Combat Wounded Paratrooper Remembers Battle of the Bulge | Robert "Bob" White
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- Опубликовано: 24 июн 2024
- Robert "Bob" White was drafted into the Army in 1943 and would ultimately find himself serving as a communications lineman with the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division.
On Christmas Eve 1944, White flew across the English Channel and landed in France. His unit moved through the snow towards the sound of distant artillery fire to help quell the last major German offensive operation of World War II, The Battle of the Bulge.
White would suffer minor wounds during the battle leading to him being awarded the Purple Heart. He also witnessed the worst of the Nazi war machine, helping to liberate a forced labor camp near Essen, Germany. These memories would lead to a lifelong struggle with PTSD after the war ended.
In 2018, more than 70 years after the end of WWII, White was awarded a long overdue Bronze Star for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge.
Recorded on November 5, 2022
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@@tomshelton1207 .... MERICA! 😆
Hi
Great documentary; May I make a small suggestion for your future similar projects?. Can you please INCLUDE VETERANS WHO ARE CLASSIFIED AS BEING MEMBERS OF MINORITIES?. These brave men and women fought, were injured and some died defending the USA too. A country that marginalized and discriminated against them.
Thank you for preserving these stories, and sitting down with these heroes. Without these men, and your tenacity these stories would die, and be lost forever
Thanks to this channel for letting this man tell his story. For 70 years his story remained silent. What a gift that it is finally told. Thank you, sir.
I still can't get over the fact that with all the men vehichles and chaos there at that time of the war he was lucky enough to stop and the same spot his brothers convoy did and see him! Thats incredible!
Thank you is right
A true warrior suppressing the memories we all got in war. No war eas different. WEI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan. We will all see things in our. Dreams that we will never be able to talk about, even to others from others from other wars. Our experience was all different. I will never forget my combat. I can still hear the sounds, smell the dirt and copper from those that have been hit and smell the smell of death from people that died in terror. It never goes away. He's exactly right. About suicide. Though it will solve our problem, it does nothing for those weve left behind. I hope this warrior has found peace.
Im 34 I've met a few of these guys in my life it's sad to think in another 10 years or so they will no longer be here, we are witnessing a generation die off very 😢
Its been even longer actually. I love these stories happy he's still with us.
I'm a Marine Corps veteran and listening to stories like this I'm embarrassed that I ever bring it up. My God what a hero. Plain simple humble country boy. This is the America we should never forget.
Same, I agree 100%
Same here man. I was in Iraq for a year and, not fun, but I'm sure it would have been a vacation compared to what these heroes dealt with.
@@banderson5676 🙏❤️🙏
Amen brother. Don’t be embarrassed. Some people cope differently.
Watching these stories retold brings me to tears. The way these boys had to grow up under fire, then assimilate back to "normal" life... it's unnatural. And to those vets of the modern era, my heart is with you also.
Here is a man who isn't afraid to admit his issues from his experiences. From a time when people suffered in silence. His feelings about suicide are remarkable. I am so grateful for this video. Godbless you sir ..
Yes great interview
Yes. Way too many of the WW2 and Vietnam guys suffered and some still to this day suffer in silence. Its nice to hear someone who is by all accounts a total badass admit that their experiences forever changed who they are.
It’s very sobering
We couldn’t have a better generation of people. The men and women who served for the Allies are the reason we can enjoy our freedom today. It’s been around 70 years since WW2, but people walk around all day completely oblivious to how close the Nazi Germany came to taking over the world. If they would have taken smaller bites. They would have ruled the world.
@@mark4m557 They never would've ruled the world. They were a team of 3 countries against everybody else. They never would've won. And honestly you can barely even count Japan because they were doing their own thing in Asia they just had an alliance with Germany. Italy sucked. No matter what the Nazi's would've lost in the end. They never came close to ruling the world. They came close to ruling Europe.
Some of his last words is " I didn't mind dying for ya". I can only wish that if I come to a similar situation that I have that kind of integrity and strength.
Me too
You can only hope, as a person, at the moment to be half the man this guy is.. what a man. His story hit me like a punch in the gut. I got nauseous..
70+ years still has the PTSD fresh in his mind, goes to show it will never go away.
These dudes are fuckin legends. Not a single guy alive now can even begin to imagine the kind of horrific events these men fought in. We will never know what it’s like facing a kill or be killed scenario day after day. We are truly blessed because of these men.
Yes so true
You honestly cant compare.
Never say never.
@J S much respect for this man and yourself. Two totally different times but death all around must be horrific. Thank you for your service.
Join the army today and go to combat. Kill or be killed. I spent time in the 101st AB at the end of Vietnam. I have known 2 pearl harbor survivors and a ranger that climbed point due haek(sp) on D Day. Sent from my wife's phone.
Man I love these old timers. Everyone now a days walks around like a tough guy and then you’ve got soldiers like this full of humility. That’s a real man, humble and thankful.
I'm Canadian, but I want to acknowledge that you, sir, are a hero.
What a treasure of a man. His story makes me proud of my service.
Same here
We are proud , of You !!
This old country boy's honesty is great and a life worth remembering.
Wow knowing he wanted to jump in river to die but he was thinking about his children’s.
I had the honor of meeting Mr. White a couple weeks ago very nice and humble man. I appreciate the sacrifice and all he went through during World War II to preserve freedom and democracy
@Travis Aldous hello, how are you doing?
As a kid of the 80’s and 90’s, I’m used to WW2 vets being in their late 60’s and 70’s and being around everywhere I went. Now, at 43, so few seem to be out there and that’s hard to accept! Thank all of them for saving the world. USAF 1998-2022.
I was a kid of the 50s and 60s and these guys were all around. Many times you didn't know they were vets until years later reading their obituaries.
Every dad in my neighborhood growing up was a WWII veteran. My dad saw combat with the 41st Infantry, the Jungleers, in Hollandia, Biak, and the Philippines. My next door neighbor flew SBD Dauntless dive bombers off the Bennington. Two doors down was a PBY pilot with VP101, the Black Cats. Around the corner was a guy who received a battlefield commission at Guadalcanal, and went in again for Korea. Two doors down from him was my friend's dad who was aboard a destroyer escort that shelled beaches in the Pacific. Around the other corner, was a family friend who was a lead navigator in the 493rd Bomb Group. I did get a few stories from my dad, and did an interview with the B-17 navigator friend. It's a shame that none of them had an opportunity to sit for a formal interview such as this.
@@pamcm1098 wow that’s pretty awesome! Tons of history there.
@@frankm2588 would have been nice to have sat down and talked with all of them huh?
Same. Damn shame
One of the best interviews I’ve seen. He’s speaking in random, honest cuts. Exactly how he felt. He’s embodied the feeling of war pretty clearly, especially the desire to kill after seeing your buddy in a bag. I was there for the fall of Baghdad, and my interview would last about 10 minutes. This guy is probably full of good stories.
I feel the same way brother. (Afghanistan myself) This man truly has an understanding of what war is and seems to know exactly how to get it across in ways I could never explain.
Thank you guys for your services you’re heroes too don’t diminish yourselves either ✊🏾
Your generation saved my family, I would not be here if it wasn’t for you! Thank you very much!
I spent 3 years as a paratrooper at Ft. Bragg in the 82nd Airborne Division back in the mid 80's. Listening to him reminds that being Airborne hasn't changed all that much since WW2. Hearing those same jump commands, "Stand up..Hook up..Check equipment" still gives me goosebumps. AATW, sir.
Thank you, my middle child’s best friend, they were/are tighter that two ticks on a hound dog. Brothers from other mothers. (Turns out, years later, we find out they are fourth cousins on his dad’s side, so go figure!) anyway, Lewis’ dad was 82nd, probably just before your service. Lewis is a commissioned officer, Captain, a Ranger and in the 75th. He was 1st Armored at Hood as a Lieutenant with Bradley’s, they went into Kuwait and southwestern (I believe it was) Iraq, small arms stuff mostly. He’s now over an ROTC unit in the midwest. I think his dad was a Sargent when he came out. My F-I-L was a SSgt. 9AAF, 346FBG, 107TacReconSqdn, P47’s; ETO Trinidad to the Ardennes 02 March 1942-9 September 1945
My dad served 9 years, 53-62 Army and VaNatGuard, he was a SSgt, 105 Field Artillery Bttln, Ft. Eustis and A.P. Hill
So, Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍽🍁 and thank you for walking that line for us, we don’t take it for granted.
Airborne brother! C CO 1/504PIR 88-90. Mustard stain Dec. 89 Panama.
@@jaywellington9904
I was in the Division MP Company, after the Grenada invasion (Urgent Fury) and before Panama (Just Cause) so I missed out on both operations. I was attached to 3rd Brigade/505th.
Airborne Brother! C 1/504 79-81, mustard stain with A 1/75th during "Urgent Fury". AATW! RLTW!
82ND AIRBORNE
Combat Aviation Battalion...Scout Platoon.
82/87
This man is both uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. The pain he carries with him and he chose to continue carrying for everyone else.
You could really tell how much it all affected him, he's a kind man and was very honest about what combat can do to people and their mindset. Glad he was alright, thanks for sharing!
This man is an absolute treasure. I'd love to just give him a hug, shake his hand, and say thank you and sit there and talk to him. My experience has been that veterans who have seen real and sustained combat become some of the most grounded, wisest, kindest, humble, and unjudgmentally honest people in the world as they get older. Their thoughts and actions are so focused and their word economy to easily explain complex issues is so sharp and I marvel at their clarity. I keep listening because I pray one day I can do that for others.
This man has EARNED his place in heaven! I could not have held up under his burdens.
I had The complete honor of caring for a gentleman in hospice, from this battle he too had a purple heart he was a Bronze Star recipient for his actions. I saw one evening a German Officers pistol he had in a locker box with some other items he kept from the war. He passed with all his family all around him.
Thank you all for your service The words Thank You are not enough.
What a genuine man! So easy to tell there is truth in his voice! I could listen this soldier all day
What a story from a true American hero!
He looks and sounds fantastic for 98. Could pass for 75. I hope we all make use of the knowledge these men have to offer us before they are all gone. Bless you sir.
As a Marine who deployed Afghanistan three times I love hearing these stories. These men are true patriots and iconic hero’s. Thank you so much for doing this so we can hear their stories and better understand what happened. It’s very different when you put a face to it and you hear the details.
Ain't it true, brother?
God bless you and thank you for your service. My father was part of your generation and fought with the Navy in the Pacific. You are all my heroes.
Yes all heroes
@Patrick Purdue hello, how are you doing?
I love this man- he tells his story like it happened yesterday with such honesty. Bless his heart to have kept his story to himself for all those years. My gosh it breaks my heart knowing that. Thank you so much for interviewing him. This guy is a True American Hero. Thank you Sir for your Service🇺🇸❤️
👍This is a terrific channel featuring so many great veterans.
I'm sure his family and friends heard his story!!🤦🤪
My dad passed away with his WWII story. He flew B-17 marina. Listening to this warriors story. I salute him proudly. God bless All that generation.
He seems happy to be able to finally express all those memories. My heart goes out to all veterans of war.
I had the honor to meet this man and hear him talk in person during a book signing for "The Rifle". He was in the 507th PIR of the 17th ABN Div and after the bulge he made a combat jump into Germany as part of Operation Varsity. I wish that I had had more time to talk with him after the event. He was nothing short of inspiring.
@Sean Gilmartin Hello, how are you doing
"These memories would lead to a lifelong struggle with PTSD after the war ended."
War is hell. Every hero is also victim.
Bullshit...they and me volunteered... victims my arse
Wow, one of the best life stories I've ever heard. What a man! Thanks to that man! Lord bless and strengthen him.
Listening to these gentlemen humbles me to my soul and makes me so proud to be born in this great nation 🇺🇸 thank you sir for your service and sacrifices
Brave soldier. It must've been quite the joy to run into your brother during the war man. God bless you and thank you for your service 🙏
These men, including my Pops, who flew the B24 Liberator are a national treasure. My Dad never spoke of his service, and after his passing I developed a hobby collecting WW2 memorabilia. Thank you warrior. God Bless.
@Gary Ringling Hello, how are you doing?
What an awesome memory. I can't imagine the things this great man saw. What a hero!
A real man. Braver than he can admit whether he knows it or not. A true hero
Thank you so much for collecting and maintaining the stories of these men…this man.
My dad was a medic in Vietnam. Purple Heart…PTSD…never wanted to talk about it.
He passed away at 64 from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The government effectively admitted it was from Agent Orange exposure when they upped his disability payment with his diagnosis.
I had two conversations with him about his experience when I was an adult. I wanted to know EVERYTHING but always respected that it shook him deeply. I never knew if I should push for more information or let it be.
Fortunately, he left some journals he wrote when he attended a retreat in Washington back in the nighties for vets with PTSD. It’s heartbreaking to read them yet gives me so much more information I wish I understood when I didn’t understand him as a child and teenager/young adult. 😢
My maternal grandfather was in the South Pacific in WWII and passed when I was 19. We were close and I recall asking him about the war and getting pretty vague answers.
My paternal grandfather was an MP captain and passed away in ‘52. I know little to nothing about him since he passed when my dad was 6 other than my dad fought to have my g’ma’s survivor benefits increased because he proved he suffered head trauma at some point before his death. A mystery I need to investigate.
Thank you American Veterans Center.
Thank you veterans.
Thank you sir. Thank you for serving our great nation. Your generation was one of the best. The men from ww2 , they don't make men like that anymore. Not very many. God Bless you sir.
When I was in highschool I got to interview a Korean vet that served on WW2 as well this literally took me back in time when I got to talk to him. Thank you sir.
That’s really cool. My grandpa was in Korea and WW2, my other grandfather witnessed Pearl Harbor be bombed and joined the army to fight in ww2. I had family on both German and USA side of ww2.
Dale Johnson. Pacific theater, then Korea.
My father-in-law was in WW2 & Korea.He died before I met him but my wife told me he had nightmares all the way up until he passed.Thank you for your service to a FREE & grateful nation.
When your scared shitless and risking your life in war, that’s bravery and courage. Thank you for your service
Wow! One of the most unique combat veteran story I've ever heard. Thank you soldier for telling us your story! I hear you! Former 11Bravo Infantryman stationed in cold Germany here. I'm so glad you lived to tell us your story.
Men like Mr. White make me proud to be an American. I myself severed in the Army as a combat engineer, and during tough times through my career I would think about how much harder the men before me had it.
Mr. Robert White, I so appreciate not only your service, but also sharing your recollections.
May God Bless You!!!
Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir.
This man is made of steel,70 years with that all inside,man I wish I could just tell him ty we love you sir
I myself was never in the military but my dad and most all on that side of my family before him were marines going all the way back to the revolutionary war. My dad passed when I was little from cancer from agent orange in Vietnam. I love hearing these memories from people and regardless of what war or conflict it’s from. I think of of my dad and the rest of my family that served for all of us to have what we have in America. It’s great to keep these soldiers memories alive this way.
What a gentleman. A true hero in every way. God bless from the UK and thank you
The horror this gentle soul went through and is still living.
War is awful.
Thank you sir for my freedom. Truly an American hero from the greatest generation
This great man reminds me of my wife’s grandfather. Her grandfather told me a story when his army unit Surround Berlin to hold it for the Russian army to get revenge on the German city. A young German soldier in a gray uniform walk up to him pleading for him to let him go back home to help his family on the farm. Her grandfather Henry McLean from Bedford Virginia let the German soldier go. He told me he saw himself not a German soldier so he let the German go home. Henry said I wanted to go home too back to the farm in Bedford Virginia.
This channel is the most significant of any platform on the planet. These stories need to be saved and shared. I spent 8 years in the 82nd 1st/504th from 04-12 and was fascinated by my units history. When we deployed during OIF and OEF we had substantial pre deployment training and for the most part excellent intel and support from ISR drones. These guys had maps and binoculars and the occasional aerial photograph. Outstanding warriors, each and every one of them.
“I didnt mind dying for you”, these guys were men and im so thankful for them
Uncle was Airborne in WW2. That was not easy for those young men. God Bless them all, every one and their families.
I'm currently serving active army. 91B mechanic! 11 years in. I find it fascinating that to this day, everything he talks about and how he talks about it, it's the same to this day in the u.s. army.
The wire he is talking about is fiber wire and yes I've walked that Mile to connect it. And yes people drive over it!
When he caught the guys sleeping and didn't tell, we still do that to this day. It's called being a blue falcon if you do tell and everyone will Hate you. We look out for one another, even if it's bad.
Tent city! Omg, I've deployed 5 times and we still have tent city.
It's always been tent city or in T-school we had a tin city.
BF has been around a while too.
I loved my job.
1981-1987 67U20F
11B. Deployed once, got shot once, came home. That was 20 years ago. Still don't talk about some of it. I know what he means when he says you don't want me to tell you what I saw.
Thank you for keeping us safe.
Thank you for your service sir
Wow. “I didn’t mind dying for you, at all.”
My grandpa served from 1939-1955. He tells me stories all the time about the war but he always tears up when talking about the battle of the bulge because of all the friends he’s lost there and his brother.
Holy crap what a story this is the 1st time I have heard about a soldier who experienced opening up a camp with a dead body God bless this guy.
Robert White passed away yesterday 11/20/23. He was 100 years old. I’ll miss you, my friend.
I’ve never seen or heard a more descriptive story of wartime and I could listen to him all day
this man still jogged 3 miles every other day at age 92! incredible hero
I would give a week's pay, just to talk and listen to that man! He reminds me of our Granddaddy who was in the Navy in the Pacific in WW2 - God's Speed, thank you so much ❤️
What a humble stud. It took me 20 years before I could speak with anyone about my service and it changed my life. I can’t imagine holding that in into my 90s I’m 63 and about 8 years ago a vet finally got me o start talking about it. I hope other vets take this hero’s example and speak of the hard things. It gets easier and easier as you do it and as other patriots help carry that burden and it makes it easier to bear each time you speak
Honestly, at this moment there is a lump in my throat due to watching/listening to this humble brave gentleman's military experience. So much respect for him and those like him! Thank you Sir for your service!! God's blessings!!
Being scared and still doing your job is brave you sir are a hero whether you believe it or not
Memories of the war tormented this man throughout his life, I only hope he found joy in other things, he deserves every good thing and so much more.
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
My Father in law was with the 82nd airborne and shared your battle ground.
Thank you for your service to our country.
What a bad ass! It’s a shame how he still struggles after all these years. I wish he was more comfortable talking about his time in such a historical event. Not just about him but also keeping the memories of the fallen alive, regardless how graphic.
So I actually had the privilege to know this man. He was always quiet and reserved. He has died recently sadly but I never got to know his story. Thanks to this channel I know now but it would've been great to have seen this before his passing. He always had a smile and he wore his hat everything I saw him. Very great man.
I grew up in San Antonio T.X had family that fought in both Vietnam and WW2. I absolutely loved my uncle’s they were straight up honest guys.
As for my self I grew up doing graffiti running from cops over all just a real piece of work. I’ve slowed down a lot. But I’ve always had this spirit in me to stand up for others and fight no matter the odds.
I wouldn’t want my brothers to fight a war they don’t have to especially when there is still people like me and this man that will and have.
There’s also this thing about wars when you’re put in a position, no matter where, you stay there and fight on because you don’t want somebody else put there to replace you.
The admiration I get from hearing these men’s stories as well as my uncles. Thank you all so very much!
I am humbled by these combat veterans of my fathers generation. I served during the VN war as a Navy a/c mech. No comparison to what they endured through. My Dad never talked about it. I had no idea what he went through until I saw Band of Brothers.
I appreciate this man's story so much. I'm so sorry for those who had to go to war
God bless this man, 70 years of keeping all this inside. Thank you for your service Sir
God the part where he is talking about "Jack got it" you can really hear his pain. So sad that it happens like that. Thank you for your service.
10:07, my grandpa was there and told us grandsons the same thing, “It’s either you or them and I wasn’t ready to to die.” I wish he had shared more of what he went through but we understood with the simple look in his eyes when he did talk about WWII and not one of us pressed for more, I had the same experience with my dad and father-n-law when they talked about Vietnam.
Brothers! You can see the joy in his eyes when he talks about running into his brother. 🇺🇸 TY Sir!
I'm from Canada and have The up most respect for World War II vets of both respective Countries. My Grandfather served in WWII in the same unit as Americans who fought side by side with The Canadians. Absolute respect for The Vets who were at Bastonge, Normandy, France,Italy,, Belgium,The Netherlands,North Africa ,The Pacific and any other place I may have forgotten to mention. Just to think that the new Generation of young people take for granted a lot of things. Learn from these Veterans. When you think you have it hard just think what this Generation of Men and Women went through. I thank them all for their Service. 🇺🇲 🇨🇦 🇬🇧
Well from one White to another . What a man thanks for your service. My uncle Hugh White fought in the pacific theater and was wounded with a bayonet . May God bless their family
What a Brave gentleman...Thank you for your service...so enjoyable listening to all these vets stories I could listen to them forever...Mr White is a true American hero..God bless you my friend
Thank God for this man’s testimony.
This man being quiet for 70 years is such a shame he had so much to tell and so many that would have loved to listened. He seems to be such a gentle man. Thank you sir I salute you
What a amazing man
The end of this interview is heart breaking. The nightmares he must have suffered.
You sir are a true American hero I could listen to your stories all day long thank you for your service sir
God Bless you Paratrooper! thank you for telling your story!
I pray this man will always have a special spot in the final kingdom. Stories like his truly humble me and inspire me to live my best life each day. Thank you for your service sir.
BIG thank you for your service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Please keep this up. I check in every so often and this is something that is 100% needed. These men are legends.
Your story was amazing to hear, thank you for your service Mr. White
That's why we train! Fear is so damn loud when the bullets fly but continuing to fight and function is a lot to do with training!
What a delightful man! Such courage and willingness to sacrifice everything for his country. And now to be able to talk about it with such humility and charm. He's a delightful human being!
What a kind and humble man. I live 40mins from Bastogne, can't ever thank heroes like Mr White enough for what they've done for us.
Thank you for recording these stories. Without them we wouldn’t ever know. Both my mother and father served in WW2. They never spoke about it. Wish with all my heart I could have asked them questions. This generation and the one before were the very best of us. To all who serve in our military, there aren’t words to express our gratitude, love, and sincere appreciation . God bless and keep you safe.
Airborne! God bless all our troops. 🇺🇸
What a remarkable man, such a breath of fresh air and so inspiring to hear him speak. God bless your sir thank you for sharing your story and thank you to this channel
Thank you for your service, sir. Thank you for telling your story 🙏
Thank you for interviewing our heroes
Thank God for men like this. Thank you ! 🇺🇸
What a gentle man and a true Hero.
This man is incredible. The bravery of he and his fellow soldiers is off the charts. I am grateful for these videos
Poor guy has had PTSD his whole life. I salute you sir!
Thank you sir. I can feel the sorrow that you must have felt finding those people in the camp. I cannot imagine the suffering you must have experienced there. It brings me to tears to hear your story about your brother, I would have done the same if it had been myself. Hopefully he made it through as well as you. There isn’t any amount of thanks or appreciation to repay you for your duty as a soldier. No man soldier or civilian should have to endure what you have sir. Thank you from one American to another God bless you sir.