[Jim Martin]

Thought there already was a thread on this but maybe it got pruned.

Just saw Tom Hanks in an excellent, though short interview with Stephen Colbert. Per Hanks, "If you are between the ages of 53 (his age) and 21, after you watch this series, yes you will feel like a big, fat pussy." :lol:

[TomasCTT]

Jim Martin, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 1314, said:

"If you are between the ages of 53 (his age) and 21, after you watch this series, yes you will feel like a big, fat pussy." :lol:

Hell, just reading up on ancient history (e.g., Alexander, Caesar, etc etc) makes me feel like a wuss. :D

[Ivanhoe]

Yeah, the beach scene in SPR did that for me.

[irregularmedic]

The trailer shown on Colbert depicted LVT's coming ashore on Peleliu. Almost tempted to get HBO added to my cable for the duration of the series vice Netflix-ing it.

[Jim Martin]

irregularmedic, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 0831, said:

The trailer shown on Colbert depicted LVT's coming ashore on Peleliu. Almost tempted to get HBO added to my cable for the duration of the series vice Netflix-ing it.

On HBO they have a preview clip of around 10 minutes' length, following Leckie charging across a Japanese airstrip with his mortar section under arty and MG fire. Brutally graphic. They're following the stories of several actual Marines: Sledge, Leckie, Phillips, Tatum, and Basilone. Saw a brief clip of Basilone, manning his .30 on Guadalcanal when his position was overrun.

This post has been edited by Jim Martin: 09 March 2010 - 0340 AM

[aevans]

Jim Martin, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 0836, said:

On HBO they have a preview clip of around 10 minutes' length, following Leckie charging across a Japanese airstrip with his mortar section under arty and MG fire. Brutally graphic.

That would be Sledge, on Peleliu. After that attack, Sledge was wondering how his impression of the event matched up to that of veterans. At that moment, one of the veterans, without being asked, said he was glad it was over because, IIRC, it was "rough duty".

Speaking of Leckie, I wonder if they'll show the episode on Guadalcanal where his machine gun section loses one gun because it stays put, while the other gun (w/ Leckie) survives because they change positions halfway through a firefight.

[ShotMagnet]

I got over Marines trying to vajazzle my sense of worth a long time ago. If BoB didn't make me feel like trying on a tutu, this won't either.

I'm assuming that my worthless life will remain so until and unless I get 'With the Old Breed' and 'Helmet for My Pillow'.

How do they compare to 'Goodbye Darkness'?


Shot

[rmgill]

Add HBO to my satellite feed right now.

[aevans]

ShotMagnet, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 1755, said:

I got over Marines trying to vajazzle my sense of worth a long time ago. If BoB didn't make me feel like trying on a tutu, this won't either.

I'm assuming that my worthless life will remain so until and unless I get 'With the Old Breed' and 'Helmet for My Pillow'.

How do they compare to 'Goodbye Darkness'?
Shot

Goodbye Darkness IMO suffers from being a conscious attempt at being literary. Sledge's and Leckie's memoirs gain verisimilitude from being significantly less self-conscious, Sledge by being raw and unfiltered, Leckie by way of finding (often self-deprecating) humor in the various predicaments he finds himself in.

[Jim Martin]

Watched an interview with Tatum last night. Went ashore on Iwo with 250 men in his company, left with 38. Jesus.

[Jim Martin]

I believe it was Hanks in an interview on HBO remarked of Basilone that his job as MG squad leader was essentially that of a highly skilled foreman. Sums it up rather nicely.

[SCFalken]

Wonder if they'll be showing the fight for the Solomans or the Phillipines?


Falken

[Jim Martin]

SCFalken, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 1931, said:

Wonder if they'll be showing the fight for the Solomans or the Phillipines?
Falken

Solomons, yes, as that's where Diamond John Basilone earned his MH. Been a while since I read his citation but IIRC he killed an ungodly number of enemy in hand to hand fighting when they overran his MG position. I doubt they will show the Phillipines, as the series follows the stories of individual Marines, and no Marines were in the P.I.

This post has been edited by Jim Martin: 09 March 2010 - 1435 PM

[Jim Martin]

Found Basilone's citations:

The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

SERGEANT

JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action against enemy Japanese forces, above and beyond the call of duty, while serving with the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division in the Lunga Area. Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, on 24 and 25 October 1942. While the enemy was hammering at the Marines' defensive positions, Sgt. Basilone, in charge of 2 sections of heavy machine guns, fought valiantly to check the savage and determined assault. In a fierce frontal attack with the Japanese blasting his guns with grenades and mortar fire, one of Sgt. Basilone's sections, with its guncrews, was put out of action, leaving only 2 men able to carry on. Moving an extra gun into position, he placed it in action, then, under continual fire, repaired another and personally manned it, gallantly holding his line until replacements arrived. A little later, with ammunition critically low and the supply lines cut off, Sgt. Basilone, at great risk of his life and in the face of continued enemy attack, battled his way through hostile lines with urgently needed shells for his gunners, thereby contributing in large measure to the virtual annihilation of a Japanese regiment. His great personal valor and courageous initiative were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.


Navy Cross citation
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the NAVY CROSS posthumously to

GUNNERY SERGEANT

JOHN BASILONE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

For extraordinary heroism while serving as a Leader of a Machine-Gun Section, Company C, 1st Battalion, 27th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, 19 February 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation shortly after landing when his company's advance was held up by the concentrated fire of a heavily fortified Japanese blockhouse, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone boldly defied the smashing bombardment of heavy caliber fire to work his way around the flank and up to a position directly on top of the blockhouse and then, attacking with grenades and demolitions, single handedly destroyed the entire hostile strong point and its defending garrison. Consistently daring and aggressive as he fought his way over the battle-torn beach and up the sloping, gun-studded terraces toward Airfield Number 1, he repeatedly exposed himself to the blasting fury of exploding shells and later in the day coolly proceeded to the aid of a friendly tank which had been trapped in an enemy mine field under intense mortar and artillery barrages, skillfully guiding the heavy vehicle over the hazardous terrain to safety, despite the overwhelming volume of hostile fire. In the forefront of the assault at all times, he pushed forward with dauntless courage and iron determination until, moving upon the edge of the airfield, he fell, instantly killed by a bursting mortar shell. Stouthearted and indomitable, Gunnery Sergeant Basilone, by his intrepid initiative, outstanding skill, and valiant spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of the fanatic opposition, contributed materially to the advance of his company during the early critical period of the assault, and his unwavering devotion to duty throughout the bitter conflict was an inspiration to his comrades and reflects the highest credit upon Gunnery Sergeant Basilone and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the service of his country.

For the President,
/s/ JAMES FORRESTAL
Secretary of the Navy

[aevans]

SCFalken, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 1931, said:

Wonder if they'll be showing the fight for the Solomans or the Phillipines?
Falken

Well, covering Leckie, Sledge, and Basilone, they'll have Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester (New Britain), Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. There might not be much to Iwo Jima, given that Basilone was the only one of the three there, and he was KIA on the first day.

[Jim Martin]

aevans, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 1944, said:

Well, covering Leckie, Sledge, and Basilone, they'll have Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester (New Britain), Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. There might not be much to Iwo Jima, given that Basilone was the only one of the three there, and he was KIA on the first day.

Tatum was there, I believe as part of Basilone's unit. I'm pretty sure they'll be following Iwo from his perspective.

I'm wondering if they'll show the battle on the Matanikau (sp?) on Guadalcanal, where the MG team took a hit from a grenade, blinding one Marine and rendering the other Marine's hands useless. The blind Marine continued firing the gun while the Marine whose hands were disabled directed him onto targets.

This post has been edited by Jim Martin: 09 March 2010 - 1452 PM

[shep854]

Jim Martin, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 1334, said:

Solomons, yes, as that's where Diamond John Basilone earned his MH. Been a while since I read his citation but IIRC he killed an ungodly number of enemy in hand to hand fighting when they overran his MG position. I doubt they will show the Phillipines, as the series follows the stories of individual Marines, and no Marines were in the P.I.

Small correction; Basilone's nickname was "Manila John". He served in the Philippines with the Army before he got his life right. :P

[Ken Estes]

4th Marines were in the P.I., but few survived the experience. The only USMC regt to ever surrender. The 'new' 4th Marines formed later from the raiders.

[edit to add] I never noticed before that the 4th Marines originally formed under Col. Pendleton at Marine Barracks Puget Sound, 1914.

This post has been edited by Ken Estes: 09 March 2010 - 1609 PM

[Ken Estes]

shep854, on Tue 9 Mar 2010 2044, said:

Small correction; Basilone's nickname was "Manila John". He served in the Philippines with the Army before he got his life right. :P

Easily crossed with the equally legendary Master Gunnery Sergeant Leland "Lou" Diamond USMC (May 30, 1890 – September 20, 1951) who saw his last combat on Guadalcanal with H/2/5, particularly with the mortars.

[ShotMagnet]

The beach landing in SPR was harrowing. The airdrop in BoB no less-so. I expect that the landings in The Pacific will be likewise.



Shot