WWII Marine Raider: "We Were Taught to K*ll" | Official Preview

Shawn Ryan Show

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Video Summary

Frank Wright, a Marine Raider who joined at 16, recounts the brutal realities of Pacific War combat, including the order to "kill" any enemy encountered. He describes harrowing experiences on Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Guam, and Iwo Jima, where he witnessed extreme violence and engaged in close-quarters combat.

Wright's firsthand accounts reveal the dehumanizing nature of the war, detailing instances of extreme brutality by both sides, including headhunting practices by native populations and the grim aftermath of battles. Despite being wounded multiple times, including a severe chest injury on Iwo Jima, Wright survived to preserve the memories of his fallen comrades.

Short Highlights

Marine Raider Frank Wright recounts his harrowing experiences in the Pacific War.
He joined the Marine Corps at 16, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Wright fought in pivotal campaigns including Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Guam, and Iwo Jima.
He was wounded multiple times, earning the Purple Heart for a severe chest injury on Iwo Jima.

Key Details

Joining the Fight at 16 [00:00:48]

Frank Wright joined the Marine Corps at age 16, motivated by the attack on Pearl Harbor.
He initially faced rejection due to his age and weight but circumvented it with a falsified birth certificate.

"Sixteen. Sixteen years old."

The Raider's Mission: Kill [00:01:19]

Wright was part of the 4th Marine Raider Battalion, an early special operations unit.
The unit's directive was clear: "kill."
Training focused on ensuring Marines could effectively eliminate the enemy.

"The first word he said, kill. That's what I want you to remember. Kill."

Brutality on the Front Lines [00:02:21]

Wright describes intense combat, including an instance where 400 enemy soldiers attacked.
He recounts a moment of confusion where both sides believed they had won, only for the reality of continued fighting to set in.
During intense fighting, Wright used his knife in close combat, including cutting an enemy's throat.

"The Japs lunged and it stuck me in the stomach. As I fell down, my hand went out and I hit my gung-ho knife."