My Grandpa's War: Recounting Willard Legg's Experience on Okinawa during World War II

Historian Dr. John R. Legg invites you to step into the memories of his grandfather, Private Willard Legg, a young Marine who fought in one of the most brutal battles of World War II — the Battle of Okinawa. Enlisting in 1943, Willard's journey took him from Parris Island to San Francisco, Guadalcanal, and ultimately to the blood-soaked hills of the Ryukyu Islands. There, at Sugar Loaf Hill, he endured unimaginable violence and loss. From a young age, John was captivated by his grandfather’s stories — not just of war, but of brotherhood, survival, and what it truly meant to be a Marine. Those stories sparked his path to becoming a historian. Now, years after his grandfather’s passing, John is honoring that legacy. In this talk, he weaves together personal memory and historical insight, and introduces a new project exploring the lives of other Marines who served alongside Willard in Okinawa.