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World War II was a pivotal moment in world history, when not only the survival of the United States was at stake, but of democracy throughout the world. Had the Allies lost WW II, fascism would have engulfed the world even as genocide would have robbed humanity of its diversity. WW II veterans live again through these short podcasts, which like the accompanying book of the same name, tell their incredible stories of valor and sacrifice. Each riveting podcast tells the story of WW II through the eyes of those who fought it. They were called the greatest generation for a reason. The host invites you to email him at drjohnu64@gmail.com.
Episodes
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Friday Jan 10, 2025
"You're not going to leave me here to die?" Sgt. George Barlow asked his buddy, John Snyder. Barlow had just saved the lives of everyone in his squad by throwing himself on a live grenade the Japanese had hurled into their machine gun emplacement at Iwo Jima. Barlow's lower torso had been blown away, and Snyder knew his friend wouldn't survive until morning without help. Pinned down, could Snyder find a medic?
Sgt. George Barlow
John Snyder never forgot his friend, Sgt. George Barlow, and the ultimate sacrifice he made for his squad. "In all of my efforts I try to tell the story of the heroic death of Sgt. George L. Barlow thus giving him the reward that he didn't receive from our government," Snyder wrote in a letter dated April 29, 1995. After 50 years, Snyder was able to finally make contact with the surviving members of Sgt. Barlow's family, his three sisters.
The following is Sgt. Barlow's obituary as printed in the Millbrook Round Table on Friday January 28, 1949:
Funeral services were held on Wednesday Jan 26 at 1:30 PM at the Verbank Methodist Church for Sergeant George Barlow, who died on Iwo Jima, March 1, 1945.
Rev. Hermann Diekmann, pastor of the church, officiated at the funeral which was under the direction of the Allen Funeral Home. Burial was in the Verbank cemetery. Military rites were offered by Parker-Haight Post, American Legion, of Millbrook.
Sergeant Barlow, a native of Verbank, attended local schools and was graduated from Millbrook Memorial High School. He was a member of the Verbank church and of Union Vale Grange. He entered the armed service in 1942.
Posthumously awarded the Purple Heart with gold star, the Sergeant had received the Presidential Citation, fourth Marine division, for service in action against the enemy in the Marianna Islands. He also held the Asiatic campaign medal.
Sergeant Barlow is survived by his father and three sisters. The young soldier's mother, the late Mabelle Lowerre Barlow, died some years ago.
Barlow gave his life when he fell on a Japanese grenade to protect five members of a machine-gun squad.