Lt. Ronald Speirs: The Honey Badger of WWII

[crownjules]

In the 2nd episode, didn't Spiers get his squad killed attacking the fixed position because he approached it in a similar gung-ho style attack? Rather then go through the trenches, he took his guys around them where they were exposed to the gun fire.

[kage69]

Originally Posted by halik

Wow didn't realize Dick Winters has passed last year. RIP.

I wasn't aware of that either I feel like I need to drink something now.



Another Ben Soloman fan here, that guy was a death machine. What is it about dentists? I remember posting about a Canadian dentist who drove off a polar bear by stabbing it in the face with a SA knife. Do they channel rage easier than others or something?

It's stories like his that really hit a nerve with me. He wasn't a rifleman or part of an assault squad or anything, he was a medic trying to protect his charges and entered "the zone."

"Days later, when an Army team returned to the site, Captain Salomon's body was found slumped over a machine gun, with the bodies of 98 enemy troops piled up in front of his position. His body had 76 bullet and many bayonet wounds, up to 24 of which may have been received while he was still alive."

That's called going out with your boots on.

[SphinxnihpS]

[NFS4]

Originally Posted by crownjules

In the 2nd episode, didn't Spiers get his squad killed attacking the fixed position because he approached it in a similar gung-ho style attack? Rather then go through the trenches, he took his guys around them where they were exposed to the gun fire.

Winters lost one man, PFC John D. Halls from an 81mm mortar platoon,[8] and Private Robert "Popeye" Wynn was wounded during the attack (Wynn was evacuated back to England, recovered from his wound and rejoined Easy Company just before Operation Market Garden). Another casualty was Warrant Officer Andrew Hill, who was killed when he came upon the battle while searching for the headquarters of the 506th PIR. "Rusty" Houch from F Company, who was with Speirs, was killed as well. One soldier from D Company under Lt. Speirs' command was also killed, as well as one soldier wounded from D Company.

Speirs only lost two guys. Four Americans died in total; but they killed 20.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brécourt_Manor_Assault

[zinfamous]

Originally Posted by SphinxnihpS

Respect.

[angminas]

Originally Posted by zinfamous

Respect.

IIRC, didn't he get a lot of his kills in like two months or something? No wonder they called him that. Think how it would feel to know he was out there, looking for you. *shiver*

And back on Captain Speirs, I have a lot of respect for his courage, but sometimes it takes more guts to not charge a position, a la Major Winters.

[Oakenfold]

Originally Posted by halik

Wow didn't realize Dick Winters has passed last year. RIP.

I'll admit it. I just about cried when I heard this.

I highly recommend picking up his memoirs.
http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Band-Br...inters+memoirs

[uclaLabrat]

Taken during our drive across the country in September, Ephrata, PA

[BladeVenom]

The biggest BAMF of WW2 is probably Paddy Mayne. As a commando behind enemy lines, he destroyed 100 German planes. One of them with his bare hands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paddy_Mayne

[OutHouse]

Originally Posted by Arkaign

I love that guy!

My favorite BAMF WW2 guy is Ben Salomon though.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_L._Salomon

Shame he died, but holy .. what a beast mode he pulled before buying it.

Salutations!

Medal of Honor Citation :



CAPTAIN BEN L. SALOMON
UNITED STATES ARMY

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty:


Captain Ben L. Salomon was serving at Saipan, in the Marianas Islands on July 7, 1944, as the Surgeon for the 2nd Battalion, 105th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division. The Regiment’s 1st and 2d Battalions were attacked by an overwhelming force estimated between 3,000 and 5,000 Japanese soldiers. It was one of the largest attacks attempted in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Although both units fought furiously, the enemy soon penetrated the Battalions’ combined perimeter and inflicted overwhelming casualties. In the first minutes of the attack, approximately 30 wounded soldiers walked, crawled, or were carried into Captain Salomon’s aid station, and the small tent soon filled with wounded men. As the perimeter began to be overrun, it became increasingly difficult for Captain Salomon to work on the wounded. He then saw a Japanese soldier bayoneting one of the wounded soldiers lying near the tent. Firing from a squatting position, Captain Salomon quickly killed the enemy soldier. Then, as he turned his attention back to the wounded, two more Japanese soldiers appeared in the front entrance of the tent. As these enemy soldiers were killed, four more crawled under the tent walls. Rushing them, Captain Salomon kicked the knife out of the hand of one, shot another, and bayoneted a third. Captain Salomon butted the fourth enemy soldier in the stomach and a wounded comrade then shot and killed the enemy soldier. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Captain Salomon ordered the wounded to make their way as best they could back to the regimental aid station, while he attempted to hold off the enemy until they were clear. Captain Salomon then grabbed a rifle from one of the wounded and rushed out of the tent. After four men were killed while manning a machine gun, Captain Salomon took control of it. When his body was later found, 98 dead enemy soldiers were piled in front of his position. Captain Salomon’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

damn that is totally bad ass. the man died with honor.

[dennilfloss]

When I was a kid in grade school, we learned about Audie Murphy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy

[Scotteq]

Originally Posted by SphinxnihpS

Vasily Zeitsev, No?

[skyking]

My father was in the 4th Marines, 23rd Battalion on Saipan.

[BladeVenom]

Originally Posted by Scotteq

Vasily Zeitsev, No?

Simo Hayha, Finland, greatest sniper ever.

[Scotteq]

Originally Posted by BladeVenom

Simo Hayha, Finland, greatest sniper ever.

Thanks

/salut

[xanis]

Originally Posted by BladeVenom

Simo Hayha, Finland, greatest sniper ever.

505 confirmed kills with iron sights

[SphinxnihpS]

Originally Posted by xanis

505 confirmed kills with iron sights

My point exactly.

[zinfamous]

Originally Posted by Scotteq

Vasily Zeitsev, No?

no. this is the guy that killed a shitload of Russians.