I Am A 90 year old United States Marine (Retired Veteran of WWII) Major William R Henderson AMAA

Hate being that guy, especially to a WWII vet, but we do need proof, please.

TY!

Of course you do, I was stupid and forgot to post it. I edited the post above.

What is you best memory from WWII? Where were you deployed? Did you take part in any of the more famous operations?

He was in Iwo Jima, He talks about that a lot in his book. I will update with his response once we start. (in a few min)

What is you best memory from WWII? The way the American public responded to the challenge that we faced, both militarily and at home.

Where were you deployed? In the Pacific.

Did you take part in any of the more famous operations? Yes, Iwo Jima.

What's your general feeling towards games and movies turning WWII into entertainment?

It depends on the story. If the war is for honorable purposes and the defense of our country then it can have a positive effect. if on the other the story line is unclear and implies that we initiate the aggression for improper gains, then it can have a negative effect.

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It was very vivid and created a lasting impression.

EDIT: From the grandson: Here's something from the introduction of his book that is relevant:

Time and distance has a way of fogging the memory and the events recounted in this book may not have necessarily occurred exactly as they are told but are reported as I remember them.

How would you compare/contrast your experience during the Great Depression to the "Great Recession" we have faced?

We faced the depression with a whole lot more self confidence and assurance that we could survive.

Wow ... that's amazing, considering that the Depression was much worse than the recession.

Btw, Their family was pretty poor already. (His father was a Pastor) That's why it didn't affect him as much I believe.

Why did you decide to join the marines? Was it expected back then, or was it something you really truly wanted to do?

It was for patriotic reasons, for the defense of our country.

What does your grandfather think about the new generation of young people? If we were faced with the same type of war like WW2 does he think our generation can rise to the challenge?

It's questionable.

Thank you for doing this! I just have a few questions. :)

Do you have any regrets in your life?

How hard was it for you to retrieve all those memories to put in your book? Did you keep a diary during the war? And also, how hard was it emotionally?

What do you think of the current world we live in? The war in Afghanistan, the re-election of president Obama, our modern day technology, ... Do you think we're heading in the right direction?

I'm always interested in the insights of people who know a lot more about life than me. :) Thank you!

Do you have any regrets in your life? Yes

How hard was it for you to retrieve all those memories to put in your book? Did you keep a diary during the war? And also, how hard was it emotionally? Well, I had the reports and the official reports form the military that had been declassified.

What do you think of the current world we live in? The war in Afghanistan, the re-election of president Obama, our modern day technology, ... Do you think we're heading in the right direction? I don't think we're headed in the right direction. We're not as committed to a strong defense system.A strong military can actually produce peace, because those who would attack us are afraid of our strength, but that's different today, because we think we can reduce our defense, and become friends with our obvious enemies.

EDIT: He wanted to add more: About the war, any time the safety of our people or the interest of our country we have a moral aboligation to do all that we can including engaging in war to defend our safety and national interests. Initially we responded to the attack on the US on 9/11 by retaliating militarily in afghanistan. there's also another aspect in our military in the middle east including Afghanistan and iraq, and that is one that effects our economy. The availabilty of oil from the middle east is in our significant interests in the welfare of our nation. if it could be controlled by people who have declared the US to be an enemy, this could create the most severe reverse of our economy our nation has ever known. Therefore it is to our interests and responsibility to defeat those in the middle east who are aggressively attempting to control the countries which we are dependent on for supplying over half of our oil. Therefore it of the highest priority that we devote to being energy depended from encouraging natural resources, reducing our need to invest our physical and material resources and wage war in the middle east. This administration unfortunately does not have an energy policy which they are pursuing which will enable us to be independent. To put American warriors in harms way and invest hundreds of billions of dollars in wars. There's a lost opportunity which may be fatal to our economy and our progress and survival. Of course we need to protect our environment and there is sufficient technology available to direct safe, environmental activities in harvesting and processing energy producing resources.

Sorry, on the oil note: Saudi Arabia and Iraq only provide 7% of our oil. The two together send significantly less than our top importer, Canada, while we rely on domestic oil for a large portion of our supply (I believe 36%).

Stats on importing countries: www.globalpost.com/dispatch/100726/top-7-us-oil-importer

That being said, thank you for your time in the military, and also for the AMA.

Edit: I'm not denying that the Middle East provides significant amounts of oil. What I am saying though is that they don't provide anywhere near half. 7% is not a number to ignore; I wouldn't be pleased if 7% of my paycheck randomly disappeared. It is not 50% though.

From the grandson: Ok, Canada supplies 36%. BUT, they're not in any danger of being invaded and we not getting that oil. In the middle east, 7% may seems like not very much, but we use a lot of oil in America, and 7% is a lot, and it can change our economy for the worst if we don't have it.

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There wasn't any racial bias, not on the front lines.

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I Wouldn't do it with the same attitude. I was so enthusiastic. I would still do it today, but I wouldn't do it with the same degree of faith and confidence in my country that I had back then.

How do you feel about the current size of the military? Have your thoughts on this (and politics in general) changed over the years during and since your service?

Have your thoughts on this (and politics in general) changed over the years during and since your service? Yes, They've changed. As I have become more aware of the principles on which this nation was founded and how the exercise of these principles produced the greatest nation ever recorded in history. The promotion and practice in these principles have tended to make me more mature and responsible, manifested in a more conservative political philosophy.

Military size: I think it needs to be a least at the present size as long as world tension remains at the present level. I think it is an embarrassment that our self-indulging in our environment has not given every American of serving somewhere in the defense of our nation, including military service. To me it reflects on our willingness to show our thankfulness to those who have protected our freedom and independence. To pay for the citizens not to voluntary be inclined to serve their country and for instead hire warriors to fight our battles, and then assuage our guilt by weakly waving the flag and meaningless "hoo-raas!" as we welcome home their wounded spirits and broken bodies.

Instead of asking you anything. I would like to thank you for your service to this country during some of the darkest hours this world has ever seen. Without a doubt your service was at times frightening, questionable, and against insurmountable odds, just know sir, that I for one salute you for what you did.

Thank you.

You double posted, btw.

I posted from my phone. Ill see if I can correct that.

Ok

Good afternoon, sir!

I don't have any good questions, I wish I could just sit and listen to you talk about your life (I checked out your book website, and also a video of an interview with you on here; at least, I assume that's of you).

Would you say that your faith in God was strengthened during the war? What advice would you give to an atheist enlisting in the military today?

What do you think of females serving in the military today?

How old were you when you joined the Marines? Did you commission directly?

Thank you for sharing your stories with us, sir.

Would you say that your faith in God was strengthened during the war? What advice would you give to an atheist enlisting in the military today? Yes. For the advice: Wise up! Reevaluate your belief, and in the absence, be prepared to endure fear, and severe hardship.

What do you think of females serving in the military today? I don't think much of it. That is, I'm not in favor of them serving in combat. They're alright for other duties, but not in combat positions.

How old were you when you joined the Marines? Did you commission directly? I was 20. Yes.

EDIT: Yes, that interview is of him.

What does he think of Hollywood's portrayal of WWII and WWII Vets? Does he have a favorite film?

Generally, the portrayals are moderately good. My favorite films would be Sergeant York and saving Private Ryan.

Were you in any battles that had major impacts on the war?

As I said before, he was in Iwo Jima. I will update this comment with his response in a few min.

EDIT:He said Iwo Jima

Former Sergeant of Marines here...

I was at Iwo Jima in 2005. There was a reunion of both Japanese and Americans that fought there. We drove the vets around to the different part of the island where they fought. It was crazy watching both groups interact, tell stories, and laugh together. Any chance you were there?

He went to Iwo Jima in 2005. What is your name? You can pm it to me and I'll ask him if he knew you.

EDIT: also, was it march?

March sounds about right. We were the 31st MEU and we stopped there to help out on our way back to Okinawa. I have one picture of me with an old-timer there... I'll PM it to you if I can find it. It would be nuts if it was him

He should be in a wheelchair.

I don't recall anyone in a wheelchair...

:/ He was with his son and his two grandsons (my older brothers not me)

There's an interview here, you can look and see if you saw him. (second video)

Most WW2 vets that I have run into pretty much require to be beaten with sticks to talk about the war. Are there any tricks to get them to talk about what happened before the stories are all lost?

You can ask here, it's pretty much an AMA, but I can ignore some questions I know he wouldn't want to answer. For him it was when he went back to Iwo Jima his son (My father) suggested he told his story, and so he decided to write a book about it. Wait, Is this a question for him or for me?

His Response: If you can appeal to them that their story will encourage and challenge this generation and future generations to realize the great price that has been paid for their liberty and freedom, then I think a good number will submit to being interrogated and report their experiences.

It was mostly a question for him. The was was really ugly for a lot of people in it, and unless the stories get out and published we'll be doomed to repeat it.

It is good that he has his story out, but there are millions left to be told, and the story tellers are quickly dying off.

Ok, I'll ask him once we start, and edit my response to include his.

After the war ended, was there ever a moment in history when you thought the world was going down that road again? A sort of an "Oh dear, here we go again" point where you expected world war to break out again?

(Also, thanks for your service. :) )

Yes. At the bay of pigs when the Russians were bringing missiles to Cuba.

what was life like during the depression in comparison to today's recession

He already answered this:

"We faced the depression with a whole lot more self confidence and assurance that we could survive."

If you had the chance to go back and serve again, would you?

Allready answered:

I Wouldn't do it with the same attitude. I was so enthusiastic. I would still do it today, but I wouldn't do it with the same degree of faith and confidence in my country that I had back then.

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No, It confirmed it.

Can I buy an autographed copy of his book

Probably. Since we published them ourselves, we also have to manually have the company that prints them print them, so we could change the address to our address, and then send it to you after he autographed it. I'll talk to my dad and we'll see.

Have you heard of Honor Flight?

I'm pretty sure he did that. Are you in North Carolina?

No, but I just saw the documentary.

Ok. I checked, he definitely did that.

What advice would you give to someone considering entering the military?(not the US military btw) Also thank you very much for your service :)

Be prepared for hardship and sacrifice with the anticipated satisfaction that you have expressed your debt to those who have fought and a willingness to serve so that freedom and independence will be continued.

Best/Worst memory of WWII.

He already said the best, here it is:

What is you best memory from WWII? The way the American public responded to the challenge that we faced, both militarily and at home.

Im sorry. I should have read more. But thanks for the answer

It's fine.

Having read some previous answers, who do you regard as being America's current and future enemies?

Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.