World War II Band of Brothers Meets Operation Iraqi Freedom Band of Brothers

Members of the 4th Sustainment Brigade, who provide escort security for convoy missions, pose in front of a M1151 gun truck with WWII vet Don Malarkey, 87, who was featured in the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.”

From left, Forrest Guth, Clancy Lyall and Amos “Buck” Taylor, WWII veterans and members of Easy Company as featured in the TV series “Band of Brothers,” pose for photos and sign autographs for troops during a week-long visit to the Middle East.

World War II Band of Brothers Meets Operation Iraqi Freedom Band of Brothers
By Maj. Carol McClelland
1st Theater Sustainment Command,
Public Affairs
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait
Six World War II veterans featured in the TV mini-series “Band of Brothers” visited Camp Arifjan recently where they encountered a team of Operation Iraqi freedom soldiers eager to show off their “office.”
Former Easy Company Soldiers visited to meet and greet troops and sign autographs. Spc. Matt Klinkenberg and some of his buddies wanted to meet the men they saw in the 10-part series that chronicles the experiences and stories of Easy Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division.

“We’re hearing the stories from them in person that were portrayed on the show,” said Klinkenberg, a member of the 129th Transportation Company. “It’s cool meeting actual war heroes. It’s amazing.”

During the community center visit, gunner and truck commander Sgt. Daniel Moore and his buddies decided to act on an idea they had.

“At first we thought how cool it would be to get an M1151 gun truck up here with the .50-caliber machine gun on it. But then we remembered the arms room was not open, so we just brought the truck,” said Moore, a 23-year-old Chillicothe, Mo. native who’s assigned to 6 Transportation Battalion.

Thinking of the 80-plus-year-old war veterans navigating over gravel, the team drove the tactical truck to the fence closest to the building then arranged to have the fence unlocked driving it even closer. Eighty-six-year old South Philadelphia native “Wild Bill” Guarnere, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, said he appreciated the gesture and complimented the growing crowd for their military service.

“We wanted them to see what 60 years difference in Army equipment brings and how we do things,” Moore said. The crew, who commonly spend seven hours a day for six to eight days inside the vehicle, showed off its up-armored protection platform that’s pre-manufactured to handle the warfighter’s defensive needs.

“Back home, we’d never get to meet these guys,” said 40-year-old Spc. Jeffrey Noble from Bloomfield, Iowa.

Spc. Deigo Dela Vega, a 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry, Ohio National Guardsman from Lima, Ohio, agreed.

“This is a really cool day for me.”

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“Wild Bill” Guarnere, Edward “Babe” Heffron, Forrest Guth, Don Malarkey, Amos “Buck” Taylor and Clancy Lyall visit service members stop at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 19, 2008 during their six day tour to visit deployed service members.

“Wild Bill” Guarnere, Edward “Babe” Heffron, Forrest Guth, Don Malarkey, Amos “Buck” Taylor and Clancy Lyall visit service members stop at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait Sept. 19, 2008 during their six day tour to visit deployed service members.

“Band of Brothers” Travel to Kuwait
Six members from the “Band of Brothers” visited service members in Kuwait, during a tour hosted by the United Services Organization Sept. 14-19, 2008.
The men, who served together in E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division during World War II, traveled 12 hours from the U.S. to thank deployed Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines for their service to our country.
The members were “Wild Bill” Guarnere, Clancy Lyall, Amos “Buck” Taylor, Forrest Guth, Edward “Babe” Heffron and Don Malarkey.
They were scheduled to make a stop at Camp Buehring, Kuwait to meet with service members before moving forward to meet with troops in Iraq.
They began their tour at the Camp Buehring stage, but when it came time to move forward, they were not able to make their trip north due to inclement weather.
However, that did not keep them from fulfilling their goal of meeting with troops to show their appreciation for their service. Instead of going into Iraq, the USO made it possible for them to make various stops around military camps in Kuwait to talk to servic emembers.

“They are happy as long as they are seeing troops,” said Dana DePaul, tour producer, USO.

“It’s an honor to come and visit,” said Lyall. “We wanted to boost the morale and show that we care.”

Although it has been over a half century since these men made their contributions to the 101st and World War II, which were made famous through the HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers,” their stories and experiences are not much different from service members who serve in the military today.

“I am no different from any Soldier here,” said Lyall. “We just have good P.R. people,” he added jokingly.

Much like today, each servicemember served and fought for their country during a time of war. Some volunteered for different reasons and others were drafted.
But war-fighters of both eras faced their own unique challenges.
During World War II, some of the challenges lay in the fact that the fighting conditions were different, the climate was cooler and the technology was not as advanced.
Many challenges that today’s war fighters face involve improvised explosive devices and concerns of suicide bombers who threaten the lives and safety of service members and civilians.
These six men of E Company made the trip to show their appreciation for service members who are involved in the current war on terror and to let those service members know they understand some of the challenges that they face.

“We had an enemy,” said Guarnere, a staff sergeant with the unit. “Here, you don’t know who the enemy is.”

He also spoke of how, although it was extremely cold when they fought at Bastogne, he was amazed that service members fight in the hotter climates of the Middle East.

“The heat, the heat,” he said in an expression filled with much animation. “How you do it, I don’t know.”

During one of their final stops, at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, many excited service members waited in a long line to shake hands, take pictures and show their appreciation for these six men.

“I think it’s amazing getting a chance to see real life heroes in person,” said Staff Sgt. Jarod Perkioniemi, public affairs, and a Farmington Hills, Mich., native. “It’s just a tribute that they came out to see us Soldiers.”

But these men were just as excited to see the troops who are currently making the same sacrifices they made over 60 years ago.

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Wild Thing’s comment………….
It is always an honor and privilege to post stories and photos of our troops serving our country. And to be able to post about the Band of Brothers trip to meet up with our troops is so very special.
Where the article speaks about “Wild Bill” Guarnere, who lost a leg in the Battle of the Bulge. I said an extra prayer for of thanks too for one of my Uncles that also lost his leg in the Battle of the Bulge. I wonder if they knew each other or if they ever met. The others in my family and Nicholas served in other conflicts and they would love this story too.
God bless all of these people and prayers for our country that these men and women are making so many sacrifices for each day.