Spearheading Across Europe with Patton's Third Army

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Robert “Boots” Chouinard was born in 1923. He enlisted in the Army in 1943, and a year later he was sent to Europe. He touched down on Omaha Beach in France five days after D-Day.
Chouinard and his unit, the 128th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, would join up with Patton's famed 3rd Army and travel across France and Belgium providing anti-aircraft support for the spearhead of the allied advance.
Ultimately Chouinard was sent to the Rhine River to secure the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. While thousands of American soldiers were crossing, they were tasked to shoot down German aircraft that were attempting to destroy the bridge.
After successfully completing this task, they traveled south of the Rhine River, where they made another crossing in Oppenheim, Germany.
Interview recorded on November 5, 2022
Video Credits:
Interviewer - Bob Patrick
Director of Photography - Umit Gulsen
Editor - Daniel Taksas
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[@americanveteranscenter]

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[@7z.gPBESDj]

Thank you all for interviewing my grandpa Boots! I've grown up listening to his stories and it's wonderful to see them shared on KZbin!

[@michaelkinville177]

I wish your family the very best. Your grandfather is a treasure.

[@msau9747]

You're lucky to have a grandpa like that!!!!

[@shanew8158]

Thank him for his service for me, my grandpa was also a ww2 vet in the pacific theater

[@johnnyringo1258]

I could listen to your Grandpa Boots for hours! My Grandad passed 15yrs before I was born so I missed hearing of his experiences in China-Burma-India during WW2. I am so glad Boots made this video and wrote those newspaper articles, he is indeed a treasure.

[@jscho8674]

Your Grandpa Boots is so amazing! He is such a good story teller. Listening to WWII vets discuss their experiences always squeezes my heart. Please give him a hug from this Texas gal, and tell him I thank him for his service. Blessings to you both!

[@marthamacburnie8727]

Boots is my great uncle. He really did get a front row seat to history, and had enough lucky breaks to live to tell the tale.

[@jscho8674]

He's amazing. I could listen to him for hours.

[@andrewdowling8821]

So I and the first dude in the comments are family. Cuz it’s his grandp

[@ShenValleyTrailCams]

I live in Woodstock virginia where massanutten military academy is located in the Shenandoah co where boots went! pretty cool to hear it mentioned. thanks for your service boots!❤

[@jennh2096]

The greatest privilege I've ever had was to care for a WW2 Vet that landed on Omaha Beach, fought thru the battle of the bulge, and helped liberate one of the concentration camps, alongside Patton. I was this man's hospice nurse at tye end of his life, and aside from one interview,he had never told his story, until he told me. That was 10 yrs ago and I remember sitting at his dining room table like it was yesterday, still trying to reconcile the horrible things he had seen almost 70 yrs prior. Especially the camps, it was still inconceivable to him what those poor people had been thru. One of the most humble men I've ever met, may he rest in the peace he deserves. Truly the greatest generation. I thank you all for your service, no matter when you served, to all that have fought for our way of life, I am eternally grateful. Thank you will never be enough, but please know your sacrifices are not left unnoticed or unappreciated.

[@annehersey9895]

I used to work as a Social Worker for the elderly. I was very lucky that many of them trusted me with their stories. I had one client who was from Germany and was married to a Jew who was arrested on Kristallknacht. Since she was German, she went to the Gestapo and read them the riot act as her husband was a well-decorated WWI veteran and had fought so this guy could have a country to be proud of and look how her spouse was being repaid. Since this was before the war or maybe she was just lucky enough to find a compassionate officer and she was an 'Aryan', he released her husband but told her that they both better be out of Germany in 3 days because he was sending officers to her house then and if they were still there, they would both be arrested. They left the next day. I loved the stories these clients told me and as they were telling me, I could see in their faces that they were transported and reliving those times. You are so lucky to have been the recipient of this gentleman's story.

[@patrickjohnnybobbin7323]

Thank you for caring

[@michaelallen1396]

@@annehersey9895 These guys fought for great lies, their buddies got killed for the New World Order, so their children and grandchildren could be enslaved by the liars who started WW 1 and WW 2. Retrospective and real history tells the truth- FDR KNEW the Japanese navy was on it's way to Pearl Harbor and he let over 2400 service people get killed so Germany would declare war to back up Japan. The truth is disgusting but most of these guys who survived will not recognize the facts.

[@jscho8674]

Thank you for giving this hero the care he deserved. Your comment touched my heart.

[@tedhardulak7698]

I was able to care for my Dad in his own home on his own terms till the end. People have no idea what comes from Honoring you parents, as GOD commands. A Pease that can not be described. He was right in the middle of the push into Europe and was fortunate to make it out as many of his friends did not. I cant imagine having to see this and keep pushing as Patton wanted. Yes, it is a privilege to do this. He only talked about it a little. I now so wish I had tried to get him to open up. He was in the armored artillery, wide open machines on the front line. He had to then drive to the next city after shelling it and see what destruction their guns had caused. 105s I think. I have a lot of pictures. Getting shot at and blasted the whole time. Yes, an Honor to do this. I would do it again without hesitation. Yes, the greatest Generation. I would love to send all of our young haters there for a year. They could see why they are not Germans.

[@pgnandt]

My dad served with the Heard. He was an interpreter. Passed away in '79 when I was 16. Too young to be curious about what he did and where he was. This guys descendants will appreciate him recording his story.

[@annehersey9895]

Unfortunately, even if you had been curious, these heroes of WWII rarely if ever, talked about their time in the war and only recently have they been urged to do so for future generations. You can be very proud of your father and through the memories of men like the above, hopefully feel closer to him and know a little of what his life might have been like.

[@stevebruce1235]

I was 15 when my father passed away he was a medic in WW2 wish i had talked to him about what he seen,like your self i was young...

[@pgnandt]

@@annehersey9895 Thank you for saying that. According to my mother as a interpreter he was involved with repatriating the Jews. He did have issues before it was called P TSD. As a child I would find him at night sitting in the dark drinking. As a kid I had no clue.

[@j_rainsgoat3929]

​@@pgnandt did he commit suicide? If so I know your pain.

[@pgnandt]

@@j_rainsgoat3929 No. He passed away from cancer.

[@donnamarsh3474]

99 years old here. Phenomenal! Thank you for your service, Sir.

[@polkbritton]

My grandma's cousin was a tanker in the 3rd Army. He was in one of the first tank units to cross over the Siegfried Line and shortly thereafter his tank hit a landmine and he ended up being the sole survivor of his crew. Spent a long time in Walter Reed healing from a fractured spine and getting new teeth.

[@spencerkleiman5035]

Godspeed

[@tommychew6544]

So many WWII never told anyone about their experiences. I had a neighbor that knew I had served in the Corps during the 80's and he trusted me enough over time to tell me his story in bits and pieces of having been on an aircraft carrier off the coast of Okinawa during a typhoon back then. We ended up having a great relationship fighting the squirrel population that was attacking our homes. He started it by tossing his kills into my yard then me into his to show our progress. I really miss him; he ended up moving away to be closer to family. Men like him just can't really be replaced; they did things we can hardly imagine. And didn't like to brag about it.

[@jscho8674]

Your tale of The Great Squirrel War has me cracking up!!! What a character! :)

[@user-sn8gh2vs1p]

The evil ones had to wait for these men to pass before doing what they are now doing to the USA. And the world.

[@MrDoyle07]

You make me remember my Dad. He was a Soldier in that war. He never really learned to talk about it. Once in a while when he drank a touch to much he would talk in little bits and pieces about it. He was one of those infantryman with that 1000 yard stare, that was his way of ‘talking’ about it. My hat is off to you, Corporal Chouinard. Thank you for what you did for us.

[@kevinkranz9156]

THANK GOD THAT THESE WONDERFUL MEN CAME HOME IN ONE PIECE TO TELL US STORIES ABOUT WWII AMEN 🙏

[@BeefCake1012]

This guy is a real son of Massachusetts… WICKED HAHHD accent and all! 😂🤣Reminds me of my grandfather and great uncles from Massachusetts who all bravely served in WWII. My grandfather Charlie died when I was just 8 years old. I wish I could’ve known him as I got older. I wish I could’ve had the opportunity to sit down with him, smoke a cigar, and drink some of his favorite bourbon (loved the real KY stuff) with him and ask him about his life growing up in the depression and then his service in the war (Army aircraft mechanic, Pacific Theater), building his family and working as a butcher for Chicago Beef for 40 years. My mom being the youngest ‘oopsie baby’ born in 64’ when he and my grandmother were 40. 😂🤣🤣 I saw my grandfather in this man and started crying when I was watching. I miss you everyday and love you so much Pa. I’ll see you again someday and we’ll have that rocks glass in heaven. 🇺🇸🫡 💙

[@ppumpkin3282]

Sounds like people I know from Malden. Get the Boston accept be localized?

[@BeefCake1012]

@@ppumpkin3282Yeah! I was born in Worcester and lived in Grafton as a baby before my dad’s job relocated us to North Carolina when I was three. I moved to Tennessee in 2008 and I’ve been here for just over 15 years now. But I know where my roots are. WICKED PISSAH!

[@thekristinestory]

This man should narrate audiobooks. He has a storyteller voice!

[@ryreinhardt]

I just love his voice an dat accent

[@kornykorhorn]

Paces his words like Christopher Walken

[@ebergg]

Like the Boston accent

[@spencerkleiman5035]

​@kornykorhorn yeah its not fake, polished, but thats what makes it great. His deep aged, gurgly yet clear voice and his cadence timed by his memory created an engaging experience where he paints the story very well from his perspective makes this great

[@bobbicatt]

My father was in the 3rd Army. I am now going through all his letters and photos. He never ever spoke about ww2. We would ask, but he refused to talk about it. Now that I see the things he saw…I understand. Thank you to an entire brave generation who we can now thank for not speaking German.

[@ShawnSullivan352ACR]

My grandfather was a paratrooper with a hundred first Airborne during WWII and his brother was in Army Air corps fighter pilot sadly he was shot down and never made it back his other brother was in the Army Air corps as well and was on a Flying Fortress doing bomber missions as well as several other family members who served in combat during World War II and then as well as Korea and Vietnam including my father who was a Navy Frogman during Vietnam I forget the exact dates of his service but I know that he served during the Cuban Missile Crisis through Vietnam and then I joined in 1996 on an 11 x option 40 contract and got out in 2005 after getting hurt during my last tour in Afghanistan I served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan also deployed to Sinai Egypt a few times and Kosovo

[@bradr2142]

Thanks for your service young man. Lots of love for you young warriors.

[@jennh2096]

Thank you to you and your family for sacrificing so much for our freedom

[@williamsherman1089]

Thank you for your service!

[@tommy6905]

Still here.

[@karenwilson712]

Thank you and your family for their service

[@Velodan1]

What a wonderful story teller. Cpl Boots had a remarkable memory, He’s captivating.

[@7z.gPBESDj]

He HAS a remarkable memory, he's alive and well today!

[@jscho8674]

It make me so so so happy that he is still with us.

[@williamsherman1089]

What a delightful old timer, we owe him and all the men that served in that war everything!

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

My best Freind in 1970's Jr. High was Abe our Janitor he drove a tank for General Patton. I was the only kid he told that to . My parents survived WWII in the Netherlands. Like them and my grandparents they didn't talk much about it to most so I got bits and pieces. Your Videos help fill the holes in between. I've read Pattons Biography in about 5th grade.

[@johnmcintyre1965]

Abe must've been a nice man.

[@zefdin101]

What an amazing man. I feel honored just to be able to hear him tell his story. A national treasure.

[@BlueWaterSTAX]

The Greatest Generation, really is great. Thanks Veterans Center. God Bless our vets

[@kevinjohnston4512]

Thank you sir.

[@mattkeith1180]

I loved hearing him speak. It would be hard not to smile while this Man laughs.

[@motaman8074]

Thank you, Sir, for your service. My Dad's uncle was a medic with Pattons 3rd Army.

[@V3T_TALK_4_Vets]

I love this interview I wouldn’t mind doing one myself and I also do the same things on my channel as a veteran I was stationed in Afghanistan for 15 months, Korea, Germany and Guantanamo bay

[@ShawnSullivan352ACR]

Thank you so much for your service from a US Army Airborne Ranger qualified 11B combat veteran who spent most of his time with the hundred first I salute you and your entire generation who serves you guys are the heroes

[@jennh2096]

And thank you too sir, for your service. I know a simple thank you can never be enough, but I'm truly grateful for all of our Vets who fought to protect our way of life that we so easily take for granted

[@randalstiles6285]

If the time comes? I pray I have this man's courage. God bless him.

[@patricknoveski6409]

What a humble Man. Yeah brother, You were on the cutting edge of HISTORY! RAHMAGEN, THE RIVER CROSSINGS. All the historians study endlessly to get the facts , and you my friend, were Right there! Hero.

[@cwheremonster8870]

My grandfather passed in 1976 at age of 52.. he only ever talked to me about the initial landing at Omaha beach.. by the time he finally got out of the water, all his best buddies were cut down.. dead before they even got to the beach. He was a very simple American farm boy. Even right up until his death, he was only ever proud of ONE thing… and that’s was liberating the French from the grips of the Nazi’s.. love you, Don.

[@dgott7726]

The Queen Mary made the Atlantic crossing solo because of her speed. She was fast. Her speed, combined with a zig zag pattern, made her possibly the safest troop transport ship of WWII.

[@JIMBAYRIDGESCOTT]

My father was also part of Gen Patton's 3rd army , he was in the 12th armored division , many of the things this man talked about my father had told me about , like about the battle of the bulge , my father was on a M7 priest, it had a 105 mm howitzer gun and at one part of the battle this cannon instead of being elevated for distance was pointing straight on into the forest , because the Americans didn't know where the German tanks were hiding , in the morning my father told me they found a tiger tank with 3 shell holes in it about 40 yards in front of them , had they not got it by luck the German tank would've had no problem with taking out the M7 , yeah these guys went through quite a bit over there , that's for damn sure , anyway,,,,,,,,, thanks so very much for sharing this mans story.

[@4wheeln4fun]

i wish they weren't so constrained on time. he could tell stories for a long while and I'd like to listen to them all. felt this way on several of these videos. let him talk until he doesn't want to anymore.

[@dwjunior]

👏👏👍👍

[@rikijett310]

Thank you endlessly for your service Sir!!! May God bless you always!!!! ✝️🇺🇲

[@FOH3663]

Right there, ... the Greatest Generation ... - Church - Football - Pearl Harbor - The Queen Mary - Normandy - Battle of the Bulge - Liberation of Paris - Victory in Europe Day Tuesday May 8th 1945 - Naked in the Danube That's one helluva dance card right there ... I need to get busy!

[@rockhunter6260]

Funny guy, loved your story. Thank you for your service and my God bless you and all your fellow service men and women👍🏻

[@warskye5686]

He is a wealth of experience I could listen to him for hours. Growing up I had the chance to listen to a Gentleman who serve in WW 1. What stories. So too did I here from German Russian Hungarian and American soldiers. Keep him talking all the little things such as his rations, issue of clothing etc. Thanks Boots.

[@andrewmccaffrey9381]

This guy is a gem, what a wonderful story teller and testament to the Greatest Generation

[@chrisman6571]

I recently met a veteran who told me the “government of today is not the government he and his friends died defending.” Clearly, there are vets who still love freedom and The Constitution.

[@briangoldy8784]

Pretty Sharp Man, for 99 Years old..Omaha Beach to Germany.

[@fazole]

I read the biography of a ww2 vet who also wanted the Marines, but during induction in Summer 44, they lined everyone up and picked every 10th to be a Marine!

[@itsgoodtobeakidfamily6805]

So honored to hear these accounts.. thank you to each and everyone of our veterans.

[@MarineMikeGolf3587]

What an awesome American fighting man. The real deal. I like how he pointed out how disappointed he was he didn't get laid in Paris. Great story.

[@nicholascox6411]

Thank you for interviewing our heroes !

[@skimmer8774]

Thank you for sharing your story. I mean it. You really did a great job telling it to us. And you are a good model for today's youth to follow.

[@glenn6583]

Thank you American soldiers for all you did for us!

[@wildcat8598]

I can’t imagine going through what these Men went through. Some just starting their lives. It’s crazy to think how the world and especially our country has become. Thank you Sir

[@nickinportland]

I love that he started writing for the paper and told his story finally. How many wild tales from the 20th century are lost to history.

[@gfabie4901]

Love this guy. His energy is infectious.

[@Brooklyn-rj3np]

Wonderful storyteller and human. Awesome

[@chrismoll6862]

Respect

[@MajorDan1138]

Thanks, Boots!🎖🇺🇲🌟🗽 You paved the way for me to serve in Occupied Berlin, which was an awesome tour of duty!

[@Native_love]

I dealt poker to a bunch of WW2 vets in the 90's! One of them was also on the Queen Mary and went to England as well! It was a great honor to deal to all those WW2 and Korean War vets! Their stories would ALL be GREAT movies now days!

[@Stew357]

Ty for your service Mr. Chouinard!

[@user-du5qs2sd9e]

This guy is great I love hearing story's from our elders.

[@adamkushner5240]

Thank you and God bless your Generation will never be forgotten 🙏 ❤️ America

[@dwjunior]

I truly wish I could give each one of these wonderful veterans a hug 🤗 God Bless each and every one of them. Those who we are lucky enough to listen and learn from are indeed special and I cannot thank them enough for telling their story. Infinite love to all our veterans, military, and Allies. God bless America! Although current conditions are heartbreaking, we are still the greatest nation in the world and a free people.

[@TheAntHill184]

Thank you fellow soldier. I salute you and all who you knew and served with. FINISH WELL my friend.

[@nicholascox6411]

God bless these men , saved us all from the evil

[@anthonysinclair4114]

What a great man, love from Australia 🇦🇺

[@vashmatrix5769]

Thank you for your sacrifice & sharing your story. God bless you.

[@judithcampbell1705]

Thank you 💛 Boots for your service. All you men are so brave, and we owe you to never forget what you sacrificed for our freedom's. Ty again Sir. I enjoyed hearing about your experiences. May God bless you and keep you safe.

[@jamesbrewer2865]

Thank you Sir. I Salute you.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

⭐🏆🎖️🏅🙏🇺🇲 Thank you for sharing

[@Andrew_Smith_Richard85]

My grandfather was a soldier in Patton's Third Army. He've been fighting since the Normandy landings. to the Allied parade in Berlin He is one of the few veterans of the Third Army who are still alive I never understood what he had to go through throughout the battle. Until I became a Marine and fought in the Iraq War. And I got to understand what they had to face throughout the battles they had to face.

[@ddorn04]

When we lived in Virginia our mechanic (Ray Rudisill) had served under Patton in WWII. Thought the world of Patton. The stories he shared were amazing.

[@robertlivingston8835]

This was great I could listen to this badass all day.

[@ThatDrummerFrank]

he has the same accent as my grandfather who grew up in Charlestown MA in the 40’s and 50’s

[@jgonzalez101]

Wow what an awesome experience! So thankful to God that he lived to tell about it. The Greatest Generation, our WWII heroes and Veterans!

[@knunyabeasewhacks8744]

LST= Large Slow Target. My Grandpa was a combat engineer in Patton's 3rd Army. This guy reminds me of him.

[@KerboOnYT]

Thank you sir for sharing your story

[@OrbitFallenAngel]

My Grandpa served in General Patton's 3rd Army during WW2!! I never got to talk to him or ask him about what he did during WW2... He was a draftsman and I believe that he would draw up the maps...from the pictures that the Allied Aircraft would take above....now im not entirely sure, but I believe that is what he did for General Patton... 🇺🇸🙏❤ I love listening to these American Heroes talk about their experiences during the War... Thank you for sharing this!! It's truly a great interview!

[@janlindtner305]

Another good and interesting interview. Hope you have extracted all the details from these unique people/veterans...............

[@starjunkie5328]

Lightning 78th. The taking of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. I still wear my uncle Roman's dog tags around my neck. Although, one of the tags went inside of each soldier's boot. He made it back home, but lost his mind to contracting syphyllis during the war; many, many men did. A secret that was very covered up. But I'm proud of every one of them.

[@larryb982]

Appreciate the upload. Would love to hear more stories from this feller. Thanks for your service boots.

[@dancortes3062]

My great grandfather was also in the 3rd army. He sadly passed away shortly before I was born. It's very interesting for me to hear stories from someone who was in the same division.

[@chillis28]

Much respect Sir!

[@ghostgk5888]

Thank you for your service, Boots.

[@davidlord7364]

Thanks Boots, God bless you

[@randykeho6347]

My father was there, too. He was in a tank destroyer battalion attached to Patton as they crossed Belgium and into Germany. He rarely said a word about it. None of my friend's fathers talked about there experience. We learned during my next door neighbor's funeral service that his unit had been surrounded on an island in the South Pacific. He and one other guy were the only ones who escaped after their commander told them to they were free to attempt to get out on their own. He had told his story to his granddaughter shortly before he passed. His wife knew, but his son (my best friend) and daughter where never told.

[@jdgoesham5381]

My Papa was with the 3rd through WW2. I wonder if he knew this gentleman. Papa died at 92 about 15 years ago or so. Crazy how a guy who went through so much made it to 92. These guys were for sure a different breed we don't see anymore.

[@turkeysandwich1998]

8:00 I live next to the Queen Mary, they offered cruises to Catalina Island and back all complete with a theatrical performance with the guns firing and a dog fight so neat I got to ride on that same ship so many soldiers like our guy here was on

[@teller1290]

What year did she still have guns mounted?

[@johnelliott7375]

Thank you for sharing this with me and my family and friends!

[@345Weeehrs]

These guys are unbelievable.

[@Joellikestobox]

Thank you for your service

[@dynasticlight8706]

Amazing Man, along w/ all others that were there . Rare breed indeed.

[@dwjunior]

Happy 100 years old!! 💪🏻😎

[@davidkimmel4216]

Great interview. Thanks

[@frankhoffman3566]

The great ones never talk about how brave they were or how many they killed.

[@bnighter]

What a joy to listen to!

[@charlesboucher9533]

What an amazing interview. A humble, honest guy thrust into history, amazed at the fortunate contingencies ("breaks") that directed his service. This is a priceless document.

[@joeruger5858]

Thanks for sharing this

[@monstman99]

I really enjoyed listening to this man speak. What a great story teller - so full of life

[@rusty6365]

Thank you, guys

[@dougtaylor8735]

My Dad served in the 3rd Army. He got to France just after the Battle of the Bulge and went across and into Germany. He crossed the Moselle and the Rhine. He was in the 89th Infantry Division. At the war’s end his tour wasn’t up, so they stationed him in Vienna in the occupation troops. So many of the greatest generation are gone now, but will never be forgotten.

[@grumpy1962R]

Thank you for your service!

[@shadygrady2347]

Awesome content ! Who could not like this soldier

[@markrebman9882]

Thanks for your service sir!

[@jamescarlphotography4523]

We lost my grandfather a few years ago at the age of 96. Pap was in the Navy and served in the Pacific theatre -- miss him greatly and this reminds me of him. Thank you for telling your story, Cpl Boots!!

[@danielabbott9312]

Thank you for documenting these incredible stories of our nation's greatest heroes

[@MoreFormosa]

awesome video, and what a spry and energetic personality this great veteran has. Thank you for documenting and sharing his story !! My Grandfather also fought in Infantry with Patton's third Army and had some incredible stories that I wish we recorded on VHS back in the day. He redieved a bronze star and purple heart among other medals, had an unusually long period of continius days of combat. He woke up clear back in England in a hospital. His platoon had been replaced three times over due to attrition, before he himself was hit by a german grenade 🇺🇸🇺🇸💪🏼😎

[@gunchief0811]

Love these interviews. These are honest hard charging Men.

[@ariebroek2404]

Wonderfull story😊. Thank you Sir for sharing