I served with numerous heavy drinkers in a number of units. They showed up and they functioned. and that's that. Everyone has their method in coping with the long days, fatigue and chaos.
I saw it many times while serving in the USAF. Men showing up drunk to work on dangerous, expensive equipment. One guy used to drink in the shower from his own beermeister.
@@r2gelfand We looked after our people, one way or another. I think that's exactly what Winters was doing with Nixon. As long as he functioned and his shit was tight while on duty, that's that. He wants to sleep in a case of J&B after work, let him.
Dad was a corpsmen in 2/4 Marines, he said as long as you made it to morning muster nobody questioned how much you drank or partied. I can sat In my time in the army that was mostly true
@@samiam619 The difference between Nixon and the rest of the enlisted rank and file - Nixon being an officer had easy access to alcohol. The rest had to suffer.
You nailed it. If he didn't have Winters, he would have been busted down to nothing. And Winters was happy to work for Nixon after the war for several years. I guess one hand washes the other in such cases.
Lewis Nixon was what one would consider a functional alcoholic. Another World War 2 figure who was a hard drinker and yet still managed to perform his duties was Greg "Pappy" Boyington of the Black Sheep Squadron.
You’ve got this idea in the present, stay sharp, avoid the drink. Yet we know that the Battle of Britain pilots were as screwed on beer as they were on “uppers”. It’s war and like you say you probably get a lot of functional alcoholics in war but at the end of the day, you’ll see the same on Wall Street or downtown London who aren’t putting their lives on their line every single day. It’s respect they deserve, people like Nixon and all those like him
Nixon came from Money, Went to Yale and was well connected. I think Winters was strategic in keeping Nixon around. Nixon was well connected and would be useful if they needed to get the ear of someone higher up the chain for supply issues etc.. He also ended up getting a job through his connection to Nixon.
From various accounts, Nixon's personality had rough edges that rubbed a number of people the wrong way but I think his fundamental character was sound and that was the basis of his friendship with Winters. They had very different personal styles but they saw eye to eye on the important aspects of life.
By Today's standards Winston Churchill would be considered a alcoholic, and he certainly did his bit for the war effort, little things like inspiring his own nation ( & government) to keep fighting when all looked lost !
Sorry people got worked up, I thought you did a fine job with the episode. As long as you don't tell me lies you know are lies we'll be all riiight. Take care man, keep safe. Happy 4th of July !
I served with afew men who drunk "like fish" their reasons been stress related mainly. Watching B.O.B. Nixon's portrayal by Ron Livingstone was my favourite reminded me of an American Soldier I knew in the services.
There was no love lost between Lewis Nixon and Buck Compton. It may have started as a bit of class warfare...Nixon was educated and rich, and Compton was a handsome, gifted athlete, very much a BMOC. Nixon may have resented a guy like that from the middle class, a jock encroaching on what was once an exclusive domain of the elite. Even if he didn't know him directly in civilian life. Friction between the two may have spilled over in to Army life, as both competed for the friendship of Dick Winters. The real point of contention was Bastogne. Compton broke towards the end of the siege, and walked off the line. Dick Winters implored him to stay, reminding him of his duty and need to set an example for the men. However, it was over for Compton. Winters partially understood, but he was disappointed in Compton. A feeling he carried to his dying day by all accounts. To Nixon it was cowardice, and he saw the incident in the blackest terms possible. It was Nixon, spouting off disparaging remarks about Compton during a reunion that drew the ire of Don Malarkey.
Just my opinion but I don't think Winters had much respect for Buck during the early part of the war. He had ignored his advice at Aldbourne about gambling with the men and then he had a couple of digs at him in the Brecourt Assault memoir (being too slow to get into position and messing around with a grenade). That may have changed in Holland and Bastogne before he was wounded or cracked up (so many versions of that story) Nixon calling him a coward in front of everyone at a reunion for being taken off the line at Bastogne didn't go down well.
@@War_And_Truth I believe you are correct. Isn't it interesting how the enlisted men truly understood Buck better than the officers? They "got it", while Winters and Nixon never did. I found it so sad that after all those years, Nixon would "toss a grenade" in that situation. What was he trying to prove by that act? "All behaviour has meaning" or so we are taught in psychology. If that is correct, then what was trying to prove?
I can attest to the fact that there are many, many alcoholics in the military. I do believe that there was a natural affinity between Nixon and Winters in the early days, as sometimes happens in everyone's life. In his book, Winters said they worked well together in that he worked day shift, and Nixon took over at night. One thing I did note about Nixon, he never asked to be an exception. Given his advantages and wealth growing up, he never singled himself out on those grounds. He was not a gold brick, just the opposite. Unlike many, he did finally dry out, much to his and Gracie's credit.
During my Army years I became something of a "Semi-Pro" drinker. My father had been a Medic in Vietnam and came home with a nasty drinking habit that often turned violent towards my Mother. My own enjoyment of good whisky and brandy worried me until I realized that 1. I didn't NEED it, went 10 years without a drink because I got bored, and 2. I never once hit my ex-wife and only drank when I wanted to relax or celebrate. Nowadays I drink now and again, same as before to relax or celebrate, so I guess I beat my Father's ghost in the end. Nix used booze to cope, like a lot of grunts in 'nam smoked weed or drank. I have a feeling that if the War had gone on much longer Nixon would have slipped past "functional" to full blown alcoholism. That kind of pressure wears on a man something fierce. He was flawed like all of us, but at heart he was a good man, who did extraordinary things in some terrible years. Finding Grace saved his life, and gave him some much needed peace. Rest well Airborne, Sua Sponte brother.
Buck Compton and Nix never got along. Buck said he had no use for Nixon. One video that would be good to do would has to do with the details surrounding the discovery of Landsberg sub camp. A good explanation of why Band of Brothers depicted Easy as discovering the camp instead of the 10th Armored. It's a valid reason.
Ron Livingston's portrayal made you like him - they *ahem* avoided his London affair so it just made his first wife seem callous. And his character never interacted much with the Buck character. In the end, if Richard Winters cared about him, he couldn't have been a bad guy.
Yes, I didn't know about the affair till I saw video, and thought the first wife was horrible for leaving him while at war. I have watched BoB several times and never picked up on the fact that he had an affair. When he didn't go home when he had the chance, I assumed he stayed for Winters.
He had met someone (like Speirs) in Aldbourne. I think its even mentioned in the series. Also remember that he gave up a chance to go back home and see his first wife and child while in Bastogne by giving up his seat to Lieutenant Peacock. There were obviously a lot of issues there.
@@samiam619It was in the Crossroads episode when Nixon mentioned he was going to London to catch up on a certain young lady while Winters was being sent to Paris to relax.
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I served with numerous heavy drinkers in a number of units. They showed up and they functioned. and that's that. Everyone has their method in coping with the long days, fatigue and chaos.
I saw it many times while serving in the USAF. Men showing up drunk to work on dangerous, expensive equipment. One guy used to drink in the shower from his own beermeister.
@@r2gelfand We looked after our people, one way or another. I think that's exactly what Winters was doing with Nixon. As long as he functioned and his shit was tight while on duty, that's that. He wants to sleep in a case of J&B after work, let him.
Dad was a corpsmen in 2/4 Marines, he said as long as you made it to morning muster nobody questioned how much you drank or partied. I can sat In my time in the army that was mostly true
Everyone fell in love with Ron's version of Nixon.
Not me. He was a DRUNK. Ron did a fine job of portraying a drunk.
@@samiam619 That's what he was saying, they fell in love with his portrayal.
@@samiam619 The difference between Nixon and the rest of the enlisted rank and file - Nixon being an officer had easy access to alcohol. The rest had to suffer.
Ron did tell actual Major Winters that he would give it all he had to portray Nixon in the show and from what I read about the man it was spot on.
Ron Livingston did a splendid portrayal of Nixon. BOB was an incredible series as was Pacific and MOA.
Did you watch Generation Kill? Not a ww2 story, but still good
Nixon was fortunate to have Winters as an advocate/protector
You nailed it. If he didn't have Winters, he would have been busted down to nothing. And Winters was happy to work for Nixon after the war for several years. I guess one hand washes the other in such cases.
In all honesty, looking back at my military career, I can relateba lot to Nixon, in many ways. Every human has flaws.
Lewis Nixon was what one would consider a functional alcoholic. Another World War 2 figure who was a hard drinker and yet still managed to perform his duties was Greg "Pappy" Boyington of the Black Sheep Squadron.
You’ve got this idea in the present, stay sharp, avoid the drink. Yet we know that the Battle of Britain pilots were as screwed on beer as they were on “uppers”. It’s war and like you say you probably get a lot of functional alcoholics in war but at the end of the day, you’ll see the same on Wall Street or downtown London who aren’t putting their lives on their line every single day.
It’s respect they deserve, people like Nixon and all those like him
Nixon came from Money, Went to Yale and was well connected. I think Winters was strategic in keeping Nixon around. Nixon was well connected and would be useful if they needed to get the ear of someone higher up the chain for supply issues etc.. He also ended up getting a job through his connection to Nixon.
From various accounts, Nixon's personality had rough edges that rubbed a number of people the wrong way but I think his fundamental character was sound and that was the basis of his friendship with Winters. They had very different personal styles but they saw eye to eye on the important aspects of life.
I think Buck Compton might disagree with you.
By Today's standards Winston Churchill would be considered a alcoholic, and he certainly did his bit for the war effort, little things like inspiring his own nation
( & government) to keep fighting when all looked lost !
👍👍 Two thumbs up again
We all want to classify people as heroes or villains but the truth is a lot more complicated.
Exactly! Well said! People are sooo much more complicated.
Sorry people got worked up, I thought you did a fine job with the episode. As long as you don't tell me lies you know are lies we'll be all riiight. Take care man, keep safe.
Happy 4th of July !
Thank, and I'm always searching for the truth.
@@War_And_Truth That is the only thing that truly matters.
Excellent!!👍👍👍👍🍻🍻🍻🍻🍻
Thank you! Cheers!
After watching Band of Brothers again recently, I wondered about Capt. Nixon's drinking issues. I'm glad to hear that he got control of it. Thank you.
Lewis Nixon’s third wife, Grace Umezawa, was of Japanese descent. In the spring of 1942, as a Nisei, she was interned in Amache, Colorado.
Ron Livingstone has a striking resemblance to the real Lewis Nixon. 08:34
No need to apologize for your other video on Nixon. Most of us have the same opinion of him.
Thank you, that's nice of you to say.
I served with afew men who drunk "like fish" their reasons been stress related mainly. Watching B.O.B. Nixon's portrayal by Ron Livingstone was my favourite reminded me of an American Soldier I knew in the services.
There was no love lost between Lewis Nixon and Buck Compton. It may have started as a bit of class warfare...Nixon was educated and rich, and Compton was a handsome, gifted athlete, very much a BMOC. Nixon may have resented a guy like that from the middle class, a jock encroaching on what was once an exclusive domain of the elite. Even if he didn't know him directly in civilian life. Friction between the two may have spilled over in to Army life, as both competed for the friendship of Dick Winters.
The real point of contention was Bastogne. Compton broke towards the end of the siege, and walked off the line. Dick Winters implored him to stay, reminding him of his duty and need to set an example for the men.
However, it was over for Compton. Winters partially understood, but he was disappointed in Compton. A feeling he carried to his dying day by all accounts. To Nixon it was cowardice, and he saw the incident in the blackest terms possible. It was Nixon, spouting off disparaging remarks about Compton during a reunion that drew the ire of Don Malarkey.
Just my opinion but I don't think Winters had much respect for Buck during the early part of the war. He had ignored his advice at Aldbourne about gambling with the men and then he had a couple of digs at him in the Brecourt Assault memoir (being too slow to get into position and messing around with a grenade). That may have changed in Holland and Bastogne before he was wounded or cracked up (so many versions of that story)
Nixon calling him a coward in front of everyone at a reunion for being taken off the line at Bastogne didn't go down well.
@@War_And_Truth I believe you are correct. Isn't it interesting how the enlisted men truly understood Buck better than the officers? They "got it", while Winters and Nixon never did. I found it so sad that after all those years, Nixon would "toss a grenade" in that situation. What was he trying to prove by that act? "All behaviour has meaning" or so we are taught in psychology. If that is correct, then what was trying to prove?
I can attest to the fact that there are many, many alcoholics in the military. I do believe that there was a natural affinity between Nixon and Winters in the early days, as sometimes happens in everyone's life. In his book, Winters said they worked well together in that he worked day shift, and Nixon took over at night. One thing I did note about Nixon, he never asked to be an exception. Given his advantages and wealth growing up, he never singled himself out on those grounds. He was not a gold brick, just the opposite. Unlike many, he did finally dry out, much to his and Gracie's credit.
Nixon was given a pass in Band of Brothers due to his friendship with Winters.
I came across your channel while going down a Band of Brothers rabbit hole. Your voice is so calming and I love your content.
Thank you, that's nice of you to say.
During my Army years I became something of a "Semi-Pro" drinker. My father had been a Medic in Vietnam and came home with a nasty drinking habit that often turned violent towards my Mother. My own enjoyment of good whisky and brandy worried me until I realized that 1. I didn't NEED it, went 10 years without a drink because I got bored, and 2. I never once hit my ex-wife and only drank when I wanted to relax or celebrate. Nowadays I drink now and again, same as before to relax or celebrate, so I guess I beat my Father's ghost in the end.
Nix used booze to cope, like a lot of grunts in 'nam smoked weed or drank. I have a feeling that if the War had gone on much longer Nixon would have slipped past "functional" to full blown alcoholism. That kind of pressure wears on a man something fierce. He was flawed like all of us, but at heart he was a good man, who did extraordinary things in some terrible years. Finding Grace saved his life, and gave him some much needed peace. Rest well Airborne, Sua Sponte brother.
Buck Compton and Nix never got along. Buck said he had no use for Nixon.
One video that would be good to do would has to do with the details surrounding the discovery of Landsberg sub camp. A good explanation of why Band of Brothers depicted Easy as discovering the camp instead of the 10th Armored. It's a valid reason.
Ill definitely do that
@@War_And_Truth Cool
@user-vl6xt2rt7p Lol Yes I saw that. He had made him responsible for the physical training.
@@War_And_Truth Who was the fittest in 2nd battalion, Winters or Compton?
I loved this line…maybe this is a good time to stop drinking..on the business end of the allied advance. Cheers
Thanks once again. From Sc
Welcome!
IDK if they changed names or something but Camp McKall is in N. C. now. That's where we went to the field from Bragg.
FWIW I’d say this one is the better version compared to your earlier one
Many people would agree with you Lol
Had Nixon remained with Easy Company, things could have turned out differently for him.
Good job, one tweak - Camp Mackall is in N.C., not Kentucky.
I know it sounds like Mackall in Kentucky but my narration is actually Mackall 'and' Kentucky. I certainly know the geography there
Ron Livingston's portrayal made you like him - they *ahem* avoided his London affair so it just made his first wife seem callous. And his character never interacted much with the Buck character.
In the end, if Richard Winters cared about him, he couldn't have been a bad guy.
Yes, I didn't know about the affair till I saw video, and thought the first wife was horrible for leaving him while at war. I have watched BoB several times and never picked up on the fact that he had an affair. When he didn't go home when he had the chance, I assumed he stayed for Winters.
Excellent plus !!!
Question-how much of the intelligence Winters found was useful as far as wiping out more German artillery ?
What the series didn’t show was Winters going to Brecort first and alone to get his own intelligence.
People leaving comments about someone they have never met as though they knew them on some personal level is *next level* crazy.
Historians have been doing it for hundreds of years.
What affair did Nixon have in England? First I’m hearing of it…
He had met someone (like Speirs) in Aldbourne. I think its even mentioned in the series. Also remember that he gave up a chance to go back home and see his first wife and child while in Bastogne by giving up his seat to Lieutenant Peacock. There were obviously a lot of issues there.
@@War_And_Truth No, I don’t remember either of those details in the series. So it’s time to re-watch it…
@@samiam619It was in the Crossroads episode when Nixon mentioned he was going to London to catch up on a certain young lady while Winters was being sent to Paris to relax.
@2:16 you reference “Camp Mackall in Kentucky”. Camp Mackall is in North Carolina.
I actually say Camp Mackall 'and' Kentucky, it sounds a bit like in. After studying this for years I certainly know where Camp Mackall is.
How about presenting this material without the cheesy AI voice? You’re detracting from your content.
I'm deaf brother so that's what you get. Turn the subtitles on.