Marine Rifleman in the Toughest Battle of The Pacific | Sugar Loaf Hill | Okinawa | Kenneth Wells

Kenneth Wells was 16-years-old when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and at the time had no idea how much that event would impact his life. In 1944, after finishing high school Wells received his draft notice and planned on Joining the Navy, however a Marine recruiter persuaded Wells to join the Marines and he soon found himself at Parris Island. On April 1, 1945, Easter Sunday, Wells found himself aboard a Higgins boat heading toward the island of Okinawa. Although the beach landings went unopposed, Wells and his fellow Marines knew the enemy awaited them inland. Wells would go on to participate in some of the most brutal fighting in the Pacific theater. He would lose close friends during the fight for Sugar Loaf Hill and on June 11, 1945 be wounded himself from an explosion. Interview recorded on May 26, 2024 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Support the American Veterans Center's mission to preserve the legacy and history of our heroes by making a tax-deductible donation today: https://americanveteranscenter.org/do... Learn more about the American Veterans Center: http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/ Like us on Facebook:   / americanveteranscenter   Follow us on Twitter:   / avcupdate   Follow us on Instagram:   / americanveteranscenter   Subscribe to the Veterans Chronicles podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/americanvetera... ---------------------------------------------------------------- Video Credits: Interviewer - Greg Corombos Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker Editor - Daniel Taksas