BAND OF BROTHERS: Untold Stories of RON SPEIRS Revealed (and more!)🤯| American Artifact Episode 33

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

If you've watched a few episodes and feel like I've earned it, be sure to subscribe so that you don't miss any new content when it comes out. Also be sure to check out The Gettysburg Museum of History and their store at gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com. Thanks!!!

[@dlghenderson2837]

Done.

[@misterbaker9728]

Really want to say thanks. I’m relatively new to channel. I’m a 45 cook outta Cleveland. I’ve been on a huge history kick and you guys are doing a great job!!!

[@glenturney4750]

So, he liked his fingers when he turned pages in that book? That means his DNA is on those pages, meaning maybe he could be cloned, 'cause we need more heroes like him in this country, THAT'S for sure! We need more tough guys to bitch-slap the piss out of these 'woke' soy boys and turn them back into REAL men, men that America can be proud of instead of ashamed of?

[@Freyja_M4106]

Respektfully, It's pronounced Gooteh.

[@magicklady82]

And respectfully has no 'k' in it! Maybe we shouldn't throw stones at glass houses? ​@Freyja_M4106

[@curtgomes]

In Sept. of 2004 I had the pleasure of traveling to Europe with Edward 'Babe' Heffron and 'Wild' Bill Guarnere. It was a 506th PIR Easy Company tour. We virtually went to every place Easy Co. did during WWII. It was an amazing two week trip with Bill and Babe answering questions and narrating events along the way. We started out in London, crossed the English channel, and traveled through numerous countries in Western Europe. People everywhere were gracious and hospitable. We attended numerous special events that were not to be forgotten and visited places where the 506th had seen action.. We also visited cemeteries where Easy Co. solders were buried. I made numerous friends in the attending group of WWII vets. Unfortunately, they are all now gone, but the experience will stay with me forever. It was the trip of a lifetime. After returning home Bill and Babe were kind enough to write to me and thank me for attending. These are special. Total gentlemen.

[@trevorcorkery]

What a great experience!

[@Joe-xd3ur]

Great comment! Fantastic experience

[@shilohpuppy5649]

I hope you thanked those grandfather warriors for all of us who were unable to! Truly the nations greatest generation!

[@glenturney4750]

WOW! What an HONOR to travel back and walk the grounds where they fought, where the metal met the meat. The memories, the stories, to hear it straight from the men who were THERE, EXPERIENCED it, FIRST HAND, must've been AMAZING AND SAD YET NECESSARY, ALL AT ONCE! I wish I could've been there to experience that visit also to try to imagine what it was like what they experienced. I envy your visit, and am grateful for their services, that they risked their lives for our freedoms even though the Liberal nazis are STILL trying to take away from us even today, that we're standing up against and fighting to STILL keep. Nobody said that our country belongs to them only, it belongs to us ALSO, so they better get their heads back into reality, or learn the hard way in the future.

[@curtgomes]

@@glenturney4750 It was truly the trip of a lifetime.

[@HoosierFilms]

RIP Bradley Freeman , last remaining Easy Comapany soldier passed away last week! Fly high brother , you’re a Hero!

[@oldgamesinvestigator7852]

Damn. I didn't know. RIP, hero

[@paulredinger5830]

Soft landings Mr. Freeman! RIP!

[@AmericanImperium1776]

Rip Bradford Freeman. 😢

[@mccuenoirfilms]

I was lucky enough to be with him in Normandy for 10 days in 2019 and took some portraits of him at Brecourt Manor!

[@SamiJuntunen1]

Bradford Freeman not Bradley. RIP

[@mattcoleman5905]

The last surviving member of Easy Company was buried yesterday in my hometown of Caledonia Mississippi, God bless you Mr. Brad Freeman. It was an honor to have met you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸

[@johnfairchild3421]

Warrior Forever

[@covidmaskedmorons]

big ups to you mate for letting us know. These heros would be turning over in their graves looking at the cowardly covid complicit masked morons today

[@gringomandingogaming]

I’m stationed at Columbus, wanna go drink at Rick’s?

[@anthonydm2947]

I can’t get enough of Band of Brothers content. Gotta get to that museum. Great job both of you. Thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@fbcpraise]

There is also a Curahee Museum in Toccoa, GA, where they began paratrooper training. I haven't gotten there yet, but certainly plan to.

[@anthonydm2947]

@@fbcpraise thank you very much…much appreciated 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@fbcpraise]

@@anthonydm2947 Sure!

[@dawndickson2156]

So much information in this video! The actual footage of Ron Spiers speaking is amazing. Your ending clip with the verse from the book of Isiah put a lump in my throat. What you and Erik are doing and sharing is priceless. Thank you gentlemen.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@timf2279]

👍

[@EBethier]

⁠thank you for the very real portrayal of the favorite man in my whole world.!

[@scottkelly7051]

Fascinating. Thank you for telling more of this great man's story. He was the kind of officer I would have loved to have served under. Having an absolutely fearless leader must have given his men so much confidence.

[@tubularfrog]

Very nice to see this human side of Ron Speirs. He was an extraordinary soldier, but the Band of Brothers series gave him sort of a Terminator demeanor. This video showed him to be a good man and he had a family and did have friends amongst his fellow soldiers. We were lucky to have him at that time fighting for us.

[@ralphalvarez5465]

I love that you focused on Ronald Speirs. He was one of the few veterans of Easy Company that retired from the US Army. Most people will be impressed by the Silver Star, Bronze Star or Purple Heart. I am impressed by the 4 combat jump stars and the 2nd award of the CIB. Ronald Speirs needs a section at the 82nd Airborne Museum at Fort Bragg, NC as does Albert Blythe. Both men were misrepresented in the Band of Brothers series. AATW!!

[@vidabs]

The short interview of Speirs in this video is amazing. From the way he talks, I can sense he has an aura of a leader and his hate for the Nazis is also observable. hehe

[@phyllishershkowitz3806]

Thanks for such interesting content. Gettysburg Museum is a treasure trove. You and Erik are doing a stellar job at keeping history alive!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Hopefully the channel is doing some good.

[@SoCal780]

@@TheHistoryUnderground it absolutely is! 👍

[@Joe-xd3ur]

After watching the video, I feel the actor who portrayed him did an amazing job of capturing his personality.

[@deadarmd]

Imo Matthew settles stole the show. He didn't overdo it. But somehow made Spiers "fierce valor" seem real.

[@jfnuyen]

Erik always does a great job of presenting the stories and history surrounding the collections he has. The clip of Speirs talking was very interesting as well.

[@jamesbyington2101]

Especially the "Boston" accent. I didn't expect to hear it. I'm not sure what I expected, but I didn't think he'd sound like me lol

[@larrydemaar409]

I have my copy of “Fierce Valor” that I bought from the museum thanks to your post, highly recommended. Thanks especially for posting that rare interview, interesting to hear his actual voice and thoughts.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Glad that we could share that clip. Almost no one has heard Speirs voice until now.

[@Spitnchicklets]

I myself never thought Mr. Spears as a cold blooded killer. He was a good man and soldier, a leader and a man of courage. I can see how some people would think of him as cold blooded, but war Will make men do things they otherwise wouldn’t. Love all you guys do, I am a big fan!!!

[@IronSikh44]

Thank you for keeping this history alive. They called these people The Greatest Generation for a reason. Professionalism and attention to detail in every matter. It’s not like that anymore. Little details like the inscription from Winters to Speirs, look at that penmanship. Amazing. Easy Company will forever live on through efforts like yours. Bravo!

[@jennymontague851]

Fascinating man. Good to hear Ronald's voice and hear a little of his philosphy in bits and pieces; an unusual man I'd liked to have known. Mathew Settle seems to have portrayed him rather well on the info he had available and to even have met him. Cool. Thanks for sharing the info. I will likely have to get the book to learn more. He fascinates me.

[@SandervkHistory]

This was really cool to watch. Ronald Spiers is one of my favorite men from easy company!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Definitely an interesting guy.

[@fredlist7091]

I've often wished I could've met and talked to Civil War soldiers about their experiences. Of course, the last one died nearly a decade before I was born. So, there is an added angst and sadness that I feel as we lose the last member of E Co 506 PIR and realize we're running out of time to interact with the men and women of WW2. Thank you Mr Speirs and Mr Freeman for doing the tough work that maintaining freedom occasionally requires us to do.

[@jakevendrotti1496]

Wild that Hess was allowed to walk safely in a nice quiet garden during his imprisonment. Fed, clean, clothed, breathing fresh air and getting sunshine. If what he did doesn't deserve the death penalty, what does. RIP to Ronald Spiers and all the honorable men of Easy Company. We salute and appreciate you forever.

[@Chief-Solarize]

Dude this is crazy!!! I'm glad to have heard his voice now.

[@genewilkerson8528]

My son has something in common with these men. Not only was he with the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. But he also received a Purple Heart while serving in Afghanistan.

[@cuzmcc]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@thehock9083]

i cound be wrong but im pretty sure the 101st was decomed after ww2 and was never reactivated.

[@genewilkerson8528]

@@thehock9083 you are very wrong. The 101st is currently at Ft Campbell in KY. They no longer jump from planes but jump from helicopters. Air Assault!!

[@timf2279]

@Gene Wilkerson You are correct. However, they still have several units on jump status.

[@fatsidekick]

@@cuzmcc what about this is funny?

[@acmund]

Thank you to the family members that allowed us to see these relics...truly amazing.

[@JR-zv6qm]

Wow, that footage of Col. Speirs speaking is amazing!

[@jeffe9842]

I was absolutely glued to this amazing and fantastic episode. Thank you, JD and Erik.

[@fowchiiiliedpuppiesdied]

Wow, we finally get to see and hear this man, what a privilege, thank you.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

My pleasure!

[@deanbacon8245]

When JD and Erik are on , full attention to the content , you guys are amazing with your knowledge!!

[@dhobnob4179]

Love the videos J.D. My father, brother and I made the trip to Normandy from Ireland in May last. We used many of your videos to get around and see all the sights. Specially following the Easy Company route, we all share the same fascination. Ron Speirs was by far my favourite character in the series and seeing this video on my feed was a delight in itself. Some awesome pieces put together by the people at the Gettysburg Museum of History - I would love to bring my father and brother there some day, until then - please do keep the videos coming!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@robertmanelski8482]

Band of Brothers is along with Pacific are my favorite WWII series, that said I did not read the book "Band of Brothers" until last year and to my amazement the series left out Forrest Guth contribution. I went to H. C. Conrad HS in Wilmington, DE and was shocked when I found out that Forrest was my Electric Shop Teacher. Forrest was a quiet man and not many of his students were aware of his role or why he walk with a slight limp. I have been to the museum many times but my interest is mostly CW but Forrest Collection of artifacts did not register. Now I realize that us boomers made a big mistake by letting Hollywood tell us their version of WWII instead of our fathers and teachers and those men who were on the front lines. I commend Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, for what the have brought us, the realistic war stories. JD and Eric keep up showing us these stories they are what this country is in need of right now "American Pride"

[@Josh31656]

I loved the tribute to Bradford Freeman at the end. Well done JD and Erik!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@robertmoffitt1336]

Bought the audiobook from audible as I was watching this vid. Never Forget 💝

[@ThillyDude]

Amazing!!!!!!Good job!!!Greets from Luxembourg, Europe!

[@warbirdwf]

I'm ordering that Book on Speirs tomorrow on Audible. I find that I often read the autobiographies of these WWII vets who lived such long and interesting lives and think how boring my life has been! I remember thinking that exact thing after reading Chuck Yeager's book 30 years ago. Those guys from that generation were simply a different breed. Thanks for the continued great content you both provide on this channel.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@billace90]

Excellent program. Thank you so much!

[@jb6027]

I read the Speirs book. It was excellent. I enjoyed this video very much also.

[@likilikiki]

I'm always off work for 2 weeks during xmas and new years and I always watch Band of Brothers during those days off. When its nice and cold and dark out with some snacks and beverages and the heat turned up.... I look forward to it all year 😁

[@ntvypr4820]

All this and all our heroes of WWII, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf wars must not be forgotten. Every single one deserves to be remembered and we owe an unpaid, never ending debt of gratitude to all our service members. Especially those who served this nation in wartime. Thank you for all you are doing in the service of that, to keep these memories close.

[@fordguy3032]

I loved reading Hang Tough and am waiting for Fierce Valor to be delivered tomorrow. As usual JD, Erik and Jared keep this history alive. God bless you guys.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@Nooneself]

Thank you for honoring Ron Speirs

[@interstellar618]

Really great video, thank you!!

[@SoCal780]

Amazing story! These men were the real deal. Thank you so much for putting this together for us, it is GREATLY appreciated.

[@davidkimmel4216]

Really enjoyed the video Thank You so very much

[@darylgilbert3494]

This man has never made a bad video, Thanks for all you do.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@rossydee]

another great video mate. Ronald speirs was a true leader.

[@ljlj2917]

Great video. Thank you

[@shaunoleary8740]

Wonderful video. I'll have to visit!

[@jeffsquires6620]

The history of ww2 is gaining momentum and more people by the day appreciate the sacrifices that were made by so many. I recently started collecting and have American, British, Canadian and German hats. The prices are going up and it's sad to see the relatives of veterans having to sell their artifacts.

[@carterreasoner]

I’m currently reading the book and love it! That was really cool to see some footage of the man himself for the first time. Great stuff as always JD!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Glad that you’re enjoying the book.

[@timsharkey1993]

Brilliant video! Thank you. My dad was a WWII Army veteran, so every bit of homage paid to all of these heroes is music to my ears.

[@baronedipiemonte3990]

Speir's video is golden. And he answered my question about Hess' mental state... that he believed Hess was faking his psychosis.

[@jdhaase1417]

Great stuff as usual!

[@allanlabay1433]

Tnx for your gallant svc... Ron n easy co.🙏🙏🙏

[@andrewmcintosh6413]

Ronald Speirs, A Scotsman, born in 1920 Edinburgh. At the time of watching Band Of Brothers I never knew he was a Scotsman. As a Scot myself I'm proud he was part of Easy Company and his memory and exploits is documented. I look forward to buying the book about him. There must be a record somewhere of which hospital he was born in Edinburgh. They were the greatest bravest generation to ever live through a tryanny of evil, and combat successfully against it. Lastly you could say the Scots born Ronald Speirs is the True Braveheart.

[@tonyflanagan5682]

Never thought Spiers would be like that even as an older man. You can’t believe they guy in the clip was such a warrior. Fascinating and thanks👍

[@allandavis8201]

Truly remarkable video of Lt Col Speirs, I was surprised by the excellent quality picture and sound, and once again JD and Erik come up trumps with an excellent episode and remarkable artefact’s. Thanks for sharing, thumbs up 👍 all the way. 👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸🇺🇦

[@spikejonze6182]

One of the BEST history channels!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@albertodeleon4865]

So much is owed and cannot be repaid. Heros who answered the call. Thank you Love ,Honor and Respect to them and their families.

[@tamathalamb9193]

Will say it again, your videos need to be in our schools.

[@vinoman123]

Tremendous video. Of all the BOB members Ron Speirs was the most intriguing and mysterious. I wasn't surprised to hear he didn't like the Ambrose book. I spoke at lenght several times with Lt. Ed Shames and he also felt the book was filled with inaccuracies. It was part historical and part storytelling. The most honest and vivid interview on the PIR in action is Art Dimarzio. He was right next to Spiers when he shot the GI and describes it in detail. You have to watch it. I can't express my gratitude for your preservation of the BOB and WWIi history.

[@MattBell73]

Incredible. So great to see more into the history of Spiers. Such an underrated character on BOB, but not to me, so I love this info and especially the interview, if not only just to hear the legend first hand. Thank you.

[@TowGunner]

UNDERRATED? Do you know the meaning of the word? In Ambrose’s book, some members of Easy considered Spiers a better CO than Winters. Spiers, only being in a few episodes of BoB is the focal point in each one.

[@roadlizardcu8664]

Wow, an interview exclusive! Impressive. Would take a lifetime to see and hear the story behind each peace in the museums collection. Extraordinary collection Eric.

[@sanctifiedandsaved5298]

This is great to see light shed on the "mysterious" ron spiers - even though HBO's band of brothers may've provided a dark view of him - they couldn't negatethe truth of his courage and leadership.

[@M.ODonnell]

My gosh, that interview footage! Incredible to hear him speak about Spandau. Thanks, JD!

[@fredv7487]

Well done JD. Always informative. Thanks for the hard work.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@luigivincenz3843]

Wow thanks dude. Speirs sounds very sharp for a man in his old age when that interview was done. And the video wasn't that grainy but looks remastered. When men were men. R.I.P. Major Speirs. (PS I can believe Speirs anger with Ambrose, it's like he makes up stuff. The scene where Christenson was caught drinking water was nonsense accdg. to the other Easy Co. vets saying Christenson was the toughest of them all and would rather die than do that)

[@lpd1snipe]

Good stuff I'm going to have to buy both of the books you have there. I didn't know they were even available.

[@metalm4910]

Thanks for showing us this content Ronald Spears is a true American Badass that history should never forget thanks to you guys we got to get a bit closer look to the personal history of Ronald Spears I appreciate that thank you very much and keep up the good work

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🇺🇸👍🏻

[@hanlivoges4855]

Thank you for a great video. Band of Brothers is one of my favorite war movies to watch. Love the history, I learn everytime something new from the history. So thank you, greatly appreciated.

[@gregmccartney5780]

This story continues to fascinate. Thank you.

[@thomasanthony9374]

That footage was incredible. Another great episode as always. Thanks for sharing JD!

[@henrypulleine8750]

Fascinating! What an interesting career Spiers had. I wonder what happened to his two D-Day companions (Art DiMarzio and Sgt Floyd Corrington)? I think DiMarzio survived the war, but Corrington died on 6 June- presumably near to Spiers? This must have been a terribly traumatic introduction to war and may explain some of his later actions.

[@Unit13FREMSLT]

Really cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@bhenders52]

As an owner of a Standard Poodle, I can say that they are not just for ladies. I got my first as a rescue and found them to be very much a man’s dog. Very intelligent and very loyal. It’s all in the haircut. Great video and great man.

[@va3svd]

I used to deliver papers and one of the houses on the route had a Standard Poodle. I never messed around with that dog. It was attentive, protective, and more than a little ferocious. I was frankly afraid of it when it was outside.

[@jimcronin2043]

Any time I see a video from History Underground pop up I know that it will be good. This was no exception. All of your installments have been well-done. The best were those done on-scene in Normandy. They were superb.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@darthmong7196]

My great-uncle was a Dog Company Toccoa man, and my old workmate served under Sparky at Spandau. He absolutely did it.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Wow!

[@etherdetroit1977]

That video clip at the end was like opening an awesome Christmas present when I was a kid. I've been a WW2 fanatic since I was a little kid having one grandfather storming Omaha Beach with the USMC and another grandfather who was an anti-aircraft gunner in the Pacific in the Marianas. Namely Saipan.

[@philipcollins5440]

You just get more and more interesting as you dig into your history stories. Gr8 Job... Thanks

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👊🏻

[@davidelder756]

Regarding Spiers shooting prisoners, I recall a scene in "The Longest Day" where Colonel van der Voort (not sure of spelling) tells his troops that the mission was STRATEGIC and they couldn't give the enemy a break. He said "Send 'em to Hell!"

[@rodimus371]

Great stuff !

[@jimwiskus8862]

Always completely amazing, and mesmerizing. Thank you so much for all that you do JD and Erik!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

🙏🏼

[@fxdci]

Excellent work as usual guys!! Just a note.... Not a criticism. Weymouth is pronounced Waymith.. Yeah I know so what! lol!!! Keep up the great work!!!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks!

[@johnkarcher2321]

Never stop digging deeper into WW2. Great job!

[@floydburney6060]

........ They were known as the greatest generation for a reason. The 506 & all the others who served as they did in 2 theaters of war in the 1940s & beyond is a story that must be preserved & respected for future generations to know & follow their example.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Agreed.

[@jimmyhorton8297]

Absolutely one of my favorite channels on KZbin. You guys seem to knock it out of the park every time. Great to see beyond the what the movie portrays. I understand the need for creative license when making a movie, but it’s also important that the truth be told. Great job, can’t wait to see your content on Pearl Harbor.

[@stevenebel3424]

I just finished reading Fierce Valor. It’s a great book! Congratulation to Erik and Jared! JD your content is always top notch!

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

👍🏻

[@kennethclaar922]

You guys are a heck of a team and you have a mountain of history in that treasure chest of a Museum . Your like the Batman and Robin of history . Great job

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Ha! Thanks.

[@kennethclaar922]

@@TheHistoryUnderground just ordered the book ..thanks

[@deckerbob]

JD, what a wonderfully brief yet informative history of one of America’s greatest 🇺🇸

[@stephenrrose]

Another Home Run by the JD & Erik team! Great Information and way to set history straight on the Man, Myth, and Legend! Loved the clip at the end, also educational and loved his saying of "I was told they are going to tear it down and make a parking lot, that's America for ya." Still holds true today!!!!!! I took more out of it than that, just found that interesting as well. Thank you for all you do.

[@jmcgoo4270]

Thank you both for your dedication to preserving the history of Easy Company. Awesome job thanks!

[@sasquatch885]

Excellent!☝🏻

[@anassawallha9213]

Maaagnificent episode. thanks

[@AnyaLexi]

He was so badass! I NEED to buy that book 😍 His metals are unbelievable. I love that he kept serving his country.

[@55giantsfan22]

When that interview aired, i wonder if anyone knew how much of a badass he was

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Doubtful.

[@CrossTrain]

Erik and his co-writer did an amazing job with the book "Fierce Valor". I also picked it up at your suggestion on another video JD! Thanks for that. Also, another great video. Love this channel!

[@roubini74]

the greatest generations. Many of these young men died so that most can live in freedom. Many ppl of current generations cant even gave up their seat to elderly or needy on the train let alone their lives fighting for honor, comrades, country and freedom. extraordinary times, produce extraordinary men. They are extraordinary. RIP.

[@Fotosynthesis858]

Your coverage is well put together. Thanks for all the great content. I really wish my father would’ve lived to watch Band of Brothers because he’s a war veteran himself. Unfortunately he passed away about a year before the show aired. He would’ve loved it ✌🏾

[@joeschmoe233]

Eric.....Can't wait to come to your amazing museum and see all of these treasures for myself! I've been watching your videos for a year now, and I love every single one. Please continue your awesome work!

[@dylanogden812]

I'm so blessed, thankful, grateful any word u could say to describe these and all the amazing heros we have there's no one i respect more than our veterans God bless u all 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@dustyvanbrocklin4731]

Fierce Valor was an excellent book. Keep up the great work Erik and JD.

[@evanmyers100]

Read the book when it came out. Had to go back and watch Band of Brother again really like when you and Eric do these.

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

Thanks! Glad that you enjoy them.