The Last World War Two Veterans Will Soon Be Gone

Summary

The video script features interviews with World War II veterans, capturing their personal experiences and stories from the war. It emphasizes the importance of documenting these firsthand accounts before the last of the veterans pass away. The script also highlights the work of the channel 'Memoirs of WWII,' which aims to preserve the memories of this generation for future generations. The emotional and impactful narratives shared by the veterans provide a unique perspective on history that cannot be found in textbooks.

Takeaways

• 🎥 Albert Woolsen was the last surviving American Civil War veteran who could prove his service, having served as a drummer boy at 14.
• 📹 The footage of Albert Woolsen was filmed in 1956 by a TV station in Saint Paul, Minnesota, offering a rare glimpse into history.
• 👴 The narrator reflects on the importance of capturing the stories of WWII veterans while they are still alive, as a window to the past.
• 🌟 WWII, the deadliest war in history, ended nearly 80 years ago, and the number of living veterans is dwindling rapidly.
• 👴 The youngest WWII veterans are now in their late 90s, and it's estimated that nearly all will be gone by 2040.
• 🏥 Wilbur Grisham, a medic in the Pacific theater, shared his experiences of the war, including the grim reality of handling dismembered bodies.
• ❄️ Marvin Blakeman recounted his service in the European theater, including the Battle of the Bulge, where the cold was a defining memory.
• 🗡️ The Japanese military's brutal tactics, such as ruling with the bayonet and executing people to instill fear, are described.
• 🔍 The narrator emphasizes the importance of preserving the personal stories of WWII veterans, which history books often cannot capture.
• 🎬 The channel 'Memoirs of WWII' is highlighted for its efforts to document and honor the experiences of the remaining WWII veterans.

Q & A

Who was Albert Woolsen and what was his significance?

Albert Woolsen was the last surviving American Civil War veteran who could prove that he actually fought in the war. He was born in 1850 and served as a drummer boy for the Union Army at the age of 14 in 1864.

When was the footage of Albert Woolsen filmed?

The footage of Albert Woolsen was filmed in 1956 by a TV station in Saint Paul, Minnesota, shortly before he passed away.

What is the importance of documenting the experiences of World War II veterans?

Documenting the experiences of World War II veterans is important because it allows future generations to learn history directly from those who experienced it firsthand, capturing personal stories that history books often cannot.

How many World War II veterans are estimated to be alive today?

Around 70 million people fought in World War II, and less than 75,000 of them are estimated to be still alive today.

What is the projected time until nearly all World War II veterans have passed away?

Based on current estimates, nearly all of the World War II veterans will be dead by the year 2040.

What was Wilbur Grisham's role in the Pacific theater of World War II?

Wilbur Grisham served as a medic in the Pacific theater, where his duty was to identify the deceased by their dog tags and move the bodies to take care of the next.

What significant event did Marvin Blakeman participate in during the European theater of World War II?

Marvin Blakeman served with the 83rd Infantry Division, landed at Normandy, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge during the European theater of World War II.

What was the most memorable aspect of the Battle of the Bulge for Marvin Blakeman?

The most memorable aspect of the Battle of the Bulge for Marvin Blakeman was the extreme cold, which was embedded in his mind ever since.

How did the Japanese forces control the areas they occupied during World War II according to the transcript?

The Japanese forces controlled the areas they occupied by taking a few people out and killing them in front of the rest of the inhabitants to instill fear and compliance.

What is the mission of the channel 'Memoirs of World War II'?

The mission of the channel 'Memoirs of World War II' is to interview and honor the few surviving World War II veterans left, capturing their important and fascinating stories before they are lost forever.

What are the three types of World War II veterans that the channel 'Memoirs of World War II' interviews?

The three types of World War II veterans that the channel interviews are: 'I do' veterans who tell exactly what they did during the war, 'I think' veterans who also share their thoughts on their experiences, and 'I feel' veterans who express their emotions about what they went through.