Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
2:31 | Walter Fleming reflects on his experience in the military and shares his most profound observations - during the war and in later years. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
Keywords : marines Vietnam Veterans Iwo Jima patriotism honor
16-year-old Walter Fleming lies about his age (and engages in forgery) to enlist in the US Navy. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
Walter Fleming arrives at boot camp in San Diego, where he trains in boxing, firefighting, and piloting a Landing Craft. During an exercise at sea, he and his crew learn that horsing around can have consequences. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
Walter Fleming's first action is the full-scale invasion of Iwo Jima. Over several perilous days, he has many close calls with mortar fire, open-sea collisions, and artillery rounds - all the while evacuating wave after wave of wounded Marines. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
Walter Fleming made it through training and most of the war without his poor eyesight getting in the way - until the night he failed to spot 2 naval mines. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
When a collision causes their ship to spill meat into the sea, Walter Fleming sees an opportunity to catch the hungry fish swarming around them. Fleming shares this and more stories of food-related fortunes. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
With victory in sight, Fleming is sent on a series of missions to wrap up loose ends. During a suspenseful evacuation of woefully outgunned Chinese soldiers, he is forced to leave men and boys behind to face a vengeful enemy. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
Fleming settles in to postwar life, and recounts the steps that led him to become a minister and an author. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
Fleming recalls a couple of near misses from surprise enemy fire. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
During his last trip home, Fleming's captain decides to race another vessel to the Panama Canal, causing discomfort for the crew. (This interview made possible with the support of WILLIE NELSON, JR)
