First Time Back In 75 Years // Stories From The Battlefield // Battle Of The Bulge

[@ToddWexler]

This is my wife's grandfather. Howard is an amazing person. We just celebrated his 99th birthday last month.

[@mugrad1988]

He's in incredible shape!!!

[@edrhodes574]

Huge respect !!

[@nmelkhunter1]

Please tell him thank you and god bless! You see, my mother was a little girl in Holland in WW2 and these guys are my f*cking heroes. I’m serious, tell him!

[@Sixday777]

Wow! Incredible and these men who fought for our freedoms are my absolute hero’s. He’s absolutely amazing. God bless Howard. And thank you for your service Howard. I visited the Ardennes a year ago and it’s amazing to see the remains of the fox holes still there. The Bastogne Barracks has an incredible set of Tanks and Armoured vehicle’s to see and the last remaining frame of the gliders that where used in D-Day. Incredible to see.

[@Ivan-hb3co]

@@Sixday777 The good guys lost and he fought for the Rothschilds.

[@DebowNation]

This historian did some SERIOUS research, his dates, times, units and locations is pretty damn impressive

[@mccuenoirfilms]

Yes! Ronald is an amazing local historian!!

[@roberts1711]

I think it's funny I can imagine the soilder being like no that didn't happen. Because what's he's saying doesn't square with what he remembers

[@GroundhogKim]

One day i hope people will realize when these men are all gone that they fought in the past so we can have our today

[@CatBack94]

Some do but most probably don't appreciate their sacrifice

[@marclaporte3710]

Mr. Buford has to be at least 95 years old and he is very articulate and sharp for his age to say the least. Not to mention he's a hero ! Great video !

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

He was 98 when we filmed this!

[@hirsch4155]

@@BestDefenseFoundation Amazing. Tough as nails and seems like a friendly guy. If I met him I would shake his hand!

[@hirsch4155]

Thanks for producing this video!

[@somethingelse4878]

My Dad was in Belgium in the British army. Sadly we lost him just before my 7th birthday. We should never forget what the youth of the 1940s did and gave for us. Respect to them all, the ones who tell the stories and the ones who never got to tell anyone. God bless

[@History-Secrets]

Really interesting story, great video! Thanks for sharing! :)

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@austinkube7348]

i love your youtuber can you email me

[@SoapMcCallister]

OMG hs

[@History-Secrets]

@@SoapMcCallister 😁👌

[@JU-ws5ez]

History Secrets!

[@dustywilder1204]

These veterans and their stories have inspired me at a young age. To follow in their similar footsteps! I want to personally become a U.S. Army Paratrooper and serve in the 82nd Airborne Division. My goals afterwards are to become a Green Beret and help those who can't fight for themselves.

[@brianford8493]

Brilliant!....made my day....ta chaps! ✌️

[@yoshshmenge294]

11 people have the freedom to give this a thumbs down. The Greatest Generation ever.

[@lukagovorko3248]

Many people don't recognize what all these veterans do. They gave us peace and freedom. Thank you guys great video.

[@almighty5839]

Yup sad how people don’t thank them

[@nzfreeski]

Europeans do actually - memorials, remembrances yearly, and nothing but respect for these heroes.

[@lukagovorko3248]

@@nzfreeski yes we have memorials and such but other than that they don't get much recognition. Sad times

[@nzfreeski]

@@lukagovorko3248 ok, I hear you. I lived in Luxembourg for a long time and the memorials for the veterans of the US are incredible (well at least till 2015 when I lived there).

[@critter8117]

Howard's in excellent shape for his age. Thank you for your service sir. 🇺🇸

[@chloekit4861]

This guy is in better shape and with it than a 60 year old man he’s gotta be in his 90’s right

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

He was 98 when we filmed this! He just had his 99th birthday in August. There's no stopping this one!

[@brandonlaird3004]

He is calm but you can tell his flash backs. Alot of blood was spilled here. Much respect.

[@lucasflamiticus4925]

Whoever disliked this video must be very sad or maybe had a bad day. I love this channel and what they do for these heroes is truly amazing.

[@Robert-py4ce]

I think this is absolutely amazing. The interest in these men in the last 15 to 20 years! it’s great that we were able to get first-hand accounts of many of these battles. God bless the greatest generation of America.

[@ridgerunner6211]

This is just amazing Thank you sir for your service and we are so glad you made it home! My son served in Afghanistan and thank god he made it home as well. God bless all of our service men and woman.

[@jorgemenendez1740]

God bless all veterans! thank you and eternal respect!

[@GruntProof]

I was just there for the 2021 anniversary. Amazing experience!

[@Futinh0]

Respect For These Legends Who Survived And Fighted For Freedom *Respect*

[@drizzetsrevenge]

Thank you for continuing to give these brave men a voice. They all deserve to be heard...they all deserve to get this closure before their time on this world comes to an end.

[@gerhard6105]

46km from my house. Always good to here and see these stories. I asked my Dutch grandfather in about 1986 what he experienced in his 5 days of action. He told it. And i asked my mothers German uncle in 1990 what he did and where he was. He did not tell a lot bit it was cold near Moscow, he sad. And he said that it is al written in his militairy pass. I have the pass and his medals. Also from my Dutch grandfther and his father. Keep recording : )

[@jlaw9336]

Thanks Todd a great hero.

[@kararesco4882]

I have my modules in school to finish but i always ended up here 🤦‍♀️ this videos allways catch my attention love it❤

[@williamblow8279]

God bless him and thank you 🙏

[@vickiesutherland4628]

Wow these guys are hero's!

[@nnelyaustin6913]

how I wish these heroes would live forever

[@isaacadjei5130]

Nice interview the background looks exactly 💯 as a battleground from the 80s

[@whata86]

Can’t wait for this . Love your channel and what you guys do .

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

It's a good one! Thanks for watching!

[@lovebiota286]

In the fog of war, with literal fog...it would be difficult for our hero to differentiate locations, etc. I found the combination of the historian and hero to be very educational. This battle is so fascinating; it was great hearing about the details and our hero's perspective simultaneously. Thank you to the greatest generation and all our men and women in uniform!🇺🇸

[@DRFelGood]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us . I’m so grateful for you to have served, sacrifice and courage. To fight for freedom 🇺🇸 !!! My father’s brother was KIA in this battle ❤️you

[@harrygarden8305]

These men are all heroes

[@dalouse]

This is a great video. I’m glad that these first hand personal stories are being recorded. Thank you sir for your service.

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

More to come!

[@dalouse]

@@BestDefenseFoundation Do you happen to have any from the 75th infantry division?

[@gp8909]

Fantastic story brilliantly told by Ronald Stassen. Respect and never ending thanks to Howard and all who fought against the the despicable axis regimes.

[@l4rryh00verftw]

These are incredible. Donnie, I'm a bills fan but you sir, have a new fan. I've cried, laughed, and just wanted to listen to more and more of these men talk. Thank you for giving them a voice. We don't have much time left with these heroes. You should be proud of what you've done.

[@sykomatic4974]

HERO!!!!

[@MrTee-hw7mp]

this historian could probably tell him what he had for dinner on a particular day during the battle. Very impressive how thorough his research is.

[@usmc-veteran73-77]

I agree, thank you for posting this video. My uncle was there. He did not share a lot about the battle, and that was OK.

[@wouterstavleu4158]

These stories have inspired me so much and i have been so interested on learning about worl war 2 so i can make sure it will not be forgotten. Because we cant forget it and we can not forget these veterans

[@leroysmith3479]

All The Way!

[@eancurtis9333]

Amazing

[@berl1n866]

Just put headphones and watch. It is very cool. ❤️

[@NLC_FIG]

Everytime i see you guys upload its exciting to see how you guys show how great a generation these people were.

[@mariellevandenborne2361]

There's a reason they're called the greatest generation

[@stevese4288]

Respect for you sir

[@echohunter4199]

To all my fellow Gulf War and OIF Infantry Retirees/Veterans, this is how our actions will be studied for future generations. Our nation is in the prelude to the next massive conflict that’ll happen in Europe and somewhere in Asia, I hope I’m wrong but we’ve all seen the same “saber rattling” in the media and things like pre staging of material and units in forward areas.

[@almighty5839]

This guy is in great shape

[@vincegedeon6583]

Such Hardcore Warriors 💪🤘

[@chemBTW]

This is one of the coolest videos I've ever seen. Thank you so much for this great content! God bless these heroes

[@gordonritchie665]

Thanks for the awesome video it reminds me of Joe Reilly from San Diego.

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

We'll be doing a video with Joe Reilly hopefully soon

[@GroundhogKim]

Love this channel. U guys are amazing. Love to veterans of all wars. My brother lives next to a vetran from Iwo Jima and after the virus im supposed to be interviewing him.

[@richardtalley821]

LET THE VETERN SPEAK AND TELL THE STORY HE REMEMBERS!

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

He told everything he remembered. There was so much that happened while he was there that he wasn't even aware of going on around him. He wanted to hear all the history of what happened when he was there.

[@xochitl9161]

Heroes.

[@ajfamily4566]

Sir You Did Your Job Complete Success All the Details are Irelevent Compared To The Results

[@adammacmillan1681]

Fantastic video!! When's the next live zoom interview?

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Trying to work on one for this weekend with Howard Buford!

[@adammacmillan1681]

@@BestDefenseFoundation Awesome!! Looking forward to asking some questions!!

[@gravy0038]

Wow Howie looks great he looks like he can still pick up an M1 and let loose lol salute to you sir and thank you

[@rickmo970]

Hallelujah and Bless these great individuals who stood firm for OUR Democracy, against tyrants and wanna-be dictator fools! This is WHY, DEMOCRACY RULES, TODAY - Baby!! Rest In Peace all ye Hero Soldiers who saved our collective BUTTS, in WWII and beyond, honestly!! ;-] Post Script: Thank you, Mr. Howard Buford, may you forever walk with God, in Peace & Love, forever more!!

[@KevinSago-rs1ys]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but we are NOT a democracy. We are a Constitutional Republic. There's a big difference.

[@bigsur175]

My dad was in WWII, he was in the battle of the bulge

[@nmelkhunter1]

God bless and AATW.

[@mrs.g.9816]

Hats off to all the Allied veterans of this terrible war to save the world from dictators and oppression. May those who are still living enjoy a life of peace and comfort. May those who passed on rest and be happy eternally under God's wing.

[@fraucow]

Does this tour guide know as much about the 17th Airborne, same place, same time? My father was a a 17thAirborne platoon leader (HQ CO, also 193 GIR). Lord I'd love to retrace his footsteps.

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

I'll ask

[@delprice3007]

My father was in 1st ID infantry attached to 4th armor on the drive thru Bastogne to Liege.

[@millionsofrecordsernieb7587]

Mr. Buford just renewed his driver license and is a spry 101. 101st Airborne and 101, how about that! Nice tribute at Dodgers Stadium recently.

[@seba1979krk]

Please. Give Polish subtitles. Many people in Poland are curious about these stories. Thanks 👍

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

I will look into that. Thank you

[@joelmonkley6177]

Love hear from the panzergrendiers they took them on head on

[@PatrioticCoservativeAmerican]

Is Mr Howard still with us as we speak?

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

He is! He just turned 99 in August

[@PatrioticCoservativeAmerican]

@@BestDefenseFoundation Awesome to know

[@kelvinsurname7051]

@@BestDefenseFoundation is he still alive? I Hope he is still healthy and kicking it!

[@ToddWexler]

Yes he is. And thriving.

[@Tjsolo-man5000]

What an honor it would be to meet someone from easy company. I would be more thrilled over that than meeting Hitler himself.

[@TheGreatest1974]

I think it’s only natural that he couldn’t remember a few things- He was there during war, when the only things that mattered to the men were what was safe behind them and what was dangerous in front of them. Looking out for the enemy, would be paramount because they are the ones that’s looking to kill you. The odd building here and there wouldn’t be remembered, and plus the landscape changes over time. The soldier would need to have his exact bearings of where he was and which way he was facing etc. What’s important is, he was there! 👍

[@nickdestito6419]

My dad was there w/patton3rd id bronze star greatest generation

[@patton303]

God bless these men. When I think about the scourge of Americans waving Nazi flags after men like this man fought and died to eradicate that flag, it just makes my blood boil.

[@f.g.6019]

The historian is very well informed but strange to see him explaining to a veteran what the latter was doing

[@chickenboygaming2231]

My grandpa was in he battle of the bulge I wonder if hey met he was part of Patton’s 3rd army his last name was Dougherty

[@haywoodyoudome]

Two completely different worlds. A historian spending years studying maps, photos, and reports. A veteran spending each day trying to stay alive and then a lifetime trying to forget the horrors of war.

[@michaelhood1291]

I love how this historian keeps replying to Howard’s stories with “that’s quite possible”… I WAS THERE FOOL! I KNOW IT! LOL.

[@TrungNguyen-kw2hg]

💕😘😘😘

[@lacostetnouquoileboss1150]

Oh noo.... im at school a 16:00☹️

[@JJW77]

My father served under Al Levy - unit 288, battle of the bulge. Do you have any stories on his unit.

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

We'll be on the lookout!

[@bobstaurovsky3506]

I was wondering if you could show the town of Beffe, that is where my Uncle Louis Novak was Killed In Action on January 5th. 1945, Thanks Bob

[@Skippy-id9yt]

I wish he let the old bloke recall for himself instead of telling him all the bloody time what he did and when, were here for the old timer not this bloke yappin on over the top of him all the time everytime the veteran starts talking about something that he remembers he gets cut off .but still a good video🇦🇺🇨🇦🇳🇿🇬🇧🇺🇲

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Howard's memory, he told us, wasn't serving him very well at age 98 and there was a lot he couldn't remember. He asked for Ronald to take him through everything that happened and little bits and pieces kept coming back to him. Howard really enjoyed all the knowledge that Ronald had about the area.

[@bernhardwechsler6303]

Schade dass ich ihn nicht verstehe😟erzählt bestimmt interessante Sachen

[@Yyr85]

Er selber weiß nur noch was links und rechts war und der andere erklärt welche Truppen wann und wo gekämpft haben.

[@AndrewSmith-wt2zr]

Without the sacrifice of t h e s e aging veterans our East coast would be speaking German and our West coast would be speaking Japanese. You can't put it any plainer than that . That was the goal the Nazi regime and the Japanese imperial regime.

[@tysmaar148]

No mention of the fact that there were British & Canadian forces there as well.

[@_Patton_Was_Right]

"WE DEFEATED THE WRONG ENEMY!" Patton was murdered for speaking the truth

[@benpack03]

A guy that has read about happened trying to tell a guy that was there what happened.

[@josetapaia3945]

My respect to our heroes! The historian is telling the story and saying what happened. I don't think he knows more than our veteran. Don't like him telling the story as if he was there. That's the only thing I didn't like about this video.

[@deweycat01]

Howard doesn’t seem to remember too much about his were about a during this time (?)

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

It was a lot for him to take in when we were there. It was his first time back in 75 years. He’s 98 and told us his memory isn’t the best now. He wanted Ronald to take him around to all the locations he was at and see if anything stood out to him. There were a few things that made his memories come back.

[@pollywannacracker4880]

This is why we stand for national anthems. This is why we respect our flags. This is why we don't kneel during the anthem. How quickly people forget.

[@griffonsa]

You should let the veteran talk a little more.... Its like the guide was there 75 years ago too...

[@austumaspapartis6722]

I’m sorry but which one of those two gentlemen attended the war? Because by the sounds of it, it was the younger guy... (?) Interesting story though

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Howard's memory, he told us, wasn't serving him very well at age 98 and there was a lot he couldn't remember. He asked for Ronald to take him through everything that happened and little bits and pieces kept coming back to him. Howard really enjoyed all the knowledge that Ronald had about the area.

[@bernhardwechsler6303]

Deutscher Untertitel wäre eine feine Sache !!!!🙂

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Wir arbeiten daran, deutsche Untertitel für alle unsere Videos zu erstellen. Vielen Dank.

[@TomBartram-b1c]

That Flemish guy hasnt earned the right to wear that tee shirt.

[@johnbar1]

the way this guy talks to this veteran, sorry, but kind of bullying to recall things he cant remember

[@NorthwoodsShooter]

This guy really needs to just let the veteran talk, and let him share his experiences. The “corrections” by the younger gentleman is very distracting and unnecessary.

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Howard's memory, he told us, wasn't serving him very well at age 98 and there was a lot he couldn't remember. He asked for Ronald to take him through everything that happened and little bits and pieces kept coming back to him. Howard really enjoyed all the knowledge that Ronald had about the area. The language difference can get a little tricky. He wasn't correcting him, he was concurring.

[@lukasbaumgartner4303]

Zaujímavé že na celom svete starý ľudia v tomto veku nemajú už pamäť ale americký veteráni si pamätajú do poslednej sekundy všetko ako v roku 1944 -1945 😂😂😂😂

[@edheres1]

Screwed up the audio with that background track.....................

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

Oops!

[@chuckbucks7020]

I always have a battle of the bulge when I go to the strip club

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

🤦‍♂️

[@brianpeters7847]

Male strippers???

[@chuckbucks7020]

@@brianpeters7847 lol nope not into bratwurst

[@gordonritchie665]

How is joe Reilly doing at 99 years of age.

[@nmelkhunter1]

I bet he’s still tough enough to make today’s paratroopers cry. Just sayin’

[@joeflere8236]

I love yr documentary but sometimes you are a bit disrespectfully towards these old diggers ( soldiers who fought there.)

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

How are we disrespectful?

[@timdd9880]

Why is this non veteran wearing a airborne badge?

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

They sell a lot of that stuff in Europe at stores.

[@mikeoxlong426]

The tour guide is super annoying.. trying to tell the WW2 vet who was actually there about what happened in the battle.. WW2 vet : I was in a fox hole right over there Tour Guide : yes it is quite pussible

[@BestDefenseFoundation]

There was a lot that he didn't remember and also a lot that he didn't even know was going on around him. Ronald has spent his whole life learning every aspect of the battles that took place. Howard really enjoyed and appreciated all that Ronald shared with him. Sorry you didn't.

[@mikeoxlong426]

@@BestDefenseFoundation no don’t get me wrong.. I liked the video and much respecc for making videos like these. But what I’m saying is just I would have rather heard more from the guy who was actually there..