Did you watch the series "The Pacific?"

2016-07-12T13:35:33-04:00

This is the second time around and learned a lot more than the initial shock of the first viewing. Outstanding character development and the horrors of war in the Pacific.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 12 at 2016 1:42 PM

2016-07-12T13:42:58-04:00

CPT Joseph K Murdock, The Pacific is based primarily on the memoirs of two U.S. Marines: With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by Eugene Sledge; and Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie. Eugene Sledge was a graduate of Auburn University, my alma mater! WAR EAGLE!

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Jul 12 at 2016 1:44 PM

2016-07-12T13:44:33-04:00

Guess that I need to watch it.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Jul 12 at 2016 1:47 PM

2016-07-12T13:47:55-04:00

I saw it. It was okay but not nearly as good as Band of Brothers. I didn't really love the characters, acting and stories behind them. However the story of the Pacific theater was great and the change in each of the characters over the length of the series. I thought the movie "The Thin Red Line" was better.

Response by SFC Anthony Franke made Jul 12 at 2016 1:51 PM

2016-07-12T13:51:58-04:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 1:56 PM

2016-07-12T13:56:53-04:00

I used to watch it on Channel 13 in San Diego after school. I was the oddball kid in my family who watched documentaries.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jul 12 at 2016 2:36 PM

2016-07-12T14:36:04-04:00

Yes, have the set on Blue Ray. Have also read the books by Sledge and Leckie. It was different than a Band of Brothers, but not really in a bad way. It jumped from the stories of 3 primary characters, Basilone, Sledge, and Leckie; and gave insight into their backgrounds and personal life, which BoB did not do with its characters.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2016 2:46 PM

2016-07-12T14:46:51-04:00

My grandpa Healy was a Marine in the 2d MARDIV. He saw action in Bougainville, New Guinea, Tarawa, Mindinao, and Okinawa.
If he can give it a thumb's up, then that is all the endorsement I will ever need.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 12 at 2016 3:34 PM

2016-07-12T15:34:28-04:00

Missed the series but read the book by Sledge. I was very impressed by his account of personal experiences, esp the degree and length of training he & his unit went through in war time before deploying to combat. Once there he saw the worst of action. I gained a better appreciation of the 60mm mortar from his book and felt like I was right there as his unit made a landing or moved out in the attack. I believe he passed away a few years ago after spending a long and quiet career as a college professor of ornithology I believe. Quite a departure from his time as a Marine. He was a candidate for PTSD if there ever was one. Will have to google him.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 12 at 2016 10:48 PM

2016-07-12T22:48:43-04:00

I don't remember but it sounds like a great addition to my Video Library.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 13 at 2016 2:40 AM

2016-07-13T02:40:01-04:00

I can understand the mixed reactions to it as discussed here, certainly. When the saving private Ryan film came out, which, in retrospect, I foumdm historically abysmal, despite its retrospective and winsome charm, I honestly preferredmthenthin red line film, which won no awards, though just as good, based on the James Jones second novel of his trilogy, which included from here to eternity and whistle, the last being very little known and never filmed yet. I found both films, ryan and thin red line, much similar in comparison as with both HBO series, just a thought. Oh, also, I may have actually seen Maj dick winters one day in Hershey PA when my wife and I were there to see the hershey factory, there was a ww2 airborme reunion where we were staying and I recall I might have actually seen him where we were eating, during the reunion, though I was of course never certain and didn't know then who he was, if it in fact was him, which I only mention, as I'd learned only much later on that he and his family lived there, just thought it might interest, many thanks.