World War II Veteran delivers a promise after 73 years...
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- čas přidán 19. 09. 2017
- World War II Veteran delivers a promise after 73 years..
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Just heard the news that Mr Strombo passed away. God bless him, Rest In Peace, and thank you for your service sir. 🙏🏻
May I ask? When?
HYPE CAT I believe June 18.
@@Historybuffm8 dam...
F
so sad i fell bad for him but he was able to fufill his promise
You may disagree with a war, but never disrespect the men that fought in them
So true
Except the ones who commit war crimes
@@KenCarsonfromatlanta What if they had to commit the war crimes or under their culture, war crimes did not exist? You do understand that through the vast majority of human history, the modern idea of war crimes was simply a shitty thing that happened in war. Was it generally frowned upon? Obviously, though every nation still regularly committed them because they weren’t really a thing at that time. The Japanese during WWII had no real concept of war crimes because they were a signatory of none of the documents relating to the rules of civilized warfare.
@@KenCarsonfromatlanta but this is the internet where only my opinion matters and everyone else is wrong 🙂🤣
When I watch a WW2 Veteran Do something that is Wholesome, always get them Feels..
He made a promise to a man he never even spoke to. That is honor, that is humanity.
A big part of bein a man is bein able live up to your word and just trying.
That is also integrity with dignity and respect.
This is what honor looks like, amazing
And protected that promise by respecting the flag by keeping the flag in pristine condition.
A promise to an enemy. Even more honour in that.
Very touching. My son, Jeffrey Scott Durham was in the Air Force & his grandfather, George D. Racke, a Marine was severely wounded on Iwo Jima. He also picked up Japanese flag. While grandson, Jeffrey was stationed in Japan, his grandfather ask him to return the flag to the family in Japan. Jeffrey was able to do that. The family gave Jeffrey the silk kimono that was meant for their son that did not return. A world apart, a culture apart & a step toward healing was made.
That is so amaz8ngly cathartic imagine if this was a more common thing
Powerful story….a soldier is truly a special kind of person. Thankful for their life of service. May your son continue to be protected
He surely didn't know about the squadron 731
@@martinjugolin2087lol how bout you bring up americas unjust wars that killed more, the us literally giving Japanese soldiers and scientists involved in 731 immunity or aiding in the coverup? Or hiring Nazi scientists? Glass houses my friend
Goosebumps
He honoured a fallen enemy soldier with this promise...in his early twenties? What a truly great man.
That is why they are the Greatest Generation
Better late than never? Probably would have touched more people if he returned it long ago before most that signed the flag are long gone. Just a footnote now.
michael russell sure, but I’m thinking he didn’t do it for ratings. It’s ridiculous of me to speculate as I have never known war, or the fellowship of soldiers who actually live and die by each other but I think it was a private affair. That he made that promise for himself to honour not the dead enemy soldier, but the fellow man. Man to man, or human. And so, if life got in the way afterwards, good for him. He still kept his promise.
Well, I don’t know this veteran, but if he was born in -23 as he said and if he made good on the promise 2017 (after 73 years as the clip states, surely that means he didn’t encounter the soldier the same year he enlisted, but rather in -44. Which means that I think he was 21 when he vowed to take the flag back.
@@skiprussell2606 life is hard, michael
one guy said "there are no survivors, everybody comes back as ghosts" including the ones who lived... so sad
Not so much as sad as that guy just sounds really depressing kind of sounds like an a******
@@bigwilly8199 he isn't wrong though. War can change people sometimes.
Believe In Love
@@bigwilly8199 educate yourself & you must have hate in your heart to say this to someone who survived. WW11
@@monikaheron3851 what part of the war did you serve in and what's your real name
My father was given a flag like this from a Japanese officer after the war ended. In the 1980's he wanted to find the soldier or family it once belonged to but the translators said the names were vague and there was not enough information to pinpoint where it may have come from. I believe he then gave it to the Japanese embassy in Washington, DC. I hope the flag made it back to Japan like this one.
Rick Harris: I'll give you 50 bucks for it.
Probably lmao
@Ian Scanlon he gave it to the embassy, which means directly to Japanese diplomats. So thankfully it def is still in their hands or made it’s way back to Japan.
@@lucidddddddddddddddddddddddddd probably sitting in a warehouse or shipped to some local Japanese museum
@@tdoran616 how do you know
The sister broke my heart, 95 man, probably 70+ years without her brother, truly heartbreaking.
closure is always better than the unknown, it warmed my heart seeing her get that
The flag's white background is filled with signatures of 180 friends and neighbours in the tea-growing mountain village of Higashishirakawa, wishing Yasue's (the flag's owner who died in WWII) safe return.
Thank you for that, there was no description about the flag in the video, that must make it even more precious, not only to the family but to the village too.
@@robarnold4104 I was curious about what all the writing meant so I looked it up and shared. You're welcome.
Thank you for sharing the info
shaun I’m sure your family would wish for your safe return if you had to leave for something so horrible. Their beliefs and tradition mean a lot to them as do yours, and if they believe that it works then maybe it will help give them the strength and courage to go fight..
That flag just looks so beautiful with all that signatures like an antique.
Old soldiers never die
They just fade away.
- General MacArthur
but he is also the same guy that request to use nuke to seperate china and korea :)
@@christerad1669 And ? It would have worked, how about nuking the whole of china, becasue now they will be our enemy's in less then 20 years
@@YeNZeC If america use nuke on small war :) U know what russia will do :)
@@christerad1669 I believe NATO could deal with Russia.
China would be destroyed within 1 hour of USA launching nukes, which leads to Russia being swarmed by The whole of NATO.
The USA in modern times has never used more then 10% of its power at 100% China would be destroyed.
China doesn't have air or sea superiority, USA has both.
@@christerad1669 The issue here is the Trade tariffs will lead China into a war.... why pay off China and make them more powerful when you can beat them in a war ?
Why do you think America spends so much on military? Most of it goes towards research and development in Black projects that me, you and China doesn't know about.
It’s almost inconceivable that one of our closest allies today was once our most bitter enemy.
This story had me seriously choked up.🥺
Well done, Marine.🇺🇸
Rest In Peace.
yea that old 90 year old grandma thanking the marine was too much for me :((( happy tears
@@TheSilentpigs100 amen!🇺🇸🇯🇵
@@billy1673 :)
@Lcv Ummm idk who you are or even if you're Japanese? It looked to me that the people of japan have great respect for America and vise versa I respect japan even after the atrocities of ww2 and I bet they can overlook the nukes we dropped on them.
Some may debate this, but immediately after the war ended, the world quickly realized the communist were the real enemy.
I am Japanese.
I can't stop crying while watching the video.
I'm grateful that he didn't hate the Japanese and that he respected the US Marines.
The Prime Minister of Japan once said this.
Japan and the US are an alliance of hope.
Japan and the United States engaged in the largest naval battle in human history, resulting in many deaths. But now we are working together as democracies.
Also, I was raised by my grandfather and grandmother, but I was never kind to them.
As at least atonement, I would like to express my gratitude and respect to grandfathers and grandmothers around the world.
thank you.
The Japanese United States friendship proves we are humans at the end of the day
A soldier doesn’t fight because he hates what’s in front of him (the enemy) he fights because he loves what’s behind him(he’s home)
I'm British and we were also involved. I had a neighbour growing up who was in the Japanese prisoner of war camps and I could hear him marching in his house daily due to PTSD. I love Japan to this day though, due to doing martial arts. It's not current Japanese people's fault. Life happened, we all did bad stuff as countries in the past
aloha Sugoi
He could've just turned a blind eye on that soldier. But didn't. And traveled half way across the world. He fulfilled his promise. Bless him. RIP to this good man. This made me tear up.
Na S
me too... i'm still tearing up after 5 minutes
@Anomic Anchorite the US marines are insane. Civilized and honorable are two very different things, all counties did something bad at one time in history. Allas in our times people like you always have to take what they fought for, for granted.
@@brotherhoodofsteeld.c.chap1917 Yeah you really can't just look at terrible things some people did and incriminate everyone for it. War isn't pretty and bad things happen on all sides. In Japan and Vietnam, the "enemy" brought many soldiers to insanity with mind games. So what can you do, send troops to war then punish them on return? Anomic Anchorite, I recommend you actually think about what you say before you spew out stupid things.
A record number of bear sightings have been reported in Japan during the Covid-19 pandemic, causing accidents and damaging crops. Farmers are using giant robots to keep hungry bears away.
WATCH: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Aojh...
Nothing chokes me up more than an old man crying...
Same here 😭😭😭 God bless these courageous and brave grandpas ❤
Especially when it's me.
👋😪same here!
Video's like this give me hope in humanity. God my eyes hurt because of tears.
God, I know! I’ve been crying through this whole video!
I know he has since passed on, but I just wanted to say: Godspeed to you, Mr. Strombo. Thank you so very much for your service, sacrifice, and gallantry. I hope and pray that you, along with all your brothers in arms, are finally at peace. May we never forget.
Requiescat in Pace.
旗を返しに遠く日本までお越しいただきありがとうございました。
あなたの勇気と優しさに感謝いたします。
I don't understand what the flag represents, is it a flag that represents the family of the soldier, I'm glad to see the family get it back....
@@tomreicher455 I think it is a memento directly from their family member. Sort of a touchstone from someone who left and never came back. I would think it would be the same feeling as if the body of their relative was returned to them for burial.
The fact the old man smelled the flag to try to gain the memories of the long dead soldier and their past is so moving.
He wasnt smelling it. He was kissing it.
@@frankgonzalezofficial3010 oh ok but still it's very emotional
@@frankgonzalezofficial3010 he was he said "It smelled like my good old big brother, and it smelled like our mother's home cooking we ate together," Tatsuya told the Associated Press, as reported in the Washington Post
@@exourisrai8907 "as reported in the Washington post"
He was smelling it as he had said about its smell and I agree Rage
In his age he still had one last mission in him. Rest In Peace Sir. You have done your duty. And we thank you for your service.
Yeah
Well said.
🙏🏼
Oorah Marine Semper Fi
@@Concise_Parakeet never understood retards replying with just “Yeah”
I'm a veteran who serve the Philippine Army for 25 fruitful years, i'm at awe and speechless by this noble act displayed by Mr Strombo for he truly serve the final nail in the coffin to close heartaches and pain of losing a loved one by returning that sacred Japanese flag to the rightful owner. . .thank you for your service to both of you and may your souls rest eternally in peace.
What's a promise wonderful deed,
Thank you for your service to your people
That “Arigato gozaimasu” from the fallen soldier’s sister upon receiving the flag sent me into a crying, crumpled heap 😭
Proof of how important family is too. He's been gone for closer to a century and still meant that much to her. Our family may suck, but never forget you could have that level of influence on someone. Be that older sibblings who would still be missed and honored nearly a century later. Live for LOVE
I'd like to think this was his last mission in life. Mission complete, Marine. Stand at ease.
One day we will all meet with all our loved ones again. Lets continue to hold our heads up high with a fiery spirit until the day we too have completed our last mission in life. 🔥🙏
You made cry with that amazing comment
He died=(
probably liberals
He can rest now
As my great grandfather said before he passed in 2009, He served in the Australian Army during WW2.
"War is a foolish game where old men argue at each other behind desks while they send their young to die for them." Will never forget that.
It’s the individual soldiers who really matter in the end.
Your comment reminds me of Gravel War from TF2.
Edit: And war in general
Well said! My father was in Vietnam! It didn’t end well for him!
@@lukayaroslav9914
My grandpop said his qoute to me. He was a massive movie-goer fan throughout the 50s to 90s. He might had heard something similar & was thinking of the time he was serving then understanding the complexity like geopolitics & the human cost.
@@tristanbackup2536 czcams.com/video/SfRt7a7HZsE/video.html
Rest easy soldier, You’ve honourably done your duty
Marvin proved that by taking the precious flag of an enemy soldier, that he saw the dead man as a human being who had family and friends who cared about him.
His promise and gesture is such a fantastic symbol of humanity. Seeing our perceived enemies as people just like ourselves.
While I was stationed in Germany I once talked to a local man, around 76 years old I think. He told us a few stories of his experiences while in the Luftwaffe. He ended up getting shot down and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp run by the Americans. By the end of the war the vast majority of POWs new the war was over for Germany, they were uncertain what their fate would be and just wanted to go home and forget about the war.
Over time he became friendly with the Guards there, they were allowed to trade and barter things like tobacco or chocolate as the Troops had more than they needed they often just gave the prisoners stuff. When it ended, the guy kept in contact with one of the guards and they regularly wrote letters and sent gifts to each other and families.
Mark Brown that’s heart warming, this comment should get way more attention.
My grandfather used to tell me stories like this. He was a war prisoner for a short amount of time by the americans
The true nature of the human being is good; love and brotherhood is the rule between us, war and hate is exception.
Beautiful story from the Children of War
That's what I like about America, they respect human rights.
I love the respect that everyone was giving him.
Well they give that respect to war criminals as well
@@macarthur2863 and you ruined it fuck you
@@macarthur2863 every country has done that
@@ussmurf6784 united states be like: who me?
The Japanese are known for their respect/honor and politeness.
God bless you Mr. Strombo. As a Japanese-American who is proud of his Japanese heritage and his patriotism in the United States, this video brings me pure joy. I pray we can all strive to find the will to honor our name, country, and world in the way Mr. Strombo has.
Sorry, but by that statement you insinuate people must continue to be killed, wars continue to be started and ended in brutal and unnecessary ways, to do that. I'm sure you didn't mean this though
@@joshvanderbij4891you know what he meant
@@joshvanderbij4891don't be a jerk.
It was my honor as a Marine in the 1980's to serve on Okinawa and to travel to some of the islands where these horrible battles were fought . What these men must have felt is overwhelming to even think about. I am so proud as a Marine to see what honor Mr. Strombo showed as well as the out stretched hand of peace to his once bitter enemy and now a true friend. The lord does truly work in mysterious ways. Well done sir!! Semper Fi
Thank you for your service
Marvin honored not just his fellow soldier from 73 years past but by his actions every member of the Marines and Military past present and future as well as the Corps he served so well Semper Fi, Well do I remember the stories few indeed but special my father told me about his time in Papua and New Guinea and Borneo during the same War Deep and abiding respect for the Greatest Generations which means all who serve not just WW2 to me, Well do I remember paying homage to the fallen in uniform on cold Anzac mornings when you stood at attention unmoving bar wriggling your toes to stay focused on such solemn occasions unmoving otherwise for long periods as the ceremonies unfolded., Live long and prosper for your work is done good sir.
I was stationed aboard Oki for three years. It was awe inspiring to see the beaches our older brothers took. My unit even got to do a training operation on the island of Tinnian sp? tWhere the nukes were loaded aboard the Enola. The bomb pits were still there. Pill boxes and tanks still littered the beaches in places. (Kind of like the wrecks off of Kinsers beach.). It was as close as I think I can come to the feeling Muslims must feel at Mecca or Christians in Jerusalem. To see where my ancestors did the deeds of giants and heros. To see where we endured the unendurable. To know that the same spirit that flowed through my brothers so long ago still lived in me and my brothers today.
*_“War does not determine who is right - only who is left.”_*
True
@Paul Pape Productions But they are right in terms of the political spectrum.
Edit: I see people don't get this joke, now I regret making it.
Wei4Green lol??
@Paul Pape Productions maybe so but we are the ones who caused the fighting and the only way to overcome that is accept what happened and move on together
@@clawsby6964 the US did not cause the fighting of ww2 we only joined after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The US Was only a backer and supporter against the Germans until japan took it upon themselves to attack us and we see where that got them.
These men that can put everything aside and look at each other as human beings in the middle of explosions and gunfire are what give me faith in humanity.
that was almost 100 years ago now the world sucks
@@mericanpunk7432 The worlds fine stop being a pansy
@@EHISH yea endless wars and manmade viruses are "fine"
@Into_The_Sun so they had science labs to control microscopic particles in the middle ages? wasnt all land being built by slaves and slave trade? If those are good times then youd get beat up in the street for supporting that openly
@A salty Saxon no they just made it appealing to bums who dont want to work for a thing in their life
Greatest Generation Ever. This man kept his promise and he finally accomplished it, that was his final mission. He led by example and righteousness. Mr. Strombo god bless you, and rest in peace, and as a fellow Marine Hoo-rah.
This is true respect between combatants. Touching story. I'm 63 and had to close my eyes to type this because of the tears in my eyes. Thank you for returning the soul of this soldier to his family and being honorable and true to your word.
For the life of me, I honestly can't understand how 1500 people could have voted this video down. What a sad commentary on a noble gesture.
Honestly I think some people accidently dislike videos and don't notice it. 100k likes to 1.5k dislikes is an insane ration it's very rare you see that.
Some people disrespect because they think its funny :(
CZcams auto generates dislikes
Although some still dislike it because they are dumb
@@spritepine5345 Say what? I've never heard of CZcams auto-generating dislikes. Source?
@@spritepine5345 How is that possible? youtube isn't going to have a bot go around disliking videos.
For those of you wondering, the writing on the flag is traditionally words of love and luck from the family before the soldier left. That was why that soldier died holding onto that 73 years ago. A beautiful thing in a harrowing situation.
Thanks for explaining that.
Omg so sad but thank u so much u transacting the words
Zastock that's amazing and see the love the fallen soldier had for his family and his flag and the US marine probably at the time didn't know what was wrote on the flag but as you hear him say that the flag ment alot to the soldier this is powerful stuff and makes me think why do nations rise against nation when we can all live in harmony together
Funny. Miltary men, even old men who were once enemies seem at times to get each other better than us civvies.
yea, thats how they were able to track down the family of the soldier
They just don't breed men like this anymore, men of honor.
Men of HONOR!
4years later and alls I can say is, "All veterans should be treated with the utmost respect." No matter where they are from. No matter their chosen branch. What have they done before, and after. These men and women deserve our absolute respect. Salute to foreign and domestic fighters all of you. Past and present.
I’m sorry, I really don’t have much respect for nazis. Or some of the Japanese soldiers.
Some of the war crimes were unimaginably atrocious.
Okay Karen. Guess I should've written a disclaimer. Maybe chosen to say "most" instead. "Most" folks would understand the implied aspect of this comment. I'm "most"ly sorry your mind has been affected by the woke epidemic.
@@H4W69 but you said "All" so that's a mistake on your part, douchebag
@@H4W69 not respecting people who commit brutal war crimes is “woke” now lmfao.
Brain as smooth as a marble
@@obi-wankenobi175010 months late to the party, but those aren’t soldiers.
Soldiers are men and women who fight to protect the people they love, even if it means to take a life.
The people you are referring to are criminals; people who take a life not in the name of good, but in the name of self interest.
Not all Nazis were bad. Most were, but there were kind hearted Nazis, too. Just like how there were good US Marines, and evil US Marines.
I couldn’t believe my eyes welled when the man said “I gotta rest”. It felt like it was too painful to recount the past.
Look at the back of his cap. That man has been through HELL and survived. I can't even imagine the horrors he must have seen and can never forget...
it's called guilt. He knows some stuff that he has promised not to tell. He has done things he regrets a lot. But he remains to be the someone who hasn't done it.
Dino Israel this made me cry for the first time in months
@Джейсон Хичкок what the hell are you going on about
It was
When he paused and said he had to rest, I lost it. I'm a 43 year old man crying like a baby. This story is so touching. Thank you for your service.
It looked like he might've been having a flashback. 😢
i am 40 and i did the same ... true feeling and emotion really hit us no matter what we are or our age ... and i have huge respect for those who are able to do as you or i did ... that story ... is heart warming at the same time heart wrenching ...
Not Just You Mourning Him, We American Have Respectively Feelings To Him 😔
I'm 46 and cried the same
Lol me too bro
This, this is a man. Not a just a man, a human. A human who understands what it takes to be truly honourable, inspirational, and compassionate.
This video brought tears to my eyes. He truly is a man of his word until the end. A very honorable man.
4:08 "i gotta rest"
my heart *shattered*
Same here. We cannot begin to image the mental toil this man went through, seeing someone, right in front of him, lifeless. It is absolutely heart breaking knowing that even after all this time, it still hurts them (veterans) to remember those times. Those memories will never leave them, and they will feel that pain until the day they pass away.
The onion fumes really hit me there too, and lasted the rest of the video.
10:17 hit me hard damn , the way he look at those photos.
I imagine he saw things that would probably brake most people I'm glad they helped him fulfill a promise
While I was stationed in Germany I once talked to a local man, around 76 years old I think. He told us a few stories of his experiences while in the Luftwaffe. He ended up getting shot down and spent the rest of the war in a POW camp run by the Americans. By the end of the war the vast majority of POWs new the war was over for Germany, they were uncertain what their fate would be and just wanted to go home and forget about the war.
Over time he became friendly with the Guards there, they were allowed to trade and barter things like tobacco or chocolate as the Troops had more than they needed they often just gave the prisoners stuff. When it ended, the guy kept in contact with one of the guards and they regularly wrote letters and sent gifts to each other and families.
For those who are unfamiliar with Japanese culture, the weight Marvin's gesture by Mr. Strombo's gesture is IMMENSE and cannot be described in words. Such an act would be touching for a family in any country. However, to Japanese people, especially older generations, a gesture like this means so much more. The amount of respect the family must have for Mr. Strombo as a result is something truly remarkable.
You sir, seem to get it.
This is true honour doesn’t matter what country this happened between true brotherhood major respect ✊ x 🇬🇧
This video and this comment shows theirs still faith in humanity, it just takes hard times and lots of work to prove ❤️
James Yamamoto
I understand what you're saying. I don't know why it took 73 years to do it, tho?!
But I'm pleased he did get it back to the right people!!
@@2004misty Honour between soldiers, and a certain mutual understanding.
Yes, I subscribe to that idea.
I’ve always had a fond respect for my elders. They’re a walking testament to how life goes on, and the one thing we all should cherish are the time and memories from this world.
I’m a teen and I just don’t understand the dislike of a lot of teens towards elders. The elderly are great
@@skaboopydoopthedoop8711 It has to do with their close-minded mentalities as well as a stern view on how some elderlies use their authorities as older figures on the younger generation. The hate may be unnecessary but there could also be really, really private reasons as to why some of them hate the elderly. One thing for sure however, is that no matter what reason, no disrespect should ever come to the elderlies who have sacrificed and served for their countries when they were younger. I just wish we would get more and more personal stories from the elderlies especially those with a unique history or ones who have experienced a great deal of hardships in their lives. Their stories are the most interesting, and gives a great lesson to anyone listening.
Thanks for your input
In war it's not the other soldiers who is your enemy. It's the politicians. It should be a law that every politician who voted for war must fight at the front line.
Damn the level of honor of those Marines...it a real Marine to keep a promise made to an enemy.
It was a real MAN. Many Marines had very loose morals before modern accountability.
Do you really believe that this thing you call "modern accountability" that you speak of actually changes anything when the lead and steel start flying? Please tell me why you actually believe that.
@@christopherharvey5693 boyo I meant that if a leader or your peers see you murder someone outside the rules of engagement that they will not let it go.
@@christopherharvey5693 do you believe your point justifies murdering prisoners of war and getting off on killing unarmed civilians?
Why not answer my question? What types of experiences do you have in war?
May the United States and Japan never come to blows again. Our two nations should be locked into friendship that is eternal.
Fr tho.
It's shit americas turn to have nukes dropped upon it.
@@simplylethul Take the negativity and policies somewhere else bud.
@@thesmuggest6680 No thanks.
@@simplylethul while the reason Americans dropped the nukes was to flex on the Russians, the nukes ended the war and prevented a mainland invasion that would’ve cost millions of lives, an official estimate stated.
Semper Fi Marine. A fierce and galant warrior. An overwhelming gesture of respect and closure.
This was indescribably beautiful. The love and admiration and honor and respect…truly humbling.
RIP Martin Strombo, he passed away in June 2020, may he rest in peace.
Comment Warzone
Okay I didnt mean comment the word Warzone I meant there was an argument
@@residentshroom8396 What the hell is it with people and their greatest generation nonsense?
These were great men no doubt. But what about the generation of men who fought to gain independence for this country? Are they somehow inferior?
What about those who died in the civil war trying to hold the country together? Are they somehow inferior?
What about the Vietnam war? The Korean war? Are they inferior?
I am guessing the soldiers who fought and died in Afghanistan and Iraq are also inferior as well?
Every generation has great people who do great things. There is no generation that is superior to other generations.
@@residentshroom8396 Are you phucking serious? The wars are pretty tame?
Try telling that to my best friend from high school who lost both his phucking legs and has brain damage from fighting in Fallujah. He struggles with depression, nightmares and feels like he is a failure because he can't keep up with his kids.
Since you have less respect for him, you can go phuck yourself.
Well... Back then the rules of war were a lot more loose, so...
(Doesn't mean it's a lot safer now, just a tad bit actually).
This year is the worst year
Press F to pay respect. F
To be able to depart this life with honor and dignity, is the only thing that really matters.
EDIT: I have since my comment read that the man of men, Mr Strombo, has since departed.
Blessings to you, brother.
Smib
Brother I agree with you
Amen
deus vult
Ironic, coming from someone inspired by the Knights Templar, notorious for massacres during the Crusades.
The fact that we still have world war 2 veterans out here still alive is amazing and they truly deserve all the love and respect 🙏🏼
Cried the whole way through this. Thank you for these stories. We are truly one human family.
That pause in the start as he told the story. Man did he briefly take a trip back in time. Can't imagine how he felt
I cried a bit on that scene but what got me, even more, was when they put the flag on the old guy in the wheelchair. And you could see like little pieces missing around the flag as if it got messed up a bit by the mortar shot that killed the Japanese soldier.
also a bit of blood on it
@J Mireles Yes, it's something you carry with you. You don't talk about it, share it with others, it is private. Vietnam, 69, friends, children, things you wish you could but can't forget. Let us not forget that at this very moment there are men and women creating and living through those moments that will cause them to pause many years from now. They are the important ones.
@@dbeaus I'm sure he saw quite a bit during the island campaigns. And I believe Tarawa (Assuming from his hat) was a battle that took heavy casualties for the Marine Corps which probably left a lot of experiences, some of which probably didn't sink in or register till later.
As an older disabled Vet, that moment as he paused and remembered...
It triggered amoung other things, an avalanche of images of the fierce battles & fighting on the islands.
This is probably the most intense emotional video I have ever seen.
That pause went on for a million years in my mind as I watched him relive it all.
Honor, it is an amazing thing.
They are getting so old and so few. My dad was a Pacific theater navy vet who passed in 2013 at age 97. God bless them all. We owe them alot.
F
Indeed :(
They were mislead. Shoulda listened to Patton
Respect
What movie did you need to go see in that theater?
These men can never get over the horrors they experienced. Decades later, and he still can't talk about it without getting choke up. The men that served in the 2 World Wars have faced some of the greatest adversity mankind has ever had to deal with.
War might divide us with words such as "others", "evil", "enemy" and "criminals", but moments like this remind us of what we truly are.
HUMANS that feel love, pain, happiness and hope.
14:52 translation: "This man here, brought it home to us..."
Then you could tell that she gave all her might just to say "thank you" out loud
Thank you for the translation
My tears came out again after reading that
She knew mans could’ve ended his life right there on da field real shit 💯
その優しさに、日本人として心から感謝致します。ありがとうございます。
I would like to express my sincere gratitude as a Japanese to this kind feeling. Thank you very much.
555 ayu once enemies now friends let’s never forget our soldiers who sacrificed everything my friend 🤝
The Japanese people are a beautiful people. Your culture and language are things that have fascinated me from an early age. I can speak Japanese, although I can only read and write Romaji. It's a dream of mine to one day visit your beautiful country!
What did it say on the flag
@@johnniesiler5368 From what I can gather it's just names and well wishes from the people in his village.
Doitashimashite. I spent two years in Japan and I enjoyed my time there. At one time we were at war, now we are friends and allies and I hope this will continue. Jibun o diaji ni shite kudasai.
That generation of men quite literally saved the world.
Crying doesnt make you less of a man. It just shows the human caring side some of us that we hide until a dire emotional event takes place profoundly in our lives. Rest in peace brave soldier and thank you for your service.
One thousand dislikes by someone who doesn´t know the meaning of loyalty or true love !
@who is anonymous you´re right, forgot about that but still, it was the American gov. and not the soldiers, they just follow orders. The Soldiers, a part of them, were good people.
@who is anonymous maybe Japan shouldn't have attacked Pearl Harbor then and start a war with America, and without these nukes the war would have probably dragged on far longer and cost countles more lives. the Nukes dropped by the US and the invasion of Manchuria by the Soviet Union is what ultimately made Japan surrender to the US.
@who is anonymous he wasn't involved with dropping the bombs so this is irrelevant
Comments like yours are fucking stupid. You don't know their reason so stfu
@M W ????????
Don’t mind me, folks. I just have something in my eye. Move along.
baronvg
It took a tear to understand what this comment meant lol
I just love exposing treacherous people and one of the things I love doing is pissing in the punch bowl at a party and in this case my friend their videos all over CZcams what the Japanese did so go ahead and cry you a fucking River for the victims
czcams.com/video/-zosIxbn4D0/video.html
@@neelyUScongress Your sick comments are not appropriate here. If you like 'pissing in the punch bowl' that makes you no better than the worst of the people you claim to despise.
Me myself.....I'm slicing onions.....pesky things!!🙄
@@leeneale8776 get that onions out of the way
Tarawa and Saipan Veteran, this man experienced combat beyond belief. What an absolute warrior, honouring a past enemy and now friend. Still switched at 0326 hrs on an international flight. For that flag to be returned to the family is phenomenonal itself, but all the writings/markings on that flag are from Japanese soldiers of that man's unit, that right there is truly a priceless and timeless piece of history, many warriors have handled and imprinted themselves on that relic.
Japan is a great country and so are its people. This man has my upmost respect for his service and what he did for this family.
Honestly? You think tossing babies in the air and catching them on bayonets is admirable?
rape of Nanjing be like...
@@petergilkes7082 imagine being such an angry human being that you have to come to this video of a veteran honoring his promise to complain about atrocities committed by a stark minority of a country that doesn't at all reflect its majority. You're sad.
@@sandwichmaker1289 A very large minority committed horrible crimes. Working to death POWs, executing prisoners and Chinese and S Asian civilians etc etc.
I'm terrible? How amusing!
@@petergilkes7082 there's a time and a place to condemn war crimes and heinous acts. This video isn't one nor is being racist towards an entire populace based on actions of a mostly dead generation
That's a level of honor I'm afraid you don't see much anymore.
And we all should hope to not have to live through the horrors that made this grown man shiver and cry even decades later.
This world in 2019 makes me kill myself. Everywhere i go i think about suicide. Creepy
Perhaps you don't see it much anymore bc of who won.
@@freebeatz652 Get to know why and solve the issue or go see a skilled therapist.
@@SilverSF2 no man but Im tired of hate and shit. Makes me ill asf
My father had a similar flag that he'd captured while serving in the Army during WWII. After he passed, my mother went thru the necessary steps to have the writing on it translated, then, with some help, found the village the flag's former owners came from. She made the necessary inquiries, and found that the people of that village would love to have the flag. It is still in that village, as far as I know.
We
still got the flag my dad got in guadalcanal, the translation I got is a little haphazard, not least of course its it's written right to left as per the norm before 1945. seems to be people writing good luck messages, do well, see you back home etc, but couldn't find a message about where it was from. maybe I'll dig it out and have another go at it... still got lots of the Japanese imperial government money of the time as well...
Great job.
@@muir8009 It's your responsibility and moral duty to get that flag back to the original family.
@@veritasabsoluta4285 all well and good to say that, theres no return to sender address, and don't put any moral duty shit on me. I'll post it to you and see how you get on with it. Theres always loads on ebay and I don't see many sellers having a moral duty crisis about selling them. Also, what original family? That's not the point of the flag, it was a community thing
This man is a true hero and has a heart of gold
This was wonderful! When he was a Marine in the Pacific, that was the scariest time in his life. Now, 73 years later, he faces the hardest time in his life. Honor has no expiration date. God Bless You Sir! Regards from a 20yr Army Veteran of Foreign Wars myself (Iraq).
You're telling me they flew him all the way to Japan and didn't give him a window seat?
Window seats are great but not if you wana pee a lot..then they’re a hassle
@@donbrashsux its business/first class there was only one seat next to the window
Ren Rawbone ..thanks for that
I mean, when you got first class who needs windows lol
OUTRAGE ENSUES
Wow that flag was still in good shape after all these years he must of taken good care of it.
I Play 2 Win Truth Seeker he made a promise to return it and so he did
It was made with pride with quality materials. Not like the crap made in China and flooding America these days
Scary Sheri 581 not just america
Japanese silk .
@@lone6523 really... Stop buying it then. See what you can afford getting paid 8 dollars a hour.
One last mission, one worth doing, God bless this man and the one who received the flag. We’ll done, RIP Sir.
これはすごい！感動します！😊🇯🇵🇺🇸🤝
One day all ww2 soldiers will be forgotten which is scary and yes they fucking will
No they won’t they will be honored
Only if we allow it..... "At the setting of the Sun we WILL remember them"
Just like the First World War Soldiers, they will never be forgotten.
We make storys about them, we homor them, and we will do your danmist, to make sure, they are remembered.
Otherwise, we will repeat that part of history.
@Jennifer Vander Lugt really? In 75 years NO ONE has used a nuclear weapon in combat... I'd say we learned well. The horror of the bomb prevented WWIII.
@@andreworiez8920 Actually several men saved the World but k
The way the brother beamed and pressed the flag to his face. It was like he finally had his brother come home. This is such a beautiful story of closure. I only wish everyone else who lost people in wars could have this peace too.
Did I miss somewhere where they mentioned how they located his family? This is a wonderful story.
@@acatismansbestfriend5719 they just said that the obon society were able to track him down. They specialize in reuniting people with lost memorabilia I think
I think it is not just the flag but to speak to someone who was there when his brother died, and even as an enemy soldier looked at him not with disdain but with sympathy and respect.
@@tss9886 absolutely. It was a moment of humanity that made him take the flag. He knew it was precious and would be safer in his hands. He saw just another human in the Japanese soldier and I think that’s what led to this incredible story. It’s just about respect honestly.
That’s the part that got me all teared up!
God bless you my brother. I earned my EGA in 2018. I climbed the reaper and earned the title of United States Marine, but it’ll never be close to what you and your brothers did in WW2. I’m proud to share the title with you. And when it’s my time to go and see those pearly gates, I know we will be guarding those streets together. May you rest in peace for all eternity. Semper Fi brother! OORAAHH!!
My grandfather's father died as a naval soldier from an aerial bomb, and his flag was returned to his son just like shown in the video.
It's unreal, uncanny, surreal to see all of the names written on the flag before they went to war.
Lest us forget for all the brave contributions for every soldier that participated in the war.
A remarkable human being. The world is definitely poorer for his loss. RIP Martin Strombo, your dedication and adherence to your core values has struck home further than you realize.
@@doge8726 and, that’s not the point of this it doesn’t madder and even if it did who cares
@@doge8726 look up unit 731 and Japan attacked first so wtf you on about 😂
@@jaysleepy339 He's probably some edgy little kid that's never seen war. Cause if he did then he would realize. That there isn't a "Right" side. Or a "Wrong" side. In war there is no good or really any bad. The only bad is the politicians who fuel it, and some shit people. That doesn't make up a whole. At the end of the day, no person wants to go and fight for some high and mighty politician. But nobody had a choice back then.
@@mr.moonman5303 true every country has atrocities
@@doge8726 Your name says it all. Shallow as fuck.
This poor man being surrounded by cameras with little personal space during this whole overwhelming event. I’m half Japanese and I personally want to thank Marvin for fulfilling his promise and displaying a heartfelt bond between America and Japan. I thank all pilots, soldiers, medics, countries, sergeants, veterans, resistance, allies, and axis, anyone and everyone who plays a role to help serve and protect their country. Thank you all, and may you all have a wonderful, stress-free, peaceful life.
words of a man !
@@marcus.the.younger thank you very much
May you and your family have peace and a stress free life
@@onishinobi7805 thanks! I wish you the best!
I honestly think he wanted the media attention or else he would have taken the flag back a heck of alot sooner
MY DAD PASSED 3YRS AGO, A WW2 MARINE AVIATION, HE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO SEE THIS VIDEO!
What a true promise Marvin made to the Soldier who held the flag. Many thanks for sharing this story so all could see and learn. Marvin, thank you for your service.
Context from an article on this story: "The flag’s white background is filled with signatures of 180 friends and neighbors in this tea-growing mountain village of Higashishirakawa, wishing Yasue’s safe return. “Good luck forever at the battlefield,” a message on it reads. Looking at the names and their handwriting, Tatsuya Yasue clearly recalls their faces and friendship with his brother. "
Thank you! I was curious as to what the writing was! Now this story seems even more important!
They really should have mentioned that in the vid
That's some important information they left out. No wonder it was so important to him.
Thank you
Thank you!! I agree with the other comments too, they should have shared that. Still a great video though!
seeing the fallen Japanese soldier sister cry messed me up :(
That means you have compassion in your heart.
That's the compassion in your heart speaking to you.
me too.
A warrior paying respect and filling a promise from one warrior to another... ultimate honor of respect
Me too.
From Tokyo.
He never forgot his promise. It may have taken a long time to get over things, but he kept his word ❤
I'm a desert storm vet always respect the one who fight for you. Much respect sir army strong.
I am a 24 year old man and I cried at this. Honor is EVERYTHING, especially to the Japanese. The amount of good this man did, and all the help and sponsor he received to get him this far just shows that while evil exists in our world, there are people trying to counter it at every turn.
@J M Those are things of the past
J M that got very detailed quick.
Very heartwarming story from a standup Marine and a grateful family.
@lmao wrong. Find accounts of British, French, or American war crimes of that nature. I'll wait.
Delta Tempest, I agree with you. We as millennials need to be like those guys in the video. This world is turning into a complete shit hole and I'm going to change that. Who's with me?
This really puts a hole in my heart, Gen Z, my gen, will be the last generation to talk to these great people, my great uncle (my grandpas brother) served in WW2 in the battle of the bulge, and I realize that the numbers are so insanely small, and get smaller and smaller with each year to come. My great uncle is a great guy, only I wish I knew more about what he did, but in his old age he can’t remember much at all, he never remembers me, and my many family members. My grandpa knows a lot about what he did but I’ve never talked to him about it. With all these amazing people in their old ages, we are really the last generation that will truly be able to experience their presence.
Gen X here. I miss my grandparents very much. I remember visiting them on the weekends as a child as they would play dominoes with their other friends who were WWII and Great Depression generation. I honestly think none of us have measured up to them since then.
Dubuya Jay I have to agree with that, also I’m sorry for your loss
@@Strict2426 It was years ago, but thank you.
The best thing you can keep from them are what they can teach you.
We all have very big shoes to fill!
A man that age making such a long flight is no small undertaking.
Tough old bird.
This is a testament to the integrity and great humility of this good good man
I am from Malaysia, to see this video brings me to feel a new and higher level of humanity in the world,
After 73 years he kept his promise to that soldier even though that soldier was his enemy at that time. the level of respect in his heart between soldier/human even though the person was his enemy at that time is respectably higher than any that i ever known.
I am sorry for grammatical mistakes i made. Sincerely i have high respect to that man.
No sweat...Your English was great
@@mcfrisko834 tq so much. Have a good day
muhammad abqari You too friend ❤️
Your grammar is better than a lot of people who speak English as their native tongue.
@@ironnads7975 wow really ahaha. Tq so much. Now i feel motivated to learn more !
This. Wow. As a US. Army veteran, I can't even express how deeply moved I am. It was an honor watching this, Sir. You are the epitome of a Marine. Semper Fi.
Air Force myself and I am not half the man as this Marine.
One day you will shake the Taliban's hand
@@myutuber100 no
@@haydona1845 yes, it's true maybe not you but not all of them are bad people. we may be enemies as of now but once war passes and life goes on all thats left is treaties, history, veterans, their scars and the memories.
@@wolfmares9003 I will shake an honest and hardworking muslims hand any day man.Race is not a factor to me...but I will never shake the hand of a man who is or has been in the taliban. All they do is kill. People say its over religoin or oil but at this its neither. They just want war. I will never
This man is a legend, he will. Be forever missed for the beautiful act he did for the Japanese soldier and his family
There is so many memories in a veternan tear.
Yesterday I watched lot of videos of ww veterans but didnt know today is veterans' day...happy veterans' day to every hero.
My mother told me about my great grandfather, a Japanese WWII veteran, who passed away before I was born. She said he never talked about the war but, one thing he said was "War is like a hell you can't see no light. I am glad my children did not have to go through the hell I've seen." as he said it his eyes looked like he was looking at something painful in a distance. I want to thank you all the soldiers who served the country and I hope the ongoing wars in other countries would end soon.
Your grandfather sounded like he was a very humble and kind spirit. It’s a shame he had to go through all of that, but he’s finally at peace now.
My grandfathered served as an American. He told me many many stories and I always noticed how he never talked badly about the Japanese. Wether he liked them or not, I think he subconsciously knew that if he told me what happened in the war, I think he thought I would look down on the Japanese, which I absolutely do not. I just have a feeling that he knew that the war would end and it would all be in the past and the world would move on from it. No country wants war and if they’re in one, they want it to end immediately. Sumimasen for all the Japanese lives lost my friend. ❤️
I’m Japanese. My great uncle was actually a kamikaze pilot.
Luckily the war ended before he could die for his country, but from the stories I heard the survivors guilt was immense.
He said that all his comrades, his friends got to fulfill their duty and die for the emperor and their country while he did not.
I also have two other relatives who fought in Southeast Asia and China.
The one who fought in China died at 18. I only know this because a family graveyard grandmothers family has in a mountain somewhere. I don’t remember what prefecture it’s in.
I don’t even know what happened to the guy in Southeast Asia all I know is that he was a infantryman.
My grandfather was a child during WW2. He actually just turned 83 this year.
He would almost never talk about what happened during those years. But the one time he did talk about what happened it was some crazy shit.
His childhood home got firebombed so he lost his home at a very young age.
None of his family died in the bombing because they evacuated to a 防空壕 bombing shelter.
He said when they returned there was nothing left.
This part I only heard from my mother though. He said that you will never forget the smell afterwards.
He said that the bodies after the bombings were so chard that you couldn’t tell what they looked like prior, let alone a gender.
Also my great grandfather got exempt from the draft because he was too short.
Now I don’t want this to be all dark stories lol.
One fun thing I heard though is when they would shoot AA shells everyone had to go inside because of the shrapnel that would come flying down from the sky after they would explode.
He said that the roof tiles would get absolutely destroyed if peppered enough by the shrapnel.
@@Peppabot Thanks for sharing that. It's impossible to imagine what living in a warzone would be like without experiencing it personally. I hope one day nobody has to experience it again.
@@Peppabot that was part of the reason to get under cover during an air raid, the other reason is a bit worse. Not all of those rounds fired went off in the air. Some came down and damaged or destroyed what they were fired to try to protect.
As for wars, I'll only say, civilians will speak of wars in terms of winner or loser, those who served learned quickly, there are only survivors.
They don't make them like that anymore.Class act.
Of course they do, All these Brave young men put there lives on the table but I believe many would do the same thing. You can not and must not carry the burden of Hate to your grave. Wonderful documentary thanks for sharing. UK
U are right & I stand corrected.
@JW Pev Today there are too many Simpsons and Family guys, addicts of alcohol, drugs, pornography,... Hangover is their ideal life and they would not give a fuck about this video.
Actually, they do
The enemy now has no honor.
Very deep respect to all people to make this movie possible. As tourleader in Japan I know that some Japanese soldiers had a Japanese flag somewhere on their body. Mostly with messages from friends and family. So great what this veteran did! R.I.P. Marvin Strombo.
War brings out the best and the worst of humanity
I would say "the best through the worst".
Best of the worst
unfortunately also brings out the best in us, by which i mean we are never more innovative than when we're trying to kill each other; war is the most potent spur of progress.
@@RYNOCIRATOR_V5 Best and worst is subjective here I think. What is progress to you? Got me thinking about purpose of life and stuff. *sips coffee*
@@robertpate6241 well there are many things and technologies that came about because of war, the first thing that I think of is radar, but there are many, many more.
*[edit]*
Why the coffee? Have some tea.
He passed away this year on June 18. RIP
Semper Fidelis
I hope he knew the impact he made
2020
May he now rest easy along side his fellow men, Rip
This gentleman is a true hero to me.god bless this man 🫡
One thing about the japanese ,they have respect and care for the elderly.
Agreed
@willl 88 LMAO
So is the Filipinos.
They have so much more than just that, I have been in Japan a few times and i really started to respect their way of life. I am not ready to retire just yet, but when i am i will take all that is mine and leave to live the rest of my life in Japan.
@@stephandevriesere3667 its indeed a beautiful country
73 years ago, they were enemies, one promised the other that one day, this flag will be brought home. 73 years later, enemies turned into friends and the journey the flag went on came to a full circle when it, itself, went behind enemy lines, only to be brought back home, because of a promise that a man, a veteran, kept to an enemy he never knew.
If that's not honor, I dunno what is.
I think it is even more important that this man made a promise not to a live soldier, not a promise to a man on the verge of death. No, he made that promise to his fallen enemy, already dead. That is some serious respect/honor/face there.
Real man kept his words
Wolframite , they were never “enemies” to begin with, war involves soldiers following orders to kill a stranger.
Nope, it's just kids on the internet behind keyboards that say things that they wouldn't say to someone in the face.
You just mis-interpreted a joke so hard it would be confusing to tell them difference between Spanish and Russian