[1 of 7]
December 23rd, 1944. Battle of the Bulge, Day 7.
Early morning, the 82nd Airborne Division digs in along the front lines in the Ardennes' northern sector.
A tank destroyer from the 7th Armored Division moving back passes a lone 82nd trooper digging a foxhole.
December 23rd, 1944. Battle of the Bulge, Day 7.
Early morning, the 82nd Airborne Division digs in along the front lines in the Ardennes' northern sector.
A tank destroyer from the 7th Armored Division moving back passes a lone 82nd trooper digging a foxhole.
[2 of 7]
The vehicle commander, unsure of his location, stops the vehicle and asks the trooper if this is the frontline.
The trooper, Private First Class Thomas Martin, replies, “Are you looking for a safe place?” The tank destroyer commander replies that he is.
The vehicle commander, unsure of his location, stops the vehicle and asks the trooper if this is the frontline.
The trooper, Private First Class Thomas Martin, replies, “Are you looking for a safe place?” The tank destroyer commander replies that he is.
[3 of 7]
Martin, a paratrooper armed a mere rifle, talking to a commander in an armored vehicle: “Well, buddy, just pull your vehicle behind me. I am the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going!”
The tank destroyer commander is amazed by Martin's confidence.
Martin, a paratrooper armed a mere rifle, talking to a commander in an armored vehicle: “Well, buddy, just pull your vehicle behind me. I am the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going!”
The tank destroyer commander is amazed by Martin's confidence.
[4 of 7]
The story, first documented by a reporter in 1945, is largely overlooked for two decades. In the early 1960s, the quote becomes associated with this picture of a dirty, tough 82nd Airborne Paratrooper named Private First Vernon K. Haught near St. Vith during Bulge.
The story, first documented by a reporter in 1945, is largely overlooked for two decades. In the early 1960s, the quote becomes associated with this picture of a dirty, tough 82nd Airborne Paratrooper named Private First Vernon K. Haught near St. Vith during Bulge.
[5 of 7]
That photo actually has nothing to do with the story. [Remember, this is the no-BS account of the Battle of the Bulge].
Both Haught & Martin were members of the 82nd Airborne; both were near St. Vith on this day, but Martin (not Haught) is the author of this quote.
That photo actually has nothing to do with the story. [Remember, this is the no-BS account of the Battle of the Bulge].
Both Haught & Martin were members of the 82nd Airborne; both were near St. Vith on this day, but Martin (not Haught) is the author of this quote.
[6 of 7]
In 1965, this recruiting poster, ("compliments of your unit reenlistment office") is created, giving birth to a legendary story.
In 1965, this recruiting poster, ("compliments of your unit reenlistment office") is created, giving birth to a legendary story.
[FINAL]
Why did this story resonate so widely? First, it's an inspiring quote from a dismounted Soldier telling a tank to follow him.
Second, the picture of Haught. You simply know from the look that he's tough. He's a bad@$$. He's not going to give a damn inch to any Nazis.
Why did this story resonate so widely? First, it's an inspiring quote from a dismounted Soldier telling a tank to follow him.
Second, the picture of Haught. You simply know from the look that he's tough. He's a bad@$$. He's not going to give a damn inch to any Nazis.
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