Major Dick Winters on Ronald "Sparky" Speirs (Band of Brothers)

Major Dick Winters has been a personal hero of mine ever since I've seen the show "Band of Brothers" as a young man. Here are some clips from an interview of Dick Winters done by Rep. John Payne, which was recorded in the early 2000's. Thank you Rep. John Payne for sharing this interview with the world.
Here's the links to his interviews:
Part 1: • A Tribute to Maj. Dick...
Part 2: • Rep. Payne's Legislati...
Part 3: • A Tribute to Major Win...
Part 4: • A Tribute to Maj. Dick...
Part 5: • A Tribute to Maj. Dick...

[@ComputerJunkie00]

Speirs wrote Simon & Schuster asking if they all wanted cigarettes.

[@andrew75056]

LMFAO!

[@magnificentmuttley2084]

@Computer Junkie00 - that’s just brilliant!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ajai01niner19]

ciggaretten?

[@adysc74]

🤣🤣🤣

[@tedzimmerly]

outstanding!!!

[@blairmckinney9687]

Spiers taking over Dykes command was one of the greatest moments in that series.

[@fergalohearga9594]

It really was, wasn't it?!?

[@Devantejah]

I'm partial to when he runs through the village twice.

[@batchagaloopytv5816]

@@Devantejah same incident 🤪🤪🤷‍♂️

[@BonnKialStevens]

I've read that Dyke wasn't as bad as portrayed in the series. I also read that Dyke was awarded two bronze stars, one for saving a soldier and he was actually wounded in the arm or shoulder when relieved by Spears. There are a lot of things misinterpreted in this series for dramatic affect.

[@Devantejah]

@@BonnKialStevens Well you know, gotta have some unnecessary drama. Not like a warzone is dramatic enough!

[@mikeriv60]

About 20 years or more ago I wrote Mr Winters a letter and to my surprise he wrote me back along with a signed army monthly magazine which he was in, Its wonderful and it hangs on my wall to this day.

[@thedeans9506]

What did his response letter say to you? That was awfully nice of him to respond and sign you magazine!

[@mikeriv60]

@@thedeans9506 I wrote to thank him for his and Easy company's service and he replied thanking me for what I and others where doing back then. I found it wonderful that he took the time to sit down and reply to me as I was not expecting that. There was a bit more to the letter but I'll keep that private. Very nice and kind of him.

[@anthonygaertner2396]

@@mikeriv60 thats awesome man

[@napoliansolo7865]

I always wanted to write to Mr Winters while he was still with us. I didn't cause I didn't feel I should bother him. I'm glad you did. I've always regretted not writing him.

[@michaelkb8-245]

@@mikeriv60 People are like ohh I wish I could meet at famous celeb or sports person etc. I would be blessed to have received at response from a war veteran. Hell even a 10min interaction would be am amazing life experience

[@rustybraun9101]

Spiers running through enemy camp to reach the squad on the other side, then running back to his squad gives me goosebumps every time I watch it.

[@rbu2136]

Such an incredible scene. Imagine Disney or Amazon today filming band of brothers.

[@Necyn]

@@rbu2136 haha yea.. Speirs played by a str0nk independent woman

[@stevesmith7843]

@@Necyn strong independent "woman of colour" you mean

[@bullgravy6906]

Strong independent trans woman of color

[@stevesmith7843]

@@bullgravy6906 i stand corrected, although i must point out that both of us were wrong, truly it should be a strong independent disabled nonbinary transwoman of colour......

[@joshuacollins9346]

Holy shit, I didn't know Spiers confirmed the stories were true. That's wild.

[@FloridaSpook]

I have researched this today and that was my response also. He didn’t smoke though…..

[@CS-zn6pp]

It's not like he was in any danger of being prosecuted.

[@TSimo113]

With Winters and Ambrose both gone now, I wonder where that "file" went?

[@specialnewb9821]

They were behind the German lines right? What was he supposed to do.

[@StormHunter71]

the Germans did it on a regular basis, I think people try to put a false morality on this war sometimes

[@justjsse8917]

That split second smirk after he asked the question... The major still had that tigers smile. Hard men.

[@hateferlife]

Damn right.

[@user-82719a]

@@hateferlife “We didn’t need fuckin Patton to rescue us” absolute hard fucks. So much respect and may they Rest In Peace.

[@kingofthering3343]

​@Vince Nav It was actually Joe Toye who said that.

[@user-uy8wx4pk4h]

He's a criminal

[@cognitivedisability9864]

​@@user-uy8wx4pk4h Paratroopers and other units operation behind enemy lines had orders to not take prisoners that would prevent them from completing their objectives, this was the same for british commandos and SAS, if they were operating behind enemy lines on covert operations, you do NOT take prisoners. Hitler specificly gave an order for all british commandos to be executed on capture because they executed captured germans, and they operated in ways that broke the geneva convention which calls for soldiers to wear proper uniforms and equipment that marks them as such, and not hit civilian targets. hell even fighting as a insurgent or freedom fighter in civilian clothes is breaking the geneva convention, so all those people who fought back against the germans in occupied nations were actually not protected, nor abiding by the geneva convention. There is a reason people call it the geneva suggestion. Multiple warcrimes were done on both sides of that war, it wasnt as black and white as people like to think. It doesnt matter who did the crime first, only who lost the war. Yes the germans did horrible things, so did the soviets and they were our allies, and were a large reason the germany army even had oil and precious metals early in the war before operation barbarossa. The entire war was started because germany invaded poland, and the allied nations just gave poland and half of europe to the soviets after the war to prevent another war to break out. Nobody actually cares about the convention unless it benefits them, or to have a reason to execute your enemy leadership after a war, every war america has been in since ww2 they have broken the convention, hell they dont even abide by it fully and its well known.

[@ericboyle8296]

RIP Maj Winters the epitome of a hero. Speirs as well. We needed those men in that time. RIP to my father in law who survived 35 missions as a ball turret gunner in a B24. The greatest generation.

[@andrewbeghin3859]

35?!? God bless that man

[@fyodordostoevsky9993]

@@andrewbeghin3859 what’s was your father in laws name?

[@ericboyle8296]

@@fyodordostoevsky9993 Joe Kiernan - 741st Sqdn 455th Bomb Group, 15th AF. Most missions were in a B 24J named Big Gas Bird. Just about every mission they came back with flak holes. They lost 2 engines on several missions, one they got the order to bail out but my father in law had the wrong chute, so the flight engineer fixed the fuel lines so they could land on 2 engines at a fighter base. Inadvertently saved them all from becoming POWs.

[@docbearmb]

@@andrewbeghin3859 Yeah, the “rule” was that you did 25 missions in these heavy bombers and you were done. My father was up to 29 and then Germany surrendered. I’ve heard of several beyond that number; even more than 35. Bless them all! RIP -almost all have passed.

[@arunkumaran2155]

True Indeed

[@richardcastle3204]

People like Dick Winters and Ronald Spiers are the reason I can go where I want, when I want, with whoever I want. I never forget that. Thank you.

[@JackSmith-kp2vs]

@richardcastle3204 It’s a shame all western governments seem determined to restrict people freedoms as much as possible these days

[@SmokeDog1871]

Think they would argue its the guys who didnt make it back who deserve the credit

[@yondayyon4131]

Hahahah what a bs u just told

[@codyking4848]

@@yondayyon4131 You don't know much about history, do you.

[@patnor7354]

Missed the cough shutdowns, did you? people like them is why our world is turning into a tyranny worse than the 3rd reich.

[@feloniousintent]

Ladies and Gentlemen, this soldier was a true, real American hero. His actions at taking out those 105mm Howitzers at Becourt Manor on D-Day in itself warranted the Congressional Medal of Honor. Countless American lives were saved by his quick thinking and valor. This unassuming man fascinates me. One of the best of the Greatest Generation. RIP, Major Winters. We honor your memory and treasure your service.

[@leewhatley7077]

Absolute bloody true living legend

[@orenmccarthy7588]

Well unfortunately he never got the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was recommended for one but the recommendation was downgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second highest award for valor. Should he have gotten the Congressional Medal of Honor? For sure!

[@orenmccarthy7588]

@@leewhatley7077 By the way, he died back in 2011, so technically he is not a living legend anymore. An absolute legend nonetheless though.

[@ascott1000]

Our country will need more men like Winters, Nixon, Spears and Lipton to emerge if we are to survive.

[@enriquejavier8056]

Who Spears? he should have been court martialed. There is no excuse for shooting prisoners of war.

[@martinaxe6390]

Should have brought Speirs up on the phone so Speirs could ask that interviewer if the guy wanted a cigarette.

[@ScottyShaw]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ScottyShaw]

@A-a-ron Even smoking a VE Day victory cigar with him sounds risky 🤣🤣🤣

[@wralford]

Correct answer: " Nein, ich will keine Zigarette, danke!"

[@diogenes5381]

Affirmative on that!

[@davidwolf226]

LOL! At the very least!

[@benjaminnielsen4288]

Personally, I thought Lt. Speirs was one of the best real-life characters in the series. A bit cold, yes. But, in reality you want a guy like that on your team, someone who's willing to go against the grain and still come through for you.

[@caolindennehy2553]

Yea I thought he was too but it is one thing to go against the grain and another to commit war crimes and murder 10 people who had surrendered to the enemy, it's also another to kill a man for being drunk during work. You must glorify soldiers if you think that is ok, like the one thing the series missed completely which I truly hate because it would add so much depth and truth to these stories. It's rape, in war rape is a more common thing than murdering the enemy it is constantly done in war especially when soldiers enter enemy territory. You can glorify this man all you want but doing those things deserves punishment

[@donaldg.freeman2804]

@@caolindennehy2553 If he was drunk in combat and risking other soldiers lives and not obeying orders its "not another thing." You don't get to risk your comrades on the battlefield. There are a lot of "types" of killings that get overlooked. Soldiers kill their leaders for being bad leaders. Leaders kill their soldiers for being bad soldiers. Soldiers perform mercy killings on both friends and enemies. Soldiers kill wounded enemies to tidy up. They shoot down enemy waving white flags and walking in with hands up. After all, it could be a trick. They kill prisoners to prevent them being recaptured or to prevent them attacking from the rear when their friends launch an attack. Go back to Agincourt. Henry V ordered his men to slaughter the French prisoners they had taken when it looked like the French army was about to overwhelm him. If you work at Subway then being killed for drunkenness would be a thing. I disapprove of Subway managers doing that.

[@ryhk3293]

@@donaldg.freeman2804 No no no no no. NO. What you are talking about are behaviors indicative of a complete breakdown in good order and discipline, the very thing that seperates military from an armed rabble. You have read one too many accounts beyond the pale and they have become normalized in your mind as acceptable things whereas all of these things you have mentioned - perfidy, false surrender, fraggings, summary execution are all recognized by the most humble private graduating from the basic military training of a first world nation as being war crimes. The entire purpose of military disciple is to maintain order against the types of things your describe. To allow them is entirely self defeating.. If you had ever served under military discpline, you would understand that at a fundamental level.

[@hededcdn]

@@caolindennehy2553 you're a fool, and have no understanding of reality other than your soft life.

[@soonerfrac4611]

The gilded box that so many people live in today….. They complain about being dead named or some other made up nonsensical bull shit, without ever having a real struggle. A real struggle is choosing which fast food restaurant to eat at given the diet/political fad of the week, it’s not having a phone charger on demand, it’s….the list goes on..suffice it to say, they know not struggle.

[@FreeCrimeaNow]

My mother was liberated in Buchenwald, and my father a German labor camp. It's hard to watch the soldiers come to the gates and not visualize them. As of this comment, they are in their 90's and still survive. Thank you, men of the American Armed Forces.

[@MrZymox]

When the camps were discovered, it changed the attitudes of almost all of the Allied soldiers during the war. They no longer looked at the Nazis as just an enemy to be defeated but monsters to be hunted and destroyed and rightly so.

[@falcon2489]

We owe them so much.

[@julianodirenzi5719]

Thank the marines. They’re the ones that went on the front lines to get there ! Salute !

[@DaSoda70]

@@julianodirenzi5719 There were exactly 0 marines in Europe during the entire war. Why the fuck would they thank someone that wasn't there?

[@SirSpinalColumn]

@@julianodirenzi5719the marines fought in the pacific. Read a book some time.

[@menakaperera24]

These men are on another level. Their honesty and straight forwardness give me chills. "Are they true?" "Oh yeah.... you want me to put that in a letter?". No matter the consequences they will always be that brave.

[@christophertaylor9100]

Spiers especially was a man with no cares. Nothing seems to flap that guy

[@lootusmaximus7378]

I had the honor of being a US Marine ordered to attend the funeral of George Luz. I did not know who he was then (1998?) but when I saw this series it hit me hard. There were so many people in attendance. God bless all veterans.

[@chrisml8105]

Thank you for your service

[@mattygates1]

Thank you for your service and being on George Luz’s six on the day he was laid to rest.

[@DDDD-pv7fw]

God Bless all who fought for freedom!!

[@beauch1119]

I love the part in the series where Spiers runs through Foy to link up with I Company. “At first the Germans didn’t shoot at him. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing. But that’s not the astounding thing. The astounding thing is that after he hooked up with I Company……. he came back.” Spiers and Winters, two outstanding leaders. I’d have followed either one of them into battle. They were so competent in their positions. Truly part of the greatest generation!

[@glamour9133]

👏👏👏👏

[@toAdmiller]

And don't forget Lipton...He was showing outstanding leadership in the trenches the ENTIRE TIME...never got to stay and relax in HQ...got right back out onto the front lines with his men EVERY TIME...The unsung NCOs...

[@growthub8541]

This scene is not fully accurate actually… in real life Spiers run through no man’s land to link up with the other company. In movie he runs behind enemy lines. Nonetheless, an amazing war hero & feat

[@michaelrooney3133]

Winter: "Spiers, did you shoot POWs?" Spiers: "I'll fucking do it again."

[@Desert_juanito]

Why you ask ? You got some ?? 😂

[@oldplace5]

That doesn’t make it right.

[@owenbunny4023]

Judging by how spears refuse to shot the guy who shot sarge grant, he prob was already tired of killing at that point

[@justinmoody6721]

@@oldplace5 it's a war, lot of things happen that are "not right"

[@primarchxi6639]

@@justinmoody6721 As long as it's not done by Germans, right? That's what drives me crazy with official (false) "history", the propaganda and the obvious manipulation that follows. We understand war crimes done by OUR troops, BUT NOT from the enemy side. In fact, we try to grip on everything to present them the way we want and serve us. Great example, ALL those ridiculous Hollywood movies about WW2. Not talking Band of Brothers series. Even after 76 years since the end of WW2, they try to stain and cover any truth that do not suit some ppl!

[@minnesotajack1]

As a Gen x’er It never escaped me that when I saw those old guys in wheelchairs (not many around anymore), looking feeble and withered… I would always tell myself “that shriveled up old man was once a bigger badass than I would ever dream of being” It always kept me humble. My battles had helmets and shoulder pads and referees. That dude in the adult diaper was facing Tiger Tanks and MG42s… so respect that guy

[@Barchenhund]

Old age is a privilege denied to many.

[@samuelschick8813]

I'm old enough that back in the day it was common to meet veterans from the Spanish America War, WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam where mom worked. They would sit in a booth at the restaurant mom worked at and just get the 1,000 yard stare. Would also see an uncle who was in Korea and a cousin who was in Nam get that look. Did not think or know too much about it back then. But after I time in I understand it. Some times while sitting my wife will give me a nudge to bring me back.

[@rockridgewoodshop]

Yup, well said. Old beat up guys are what tough young men turn into. I'm one of them. Tree work, concrete work, carpenter.....6 compressed disks and constant back pain now.

[@fozzy1004]

At a military reunion I saw the Major who led the first soldiers to touch soil in Normandy in the gliders that went in before the fleet in silence to help take out the artillery before the main forces arrived, again an old man with a walking stick, he was so humble and kind, it was amazing to see a serving General, colonels and NCO's brace up before him in respect, and I knew 100% with absolute certainty that this old man was the true boss of that room and he had the battle honour won under his command to prove it. It does sometimes sadden me that they no longer walk amongst us but these great men will never be forgotten. Whenever I walk past a military memorial I always bow my head for a few seconds in respect of these great men who gave everything.

[@minnesotajack1]

@@fozzy1004 …then they all came home and created an economy that took them from the Great Depression to a house, car and tv for everyone… and sent their kids to college. (…and those kids became a-holes and resented their parents’ hard work)

[@aggimajera]

I heard Spiers actually disregarded the post office and ran all the way there to deliver that letter.

[@dave__.]

…and then ran back!😂

[@MrMatthiasSchneider]

All those dumb Chuck Norris jokes should actually be Speirs jokes.

[@johnbull1568]

@@MrMatthiasSchneider To be fair, one on another video did make me laugh out loud: 'Chuck Norris? Never heard of her.' Lt Col Ronald Speirs. Agreed though, copy pasting someone else's crappy joke and passing it of as your own is a cancer on these comments.

[@ScottyShaw]

🤣🤣🤣

[@garth7816]

Chuck Norris checks under the bed every night for Ronald Speirs.😬

[@richardsawyer5428]

Talks calmly, appears somewhat humble and understated with no need to brag or swagger. A true hero who allows his actions to speak for themselves.

[@OtaBengaBabalanga]

absolutely, banks and the Bible people deserve the best

[@samuelschick8813]

Richard Sawyer, " humble and understated with no need to brag or swagger." I know what you mean. I was a member of the 40&8 and would go to the "post" and play a few hands of cards with the other vets. Small membership so everyone knew everyone and most never talked about their military experiences. This went on for a few years. I later bought the book " Medal of Honor" with the plan to have each MoH holder sign his page. I went to the VA for a medical appointment and was talking to someone who worked in an office and the subject came up about the MoH. I told him what I wanted to do and asked if he knew anyone that could help me. Turns out the guy across the table at those card games was Melvin Biddle who was awarded the MoH in Italy. Never a peep from Melvin about having the MoH.

[@kennethrand1032]

He was humble before the military from reading about his life and military history. He had one of the hardest jobs in the military thrust upon him during the biggest amphibious assault in us history then to protect the assault on the beach he and his teams took out cannons firing on the beach saving countless lives and people think business meetings are stressful. The man was a true tactician.

[@OtaBengaBabalanga]

@@kennethrand1032 yes, cannon fodder still can think

[@educateyourself3872]

That’s how they were. Maybe it’s our fault for giving attention to the braggers of today.

[@exutechs]

I had the pleasure of meeting Major Winters in the Summer of 1986. I was a member of the Massachusetts Army National Guard who had our 2 week camp at Ft. Indian-town Gap PA. I had been enrolled in an NCO Academy workshop on post that the 10th Mountain Division was putting on. Final night we had a little get together and guest Speaker was none other than Dick Winters. Got my picture with him and everything. Wasn’t I surprised when Band of Brothers came out…I already heard about Brecourt Manor, Sobel, Spiers, Buck Compton and many others. Told us NCO’s are the beating heart of the Armed forces. These men were special…

[@gijoker1150]

How lucky you are! He is a LEGEND! Ahhhh Yes, Ft. Indian-town Gap. I remember those barracks well when we had training there for our Fleet Hospital, who not too many months later, deployed to Saudi Arabia for ODS. What stuck in my mind to this day were the carvings of names & dates in wood posts painted over…especially from the mid/late 60s and early 70s and trying to imagine what was in their heads as they were there waiting for deployment to Viet Nam, etc. We deployed out of Ft. Dix/MacGuire, so I had an idea of EXACTLY what may have been going through theirs heads. Mind blowing. Thank you for signing on the dotted line, brother. 👍🍺🍺🍺🍺🇺🇸

[@jeffroberts8246]

When the enlisted men adore their leader and go through the ring of Fire for him that’s all you need to know about Dick Winters.

[@newhuskytwenty]

I had a lieutenant that way during my military service here in Spain, the kind of humble and decent guy who everybody admires and would follow to hell if necessary. Now he's an old major near to his retirement and he's this guy kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpWYlGqdbcSGa7c&ab_channel=Frijolito

[@hughmac13]

@@newhuskytwenty Que significa "cachorro?"

[@newhuskytwenty]

@@hughmac13 Cachorro is cub, puppy. In this case a young soldier (usually 18-20 y.o.) under his orders but with respect and kind of fatherly affection.

[@ReveredDead]

I can’t believe he’s gone. The more of these guys who pass away. The world becomes less as a result.

[@redhotchilipapa5388]

They’ll never make them like that anymore, truly the last of their kind.

[@charlesswain8799]

We still got Joe and Camilla

[@thomasj3701]

I was watching the movie tomorrow war or whatever it's call and I kept thinking... they went to the wrong time

[@ethancohen12]

Bad times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create bad times… we are in bad times

[@ReveredDead]

@@ethancohen12 100% the truth. I fear we are only in the beginning of the bad times.

[@dixjam2258]

I think you are all missing the point here: the guy was proud of what he did. His conscience was clear and most importantly, he was not afraid to admit it. Even if you don't agree with what what he did, you got to admire the honesty.

[@benk9973]

Killing nazis is something to be proud of. 👏

[@marshalmagooo3899]

What is not told was that General Taylor said NO POW's during D-Day... they could not be held down

[@KonglomeratYT]

@@benk9973 Remember not every German was a Nazi. Most by D-Day were conscripts. Ordinary citizens forced to take up arms by a draft or face imprisonment (or worse given the nazi rule). They had their own stories that were quite similar to that of any other nation's conscripts. But given your statement, this may fall on deaf ears. You seem very proud of hatred. So much so to paint your negative views on those you do not know. It is unfortunate humans like you exist.

[@benk9973]

@@KonglomeratYT bruh. Relax. Im not about hate. My family suffered in nazi occupied Holland and I saw what it did to my grandparents. My grandfathers PTSD was so bad he worked himself to death. 16+ hours a day to exhaustion. Couldn't let himself be still in his thoughts. The echo of the nazis victims was long lasting. Fuck nazis

[@amyjohnson5839]

@@KonglomeratYT there's a difference between a German soldier and a Nazi. So calm down. You weren't there. You weren't in their shoes. You didn't experience what they did.

[@theodisius1]

Wow, Major Winters is even more impressive in real life than his terrific on screen portrayal. That is the kind of man you would follow to the ends of the earth: authoritative, clear headed and a natural communicator.

[@tomsmith5216]

I flew with a few pilots in Vietnam that had the same kind of traits as Maj. Winters. I'd have flown into downtown Hanoi with them.

[@valeriyav2149]

General Taylor and a few other commanding officers ordered to not take POWs during D-Day. It was documented in several sources. Paratroopers didn't have any logistics to take care of POWs, they couldn't risk them running away and they couldn't risk leaving soldiers guarding them in the middle of the chaos behind the lines. Speirs dirtied his hands (he was not the only one I assume) so that other guys in his company wouldn't have to do it

[@jdavison8551]

Not shooting one prisoner didn’t work out well in “Saving PrivateRyan”. However the Germans used the same excuse after shooting dead dozens of US prisoners at Malmedy. I don’t think anyone should criticise Spiers unless they could do all the other things he did.

[@michaelf4506]

Well said it was war spears stepped up to the plate so his pals didnt have too

[@bossHogOG]

@@jdavison8551 that’s a moronic rationalization.

[@jdavison8551]

@@bossHogOG you’re welcome.

[@catherinelw9365]

@@bossHogOG It's moronic to think that in the chaos and uncertainty of the D-Day invasion, you can pretend that you are able to take POWs when you can't find 90% of your division in the dark. You need to grow up.

[@lks5379]

That smirk he did after hearing the question speaks volumes without a single word

[@panzerlambert1194]

My father, uncles and their friends use to have a hunting camp that they hunted at every year. Mens club only. All were WWII and some Korea vets. Started going with my dad when I was 15. Never heard them talk about any of their experiences ever until they were all together and half in the bag. My dads friend Lowel was missing half of his arm from a mortar round. The back of his shoulder muscle and tricep were not there just a mess of scar tissue. My Godfather was in Pattons 3rd Division and was highly decorated with some horrific stories of what he saw and participated in. I was not aware of the details of their service growing up, but knew everyone of them served. The most humble, decent, honest salt of the earth people I have ever known, all came back and had successful lives and were tough as nails. Living through a Great Depression and a World War made these men a lot tougher than what we have had ever since. All of them are dead except my dad. He tells me every year at the start of hunting season he cant wait to get to hunting camp even though he hasnt hunted in 18 years and all of them are dead, but I know what he is telling me. It breaks my heart. Hunting camp was where I learned how to be a man and what real men were. It was a major part of shaping who I am today and was one of the truly great times and experiences in my life. Was so glad to spend such time with those from the Greatest Generation. RIP guys - dad will be there eventually

[@GenXMafia]

I’m 56 years old. I can remember in the mid 70’s at family gatherings I would be the only child at the table listening to the adults talking amongst themselves as they too were half in the bag. These were depression and WWII generation people and I was CAPTIVATED by their stories at the tender age of 8! These people and many more like them moved about their lives with purpose, constantly on mission! They dressed to the nines. When they spoke people listened. They didn’t take no shit, they rolled over for no one. Everything they did had meaning and was worthy of their time. They were clean, courteous and respectful. Their word was their bond. When I gaze upon modern humanity today out in public, as they move about like post-apocalyptic mutants, disheveled and dirty..utterly sloven. Many wearing pajama bottoms that look like they haven’t been washed in a month and reek of stale ass crack and urine dribble I often wonder if the sacrifices of that generation were all for naught.

[@kathleenmckenzie6261]

@@GenXMafia Not to worry; I have 30 years on you and remember my grandparents working their farm, no electricity, all the water was pumped from the well, 20 miles to take a dying child to the doctor and I don't know if they had a car at that time, family quarantined with scarlet fever one winter. Life goes in cycles and I have every belief that the kids of today are in for the shock of their lives at some future time. They are so clueless and unprepared.

[@tmdavisjacoby4879]

What an amazing story ❤

[@immortaltyger1569]

My dad and his friends were the same way, all had served, some saw some really ugly things - but not one of them ever brought up what they went through to us kids. They would answer some questions, but usually only the general kind. At least I was smart enough to never ask any of them whether they had killed someone during the war. I can't say the same for others.

[@bluecordprecisiongrading2504]

It's so sad to watch this today, to see him and hear his voice again after he is gone. Many of the Band of Brothers soldiers I would come to know as friends. Major Winters and I went to the same VA Hospital. Here I was, two generation removed from their time and served in the Airborne 50 years after they did. I only hope that history isn't forgotten and their legacy will live on

[@GabriellaDangelino]

Keep on Posting your Memoirs and thank you

[@charwest5892]

Its incredibly cool that you got to know him, stay blessed

[@bluecordprecisiongrading2504]

@@charwest5892 thanks, man. Each day is a gift

[@talldude1412]

Band of Brothers and the many documentaries around it will keep their stories alive for many years, it's insane to think theirs is a story of just one company from a war that involved many tens of millions of soldiers... Most of those stories died with the people who lived it. But really the most important story to take from that time is not to get into or allow other countries to start world wars, humans are way too efficient at death now. Wars of that scale are a hurricane of human tragedy

[@charwest5892]

@@talldude1412 my friend, I like what you say here. But I fear the 5th generation of warfare is more insidious and less violent than the past which has given it a chance to sneak up on us all. We can be thankful that our bodies are not yet maimed, but our minds are in battle daily. I implore you to keep this in mind and employ your own type of defense for yourself. Because make no mistake, we are in a new War. And I hope to Heaven on High that it wont turn hot this year.

[@Pablo668]

You can see from the way he talks here why he made such a good CO. Something about the way he conducts himself here, kinda no nonsense, straight to the point, calm, but there is an authority there under the skin. Hard to put words to. Maybe someone else can.

[@Loiyaboy]

No, you nailed it. I can only hope that in my life I've come close to what you have just described. It can't be faked, people just know it.

[@SteveSwags]

What ever "it" is, he has "it".

[@kuvasz5252]

Leadership

[@ariochiv]

Gravitas.

[@reallyhappenings5597]

"Manifest competence" comes to mind

[@Thomas1701E]

4 Things that are true about Speirs: 1. He was an excellent soldier, combat officer and company leader 2. Killed a drunken Sergeant during a combat situation in self-defense when he wouldn't follow orders 3. Executed German POWs 4. After a botched assault on the town of Foy, he took over command while Easy Company was getting slaughtered; HE LITERALLY RAN THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GERMAN OCCUPIED TOWN to relay orders to I-Company, and RAN BACK THROUGH THE GERMAN OCCUPIED TOWN AGAIN to lead the assault with Easy Company. He should have been one of the few Medal of Honor recipients of the 506, but the various incidents kept him from the medal. We should be able to seperate how a man acts in war from the man who lives his life in peace.

[@SEMANTIC_BLOCKAGE---_]

Agreed 110 % Facts 🇺🇲🏴‍☠️🦁

[@jonathanwetherell3609]

Correct! How many lives did he save with his leadership?

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

Well, provided we believe Winters (and I do), it's just a fact that Speirs was a war criminal. The heroic things he did don't change that, and in fact make it even harder to rationalize as a hasty act of fear or trauma. If he was as calm and collected as the series depicts, he acted deliberately. We should recall that a number of German and Japanese officers were executed or imprisoned after the war for doing similar things to Allied POWs. They too may have done heroic things for their own men, but it didn't change the bottom line.

[@reesebn38]

I would follow that man into combat.

[@flojoairflojoair3369]

@@dudermcdudeface3674 General Taylor said NO POW's during D-Day cos they were behind enemy lines the prisoners would become a reliability to the whole group safety

[@OutintheWild00]

“Dick” Winters is one of the nicest, most genuine and unassuming men I’ve ever met. My old boss met up with him with me, just some young buck, in tow. I hadn’t even seen the series yet, but it was out. I only realized the gravity of the meeting after watching it. God bless him and all the men and women of that generation who saved America and the world.

[@donalhartman6235]

Winters was an amazing man...articulate, loyal, and smart. I can believe his men would have followed him anywhere.

[@TraceVandal]

How does this not have a million views? Maybe check the video's tags. For real, his should be a huge video!

[@yugurtz]

Not sure where it was..but it's way past a million now! I was we had interviews with speirs. Though having to imagine in itself is building the legend's story.

[@obgmugen]

One of THE greatest american heroes who ever lived....him and his men in easy company

[@jeffbosworth8116]

My dad would argue his airborne company was just as good

[@onylra6265]

@@jeffbosworth8116 The American airborne in WWII as a whole are legendary warriors - easily some of the best light infantry, ever. My grandfather (2nd NZ division, Greece - Africa - Italy) used to glow in his praise for them. And he was tough as fucking nails, you don't earn his admiration lightly.

[@christianbalka3766]

And any other servicemen who risk their life in the service of this country.

[@buckeyesmith782]

Speirs grabs the collar of the President of Simon & Schuster and says "I'm taking over".

[@hededcdn]

🤣

[@chodebon75]

and the guy stares up and him with a look of shock and quickly nods.

[@drewrothenberger1183]

Dick is a damn legend. You know your a badass when you call Spears, one of the baddest dudes to ever live “Sparky”

[@MetalDetroit]

I read all of Donald Burgett’s books about his days in the 101st airborne, D company. He called Spiers the toughest soldier he ever met. Highly recommended books. Curahee, the Road the Arnhem, Seven Roads to hell. Beyond the Rhine.

[@IanMarkie]

Oh man, great books! Cant recommend them enough. He also did a lecture, a quick search found some here, but I dont know if/where the originals are. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYjIdZlrftGriJo

[@MetalDetroit]

@@IanMarkie Didn’t know about the lecture, thank you, will check it out!

[@seanmccaffery9821]

Hell yeah! Band of Brothers the show and Burgett's books forever changed my life. There's not a day that goes buy that I don't think of that generation and what they did.

[@TheBurgett]

Burgett was in A company

[@MetalDetroit]

@Ms Bliss I have that movie, it’s very good. Thx !

[@InspiredJJ]

That’s cold as ice.

[@Sjef83suzukiSV650]

how can you be friends with someone like that....?

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

@@Sjef83suzukiSV650 just clipping a couple Nazis, no biggie. It's the only reason some of our grandpas went.

[@shapandsons7402]

@@Sjef83suzukiSV650 Everyone did things like that in WW2. A dear old gentleman I used to visit who kept budgies and liked to make paper flowers for his wife, who never looked like he was anything but a kind and good human being was part of a group who in the deserts of nth Africa tied an Italian POW to the back of their truck and drove 1300 miles back to Siwa. I asked him if he was there and he said "Oh yeah, we did that. On occasion, yeah. That one when we captured him he killed one of our buddies with a knife. Bastard deserved everything he got = wasn't much left of him in the end, just a pair of feet bouncing along the back of the truck." The hatred in his face was incredible. But war does that to you.

[@titisuteu]

@@holstorrsceadus1990 Well that is what the Russian pilots said when they strafed East Prussian civilian refugees who were on the ice in the Baltic. When you kill innocent people for crimes they did not commit, just because other people, their conationals, commited war crimes, you become the monster you claim to punish. “Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes back at you.” A quote from Nietsche.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

@@titisuteu if you're not fighting against the Nazis doing Nazi things in your countries name then I don't care what happens to you. If it helps destabilize and topple the enemy then it's good. Wiping out civilian populations is fine with me. Grind the enemy into the earth so mercilessly that none of survivors (if there are any) ever think of sitting back and allowing their neighbors to take up arms again. DGAF about enemy civvies as if they aren't part of the solution then they are part of the problem. If they had taken care of the brown shirts themselves then grandpa wouldn't have had to fly halfway across the planet to go on a killing spree. If you are part of the tax base for an enemy then you existing is material support for the enemy. There is no such thing as collateral damage.

[@nitromethane6752]

Many men were awarded the medal of honor for a lot less heroism than Ronald Speirs showed in battle more than once. If anyone deserved it, he did.

[@mariag2563]

If he was a Marine he would've got the MoH. As would Winters. One of the reasons Marines are awarded disproportionate numbers of MoHs is because, as a PR conscious service (their very existence depends on it), the USMC push hard for recognition. The US Army, on the other hand, literally capped the numbers of soldiers it would nominate MoHs to in WW2, reserving them for the truly. exceptional.

[@TheJeffro451]

The legendary tales about “Sparky” are probably what kept him from receiving the congressional Medal of Honor. A great soldier who deserved to be recognized for his bravery, but too much of a PR nightmare for the military.

[@chipschannel9494]

They didn’t care about the “stories”’, they were just glad to have a good leader again.

[@smk3390]

Imagine being able to write historical books with the help of the historical participant.

[@eddiemclean7011]

If only we had leadership like this today. Both in the military and politics. We are a nation adrift, no anchor, no engine, corruption is our only tide.

[@senoJSR]

We've had too much peace. Sure, we've had wars but those were more or less training exercises none of them posed an existential threat to us.

[@R33F3RMONSTER]

no goal either, no direction.

[@rhett1029]

@@senoJSR that’s what made this generation tragically so great they were literally forged in the most hellish time ever and if you survived you had drive and determination

[@sheevinopalpatino4782]

@@senoJSR Glorifying war is moronic. Cease your idiocy.

[@MetalDetroit]

@@sheevinopalpatino4782 Where is he glorifying war. Cease your misreading.

[@mrquirky3626]

Speirs was so wonderfully intimating in the mini series that I have a really hard time picturing him with the name "Sparky". Sparky is what you name a small, cute dog, not the most badass soldier out of a company of badasses.

[@laloponce7527]

Well said, but is also interesting they called him sparky as smth that turns on pretty fast

[@alainsterckx9154]

we gave one of my colleagues the nickname "Sparky" after his vehicle burned down on the highway on day...

[@docbearmb]

Or Clark W Griswold

[@usssanjacinto1]

Former Detroit Tigers manager was named Sparky Anderson and he was a badass.

[@celebrim1]

My Grandfather was a First Sargent in what was effectively a special ops company that had been fighting WWII since before the USA was officially involved in the war in places from South America to Burma and China. He latter served as a DI after Operation Torch. He got a Bronze Star and Purple Heart at Kassarine Pass after a 105mm knocked him unconscious and he fought his way back through enemy lines to rejoin his unit. He is probably the scariest and most competent soldier I've ever met. During the war, my father was very close friends with one of the sergeants in his company. His nickname was "Foxy", after the fact that he never dug his own foxhole, he just waited for one of the green recruits to get killed and used his. "Foxy" was absolutely as scary of an SOB as Speirs, maybe scarier, because where Speirs was presented as cold blooded, Foxy enjoyed it. So yeah, it's a very soldierly thing to use a cute nickname for the most badass scariest man in a unit of badasses.

[@andrewbarker2422]

May these men rest in peace, true heroes

[@arthureaks3591]

My uncle came back from WWII and never spoke a word about it, no matter how many times we kids asked. My mom said that Jim came back from the war and cried a lot, got drunk a lot and went to church a lot. He was always quiet and kind-a man to look up to and be like. Now all kids get are Jim Jordan and Ron Johnson, both cowards in their way. That’s national decline!

[@cameochris]

Man did his duty and got his hands dirty so we enjoy everything we had today and Winters ain't a snitch man stop judging these old guys with modern ideas that they afforded you the time and opportunity to learn

[@ExpIores]

Amen.

[@dlajeunesse66]

Hooah!

[@weeeeelp]

What an excellent comment. Amen

[@tekay44]

these men were dragged out of the depression by a war we didn't want, they were hard though, my dad was a beast. as nice a guy that lived, but, he could go beast mode, ww2 educated.

[@steveharris7116]

@@tekay44 you have to imagine how many of those men came back with what we now call PTSD, but they did not have a name for it at that time

[@jimgood1949]

Speirs retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1964. One of his assignments late in his career was as the American Governor of Spandau Prison in Berlin, where the highest ranking former Nazi officials were held. If only the prisoners knew of his reputation.

[@randoroberts]

I would like to imagine that they DID know and that it was on their mind night and day.

[@23GreyFox]

It is only a crime if you lose the war.

[@jimgood1949]

@@23GreyFox So you support what the Nazis did in WW II?

[@23GreyFox]

@@jimgood1949 please read my commend again and tell me where you think i'm wrong.

[@steveharris7116]

Prisoner Albert Speer mentions in his book, Spandau: The Secret Diaries, a "hard-nosed, irritating American Commandant"; that man was later identified as Speirs.

[@NocturnalProductions]

“We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.” -L.K., Dallas

[@troy9477]

U know that is a quote from George Orwell in a BBC broadcast in the late 30's, right? Orwell the British commie. But he understood the division of labor in society and the need for certain specialties.

[@codymoe4986]

Ironically, it is those very same rough men who mean to do us harm, they are just marching under a different flag....

[@shadowscreamer1]

I forgot how old band of brothers is. It still holds up in 2021

[@IIISWILIII]

Indeed!

[@sgtbilkothe3rd]

2024...

[@CSC52698]

It's one of those series that will hold up until the end of time.

[@FINALLYOUTAFTER6]

That smirk.. Eternal respect sir.

[@pauldehart744]

I am in awe of such men. I have started rewatching Band of Brothers and just amazed at what they did at that time. I am a former member of the 101st, aviation, and I followed in their foot steps of the history the set to this day of those of us who have worn the Screaming Eagle patch. Last year I was able to met one who joined the Division just before the Battle of the Bulge, great and a fun man to be with.

[@scoobiedoo2517]

If Ronald Speirs enters the room, quit smoking immediately!!!

[@scoobiedoo2517]

@Ms Bliss lol love it!!!

[@71Splinter]

the balls on Spears man, even outside the war, no fear

[@tgrimshaw]

Who is Spears?

[@kastork82]

@@tgrimshaw Britney.

[@71Splinter]

@@tgrimshaw Speirs them, sorry my spelling mistake was so indecipherable

[@71Splinter]

@Schlomo Baconberg it was done on both sides, its just war, should he of done it, prob not, but were we there, can we really understand, no

[@71Splinter]

@Schlomo Baconberg I guess but they'll never be able to understand

[@CarlosSouza-wm2sf]

A true hero, this man was a example for generations to come!

[@WernerKlorand]

I still remember how I felt when I watched the series (which ranks among the best things I have ever watched) and Spears emerged as Commanding Officer of the Easy Company, filling the void of officers the soldiers didn't trust. I was so relieved to see that those men finally had a true leader again! The makers of the series did an incredible job in showing this. (I'm German btw) You still shouldn't shoot POW's, neither to make a point or to create the persona you want to be known by. But I totally accept that those times cannot be judged by any standard we take for granted today.

[@misterbaker9728]

He was ordered not to take pows

[@cavscout7113]

@@misterbaker9728 We had no problem jailing germans for exactly the same thing after the war.

[@hannahdyson7129]

Trust me even now those todays standards apply

[@hannahdyson7129]

@@misterbaker9728 Taking POWS are a waste of resources to be honest

[@bigh7972]

I make sure to watch this series from time to time. It is important that I never forget their names and the contributions they made during WW2. The heroism and sacrifice these men made was extraordinary. I get emotional every time I watch this series. I am well aware the emotion comes from a place of knowing there is a debt we all owe that can never be paid back. Even those that made it back in one piece were never the same after what they witnessed.

[@markbimson3442]

Wow, Maj. Winters you pull no punches. We live in a crazy nation today, but you and thousands of others allowed us to be here today.

[@tango470]

This man here is a hero. Such a great man.

[@pacibaco]

Better men have never lived. Winters defines what it means to be a Man

[@hinkhall5291]

We need more real men like Winters, Speirs, Joe Rogen and Adam Carolla.

[@jimmycakes7158]

My pronouns are he/her

[@Damian-qu2fg]

@@hinkhall5291 Joe rogan ahhahaha

[@4600norm]

What a ridiculous statement. There have been many better men than either of them.

[@anthonygaertner2396]

@@Damian-qu2fg Joe Rogan is great....a big F u to the establishment and the libtard media

[@Q45t]

These were men. To be able to live in peace you need men that are capable of great violence when necessary.

[@marcocortes8246]

I loved the part in the series where the guys are telling the replacements to not accept any cigarettes if speirs offered and I found it hilarious 😂

[@eliasadam2345]

Yeah, it was a good joke, I speak Speers was in on it to by finding them digging a fox hole and going up to ask them.

[@ConstantineJoseph]

The way Ronald Speirs lead the charge on the last 105mm howitzer at Brecourt manner is nothing short of sheer bravery. It was noted that he wasn't in the cover of the trenches and he lead a brazen assault on the howitzer, being totally exposed to counter fire all the while. His men, seeing his exemplary leadership, simply did exactly what he did and followed him out in the open for the assault. He was going to get the job done and more.

[@casario2808]

Well yeah, but let's be honest he was also lucky given how exposed he was. If he was gunned down it might of vern called rash

[@jshepard152]

At first, the Germans didn't shoot at him. I think they couldn't quite believe what they were seeing. But that wasn't the really astounding thing. The astounding thing was, that after he hooked up with I Company...he came back.

[@MetalDetroit]

I read all of Donald Burgett’s books about his days in the 101st airborne, D company. He called Spiers the toughest soldier he ever met. Highly recommended books. Curahee, the Road the Arnhem, Seven Roads to hell. Beyond the Rhine.

[@utoobia]

Best scene in the series. Punctuated by Lipton’s smile at that point.

[@jamie49868]

I still get goose bumps just reading the lines. He cared about his men, and killed the enemy. I'd lace up the boots to serve with him.

[@johnmilton3836]

Extraordinary! All because he believed he is already dead. Therefore he could function appropriately in a war zone. Thus the perfect soldier.

[@franklinhayes5398]

I had a very good friend that was a tank commander, sgt. during WW2 and was on the beach at Normandy. His tank was one of the few that made it ashore on D-day. His tank was the tank in the movie Sahara, white humpry bogart. He had 5 tanks shot out from under him during the war, 3 of which he was the only survivor. These guys was heros. Brave and did what they had todo.

[@fyrftr422]

The tank in Sahara was an M3 Lee. The Lee was considered obsolete and none were used on D-Day so he could not have made it ashore in one.

[@hansgruber6455]

@@fyrftr422 x2 on that, M3 Lee/Grant tanks were superseded by the M4 Sherman by 1944 in Europe. However the M3 series was still used in the Pacific War, since they were more than a match for the small lightly armored Japanese tanks.

[@toblakai5543]

My gradpa was gunner/sighter in T-34 85 during WWII on eastern front in 2nd Polish Army under soviets, and his war stories were exciting when I was a boy, but now in time perspective I dont have any doubt why he didnt like much talk about this stuff... but what he told I will always remember like story about his tank being hit and he being only survivor - only his commander and he made it out of burning tank - commander jumped out first on wrong side of tank and was shot instantly by german infantry, granpa jumped on other side of tank into cover of bomb crater and hided there hearing his driver being burned alive inside tank and german troops inspecting wreck talking about "polnishe sweine"...

[@franklinhayes5398]

@@fyrftr422 he swore it was one of his tanks that he was in during the war. He had more than 5 tanks during the war. He drove it for the movie.

[@fyrftr422]

@@franklinhayes5398 he could very well have served in North Africa in a Lee.

[@saaamember97]

Those of us, who have served in the military since WWII, say that "We stand on the shoulders of giants." These are the giants of which we speak. I'm not even 1/4th of the man these heroes are!

[@edgeofreason2710]

These men were giants, as grateful as I am for what they did, im almost as grateful they don't have to see what this world has become.

[@stevegordon5689]

Having hot lead shot at you on a daily basis is second to wearing a thin piece of cloth on your face in the supermarket according to today's generation!

[@OneofInfinity.]

​@@stevegordon5689 r/woooosh, masks are not the issue, look to Austria at the moment and reflect on what it reminds you of.

[@terrencejane]

Amen brother

[@TrayDyer38]

An American Bad Ass! “He always went first, He never thought about sending anyone in his place…. I don’t know how he survived…. But he did”. - Sgt. Robert (Popeye) Wynn - EZ company 101st

[@geoffmaloney2717]

My father told me things that he and other Australian combatants did to the Japanese in New Guinea during the early part of the fighting there in 1942/3. I will NEVER EVER judge what happens on a battlefield as 1) It was another time 2) I was not there 3) By the sacrifices these and millions others made, I have been fortunate enough to never have to go to or experience war. An old bloke i knew in my childhood, badly psychologically damaged by his experiences always said to me, 'Never go to war kid, they don't throw snowballs'. they sure don't.

[@theblytonian3906]

Australians should never have been involved in that war. Committed in 1939 by the Empire bootlicker Menzies to the British war, we had no gripe with the Japanese. They were not Australia's enemy, but that of imperialistic America and Imperial Britain's. Australia was NEVER under any threat of invasion from the Japanese, and Darwin was only attacked as a consequence of involving itself as a US logistics base. WTF was the 2nd AIF doing in Singapore, Malaya and Rabaul FFS? Fighting for who and what? All subsequently betrayed and abandoned by the Australian government. Rabaul was the only location which was an Australian territory, and the Japanese invasion and occupation of that Island like their attacks on the fleet anchored in Pearl Harbor and the American occupied territory of the Philippines a strategic necessity to counter American expansionist aggression in the south Pacific. Neither America, Britain nor Britain hold any moral high ground here regardless their narrative dominates the -history- comic books read by the ignorant. My uncles fought in PNG, one died the other crippled with disease for life, as did a loved mentor. All gone now. I am from the generation who grew up with PTSD neighbour survivors of that conflict surrounding me. All were affected, just some more visibly than others. Fu¢k the jUSA & the UK and their bankster serving wars.

[@JS-ob4oh]

Actually, you should judge what happened because to not do so insures such things WILL be repeated in the future. Sometime in some future battlefield a solider, maybe one of your descendant, when faced with a decision will say to himself, "Its okay because they did it back then, so I can do it here and now." Or perhaps, an enemy soldier will think that when he has one of your descendant at gunpoint.

[@XxBloggs]

FFS. At the start of WW2 the Japanese invaded Papua which was Australian territory at the time, much like the Northern Territory is now. Talk about ignorant.

[@ricoinsane1930]

I sure wish I could have meet Major Winters, he seemed like such a wonderful and humble man!!! Thank you for all your incredible service Sir!!!

[@dirks4093]

Thank you for this interview. I can't get enough of this great generation. We're losing the last of them in these recent years. I miss them ..as I have so much respect for the WWII generation.

[@robhileman8890]

All generations after this could not measure up to what these men endured and accomplished. Not if you combined them all. Also like how they admit they hated Sobel but that how hard he was on them surely served them well. As for Dick Winters he is an absolute legend. I wish there was more men like him. We have some great people serving but this man was just awe inspiring. To all the legends in Easy Company RIP .

[@danneboya1337]

you earned a sub posting these clips, thank you so much i love these behind the scenes

[@sonofthehills]

RIP, Major Winters. What an inspiration you and your book was.

[@tjm11015]

Respect, undiminished, undying, Respect for your service, you and all your brothers.

[@vega1824]

I could text that to any of Winters interview episode, but it is amazing how many details he recalls while I have no idea what I did 2 weeks ago. That tells us 2 things: 1) he has a remarkable mind and 2) these years were remarkably impactful for his life. RIP Dick, I am trying to live your 10 principles!

[@lingmingching1]

Great clip @Patrick Johnson. Much respect to the late MAJ Winters and the Band of Brothers. Thank you.

[@Cuchulainn42]

All I have to say is thank-you Sir for your service. Thank-you for doing a job that others did not want to do or take responsibility for. Thank-you for making the decisions that kept your Soldiers safe.

[@ereini0n]

This is really interesting! I mostly love how the Easy guys always have each other's backs.

[@johnnyschrder2083]

any proper unit will have each otehers back, especially in a combat zone

[@murewa31]

As devil's advocate... 'having someone's back' by covering up a war crime could definitely be interpreted and criminally complicit conspiracy.

[@noahlangford6758]

@@murewa31 have you been to combat and seen the horrors of war experiencing it and what it does to you? Causing you to make prompt decisions under the stress of death and chaos? Seeing your men you were just shooting the shit with an hour ago get vaporized into pink mist and having to move forward with the next critical decision? Yea man, when you’re with a unit and eat sleep breathe together through the depths of hell, you’re gonna have their back the rest of your life. I don’t mean to get on ya but to be fair, the devil himself is taking his hat off to these gents

[@murewa31]

@@noahlangford6758 perhaps... but the essential argument of "you can't judge if you haven't been in combat yourself" is rather cliche and clearly false logic; this could easily be then used to excuse the worst of war crimes. The massacre of civilians at Oradour by the SS for example. One could easily similarly say "Have you been in combat with partisans and had the frustration of your best buddies turning into pink mist from people dressed as civilians only to be told you can do nothing in retaliation? You can't understand if you haven't been through anti-partisan combat" to excuse and understand the crime. It might seem like 'ad reduction absurdum' but really it is a valid comparison, soldiers killing non-combatants. Similar allegories of not being able to judge if you weren't there could be used to explain away other executions of prisoners: Malmedy, Le Paradis, Biscari etc. We can't simply say of crimes..."Well if you don't have personal experience of that exact situation you can't judge". Yes, yes we can judge. Our entire legal and justice system is set upon this premise and those convicted of war crimes all around the world cannot be defended by this argument. Murder of unarmed prisoners of war is a crime. It's murder. Was then, is now. The men of Easy company were immensely heroic, giants amongst men. Spears was immensly heroic... it would seem, unfortunately, he may also have become a war criminal and crossed a line that most of his comrades did not. The refusal to recognise those crimes from those around him is disappointing. It could be considered criminal conspiracy or perversion of justice. It would likely not result in conviction, look at the low numbers convicted in post war courts. But what I was saying is it that could certainly be argued that covering up a war crime despite knowledge of it could be considered criminal. This is an established legal principle. I have not been in combat ... but I know that murdering prisoners is wrong. Equally, I hope and pray that if those close toe committed crimes as serious as murder, I would have the strength of character to tell the truth. Many of the documented crimes of war, even from the same conflict, are only known of because one or more brave witnesses broke a wall of complicit silence to speak the truth. Biscari is one such example.

[@murewa31]

@@noahlangford6758 I also think, on reflection, that my point doesn't really criticise most of the men, especially of Easy. As Winters points out here, these were always considered rumours by most. Nobody that we are familiar with in the book was a witness who refused to come forward. But someone must have been? The lower ranks guarding said prisoners? Why didn't they speak up? Most likely not comraderie but fear. Fear of Spears, an officer in a position of power who had demonstrated blood-thirst, fear of being believed... fear of being the 'whistle-blower'. I can certainly understand that, and this is why so many were not convicted for not coming forward. My previous point doesn't really effect Winters or most of the men of Easy, they never knew the truth of these accusations.

[@daviddanforth9070]

I now know why, many call Mr. Winters and his band The greatest generation, thank you dear sir for your heroic leadership and service. I only hope my country has leadership and courageous men like you ,to count on when needed .

[@casparcoaster1936]

Really friggen enjoyed that Mr Johnson, many thanks!!!!!!!

[@somajeep4x4]

I love how Spears was taking everything worth value in sight. He was like, that's mine bitches!

[@perriello66]

I am in complete awe of this man

[@jdmaine51084]

Holy. Moses. Everytime I watch an interview of these guys, I learn something new. Now looking back on the episode in question... this one borders on quasi-eerie. Wooow.

[@alisaculley603]

I know in today’s standard, these men would not be considered “brave” or “hero’s” but in the real world these men were! There will never be another generation like these men! My Grandfather, although Canadian, fought during WW2, it took me many years to finally get him to talk! I could write a book on his experiences!

[@user-mj6sl9qv8j]

Not sure what standard you mean (perhaps the "being brave own-up to being fat" standard of heroism?) but I think if you asked any serving soldier or any 'grown-up' today they would register these people at the top of the list of heroes. Vast majority of people couldn't endure the discomfort of living on the line, let alone fighting for it.

[@MrNeelthehulk]

Todays standards would be abandoned real quick if something half as challenging as WW2 shows up

[@johnbelitnikof7476]

This man is a legend. I love him

[@billchriswell2925]

I watch BoB every time it’s on….and still get teary at the same scenes. One of the… if not the best..depictions of what war really is

[@ChancetheCanine]

Thanks Patrick for sharing!

[@Tylarious]

Wow, this is the first ive seen of the story being confirmed. Its what it is. War is hell, these men fought the good fight.

[@DarthPhallix]

The only problem is that when other countries did it, it’s considered a war crime and demonized decades later to this day.

[@davidlittlewood8850]

I can only comment on what I’ve heard but two of the finest soldiers that ever lived 🌹

[@anthonyb27]

This happend more than we realize on both sides. If you read Ambrose's other books "D-Day" and "Citizen Soldiers" he talks about it. As a prisoner you were not really safe until you made it to a rear echelon processing area. If you were taken prisoner right after a fight and someone was heated because you killed his friend, you were in a degree of danger.

[@billrhodes5603]

Yeah, if I had hit the beach at Omaha and somehow survived that slaughter, I doubt I would have accepted the surrender of anyone that had been defending the beach. This kind of thing (and worse) happens in war all the time, which is why we should resist foreign adventures unless they are absolutely necessary. We haven't had a good reason since 1953, though a case can be made for 1991.

[@adamrichardson6821]

The scene where Sergeant Speirs gives PFC Blithe the pep talk at his fox hole late at night is one of my very favorite scenes in the series. Remarkable acting, conveying very subtly how deadly a warrior Speirs was.

[@Fitch93]

Lieutenant Spiers

[@powerrangersofanarchyandor6828]

I love this interview

[@Cardan011]

I served in 63.rd Parachute Brigade in Serbia in mid 1990’s and remember it vividly in one of our classroom instructor going over in detail about 101st airborne actions in WWII, from D-Day to end of Bastogne. Major Winters was example of combat leader.

[@Haakon_The_Viking]

So, Tertius finally spilled the beans... Not that it is a suprise.

[@shatteredthunder]

Tertius was, afterall, the meanest, toughest son of a b*tch in the whole Roman legion.

[@rosered103]

I always wondered about that. Now that is cleared up.

[@AlexSaysHi2013]

From what I've read he was following the order paratroopers were given that if it was untenable to hold prisoners they were authorizethes to shoot them. It was Spiers and an NCO on the night of the drop and they only had 2 prisoners but much like they depict in the show the rumors grew in proportion and Spiers probably was aware and allowed them to in order to cultivate a vicious reputation

[@Mike-01234]

I read about Spiers somewhere the way he said he survived the war was he just assumed he would be killed so it helped him deal with the fear and was able to function without panic. Once panic sets in becomes difficult to function under stress.

[@papaand]

@@Mike-01234 He says that in the series any way. At Bastonge to Blithe IIRC

[@HorFell]

@@papaand Blythe wasn't in Bastogne. He said it the night they were pinned in the Hedgerows.

[@papaand]

@@HorFell Thanks. Just remember the foxhole scene. Couldn't quit place it

[@evangiles17]

I'm going to give you a short history lesson - Capt Harry " The Breaker " Morant, Lt Handcock and Lt Witton were tried and two Capt Morant and Lt Handcock were later executed for killing prisoner's to cut a long story short - Lord Kitchener who was in charge of the boer war was functionaly illiterate and therefore every order he gave was a verbal one and he had in fact given the order But the Australian officer defending the two Australians after he quite legally subpeonaed Kitchener who naturally refused to appear said thus It's really doesn't matter if that ( twit - my words ) kitchener didn't appear the order had been relayed to them via Captain Hunt who unfortunately was now dead and since the order was expected to be obeyed then they had no choice to shoot the prisoner's since back in those days you didn't refuse to obey an order other wise you could be summarily shot The upshot of all this was that when the Australian government found out two days after they were shot the Australian government responded thus - Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES EVER IS AN AUSTRALIAN SOLDIER TO BE EXECUTED They were instructed that they were now all Australian Citizen's because just months before we had been given our independence and they had no right executing the citizen's of another country They also stated that the government of the day considered this to be of such gravity that they would seriously consider not sending any more Australians to the Transval and ending any further assitance to the English Secondly all order's are to be in writing and in triplicate one to be retained by the commanding officer, one to be retained by British HQ and one to be sent to the Australian government - Further all serving officers and soldier are going to be told by us that until an order has been recieved and acknolwledged by the Australian government that no officer or soldier is to act on any such order's This is now why all order's are given in writing And things have now changed alot since 1901

[@adamaizenberg756]

Sparky was the man, most intense moment for me was when that gi was drunk and he had a choice to take him out but decided to let justice handle that man and not himself.

[@hudson2441]

My grandfather took shrapnel in the leg in Southern France. Got a Purple Heart and bronze star. He always had the attitude about the war that they did what needed to be done and he didn’t expect any thanks or special treatment for it. Didn’t even use any veteran benefits or hang out at veterans groups. War is not glory. It’s a tragedy of civilization failing, but he felt they took care of what was unavoidable. Hitler had to be stopped. That’s all there was to it.

[@weeatpplproductions]

Major Winters was a hero. He might not have thought that but it's just the truth. Every single soldier during WW2 was a hero and I thank each and every one of them for their sacrifice. It's because of these men that we get to live the lives we have today.

[@doug4036]

It felt like everyone had read the book back then. I especially remember being excited for the series to premiere. I watched those first two episodes that Sunday night. They hit hard. The next Tuesday was September 11th 2001, and it hit much harder the next episode!

[@timanderson2204]

I bought the book and didnt read it for a few years. I thought it was going to be statistics and military movements and what not. My uncle had read it and told me I was crazy, he said it's nothing like that at all. I opened it and couldn't put it down.

[@rich51187]

*Rest Easy Major Winters.*