very hard times leading up to World War II. As my dad used to say, it's what gave them their spine! My parents both died in 1997 and not a day goes by that I don't miss them so much that at times it takes my breath away.
I agree. This generation were Depression era kids, and were experienced in hard times!
My Dad was Army Pacific island hopping. He made it back also. Full respect sent to the memory of your Mom and Dad. The same for you. 🇺🇸
God bless you sir and thank you for your service and sacrifice for this country! 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Diving down to pull his friends bodies. God bless this man and all of the Greatest Generation. They truly were. My Grandfather’s both served.
Do you think he liked Tom Petty?
I just heard Mr Potts passed away. I was hoping I could find an interview with him. Thank you so much. It's stunning to me that there is now only one man left from the Arizona. Rest in peace, Sir.
And now the final survivor passed away this week in April of 2024.. heartbreaking news
Mr. Potts died yesterday.
End of an era.
The Greatest generation by far.
8-(
Rest in Peace Mr. Potts 🇺🇸
We lost this American Hero April 21 2023, just 6 days after his 102nd birthday.. Rest easy Mr. Potts, may you have fair winds & following seas. 🫡 🇺🇸
There is now just one remaining survivor of the USS Arizona, Lou Conter of CA.
For all the generations to come after, we must never forget.
God bless you, Ken Potts. We are forever grateful for your sacrifice.
My late uncle, Chuck Williams, was on the USS Detroit in Pearl Harbor during the attack. For many years, he would not talk about it, but in 1988-89, I got him to open up about his personal experience. The Detroit, being a light cruiser, was not a prime target of the Japanese air strike, so it received only minor damage. He did say that he witnessed the explosion of the Arizona, as the Detroit was directly across Ford Island from where it was moored. About two years into the war, my uncle was accepted into the submarine school in New London CT and went on to serve in the Pacific as a submariner.
May these brave men - "the Greatest Generation Ever" - be eternally remembered.
Man, it was tough to see him tear up about his two best friends. I'd hug him if I could.
I’ve always been into WWII history. Growing up, my dad and I would watch old war films like The Longest Day and Tora Tora Tora, among many others. These guy were and still are my heroes. I’m a reenactor and avid collector of WWII relics.. I’ve even static line parachuted out of a C-47 that was in D-day and Market Garden. I’ve made it my mission to ensure these guy’s legacies are remembered and honored.
Last September, I started a small personal project. I purchased a simple black baseball cap that said WWII Veteran on the front and I was going to have every WWII vet I could find sign it for me. So far, I’ve only collected 2 signatures. The first was from a paratrooper who was in the Bulge and Operation Varsity. The second was a Pearl Harbor survivor who was on the Oklahoma.
And then, last April, I got ahold of Mr. Pott’s number. I didn’t call immediately, but I was very excited to have the possibility of speaking with a survivor of the Arizona and adding his signature to the hat.
Unfortunately, Mr. Potts passed away 9 days after I found his contact info, and I never got to speak with him. I am so grateful that this interview exists so that his legacy will live on forever and at least, even though I never got to speak with him personally, I can still hear his voice and his story.
Every day is Memorial Day.
The face and voice of a true American hero.
My uncle Marcos Cardenas was POW for over 3 years in the Philippines.He survived the Bataan Death March!! He did say that the Japanese were ruthless
Thank you for sharing your story with us. BIG thanks for your service, courage and sacrifice Sir🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸God Bless you
Thank you thank you thank you! All who served our country a great generation!
Some parts were real heartbreakers. I hope he can find peace.
I wish we had the technology to have interviewed these men decades ago. Also before we had lost many along with their experiences.
Amazing first hand account of that awful day. thank you so much for sharing sir.
My Great Uncle Bill was Pearl Harbor survivor. He passed away some years ago.
God bless you
Thank you sir for your service you gave your heart and sole. There’s no there words I can express!
Thank you, Mr. Potts, for sharing your story with us.
I lost my great uncle on the Arizona. I always wonder what his last thoughts were. I just hope he didn’t suffer. Thanks to this guy in the video for giving some amount of insight into that time.
Thank you for your service sir.
God bless all who served and thanks for your service to are great country we will never forget parole Harbor
“It was the worst job I’d ever have”
Godspeed
🇺🇸
I wish the interviewer was a bit louder, hard to hear his questions. What an amazing man.
God bless you , may you rest in peace and be rewarded for your bravery and service 🙏🏾 ❤
Thank you Ken for your amazing interview and so sorry you had to live through this terrible raid on USA.
A REAL MAN and TRUE AMERICAN. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 THANK YOU for your service, sir! Happy belated 100th birthday!
God bless this man 🇺🇸
God bless you sir! Thank you for sharing your story and for serving this country!
May you rest in peace Mr Potts. Slow salute
God bless you sir
Rest in Peace sir!
GOD BLESS YOU SIR !!!
Good bless u Ken Thank u for your service
Thank you for your service sir!
Incredible
Fair winds, and following seas, May G-D keep you, and protect you. This country owes you, and the men, and woman like you more than we can ever repay.
A Very interesting Account 👍
Thankyou for your Service
I was so pissed I couldn’t type my apologies
Interesting video with Mr. Potts. Did he ever say how he got off the Arizona after it was hit? If so I missed it.
Just finished watching pearl harbor movie
SALUTE SIR 🌹🇺🇸🌹
he is so cool
Having a zombie for you today Mr. Potts.
🙏🏼
Just a note to the poster: The photo showing a young Potts in uniform is reversed as It shows his stripes on his right arm, not on his left as it should be....
or the photo was reversed
❤
God bless RADM Issac C Kidd, Captain Franklin van Valkenberg and the 1177 other sailors who lost their lives aboard the USS Arizona
Good to hear these stories but why dont the interviewer have a Mic? Kind of like hearin half of this interview...
We don't need to hear questions we need to hear this amazing man's story
This Courageous Sailor Who Was Station On USS Arizona , Is A Man Of The Greatest Generation, Men And Women, Like Him Preserved Our Freedom's 🇺🇸 And Liberties 🗽[ Until These Spineless Greedy Politicians 💸💰 Sold Our Sovereignty, For The Almighty Dollar.💵 ] And Let The Children 🤷🏾♂️👨🦰👨🏾🦱💁♂️🙋🏽♀️ Of This Generation, Be Brain 🧠 Washed, By Communist Socialist Teachers, And Condemned Them To Socialism. If We Don't Rise, To The Defense Of Our Constitutional Republic. 🇺🇸 Our Freedom's Are Gone. Martin Luther King Said ✝️ God Almighty 🙏🏿🙏🏼We're Free At Last , We're Free At Last, Not If We Don't Defend It, ⚔ Sincere Patriot 🗽 Semper Fi. 🇺🇸 God Help Our Republic.Of The United States Of America. 🇺🇸
I find it ridiculous how boomers and other generations forced these men to "go back" to relive very tough times. Like yes it would be great to hear advice and recollections for our own purposes I suppose (and would be very valuable), but let him express it if he wants you know? I hope his memories bring him more joy than sorrow.
AMERICA 🇺🇲
The attack happened at 7:55 and Arizona got hit at 8:10 now that is a fast cab and boat ride to get on ship! Just saying!
Why didn’t they Keep the USS Oklahoma at Pearl?
🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
🫡🇺🇸
The childlike dragonfly nationally bow because editor architecturally drag in a cheerful snowman. shaky, clear city
Terrible interviewer. Not very good questions.
Romans 13:7
King James Version
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
This sweet man has done and seen so many things and I am so happy that he was able to celebrate his 100th birthday last year❤️🤍💙🇺🇸