101st Airborne D-Day Veteran Tells His Story | 75 YEARS OF SILENCE

Discover the untold story of 101st Airborne paratrooper Michael Camasso who fought under the constant threat of death during the D-Day invasion in WWII. When he parachuted into France at 18, his life changed forever. Now, at 94 years old, he is sharing his story for the first time.
Camasso served in Headquarters Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during the war. He entered service in May of 1943, and after basic training, attended jump school at Fort Benning, Georgia. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Camasso jumped into France with the 502nd PIR. He vividly remembers the experience of parachuting out of the C-47 as flak and machine-gun fire erupted around him. All alone when he landed in a field in Normandy, Michael hid his parachute and began to search for other members of his unit. He was soon able to come across his company and take part in the battle of Carentan. During this fierce battle, one of his comrades was killed by an explosion directly beside him. Throughout the Normandy campaign, enemy fire killed most of the soldiers he knew.
In September of 1944, Michael Camasso jumped into Holland during Operation Market Garden and saw combat during that campaign. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 502nd and the entire 101st Airborne Division were surrounded by the Germans in Bastogne. Camasso and his unit held positions on the north and northwest portion of the besieged city. As the war in Europe drew to an end, the 502nd moved to the Ruhr Pocket on April 2, 1945, to help in mop-up operations. In May, Camasso participated in securing Hitler's private residence in the town of Berchtesgaden and spent several months in Austria after the war ended.
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[@dirtyshame2444]

My high school coach and mentor was in the 101st airborne during WWII. He never said which division he was in. From his obituary, I learned he was in the 101st. He jumped on D-Day. All he ever told me was that he took off in an airplane 16 times and never landed in one. I knew him all my life. He was a great coach. Never once did I hear him raise his voice to players. Very calm person. He died a few years ago at 88 years of age.

[@KCODacey]

Mr. Camasso looks pretty good for 94 years old. Thank you for telling us your story.

[@MrJJuK]

"Looks like you guys are going to be surrounded." "We're paratroopers, Lieutenant. We're supposed to be surrounded." Eternal respect for those, who volunteered to jump out of a perfectly good Aeroplane. 🙏💖

[@eamo106]

2 years in combat, the rest in PTSD, respect.

[@gearldmoore4545]

Amen in his days and my great uncles days Shell Shell shock.

[@wtf_usa5597]

Veterans all say basically the same thing at the end; "War is horrible. There has to be a better way to solve our problems other than war." Very insightful advice from the ones who have seen it first hand.

[@dsbmwhacker]

My Father served as a B24 Navigator, flying more than 40 missions over Europe. He spoke little of his service until well into his 80's when I found numerous photographs he had taken while in England. I listened for hours as he told me details of his experiences. He left us at over 101 years of age. RIP Dad.

[@7Steveski]

I had an uncle who was a waist gunner in B-24s over Europe. He had some great stories.

[@AnthonyD1986]

Bless you Michael, thank you for your service. The finest generation of men.

[@insert_name_here]

This guys got pain behind his eyes you can see by the way he tells he's gone right back in time like he was there again... biggest respect for what you did...at 18 too.. peace be with you.

[@unitedwestand5100]

That's confusion! It comes with age. GI Uniforms have a name tag on them. Its sewed on, and it's your last name, not your first, and that's what everyone calls each other. By their last name, not their first. You are known by your last name. If its Miller, you'll be called Miller for the entire time you serve. Confusion is what you see in his eyes. They waited too long to interview these men. It's a shame....

[@williamstokely9589]

​@@unitedwestand5100most WW2 combat fatigues were "sterile" on paratroopers from my understanding. And in Afghanistan we called each other by first name if we were tight. You saying confusion is ridiculous especially with the fact that he cries when he is remembering things so I'm pretty sure hes definitely remembering it...

[@garrettgibson6709]

Never knew my dad was a pilot in the pacific, he told one of the great-grandkids, we got to the bottom of it, never thought he had left his home town, he was an orphan he never thought anyone would be interested in his 4years in the SWest Pacific

[@TacticalJay62]

That’s incredibly sad that a massive part of his life was based on that so he didnt talk much about it

[@williamleeming4082]

Mr. Camasso it's an honor to hear your story. My Dad was also a WW11 Veteran. God Bless you and all men who served. From the bottom of my heart Thank You!

[@d.parker4328]

"We have to protect each other." You tried, but they didn't listen. Thanks for sharing your story after all these years.

[@pfromturri194]

Because a hero doesn't need to talk about it. He carries it within. Thank for your service Mr. Cammasso...and I'm glad your family found your medals.🇺🇸

[@bkokohut1980]

Get down John, get in the hole.... you know right then he 100% was reliving that moment.

[@richardbinkhuysen5224]

I can understand why Mr. Camasso didn't tell his family about the war. My Granddad belonged to a small Dutch Resistance Group that fought against the same German Paratroopers of Carentan and Eerde and opened up about it for a brief periode in 1994 otherwise we still wouldn't know. Luckily actual film footage popped up in november 2017 that proves he told the truth as he and my Grandmother are both in it. Although under Allied command for 136 days on the front line of which 6 behind enemy lines(against FJR.6) , the Group never received any kind of recognition. When I asked him if he ever received any medals he replied in shock "That's not why we did it ! ". After that brief moment he refused to talk about it any more.

[@Tomcat101st]

He served with my uncle Leo Pichler! I have the Company photo in this video! My uncle was KIA on RR tracks during the Battle of the Bulge... sounds like he was talking about Leo Pichler in this video!

[@miltmarhoffer729]

To anybody reading the comments, if you meet a veteran, thank them. Whether the war is tight or wrong, thank them. They're folloeing orders.twenty years ago, i had a stroke. I was attending a survivors group and had the privelege to have a ww2 veteran in there with me. When i had the opportunity, i asked him if i could shake his hand. He said why?? I said thank you. He tried to brush it off by saying "i was just doing my job". But i saw the tears in his eyes. That felt fantastic telling him that even if he did start crying

[@06802300]

I can't believe that such a great testimonial has received less that 500 likes in 17 months...

[@gordonbrewer7128]

My grandfather went to hs grave regretting not being a soldier. Missed WW1, WW11. That's one reason why some refuse to reply. I served 36 years Airborne never got a thankyou from Vietnam. All the Way

[@robertfromcalifornia4111]

My uncle was a WWII bombardier. He lifted his face from his bomb sights for just a moment. Boom! His sighting equipment exploded from German flak. He lived a good long life.

[@RubyBandUSA]

8th Air Force, European theater? B-17?

[@jeffn.918]

Landed behind enemy lines on d-day at 18 years old. Wow.

[@tracymesser296]

Wow at 18 years old and going through kinda shit!! I was smoking pot and skipping classes!! We can’t thank them enough!!

[@YISRAEL-fn6uy]

VERY HEARTBREAKING BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE! I'M AIRBORNE TOO!

[@SergeCeyral]

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to stay in the US, with my students (HS sistership). On the way back home, waiting for our plane in Baltimore Airport, some of my students saw soldiers of 101st Airborne (going back to Iraq, after furlough) in the lobby : they congratulated them, took pictures together, and told them how grateful they were, for the role of their division on D-day. These young soldiers were moved to tears to hear that. So was I, as a teacher, to feel that young generations don't forget everythinng...

[@unstablesoundz]

I lost one buddy in Tikrit in 2006, and another to an accident stateside in 2018. All of us from the 101st. Thank you Mr Camasso for sharing your story!

[@dorianleclair7390]

I am sorry you lost friends. Thank you for your service.

[@unstablesoundz]

@@tracymesser296 thank you

[@unstablesoundz]

@@dorianleclair7390 thank you

[@blueoak6550]

May God bless him. I think all these guys are heroes. ❤️🤍💙 My dad never spoke about his time as a POW in Germany. He escaped from the long death march across Germany and made his way to Camp Lucky Strike in France. It wasn’t until after he died and I came across newspaper clippings and letters that I began to understand all he had gone through. He stayed in the Air Force for 27 years through the Korean War and Vietnam.

[@MrFaridNazmi]

I can see the reasons of why he kept silenced all these years in his eyes

[@jimasher]

...give a veteran a hug...while there’s time...

[@geowidman]

Benjamin, thank you for telling Michael's story. Over the past few years, I've worked to tell my father's story, made difficult by his passing in1968, never having told his children his own story of landing D-Day on Utah Beach. 75 years of silence indeed.

[@Strandjutter]

Thank you, for telling us your story after 75 years of silence.

[@andrewwebb-trezzi2422]

I’m sure your parents are proud of you, as are the rest of us.

[@gordonbrewer7128]

RIP, Airborne All the Way

[@jamesbarker2567]

Currahee!

[@gloriadevos1790]

I'm using my wife's YT account since I don't comment very often but I thought I should on this occasion. I'm a retired Army Infantryman (26 years, all active duty 1983-2009) and spent 6 years in D Co. 2/502d INF, 101st ABN DIV from 1986-1993 and during my time there, I learned a lot about our BN history during WWII. Everyone in our unit loved the close bond we all had and some great Officers as well. Most enlisted men reenlisted to stay in the same unit for as long as they could or, they would PCS somewhere then come back to the 2/502nd. Knowing our history affects a young Soldier where he knows he a part of something unique and we all pushed ourselves to do better despite the environment. We were aggressive in executing our duties as Tank Destroyers (D Co. Was the Anti-Armor Company comprised of 11H qualified Infantrymen.). During the Gulf War we were assigned to defend a small town in the middle of nowhere and we didn't have armored vehicles like most units had so we had to dig in but the ground was so damned hard, it was compacted rock and the only thing that would dig deep enough was a bulldozer with a single ripper! We were hit one night with Iraqi artillery but the MLRS units tore them a new asshole and the firing stopped as quick as it started. We got pretty nervous when we learned that two Iraqi divisions were on the move to hit our lines so we got ready for contact. We had HMMWV's with TOW systems and some light MG's so we had to aim straight. Thankfully the Air Force and Army AH-64's wiped them out long before they reached us. So later on I PCSed to Baumholder, Germany and took my unit history with me so to speak. Once there, I immediately visited Bastogne (2002) and walked the perimeter line the 2/502nd held during the war, it felt like I was walking on hollowed ground. Then talking with some of the WWII Veterans that were in 2/502nd was incredible! We talked to each other as if we're all in the Army at the same time, it was amazing. When old Infantrymen get together and talk, they tell each other the stories others don't hear because it can be scary to some but we know why, it's because it honors those we lost and we'll never forget them, just as I won't forget my friends that died in Iraq. I talked with the Band of Brothers Veterans as well when they visited Germany a couple times, we stood around a fire barrel getting warm one night with Shifty Powers as he talked with young Infantrymen hanging on to every word he said. During the Gulf War we had our version of Dick Winters named CPT. Bill Hix and he was why most of us never wanted to leave the unit. We loved that Officer and the great things we did as a team, he had this ability to inspire men to think outside the box and try ideas to see if it worked better. That Officer set the tone and example of what true leadership should be and we were very grateful for what he did.

[@BartonSpringsIsCold]

A salute and a tip of my paratrooper cap to you, Mr. Camasso. I well remember my two combat tours in Vietnam (67-68 and 68-69) with the 2/327 PIR, 101st Abn. Wishing you many pleasant remembrances of 'Knees In The Breeze', Mr. Camasso

[@edtaubeneck8662]

Thank you Mr Camasso for securing our freedom. It is so sad that people are willing to give it away after all that was paid by selfless men like yourself. I am thankful.

[@roughhousehomestead1582]

My grandfather was 101st airborne d-day... Jack Webb. He was severely injured... recovered in Indiana at Camp Atterbury for 15 months.

[@jamiepool9547]

Thank you for your service Mr Camasso. Also, thank you for having the courage to tell the stories of the experiences that you went through.

[@intheshell35ify]

The loneliness and pain in that man is heartbreaking.

[@neilcollins3701]

Thank you Mr Camasso and your whole generation.

[@lesbatkines]

God bless you and thank you for your service

[@djmech3871]

I couldn’t imagine how many Nightmares this Man had to suffer through.

[@dongorsegner4607]

I was part of Desert Storm, we primarily conducted POW operations, I feel so insignificant compared to the guys of WWII. Thanks for telling your story

[@CKing-388]

Harry was my uncle Harry Ross. He was my favorite person in the world. I mourned a long time when he passed. He gave me a bracelet from when he was in WW2 it says “Don’t Forget Me” and each charm on the band is from a different place he went. France, Germany, Africa, ect. I miss him everyday. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him.

[@jimflys2]

I used to dig around on my Dad's drawer and found a Purple Heart, Presidential unit Citation, Bronze Star etc. I finally took them all when I was a young teen and put them on a board so he could display them. He's gone now and I have a new metals chest I made up and proudly display in my home. He was also 101st Airborne 501st PIR serving as a wireman in Regimental Headquarters. Saw all these same battles as Michael from the 502. I think of these guys at this time of year. Never forget what they did.

[@denisbyrnememphis]

To record thease men are so very important that my generation and future generations lest we forget

[@RealTubaBoy]

My grandfather was in HQ Company in the 101st in Bastogne and Berchtesgaden, he may have known this man.

[@larryginder2448]

My Dad was the S3 of the 502nd. Since his death in 1981, have learned more about my Dad and WWII off the internet. Asked my Dad why he got in the airborne. His answer was the same - jump pay. That's All Brother!

[@jamesredmond6699]

Sorry for your lost thanks for keeping us safe and free I solute you Sir , GOD'S SPEED TO YOU

[@twixter1000able]

Respect!!

[@erasmocovarrubias6389]

RESPECT for all the service men and women that served in this war (WAR II) - it took a lot of courage to do what they did! VIETNAM VETERAN Troop B 2/17 Cavalry 101st AIRBORNE DIVISON

[@joedunleavy7066]

You don't want to remember the war but you will never forget it.

[@buckshot4428]

God bless this man and all the others who served our nation. My Grandfather was in WWI in France and earned two Silver Stars and he never talked about it. My Dad did tell my sister that he had a dozen or so horses shot out from under him. After the war he had a problem with the bottle as many did, he was a rural route postman, a coal miner and a Sunday School Teacher. My sister gave me his medals which I proudly display and will till the day I did. This man was my hero - not for what he did in the Army, but he was my Grandpa who took me fishing and for rides in rural Pa. God rest his soul.

[@johnbrooks595]

Even 75 years later, it STILL haunts them...

[@andrewgodfrey2241]

I’m 34 years old (2023) my dad would’ve been 103 this year. He fought in WWII, he told me nothing about his time in the service. Had an uncle who did as well, he went to telling me many stories about his killings and what he saw. He passed in 2007. But the moment he mentioned kids and families, another older gentleman hushed him up. Told him he know he shouldn’t telling me that stuff. I’ll never forget that.

[@sgtjarhead99]

May I be as badass as he is when I'm 94. Thank you for your service, Sir.

[@nancyhilliard1634]

What a beautiful great man bless his heart thank you for what you did for all of us at 18🙏🏼🌺

[@dansorrell4113]

The best thing you did for your Mom an dad was to come home..From them thank you for doing a good job we love you an just glad that you came home.. I had 4 uncle that all came home.Some i hard were in the worst of it..

[@SinbadStackpole]

Thank you sir for sharing Michael Camasso's story.

[@kylewoodward7078]

I could listen to him all day..god bless him!

[@jimmoon5997]

Pretty sure I saw a bronze star there. 18 years old.. wow. Thank u

[@djmech3871]

I noticed that Bronze Star and wondered what he did to earn it.

[@klausvonschmit4722]

Thankyou Trooper for breaking your silence! Not to mention pointing life is short, and the regrets are real once the opportunity is no longer..

[@JohnRinNoHo]

My father was also in the 101st Airborne, never really talked about it, he did say he got separated from his unit that night too. He would tear up whenever he heard taps played in a movie. I was named after a buddy killed in action.

[@kellyburket6955]

My first cousin once removed was with the 101rst, and jumped onto Normandy the night before D-day. Sweetest guy you ever met!

[@abbasohn]

A friend of the family was killed in that unit, 502nd infantry rgmt, 101st airborne division on January 3rd 1945 in Bastogne, Belgium... He was 2nd Lt Napoleon Lavallee.

[@michaeldelahunty2440]

In Trumps eyes ,he is a loser

[@abbasohn]

@@michaeldelahunty2440 okay... Why would you even say something like that?? What in the world does that have anything to do with anything? Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:28 KJV

[@pnwesterner6220]

@@abbasohn he said the truth, that is what Trump called those who fell in Europe

[@michaelsteal9128]

. I tear up listening to what he and millions of Americans have gone through to obtain and secure our freedom. Deepest respect and love from a fellow brother of the 101st.

[@somethingelse4878]

God Bless. My Dad was in Belgium in the British army

[@Dougie1350]

Boy, this man put a lump in my throat.

[@chacon940]

This is a great man, you are my Airborne brother🇺🇸🪂.

[@Gitarzan66]

I wish more of these veterans would tell us family members what they did. My dad was a Navy Corpsman with the Marines in the Pacific for the entire war. And again in Korea. He was at the Battle of Chosin with the 1st Marine Div. I have his medals hanging here on my wall and I have no idea how he earned them. He never told me.

[@larryferguson3387]

Thank you sir, your my hero. God Bless and keep you, always.

[@edwardzamorski3711]

Amazing they cant tell there stories they think people just cant understand unless they were there they have pain in there hearts. And you really cant understand the depth of it unless you were there with them they have every right to be silent if thats there wish you guys were great thank you.

[@darrenwelsman2851]

And so much more he didnt say is in his eyes, and his voice. PTSD 100%.. God bless you Sir and thankyou from not too far where you set off here in the UK.

[@WASRGP]

I wept for this man, God to have all those memories.. 🇺🇸

[@t.jjohnson6317]

God bless you Sir..And thank-you..

[@petervollhiem3109]

There is a reason its called, "The Greatest Generation".

[@SergeCeyral]

As a musician, I proudly sticked the 101st and 82nd Airborne badges on my stage amplifier. (badges bought at Vietnam Wall gift booth, Washington DC). This modest tribute is to pay homage to all these brave young boys, who fought and died for us. Salute from France.

[@RubyBandUSA]

Right on Serge

[@SergeCeyral]

@@RubyBandUSA The least we can do. I also, wanted to buy the 29th Infantry badge (unavailable at that time): very very few remember, in France, that the very fist companies to land on Omaha Beach were from a National Guard division, with young boys who had never fought before... That slaughter was awful : coming from some Virginian small villages, 10 or more rookies died together that 06/06 morning: from HS to the grave, for us.

[@josephking6515]

It seems as it's the young Americans who have forgotten what this brave tormented hero and his buddies have gone through with the way they behave now. I hope Mr Michael Camasso finds some peace by talking about his experiences those long years ago. To the greatest generation, I *thank you!*

[@fastyaveit]

those guys were just crazy, they did great.

[@Chrisamos412]

I’m grateful for hearing your story sir.

[@haroldwithey517]

Bravo Company 5th Transportation 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles 1980

[@thatairplaneguy]

Don’t live and die with regrets, sir. You have to forgive yourself if nothing more.

[@northernsurvivalbackcountr4986]

Respect

[@hossee1]

Guys back then was tuff Americans, did their job came home and started their lifes. God Bless them for fighting two wars at one time.

[@srnordli]

A true hero! Thank You!

[@simonwelch1664]

Beautiful and he’s carried that pain all his life ❤

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

You can see that Michael lived with those ghosts all his life. Soldiers normally only talk to other soldiers about their experience (if they talk at all) because civilians don't understand. But it's more than that: you shared something sacred with your fellow soldiers that you don't or can't share with people who were not there. Somehow, it feels like a betrayal. Anyway, that's how I felt during and after my service.

[@wakeup8052]

You're a legend good sir.

[@dylanhill6736]

Thank you for your service. Airborne!

[@scottherron8007]

Respect Sir.

[@vivians9392]

He was a very good looking young man, as he is a senior citizen!

[@tweb2295]

God Bless and thank you Sir..!

[@hoze11959]

Wow what a great story and testimony from one of our greatest generations... thanks!

[@user-fc7ug4sl9p]

Thank you Sir, God bless you 🙏🏼

[@jimadams8182]

Every NFL player who takes a knee is spitting in this man's face.

[@jackhunsucker3220]

You are 💯 right about that. Most of them probably had great-great parents/folks involved in the war

[@klauslehrmann4927]

Weight of silence off vet. Camasso's shoulders. I am sure he appreciates that.

[@markhirsch1782]

A sincere thankyou! For Your Service

[@jimacheson4933]

Thank you sir, God bless you and your family

[@Nyllsor]

A very special interview. Thanks for sharing this!

[@briangoldy8784]

Guys in Combat were like you grew up together.......We counted on each Other.......This statement chocked me up... The American Soldier. Citizen Soldier.......Thank You.......Pvt. Camasso.....For my Freedom..................My Dad, World War II...1944...US. Navy. .North Atlantic Fleet.... .

[@stephenfriend442]

Wow what a great story….Thankyou!

[@bigpants6121]

Band of Brothers. A great video to watch. Thanks Mike.

[@anthonykilburn9302]

From a grateful nation. Thank you for your service. May God bless you always. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏👍

[@johnquinn348]

My Uncle Carlton Richardson jumped that day. He was killed behind enemy lines

[@RubyBandUSA]

He died a hero John in the eyes of 100 million people in the free world

[@dansorrell4113]

Amen ...Thank you