Combat Wounded Paratrooper Remembers Battle of the Bulge | Robert "Bob" White 

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I'm a Marine Corps veteran and listening to stories like this I'm embarrassed that I ever bring it up. My God what a hero. Plain simple humble country boy. This is the America we should never forget.

Thanks to this channel for letting this man tell his story. For 70 years his story remained silent. What a gift that it is finally told. Thank you, sir.

Some of his last words is " I didn't mind dying for ya". I can only wish that if I come to a similar situation that I have that kind of integrity and strength.

Here is a man who isn't afraid to admit his issues from his experiences. From a time when people suffered in silence. His feelings about suicide are remarkable. I am so grateful for this video. Godbless you sir ..

These dudes are fuckin legends. Not a single guy alive now can even begin to imagine the kind of horrific events these men fought in. We will never know what it’s like facing a kill or be killed scenario day after day. We are truly blessed because of these men.

70+ years still has the PTSD fresh in his mind, goes to show it will never go away.

I'm Canadian, but I want to acknowledge that you, sir, are a hero.

Man I love these old timers. Everyone now a days walks around like a tough guy and then you’ve got soldiers like this full of humility. That’s a real man, humble and thankful.

This old country boy's honesty is great and a life worth remembering.

As a kid of the 80’s and 90’s, I’m used to WW2 vets being in their late 60’s and 70’s and being around everywhere I went. Now, at 43, so few seem to be out there and that’s hard to accept! Thank all of them for saving the world. USAF 1998-2022.

I had the honor of meeting Mr. White a couple weeks ago very nice and humble man. I appreciate the sacrifice and all he went through during World War II to preserve freedom and democracy

What a treasure of a man. His story makes me proud of my service.

One of the best interviews I’ve seen. He’s speaking in random, honest cuts. Exactly how he felt. He’s embodied the feeling of war pretty clearly, especially the desire to kill after seeing your buddy in a bag. I was there for the fall of Baghdad, and my interview would last about 10 minutes. This guy is probably full of good stories.

I spent 3 years as a paratrooper at Ft. Bragg in the 82nd Airborne Division back in the mid 80's. Listening to him reminds that being Airborne hasn't changed all that much since WW2. Hearing those same jump commands, "Stand up..Hook up..Check equipment" still gives me goosebumps. AATW, sir.

Your generation saved my family, I would not be here if it wasn’t for you! Thank you very much!

This man has EARNED his place in heaven! I could not have held up under his burdens.

You could really tell how much it all affected him, he's a kind man and was very honest about what combat can do to people and their mindset. Glad he was alright, thanks for sharing!

I had The complete honor of caring for a gentleman in hospice, from this battle he too had a purple heart he was a Bronze Star recipient for his actions. I saw one evening a German Officers pistol he had in a locker box with some other items he kept from the war. He passed with all his family all around him. Thank you all for your service The words Thank You are not enough.

This man is an absolute treasure. I'd love to just give him a hug, shake his hand, and say thank you and sit there and talk to him. My experience has been that veterans who have seen real and sustained combat become some of the most grounded, wisest, kindest, humble, and unjudgmentally honest people in the world as they get older. Their thoughts and actions are so focused and their word economy to easily explain complex issues is so sharp and I marvel at their clarity. I keep listening because I pray one day I can do that for others.

What a story from a true American hero!

As a Marine who deployed Afghanistan three times I love hearing these stories. These men are true patriots and iconic hero’s. Thank you so much for doing this so we can hear their stories and better understand what happened. It’s very different when you put a face to it and you hear the details.

This man is both uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time. The pain he carries with him and he chose to continue carrying for everyone else.

"These memories would lead to a lifelong struggle with PTSD after the war ended." War is hell. Every hero is also victim.

God bless you and thank you for your service. My father was part of your generation and fought with the Navy in the Pacific. You are all my heroes.

What a genuine man! So easy to tell there is truth in his voice! I could listen this soldier all day

He looks and sounds fantastic for 98. Could pass for 75. I hope we all make use of the knowledge these men have to offer us before they are all gone. Bless you sir.

I had the honor to meet this man and hear him talk in person during a book signing for "The Rifle". He was in the 507th PIR of the 17th ABN Div and after the bulge he made a combat jump into Germany as part of Operation Varsity. I wish that I had had more time to talk with him after the event. He was nothing short of inspiring.

A real man. Braver than he can admit whether he knows it or not. A true hero

These men, including my Pops, who flew the B24 Liberator are a national treasure. My Dad never spoke of his service, and after his passing I developed a hobby collecting WW2 memorabilia. Thank you warrior. God Bless.

Listening to these gentlemen humbles me to my soul and makes me so proud to be born in this great nation 🇺🇸 thank you sir for your service and sacrifices

Wow, one of the best life stories I've ever heard. What a man! Thanks to that man! Lord bless and strengthen him.

I love this man- he tells his story like it happened yesterday with such honesty. Bless his heart to have kept his story to himself for all those years. My gosh it breaks my heart knowing that. Thank you so much for interviewing him. This guy is a True American Hero. Thank you Sir for your Service🇺🇸❤️

What an awesome memory. I can't imagine the things this great man saw. What a hero!

Brave soldier. It must've been quite the joy to run into your brother during the war man. God bless you and thank you for your service 🙏

Thank you so much for collecting and maintaining the stories of these men…this man. My dad was a medic in Vietnam. Purple Heart…PTSD…never wanted to talk about it. He passed away at 64 from non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The government effectively admitted it was from Agent Orange exposure when they upped his disability payment with his diagnosis. I had two conversations with him about his experience when I was an adult. I wanted to know EVERYTHING but always respected that it shook him deeply. I never knew if I should push for more information or let it be. Fortunately, he left some journals he wrote when he attended a retreat in Washington back in the nighties for vets with PTSD. It’s heartbreaking to read them yet gives me so much more information I wish I understood when I didn’t understand him as a child and teenager/young adult. 😢 My maternal grandfather was in the South Pacific in WWII and passed when I was 19. We were close and I recall asking him about the war and getting pretty vague answers. My paternal grandfather was an MP captain and passed away in ‘52. I know little to nothing about him since he passed when my dad was 6 other than my dad fought to have my g’ma’s survivor benefits increased because he proved he suffered head trauma at some point before his death. A mystery I need to investigate. Thank you American Veterans Center. Thank you veterans.

When I was in highschool I got to interview a Korean vet that served on WW2 as well this literally took me back in time when I got to talk to him. Thank you sir.

I'm currently serving active army. 91B mechanic! 11 years in. I find it fascinating that to this day, everything he talks about and how he talks about it, it's the same to this day in the u.s. army. The wire he is talking about is fiber wire and yes I've walked that Mile to connect it. And yes people drive over it! When he caught the guys sleeping and didn't tell, we still do that to this day. It's called being a blue falcon if you do tell and everyone will Hate you. We look out for one another, even if it's bad. Tent city! Omg, I've deployed 5 times and we still have tent city.

This great man reminds me of my wife’s grandfather. Her grandfather told me a story when his army unit Surround Berlin to hold it for the Russian army to get revenge on the German city. A young German soldier in a gray uniform walk up to him pleading for him to let him go back home to help his family on the farm. Her grandfather Henry McLean from Bedford Virginia let the German soldier go. He told me he saw himself not a German soldier so he let the German go home. Henry said I wanted to go home too back to the farm in Bedford Virginia.

“I didnt mind dying for you”, these guys were men and im so thankful for them

My father-in-law was in WW2 & Korea.He died before I met him but my wife told me he had nightmares all the way up until he passed.Thank you for your service to a FREE & grateful nation.

this man still jogged 3 miles every other day at age 92! incredible hero

Thank You so much for your service Dear American Sir.

What a gentleman. A true hero in every way. God bless from the UK and thank you

Men like Mr. White make me proud to be an American. I myself severed in the Army as a combat engineer, and during tough times through my career I would think about how much harder the men before me had it.

Thank you sir for my freedom. Truly an American hero from the greatest generation

This man is made of steel,70 years with that all inside,man I wish I could just tell him ty we love you sir

Robert White passed away yesterday 11/20/23. He was 100 years old. I’ll miss you, my friend.

The horror this gentle soul went through and is still living. War is awful.

Holy crap what a story this is the 1st time I have heard about a soldier who experienced opening up a camp with a dead body God bless this guy.

Mr. Robert White, I so appreciate not only your service, but also sharing your recollections. May God Bless You!!!

Thank you sir. Thank you for serving our great nation. Your generation was one of the best. The men from ww2 , they don't make men like that anymore. Not very many. God Bless you sir.

The end of this interview is heart breaking. The nightmares he must have suffered.

Uncle was Airborne in WW2. That was not easy for those young men. God Bless them all, every one and their families.

When your scared shitless and risking your life in war, that’s bravery and courage. Thank you for your service

Wow! One of the most unique combat veteran story I've ever heard. Thank you soldier for telling us your story! I hear you! Former 11Bravo Infantryman stationed in cold Germany here. I'm so glad you lived to tell us your story.

Imagine seeing this old fellow in the street, or at the store and never realizing that he and his fellow soldiers saved us from pure evil back then. Respect.

I would give a week's pay, just to talk and listen to that man! He reminds me of our Granddaddy who was in the Navy in the Pacific in WW2 - God's Speed, thank you so much ❤️

I myself was never in the military but my dad and most all on that side of my family before him were marines going all the way back to the revolutionary war. My dad passed when I was little from cancer from agent orange in Vietnam. I love hearing these memories from people and regardless of what war or conflict it’s from. I think of of my dad and the rest of my family that served for all of us to have what we have in America. It’s great to keep these soldiers memories alive this way.

I’ve never seen or heard a more descriptive story of wartime and I could listen to him all day

Honestly, at this moment there is a lump in my throat due to watching/listening to this humble brave gentleman's military experience. So much respect for him and those like him! Thank you Sir for your service!! God's blessings!!

You sir are a true American hero I could listen to your stories all day long thank you for your service sir

Poor guy has had PTSD his whole life. I salute you sir!

This channel is the most significant of any platform on the planet. These stories need to be saved and shared. I spent 8 years in the 82nd 1st/504th from 04-12 and was fascinated by my units history. When we deployed during OIF and OEF we had substantial pre deployment training and for the most part excellent intel and support from ISR drones. These guys had maps and binoculars and the occasional aerial photograph. Outstanding warriors, each and every one of them.

My grandpa served from 1939-1955. He tells me stories all the time about the war but he always tears up when talking about the battle of the bulge because of all the friends he’s lost there and his brother.

That's why we train! Fear is so damn loud when the bullets fly but continuing to fight and function is a lot to do with training!

Thanks for sharing your experiences. My Father in law was with the 82nd airborne and shared your battle ground. Thank you for your service to our country.

It’s remarkable how healthy he seems to be. You’d think he was in his 70’s. Very sharp. God bless him.

I am humbled by these combat veterans of my fathers generation. I served during the VN war as a Navy a/c mech. No comparison to what they endured through. My Dad never talked about it. I had no idea what he went through until I saw Band of Brothers.

Well from one White to another . What a man thanks for your service. My uncle Hugh White fought in the pacific theater and was wounded with a bayonet . May God bless their family

10:07, my grandpa was there and told us grandsons the same thing, “It’s either you or them and I wasn’t ready to to die.” I wish he had shared more of what he went through but we understood with the simple look in his eyes when he did talk about WWII and not one of us pressed for more, I had the same experience with my dad and father-n-law when they talked about Vietnam.

So I actually had the privilege to know this man. He was always quiet and reserved. He has died recently sadly but I never got to know his story. Thanks to this channel I know now but it would've been great to have seen this before his passing. He always had a smile and he wore his hat everything I saw him. Very great man.

"They was shooting at me the reason I know they were shooting at me cuz I was the only person there" love this guy

What a humble stud. It took me 20 years before I could speak with anyone about my service and it changed my life. I can’t imagine holding that in into my 90s I’m 63 and about 8 years ago a vet finally got me o start talking about it. I hope other vets take this hero’s example and speak of the hard things. It gets easier and easier as you do it and as other patriots help carry that burden and it makes it easier to bear each time you speak

What a bad ass! It’s a shame how he still struggles after all these years. I wish he was more comfortable talking about his time in such a historical event. Not just about him but also keeping the memories of the fallen alive, regardless how graphic.

My grandfather's story was similar. Captured and wounded. Never got his Purple Heart and didn't care. Lived his life rarely speaking about the war. I interviewed him 1 time for a school paper. I pulled a tape recorder out, he said no, he wouldn't speak with the tape recorder on. So I had to talk to him with out a record of it. He saw the bad stuff and those were the guys that did want to talk about it

God bless this man, 70 years of keeping all this inside. Thank you for your service Sir

This man being quiet for 70 years is such a shame he had so much to tell and so many that would have loved to listened. He seems to be such a gentle man. Thank you sir I salute you

Being scared and still doing your job is brave you sir are a hero whether you believe it or not

Such a wonderful man❤

What a Brave gentleman...Thank you for your service...so enjoyable listening to all these vets stories I could listen to them forever...Mr White is a true American hero..God bless you my friend

Memories of the war tormented this man throughout his life, I only hope he found joy in other things, he deserves every good thing and so much more.

I appreciate this man's story so much. I'm so sorry for those who had to go to war

I grew up with men like this. They all served during WWII. They were church members, scout leaders, little league coaches, and family friends. My father was a medic in the fifth army. As a child I would stand around the table and listen to the adults talk when they played card games while the other kids played games. I learned so much from just listening. They’re all gone now, and I miss them.

He can't say it, but we can. He was a hero and a brave man.

Thank you guys and gals for doing this, his story is heartbreaking. A few years ago, purely by happenstance and the Grace of God, I met an elderly gentleman beside me in a Subway line at our WalMart. In chit chatting I had said something about my wife’s late father and his service in the 9AAF in the ETO, 42-45. He quietly, barely perceptible really, kind of muttered that he too was a veteran. After I finished the point of my insignificant dribble, I asked him “You mentioned a minute ago that you were also a veteran, may I ask where you served?” That gentleman looked up at me with the saddest eyes I believe I ever saw and said “29th Infantry Regiment. They dropped the ramp on my Higgins boat at 07:35 am at Omaha Beach. I was a combat medic. My best friend’s head was blown off right beside me.” We live near Bedford/Franklin County. I knew exactly what that meant. All I could manage to stammer was “First wave?” He said “No...second...” First off-I felt like the biggest idiot in the world. Had I known I never would have caused that man to have the memories and pain rush up at him, that’s not a demon I want to see any veteran have to fight again. What that gentleman had to carry in his heart and Spirit, I just cannot imagine. I apologized to him, he said it was ok, I couldn’t have known, he shared a little about fighting the NAZIS back across Europe and into Germany. Trying to save who he could, helping the locals, trying to stay alive himself, getting wounded, albeit slightly. Seeing so many men die horrible deaths. He said he came back and went to medical school and became a doctor. I know it seems petty, he had first said he was getting a sandwich to split with his wife (at home) for lunch, but he had just ordered a 6” sub. I asked him if I could please honor him by paying for his sandwich. He said “But it would be $5.00.” I told him I wouldn’t have cared if it was $500.00, it wouldn’t be enough to thank him properly for all they had sacrificed for us. And it wouldn’t. Ever. All because I simply made a comment that I felt like every high school senior in this Nation should be required to watch ‘Saving Private Ryan’ before they were allowed to graduate so they might garner some semblance, however minor, of what others had sacrificed for them. My wife’s daddy went from planning his life and marriage to 7 Dec 1941, to marriage way sooner, enlisting, several bases, riding the QE across the big pond, Trinidad to the Ardennes to back home and pick up their lives again to having a massive heart attack at 51 and he was gone. She was 12, her mama never even dated again. Our kids never got to hear his stories. I hope their grandparents know what fine, upstanding, hard working grandchildren and great grandchildren they have. I certainly don’t deserve them. Blessed. So, thanks again for doing these interviews, for preserving their history. It matters.

What a gentle man and a true Hero.

Excellent story. Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.

Wow that was good one. That nightmare! They never stop 77 years later.

My step-dad fought in the battle of the bulge. He talked about how cold it was he had seversl medals in a cabinet drawer. He would throw up his food at supper every day for years as long as he lived. He did not say a whole lot but occasionally he would tell some of it. He brought home his 7 millimeter rifle i shot it several times. I can always remember the flags flying in the nieborhoods i miss all of it those guys were tough. I learned some good fighting techniques from him and taught them to my grandkids. My granddaughter had three boys jump her in school and got her on groung she hooked ones leg pulled it to her and kicked him in knee and knocked him down and got up and beat the crap out of all three. The teacher happened to see it all and ask her where she learned to fight like that.😮

God the part where he is talking about "Jack got it" you can really hear his pain. So sad that it happens like that. Thank you for your service.

God Bless you Paratrooper! thank you for telling your story!

Brothers! You can see the joy in his eyes when he talks about running into his brother. 🇺🇸 TY Sir!

Thank you for interviewing our heroes

I really like this man. He did what he had to do and made it through.

BIG thank you for your service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

What a cool man. I’m glad he was here in our history

Very interesting. My neighbor here in the Battle of the Bulge area, he is from 1927, told me a while ago that it was minus 20°C and there was 20 cm, 8", of snow. He is still alive and mental very good. He said he still feels like 18 years old and he still drives his tractor. No car driving. This part was annexed by Germany in 1940 but he did not have to go in the Wehrmacht because he was needed on his father's farm. He also told me how he saw how St. Vith was bombed by the Americans on Christmas day,1944.

Thank you for your service, sir. Thank you for telling your story 🙏

Thank God for this man’s testimony.