Ben Bost - World War Two Navy Veteran

Recently I had the honor to sit down and talk with Ben Bost, a US Navy Veteran of World War Two, and film his story.  Ben was on the USS LSM 316 and served in the Pacific Theater from 1943-45. The LSM-316 was a medium landing craft used to carry personnel and equipment. Ben was involved in many iconic engagements and spoke about their assaults on islands in the Pacific and training a 40mm machine gun he barely knew how to use on Kamikaze pilots attacking his ship as if it were something everyone had done. In true veteran fashion he downplayed his heroics and with measured eloquence he humbly shared his experiences with me.  He witnessed the end of the war and the aftermath of the bombing of Tokyo and the “big bomb” that resulted in our victory over Japan.

Me filming Ben Bost in his home on October 26, 2019.

Ben comes from a generation that just rolled up their sleeves and went to work when their country called on them. His generation is often considered to be the “greatest generation” and Ben surely exemplifies that moniker.   He talked about the Navy giving him $300 and a handshake at the end of the war and because he didn’t plan to have a career in the Navy he decided to get to work, to upgrade himself, in his words.

Ben attributes his safe homecoming to God and couldn’t explain the near misses any other way.  It was crazy that despite the distance in geography, years, and branches of the military; that service members act and feel very similarly across generations.  I resonated with his story on many levels and am honored and humbled to have been in the same room with a true American Hero.  Thank you sir!

Watch his heartfelt story here:

If you liked this story be sure to check out other stories on this page like this one such as Jessica Rambo’s story about her Painted Buffalo Traveling Studio.

Click HERE.