Here is the history of the 101 … it began on the eve of the great Normandy invasion June 6 1944 … at midnight before… the 101 and the 87th jumped behind enemy lines… 9 my ex step father Russ Jensen jumped with the 87th that night … he died with a germen bullet still in him) … anyway .. the paratroops were to capture certain communication centers and crossroads and bridges …but they were dropped miles from their target.. some were dropped in swamps and they drowned .. they were all carrying over hundred pounds of equipment … but the few that made it alive fought like crazy … they captured at mere eglese .. etc .. when the regular army fought their way off the beach the 101 had been fighting since yesterday !!!
And they thought their fighting was over … six months later their country would call on them again … they were fat and drunk in Paris… but our army was in disaster … the germans were grinding us up in a surprise attack … our goofy infantry was fleeing and surrendering by the thousands … they were all rookies .. they never saw such an impressive and over powering army … we had to get the boys that are not intimidated by hitler … the 101st !!! . but think of this … you,re a young boy ands the grabbed you from a whorehouse and suddenly you,re in a airplane .. it,s bittery cold… it,s loud … you get instructions … everybody all Americans are gone … the germans are rolling .. a town called Bastogne … what country ? … Belgium.. you must hold Bastogne .. can you imagine those boys that nite … iowa boys … polish boys … every kind of boy you can imagine .. they pull their straps tight … double check their rifles .. and JUMP !!... they hit the ground fighting and stopped eleven german divisions .. of course most of them got killed . but they said ‘ f…. you “ when they were freezing and out of ammo … but the germans wouldn’t cal their bluff .. they had enough of the 101 … and when the 4th armored broke through to relieve them they were surprised to find so few remaining .. they had been fighting tank to tank for 3 days to get there .. they knew what a large force the germans had … but when they got to Bastogne they found just a handful of 101st INFANTRY holding … holding … their orders were hold Bastogne at all cost … those fuckers held it … but it was a very high cost .. so you see if you get in the 101st airborne don,t even think about retreat or surrender . when you wear that “screaming eagle” patch .. it is with pride .. but I Can tell you about many other units .. but I think the main driving force for all heroes is not to disappoint my comrads .. or the heroes that are dead are that came before me .. the men that jumped and died that night … the men that were completely surrounded and completely fucked … the men that said “ f … you “