2012 Memorial Day interview with the oldest living member of the Band of Brothers, 95 year-old Frank Perconte of Joliet, Illinois. (From Chicagonow.com/newsboy/)
I had the honor of interviewing Mr. Perconte in 2007 for a college paper I was writing. I still have the interview on tape, and I can only say it was the greatest interview I've ever conducted. I was heartbroken to learn of his passing, and I only can hope that he now rests in peace. Thank you for your service, Mr. Perconte, and it was a true honor to talk to you. RIP.
@@novaduh Well I have the interview on cassette tape somewhere. I'd need to find it and convert it to digital format, though I'm unsure how to do this. No doubt I can, but yes, I'll need to track it down, as we moved recently, and then convert it.
It is awesome in every way that word can be used but "the Pacific " is the greatest no offense intended but what the Marines went through in the Pacific makes this look like a walk in the park no disrespect in any way whatsoever to the Airborne they are great men and did great things
"I got hot chow, hot showers, warm bed. Germany is almost like being home. I even got to wipe my ass with real toilet paper today. So quit asking when are you're going to see some action."
I had lunch and dinner with him and had him at my son's high school for a Q and A. When I saw the movie and the end said Frank Perconte - went back to Chicago to be a post man - I though later I'm going to whitepaged him. There was a phone number. I held on to it for a week before I called. I said what are the chances of a this being the real Frank Perconte. When I dialed it rang. When someone said hello. I said Frank. YES he said. Frank Perconte? He said yes. What do you want? (he was tart in person as he was in the movie) I was pure and simple. Speechless. I said let me call you back. I was that choked up I called him later and said I want to meet you and take you to lunch. He doesn't live very far from me. I sat with him in his living room and we talked about one of the series. He said hold on let me put it in and we watched the one where they liberated the camp. What is the name? So I sat there the whole afternoon drinking Pepsi
I met these guys in real life, and it always cracks me up watching interviews like this. Most of them, if not all of them are gone now, last Eagle who did his final jump was Rod Strohl. Al Mampre before that, both in 2019. Frank died 24th. of October, 2013, a month before Earl McClung. They'll be missed, but never forgotten. Oh, and I agree with the rest, the music was too loud.
I lost some blood and skin during Desert Storm. But nothing compared to my WWII, Korea and Vietnam heroes. You guys (And Gals!) are tops!! God Bless You All!!!
To the guy interviewing, people want to hear the person being interviewed, not your voice. And do you think for a second Mr Perconte would snitch on Lt. Spieres ever? Even if it did happen Mr Perconte would take that fact to his grave.
When I saw this documentary it made me feel proud of them, and of course sad, because of the great sacrifices they all made for our country and what they all did and achieved during world war 2. I loved the camaraderie that they all shared and how they looked out for one another. I Thank God for these men because He (God) in all His wisdom choose the right men tough, valiant, and dedicated to the mission; For He knew what kind of man it would take to bring this war to an end. God, I Thank You for Your many blessings that You have bestowed upon us as a nation. I Thank You for choosing these tough men of Paratroopers from Easy Company, 506th PIR, as well as all who participated in this Great War. They have all departed now and are no longer are with us, but their extraordinary valor and bravery remain with us as a testimony. May the peace and love of God always be upon their families, May You O'God cover them under the shadow of Your Might Wings. In Jesus Name I pray. CURRAHEE!!!
I'm making a effort to get in contact with this man, I live like 2 hours away from him. Hopefully I can do it before I enlist in a month, trying to get into the 101st.
coolest men on the planet. imagine our youth today, these hipster pussies trying to do what these men did! Im glad these movies come out so these men get the credit they deserve
AndersonSprenger - I don't remember the exact quote but Winters said in his book that Speirs was a killer and would likely get into trouble in today's army. But I think he respected him. The paratroopers found those men useful.
@RonnyDonny13 There is a "Major Dick Winters Tribute" series on RU-vid and in episode 5 Major winters tells the interviewer that The lawyers at Random House were concerned about possible lawsuits because of some of the stories in the David Ambrose book, "Band Of Brothers"...Spears actions being a major one, along with Nixon being an alcoholic. Winters states that he called "Sparky Spears" and asked him about it and Spears flatly stated that it was true, offered to, and in fact did write a letter attesting to the fact and that letter was in Winters' possession, among his papers having to do with the Ambrose book, at the time of that interview. Whatever anybody else says or said, if Major Winters states something that flatly on camera and says he has a letter backing it up, that's the version I'm going to believe is true.
We will never know the exact details of the prisoner shootings. I believe Speirs was secretly ordered to shoot those prisoners. What were we going to do with prisoners on D-Day?
Read or listen to band of brothers ( Stephen e Ambrose) and beyond band of brothers ( major dick Winters and Cole c Kingseed) the show was great the books are better wonderful interview
I know Winters said that Speirs was a real killer, but as far as 20, it looked more like 5 or 6 maybe and they didn't have any where to put them or hold them yet, remember?
+조현민 He was Italian and also my Grandfather's friend growing up in Joliet, IL he died a years later at the age of 96' my grandfather passed away before him in 2006 at the same age of 96'.
With all respect to Mr. Perconte, I dislike the actor who portrayed him in Band of Brothers. and I dislike when Hollywood portrays characters from Chicago with actors who have thick New York accents, we dont speak like that here and were dont talk like some phony wiseguy from Brooklyn, otherwise I have nothing but respect and admiration for WWII vets and all vets in general!
MelMels nRich 100% I’m not from Chicago, myself, but know EXACTLY what you’re talking about. Sort of like how characters in westerns all have southern accents, for some reason.
