Ronald C. Speirs | Absolute Legend
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- čas přidán 19. 09. 2021
- Lieutenant Colonel Ronald C. Speirs was a World War 2 combat veteran, who commanded
Easy Company from the Assault on Foy to the culmination of the War.
He was a stoic man of rare courage and deed. One of the greatest generations.
Ronald Speirs cuts a fascinating figure, and because of the lack of personal information out there - down to his very stoic nature - a certain mystic has grown up around the man.
He is the first Absolute Legend that we will explore in this new series.
Speirs has been depicted in the 2001 HBO mini-series Band of Brothers
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"You realise you're already dead it frees you to be a soldier. No mercy. That's how wars are won" Ronald c spiers. GOAT.
GOAT indeed
To realize this you must have been a combat soldier!
@TheDukeOfDankness not even true for a moment.
You have never been more wrong. Also it's not about mercy. As a soldier you fail to show it you will never be better than your enemy.
Now I am not contradicting him. I am contradicting the lack of context future generations take from what he said as it was FAR more contextual than that.
I love it when decades later Winters asked Speirs if he really did it, and Speirs doesn’t miss a beat and says hell yea I killed em.
WW2 was no playground for the sensitive a-holes or other meatballs.
Technically he was asked if any of the stories were true and he said "yes" they were all true. But all of the stories were contradictory, some say he killed the prisoners some say someone else did, some say he killed 20, some just 6 and some say he left one alive. All we know is that he didn't care and his commanding officers certainly didn't either.
@@Will_Parker have to take into account that the allies had no hq during the initial stages of d-day and were ordered to take no prisoners as described in the video. We will never know.
@Will_Parker my uncle that older than much aunt by several years. Was a bronze metal winner told me they took no ss or Hitler youth prisoners. Officers had them (prisoners) dig hole and they shot them or just shot them outright from day till it was over. May he rip.
He was a war criminal a Pos
As a combat vet from Iraq and Afghanistan, I can honestly say that every WWII veteran is a hero. Nothing I ever did could EVER be viewed in the same realm as men like Col. Speirs. Salute to him, a true giant among us mere mortals 🥃🇺🇸
Fsir play, Zach. Thanks for serving also, man.
The fact that you served makes you just as worthy, as does anyone who serves
Thank you for your service Zach.
Dont compare killing innocent ppl in iraq to this.
@@TheDukeOfDankness Appreciate that, just glad that I could follow my childhood dreams. Appreciate the support!
You can't watch band of brothers without shedding a tear
Yeah man. One of the few times I shed a tear.
My father, god rest his soul. Was a warrior to his core, he fought in Korea as a 18 year as US Marine. He saw stuff that haunted him till his death. His combat buddies told me he was one of the baddest fighters in Korea. I asked him, he said he was good at it. But also stated he pissed his pants durning combat, but he fought for his fellow Marines. Not god and country but for your buddies! He also said anyone who bragged about combat, never seen it. He said it was so horrible that he didn’t want to remember it, but he did. He took his demons with him to the grave.
God bless your father, man. RIP to a warrior.
That's usually the difference.
In my family, everyone that was in the service has always been very quiet and humble about the subject, and what they did during that time. Even when I was even old enough to actually inquire about it.
Though I've never personally come across it, even at V.F.W. events, beyond small anecdotes or inside jokes, I can imagine the guy that's more than willing to brag and talk about his time at length is probably full of it.
At least from my observed time around those guys.
I remember the one thing my grandfather said about his time in Europe was that he'd never been so afraid in in life, was just trying to keep the men next to him alive, and he wouldn't wish that experience on anyone. Even asked me to never join.
He was a great man, though. My father served as well, but he didn't experience anything like WWII.
The scene in band of brothers from Foy is one of those where you just shake your head in disbelief, it would be hard to believe if it wasn't witnessed by dozens of men, I still get goosebumps when the narrator says "but that wasn't the astounding bit, the astounding bit was after making contact Speirs ran back through the German ranks" Sheesh
Me too, chip!
Yes! Carwood Lipton (played by Donnie Wahlberg) is narrator in that episode. I remember that same exact line... "the astounding bit was... (my paraphrase) He reversed course and came back!"
@@weskautzmann4315 Spiers wasn't really running to I-Company to to get them to push up, but to keep them from accidently shooting any Easy Company men in the crossfire. He got the message to one lieutenant and his platoon from I-Company, and just as he started running back to Easy, that lieutenant was shot and killed by a German sniper.
Winters later reflected that Spiers and Guarnere were the two most skilled combat leaders (and natural killers) he ever served beside.
"Scheise! Was ist das?!"
@@TheDukeOfDanknessDo a story on Roy Benavides Medal of honor recipient, another most incredible hero
And this is why you should respect other people around you. That old guy riding the bus or pushing his shopping cart out of a store just might be the biggest badass that ever lived.
This was a great story. Always good to hear about those veterans who took things to the next level and beyond.
Yep. Best play it respectful.
I am a Vet. I have many tattoos. While out running errands, an elderly man asked about my tattoos. He shared that he was a WWII vet. We spent 20 minutes or so talking. He shared his story of being shot in the ass on an island in the South Pacific...with a wooden bullet!
Or my high school geography teacher, a Marine who assaulted Iwo Jima. The history teacher who served in Vietnam, with oddly specific stories about torture...
These folks are all around us. Unsung and unoticed. Often, just the way they like it.
You're absolutely correct. I couldn't agree more.
Yep. Old Spears looks like just another kindly old grandfather. No indication that most of us would have pissed ourselves if we had to face him a couple generations ago.
@@TrentCantrell Would you like a smoke? Ha ha ha!
Speirs fear fueled him to do what needed to be done. Instead of letting his fear cripple him his fear liberated him.one of a kind. R.I.P warrior.
True! He used it!
He relized that he was already dead, it only a matter of time and he wasn't going to let the inevitable hold him back.
"Fear is the mind kill , this fear shall pass and only i will remain "
There’s also a believable argument that Spiers simply was not afraid. He was able to accept mentally that he was already dead, and so he wasn’t afraid. It’s not unheard of. Musashi spoke of it, other samurai of his time talked about it, Spartan commanders were said to speak (briefly) on it, there are soldier accounts through time all talking about this very thing. So maybe he wasn’t scared at all.
This was absolutely awesome. My Dad, lost a leg in the Pacific. I had Uncles who were were in the 101st and another who was in Bastonge. One did 8 landings in the Marines in the Pacific. These guys WERE Supermen.
That's amazing, Imp. You come from some stock there, buddy. They were an amazing bunch.
Respect and thanks too them, and those like them.
Too many hard core soldiers that have done insane things in battle to label any one soldier with that title. Speirs had no fear and could think clearly. This made him an ultimate badass.
You're absolutely right Jeremy. Some legends back then.
“Let go of fear, and loss cannot harm you.”
Yoda
@@sartainja who can argue with Yoda?
When in a mortal situation, it would seem that the only way to be able to think clearly is to acknowledge one's mortality, and assume it is coming shortly.
“So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” -- attributed to chief Tecumseh
"Fear is the mind killer." -- Paul Atreides
@@sartainja
"Talk backward like you do and piss me off much it does."
Chode McBlob
😅😂🤣😂😅
This kind of a man/soldier/officer is a rare breed. One usually encounters the type just once in a (military) lifetime ... and the moment you meet him, you "just know". There is this aura of ABSOLUTE unshakable tranquility and self confidence ... and everything he does somewhat "magically" turns out. No matter how CRAZY the idea or the course of action ... it WILL work. And somehow EVERYBODY around him KNOWS that and BELIEVES in it. And THAT's exactly WHY ist works. Their soldiers follow these men through hell and back without question. The trust in their leadership is beyond ANY rational limits.
I personally met this guy in my life around 25 years ago, when he served as XO in BRAVO-SQN of SAM WING 38 of the German LUFTWAFFE, while I served as a young 2nd Lieutenant in ALPHA-SQN. Today he's a Brigadier General and I am a Lieutenant Colonel.
First of all, thank you for standing on that line. I admire all men who do that. Second of all, you are lucky to have met a man like Speirs. They are not perfect, I am not lionising them, but they are very special. I believe these men are Ordained by God to stand against the enemies of freedom.
My favourite WW2 mini series is the, "Band of Brothers". One of the most incredible scenes was Lt Ronald Speirs running through the town. Filled with German soldiers, 88s , tanks etc. The incredible feat to link up with the cut off men was amazing. More incredible was how Lt Speirs ran back through the center of town. No German even thought to fire at him. But to inspire others is to do the task yourself. That moment so impressed Capt Winters that it sealed his decision to place Lt.Speirs in charge of Easy Company. I always have chills watching that scene in Band of Brothers. Thank you to all the brave men and women who served in WW2. My Father was in the British Eighth Army from 1939 to 1946. A special salute to Major Winters and Lt. Speirs. Two very brave men who did so much so we could live in freedom.
That was a great scene where Lt Speirs ran through the German lines. Audacity, audacity, audacity. A real leader says, "Follow me." And some men will follow a great leader through the gates of hell.
@@1960Sawman so very true soldiers in combat. They are more likely to get up and attack. If their leader is already leading the way. Lead by example I find is the best policy. 🙏🏻💪🏼
Thank you for this tribute to a great soldier. Like many of his generation his only words were "I just did what I was supposed to do." The world would be a much better place if more people did just that. Speirs conducted himself according to duty and honor. God Bless them All.
You're welcome, my friend. It was a pleasure celebrating the man, and I am very happy you enjoyed it.
@@TheDukeOfDankness GET A HAIRCUT , HIPPIE !!!
@@renecastel3459 shhhh🤫 I'm undercover, Rene.
Why did he murder these defenceless prisoners? Seems more like a psycho than a hero.
Amen, and ( speaking from experience) it's true, it was our job and we only did what we were supposed to do. Personally though, it's men like him who went up and beyond the proverbial, " it was my job and I only did what I was supposed to do".... It just seems that in the "Paratrooper community" there happens to be an abnormal amount of men who live by those " sayings" each and Every-Day of their lives, even in their civilian lives after their Honorable service to our blessed country. Thank God for them and the attention that you have and do bring to those individual Americans. They are the reason why we are able to lay our heads down, at night, and sleep peacefully without a worry that by morning we could wake up to a whole different and horrible reality.
when men where men,rest in peace, colonel.And many thanks from a grateful nation.
Amen.
Amen! ..and Ronald Spears out maneuvered the "angel of death'. Ronald passed at the ripe age of 86. Awesome!!
Thanks for the video very interesting 🇺🇸
I have read that Dyke wasn't panicking because he didn't know what to do during the attack, but because he was shot thru the shoulder and was bleeding heavily. He was also previously decorated for bravery during DDay and in Holland for rescuing paratroopers
That is a true warrior thank God for men like him men like him are the only reason that we are free today
Duke, thank you for this work. Stuff like ought to be shown to high school young adults to remind them what true leadership, bravery, and sacrifice actually look like.
Was my honor, Solorgana. These people should be celebrated by the youth. It would do them and freedom good.
T
indeed
You can’t remind someone of something they’re not taught, this assumes someone has taught them. If parents can’t set an example of what leadership is for their kids how do they expect their kids learn something watching this? Frankly, you can’t teach courage or leadership to someone that doesn’t have the temperament or personality. Those people rise to the occasion
@@dirtyaznstyle4156 very true. I was fortunate to have two grandfathers that gave me constant lessons of those times in military and civilian life.
These HEROES need to be acknowledged while they are living so they know we all Love what they sacrificed.
Absolutely!
Are any still alive ? I don’t so
Someone like Spiers would avoid accolades and publicity. This man lived to soldier, and did not need to be honoured, as his amazing ability in combat and his inspirational command of troops was its own reward.
we dont even honor the men we turn to combat veterans today, why honor ones from 80 years ago?
Amen !!!!
He is one of those leaders you’d follow anywhere, anytime. He was truly part of The Greatest Generation.
Amen, Brother.
Him and paddy mayne, were never fully decorated for their service. As in the CMOH for Lt speirs, and the VC for paddy mayne 🏅🏅 Two heroes of world war 2👏
It's Scandalous.
@@TheDukeOfDankness apparently their methods were"Not conventional" lol yeah I don't think war is conventional. It is a scandal 🏴🇮🇪 top man, great stuff
Great video.. my Granpa fought in France WW2.. his son my Dad was a hardned Combat Veteran Vietnam 11th cavalry 66-67. His brother was also combat Veteran Vietnam in the Marine corps. I feel the same about these Men as you do. I'm honored an greatful to have a Man like my Dad.. he was highly thought of an respected by his comrads over their an I talked to a cuppl of them a few yearz before he died.. was a intensely Brave Man. God Bless the combat Veterans.
You've got a lot of that warrior blood in you, man. I'd say you have some amazing stories from them. Did they talk much? Seems to be most are stoic.
Same here brother both grandfathers fought in ww2. My father and two uncles were drafted and went to Vietnam
Both of my grandfathers fought in and survived WW2. They very rarely talked about it. Jim Johnson my moms dad started to say that he was in Africa "And I opened up with my Thompsons sub and...." He didn't finish his story and just started looking off into the distance. I imagine that he didn't want to tell his grandson that he had to kill people and was reliving that experience in his soul. Can you imagine how different the world would be if there weren't men like Speirs and Winters to go all the way across the world and fight evil incarnate?! All evil needs to win is for good men to do nothing. May you live forever Colonel Ronald Speirs!!
You are the progeny of badasses. Pleasure to meet your acquaintance
I want to say thank you for telling this mans story with the respect he deserves. Some of us are called to serve our country and we answer that call and hopefully we do so with honour. I believe it must be in the DNA of some families. After doing a serious look into my family’s history I found something interesting. At least one man from each generation of my family has served his country going back to a time before 1066 and the battle of Hastings. That means my family has served for over 1,000 years including my son, myself and my ancestors from America, England, Scotland and Wales. It must be in our blood to serve and I am proud of my history. God bless my fellow veterans and thank you for your service. Sua Sponte.
Excellent. Delighted you enjoyed the video. It's a privilege to cover these heroes. You can trace you line back to 1066?! That's amazing! You must have the blood of Achilles in there.
And now we give away our freedoms and country for the sake of 'diversity' , maybe we did fight the wrong 'ememy' in ww2.....
I am impressed by this video. I hope Colonel Speiers family sees this.
As an American l know l am so proud. I hope the Scottish people are also proud. After all his blood is
SCOTTISH!
AND HE WAS A TRUE BADASS!
Thank you, Larry. I am humbled and grateful that you liked the vid. Speirs means a lot to me.
I can't thank you enough for this fine documentary of Col. Speirs. You've brought him back to life through your in-depth knowledge of his military career and what happened to him after the years of service.
I am beyond convinced that God raises these extraordinary men to perform such valiant deeds during combat to save the lives of so many under that man's leadership. I realize you could name so many men and women who were raised up for this very purpose, how glorious it is to serve God and man in this manner, what an honor. God is in the business of saving souls through the Sacrifice that His Son Jesus made upon the Cross at Calvary.
My hope is to one day meet Col. Speirs by God Grace in heaven and thank him for being that faithful servant.
What a lovely comment! Thanks, Jeff. I wanted to do a good job for this man. One of my favourites. God bless, Jeff.
@@TheDukeOfDankness agreed. "How glorious to serve God and man in this manner, what an honor." This is beautiful sentiment. Thank you for writing.
I'm an army veteran (Iraq 2007,08) and I appreciate that comment👍 really cool, God bless😎🙏
@@coolbreeze6198 Thank you for serving, Cool.👍
@@coolbreeze6198 May God also Bless you, His faithful soldier , thank you for serving and making the world safer and dealing with the tyrants that don't play nicely in the sandbox God designed for us all.
Spears is one of my favorite guys in the entire series, the guy was a complete bad ass
Same here, Brendan. Complete badass...consistently. Thanks for commenting, man.
Yeah , good character .
@@goldenhawk352 ah stop. You think orders weren't given to "hurry back". The US army was as bad as the german army for crime.
Great video brother,i actualy met Dick Winters he was very humble guy.
@@davidharris6882 Most of those guys are humble , unlike todays needy jerk - offs , that want attention , and dont win wars .
As my dad taught me "you're immortal until God says otherwise"
Great saying. That seems to be the way it is to me.
@@TheDukeOfDankness there are no atheists in foxholes either lol
RIP Ronald Speirs, a true American hero.
Amen
Killing unarmed POW. He is a Pos.
He was not born in America but was born in Scotland.
Thank you for bringing the acomplishmennts of Spiers to our attention. While he should be acknoladged , there were many who layed it down but we never heard of. God bless RC Speirs
For the record Lt. Dike was wounded during the assault, and had handled himself with bravery in earlier actions. Lipton, whose account much of that part of Band of Brothers is based upon, thought Dike had fallen apart due to panic, but in fact he had been shot in the shoulder.
💯👏👏👏👏👏👏💯
It’s easy for people to judge Lt.Dike, especially because of his portrayal on the B.O.B series. I’ve recently been rewatching the series and I cannot imagine what anyone from our current era would do during those times. Any company leader being told to hold the line, while constantly being shalacked by fixed artillery, out numbered, cold, under pressure, Ill 😷 prepared and having to watch your unit suffer through huge casualties, had to take a physiological toll on anyone.
Source of your info? Dike was putz
For the record please don't Shit on Lipton, back then there was no google. the show makers really relayed 90% on interviewing the veterans and the book by Ambrose.
That's why mistakes like stating Blithe died from that shot were made. It's actually on YT somewhere an interview of an editor of the show.
Sadly for Dyke that meant for him that ep7 subtitle was be let's shit on Dyke. the men hated him, and sadly for Dyke, Winters hated him the most.
The men followed him in the interviews too and so this is how that picture of Dyke was drawn in the episode.
Luckily for Dyke himself he was already dead. sadly, years after trying to shoot himself in the head. his family went through this episode during times where the web was in diapers and they had no where to go viral in, to share the real story. and btw I think Dyke was estrange from his family, getting older alone in some nursing home after botching trying to shoot himself in the head.
Does it make Winters or the then living men of Easy Co. any less brave heros? no. they are humans that endured and made superhuman things, but they got feelings, ego and anyone
might use people recording him for history and tv show as a chance to let those feelings out, even if those are feeling of hate. anyone who spent a day in armed forces as a combat troop would sadly encounter some officers that shouldn't be doing what they are doing, or how they are doing, or shouldn't be officers at all. Not everyone do well like Winters. pulling their men in and out of hell while pushing every drop out of them for the cause AND at through all of it and decades later have all these men love and respect you.
Nope.. Dike is an absolute rich kid coward.
As a Marine I have few Army Heroes.but LtCol Spears is one of them a true badass I'd love to have served with
Hooah.
Lt. Colonel Ronald Speirs is a true hero and ultimate warrior, it’s men like him and Dick Winters that win wars
Amen to that, Tim.
@@TheDukeOfDankness I don’t want to take anything away from all of the other soldiers, Marines, airmen and Navy, they truly were the greatest generation
@@timwhitten9918 not at all man. It's not a bad thing to point out when someone is just that bit special!
Eu fui Tenente do Exército Brasileiro por 8 anos. Usei o livro de Stephen Ambrose e a série Band of Brothers em inúmeras preleções de treinamentos. Sempre usei Dick Winters como exemplo de líder a ser seguido, mas eu, em meu particular, sempre usei Speirs como exemplo. Hoje sou policial. Por ironia, nosso Exército aqui no Brasil não luta, mas as polícias combatem o tráfico, que é tão forte e organizado quando já foi na Bolívia e quanto é hoje no México. Eu conheci muitos excelentes combatentes na polícia, e todos eram "Speirs". Tenho a satisfação de lutar ao lado de combatentes de valor.
Aprendi muito com Speirs.
Toda honra a este homem ímpar.
Absoluto
You Said it Brother!...... The world does indeed need more men like Lt. Col. R.C. Spears, NOW MORE THAN EVER.....
Need a legion of these fellas.
Wars are not and cannot be fought by Gentlemen. They are fought by:Soldiers Speirs was the latter not the former
You did an excellent job on this my uncle was with them in the battle of the bulge had both legs blown off. He actually sat with Spielberg during the making a band of Brothers, a bunch of courageous men. When you said in the beginning, would you fight or Would you call her in the corner? I have to be honest I probably would’ve coward in the corner scared out of my wits
Truly the greatest generation and I was blessed to have grandparents from this heroic generation. Oh how I miss them!
Amen, mine was my dad and uncles. My dad and one uncle both got sent home before deployment. Both were upset they didn't fight, neither one accepted medical from the vet, because they didn't fight. My dad was sent home on a medical, but others said it was what he knew about roto copters and guidance systems. My uncle had to tend his Dad's farm( he had a heart attack). One uncle was corp of engineers (dday, bulge), another one was a marine in Korea. That generation was the greatest!
“I wanted to make it as good as I could.” You did that. Congratulations. It was engrossing and shed some new light on this fascinating character. That’s all one can ask. Thank you.
Thank you, Fifth business! That was encouraging! I appreciate it, man.
As an RN for 32 years, I took care of many vets of WWII. Of those who saw combat, not one of them would talk about it. The most I ever got was a head shake. I always respected their desire to say nothing.
Yeah! I had a great Uncle who was a desert rat. Took Mussolini's body down off the rails. He was known to never speak of it.
Good job for a great warrior. I’ve watched BofB too many times to count, have the metal boxed set. Still the best scene of all was the actor playing Speers leaping through the smoke of the exploded shell to take command. Just seeing something like that would boost a young soldier’s fighting spirit.
Totally, Gold. I have that same metal Boxset. That scene you mentioned...hair raising. Every time.
something to think about when I'm having (a 1st world) bad day. . .
Scene still gives me goosebumps.
@@vincentperiolat4610 .i hope you get it fixed up and worked out Vince.
Be safe, well and free mate.
Bob. Australia.
Good officers lead by example, n good soldiers will follow. Leadership principle in action.
Thank you for this video. Can’t thank these men enough. My father, PFC Edward Albert Witcher 12/12/22 to 12/22/71 landed in Normandy on June 7th 1944 and fought his way through France, Belgium And Germany. I watched him blow his brains out on 12/22/1971 Three days before Christmas.
He was the real deal. Brave group of guys.
Sure was, David.
You did Lt.Col. Speirs justice, with your video presentation sir. Godspeed to you.
Thank you Ronald! I appreciate that very much!
It doesn't matter who you think you are, the "moment of truth" reveals who you are.
Sure does.
No truer words have been spoken.
My step father served in the 101st during WWII. He would not talk about what happened over there if he was ask. He did talk about it sometimes and I just listened to him and never ask for details. The stories he told are very similar to what was shown in the movie. He passed away in 1990 at the age of 82, I wished he could have lived long enough to see the Band of Brothers movie.
In my talking with combat veterans, most of those guys never liked talking about what happened on the battlefield because it was such a violent, traumatic experience. One time I was hitchhiking in South Dakota and this guy picked me up. He drove me up into Montana. He said that his grandfather was a veteran of World War II and that he was at the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. He said his grandfather NEVER talked about that battle until just before he died. During the war, his grandfather had to crawl up close to the German lines in the Hurtgen Forest and call-in artillery on the Germans. His grandfather spoke of the explosions of the shells and the screaming of the dying and wounded Germans. It really left a deep scar on his life.
I think if you meet someone who likes to brag about his combat experience, he probably wasn't in combat at all. Most combat veterans don't talk about it and a lot of those guys want to be left alone. I did some research on PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and most of those guys live somewhat lonely, solitary lives.
God bless him. Would love to have heard some of those stories.
Humility. Absolute understanding - of ego. Thank you LC Speirs and many others, for who are lost.
Great video. It was great to say thank you. We owe so much to these men. My uncle jumped on DDay in the 101st and never talked about it again. In Band of Brothers I love it when Speirs said to the private “you can’t function as a soldier until you accept the fact that you are already dead”. Heavy. Thanks again
Thank you for watching! And props to your Uncle. 101st are legend!
Spears, takes the saying when the going gets tuff, the tuff get going. Col Spears, took this to the stratosphere.
AMEN
! Semper fidelis Brothers... always faithful, always true.
Semper fi, John.
We need to hope that we have more men/leaders like him. Thank you Lt.Col
Spiers for your service.
I hope we do.
Lt. Dyke was done dirty by the series, he was stunned yes, but because of his wound on his shoulders, dyke wasnt a coward, infact he had medals to say otherwise, he wasnt someone's favourite, he earned his rank, Lt. Dyke was suffering from ptsd by the looks of it.
Correct, but his ptsd stopped him and I think that is what the show was trying to demonstrate. He just couldn't handle it anymore.... it happened.
Thank you, that was great. He was such an incredible man. So many incredible men that in 2014 I followed easy company’s journey from Normandy to the Eagles Nest. Unforgettable 🇦🇺
That's some trip. Would love to do it myself.
GREAT VIDEO! Well done, he deserves the recognition. True Bad Ass HEREO.
Thanks for watching and leaving me a comment, Steve. Much appreciated.
Outstanding! Everything " Band of Brothers " related, is a great example of how we (fighters & thinkers) should always remember.
KUDO'S brother for such a well done project! Best 16+ minutes of my day, thanks again!
Excellent, Seth. It made my day that it made your day. Thanks for the great comment and encouragement. I'll be back with more.
Good video, thanks. I enjoyed learning about Mr. Speirs. The quiet professional.
Thank you for watching, my friend.
Nice video. Speirs seemed to be amazing. I imagine several guys did some crazy things like Speirs, but weren't as lucky...not to take anything away from Speirs. It's guys like this that could single handedly, it seems, turn a battle around...and change the course of the war.
Thanks, John. I appreciate the watch and comment, man. Yeah. That's what makes men like Speirs so astounding. So many didn't make it. Some never got off the landers.
And yeah, these special few can change the course of a battle, no doubt.
Great video. Well done. Speirs was a soldier's soldier. Ronald Speirs was a true leader and hero. Incredible story. Great job, thanks for posting.
He was an inspiration and a legend. Thank you for your comment. And God bless.
You did a great job in giving this humble warrior LTC spiers justice! Thank you and RIP LTC.
Thank you, Jeffery. The Duke abides.
A true Scottish hero who showed what we are made off.
Amen
Came here to say the exact same thing!
I'm watching this on the 11th of November and it moved me more than i expected, such courage, commitment, honour and patriotism.
God bless them all and i thank them all for their services and sacrifices.
AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN, WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM.
LEST WE FORGET.
Bob. Australia.
Fair play to ya, Bob.
Thank you for an awesome portrait of an amazing warrior.
Thank you for taking the time to watch, Don. More coming.
Beautifully done.
Thank you very much, Jon
Thanks for this incredible story about an amazing man! You're right, we DO need more men like this, ESPECIALLY today!!
Thanks Brian. We do. The west is in real trouble.
@@TheDukeOfDankness Yes we are!! Love the video brother.. Well done.
Outstanding!
A true hero and total badass! Now there’s a movie that needs to be made!!!
I'd watch that!
War ended before Easy company could be transferred to Pacific theater. Damn. These guys were a weapon.
haha. Yeah, man. The A-Team.
Outstanding job. Thank you.
Thank you, Mike. And thanks for watching.
SPEIRS a true action hero and super patriot !
Absolutely! Serious warrior.
Speirs took part in some operations in Laos too during 'Nam. However as huge of a badass as he was he still could be compassionate and valued life.
I just finished the book about him. He means even more to.me now.
USMC Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone. An amiable, lovable doofus in everday life. In combat, an indomitable god of war, sacrificng all for his mission and men. Among the greatest of allied heroes of WWII.
The Gunny has now been added to the list. What a legend! Thanks, John.
@@TheDukeOfDankness Thank you!
This is truth.
@@TheDukeOfDankness Do you have ANY idea way sniper Ed Eaton never received the Congressional Medal Of Honor, talk about not being selfish, ESPECIALLY during the Vietnam war.
I was actually at the gas station/rest stop named after him in New Jersey just last week
Thank You for your Service..SIR !!!
After being cast as Speirs in Band of Brothers, Matthew Settle got to spend time with him. He details his impressions of the man on the third episode of the official Band of Brothers podcast.
I didn't know that, man. I must seek that episode out.
I have literally loved this man sense the first time I seen band of brothers! The town of foy was my absolute favorite episode
Me too, brother!
More please and thank you 🙏💯
More on the way, Larry, my friend! Thank you for watching.
I really liked your video. Your right that kind of Valor is extremely rare. I have found it's not from being fearless. It comes from the ability to control your fear. The vast majority of people lack that ability. I am looking forward to your next video.
Thank you, Ronnie! I am stoked that you liked the vid. Yeah, these men are special breed. Fear is there. Just doesn't stop them from doing what needs to be done.
Great video…great job narrating!
Rob O! You just became a champion of the Legion! Thank you so much for the comment and the Sheckles towards the war effort. I am in your debt. Very happy you enjoyed the video.
What a great tribute! Men like Ronald C. Speirs no longer exist, unfortunately. Men like him were true leaders and HERO's in the end. RIP and thank you for your service and sacrifice!
I'm sure men like that still exist, it's just the circumstances that are rare. Look at the heroism of the Ukrainian soldiers and the Israelis rushing to join the military.
LOL.....not even close, but OK.@@srellison561
The man, myth and legend......A real Hero.
Audie Murphy avant la lettre. Speirs was a good US officer know doubt about it!
Thank you for the great video !! Im thankfull his parents chose to come to America !! Thanks again for doin your research to bring this history of a truly brave man to light.
Thank you for watching, Brian. Makes it all worth while.
Well done, thank you for sharing.
Thank you for watching, my friend.
Being off Scottish decent say's it all as his military career was extraordinary and he never left it to work in a factory and normal life,, probably was normal to him ,,many of the old men in the estate I grew up in we're ww2 vets both my grandads navy ,,☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland great story brave men fought for the freedom we have
Special breed.
I’m part Scot. From NY. Very proud. My whole family served. All Marines.
Spiers should have gotten Medal of Honor just as Winters should have on DDay
Absolutely. Can't understand why they didn't!
While Speirs' D-Day heroics were great, his later heroics -- running behind enemy lines -- are undoubtedly worthy. I hope that he can be posthumously awarded it.
@@ccchhhrrriiisss100 Chris I guess my language wasn’t up to snuff; I was referencing Winters on D-Day and Spiers for his actions at (Foy?). The sprinting into enemy lines and back was amazing.
@spankings2 give2u Yep, Americans did some pretty shitty stuff too. He still acted heroically that one day (and others). I know after awhile, many US troops did not bother to try to take Japanese prisoners. They just shot ‘em. Easy for us to be armchair judges of behavior but war is just awful all the way around, however. I just cannot imagine being a soldier in those situations
@spankings2 give2u As mentioned, standing orders for airborne troops on D-Day were *"No Prisoners"* and Speirs was just carrying out a distasteful but unfortunately necessary order.
I just watched HBO series " Band of Brothers" again for 1000x last night. Wow Spears was SO much more than depicted. Love this info.
Thank you so much, Robert. That's great to hear. Yeah, for some reason, band of brothers skipped over Noville completely. That was a huge tactical victory for Speirs. Probably budget costs.
@@TheDukeOfDankness I'm sure all of the Taccoa men have more to their story than portrayed. Covering all of them in detail, would make it more than a mini series & big bucks. (A few more chapters would been fine w me) Theres a few great mini series, movies, books that should be reqr'd in schools. This is one. W a teacher who can explain it properly. Break it down.
The ppl who" hate this country & ppl who founded it, have very shallow, one sided knowledge of who these men were. Why they did what they did. Willing to lay down their lives. How many 18 yr olds today would end themselves bcuz they're 4F couldn't fight for their country?
I liked "The Pacific". Left me a bit wanting. Seemed bit rushed into production.
Sub'd 👍
Yeah, man. You make several good points in you comment there. The new generations are taking the accomplishments of other better men for granted. As a result, they have no appreciation for freedom and all.
Delighted to have you in the ranks, man. Thank you for subscribing.
Don't make 'em like they used to. RIP Mr. Speirs sir. Great video, thanks.
Ain't that the truth. Thanks for taking the time, Alton.
these guys were in almost daily combat for the duration of the war! simply incredible.
Yeah. It always blows my mind. Like they are ordained for this stuff.
Thank you, as someone who likes the history of WWII I greatly enjoyed it, my father was captured in the Battle of the Bulge!! Thanks
Thank you for watching, Steve. I am glad you enjoyed it. I love WWII history also. I love the Greatest Generation. Something special there. Wow! Your father was in the Battle of the Bulge?! That's extraordinary. Did he tell you any stories?
@@TheDukeOfDankness My father was supposedly in the rear guard with a howitzer company which was left unprotected in Belgium I think near the Ardennes forest. They were captured very early at the start of the Battle of the Bulge. They had just relieved other soldiers and had been there only a couple of days before being captured, this was in mid December 1944 , he was liberated around the first of May (4 1/2 months approximately). He said that there was very little food for the prisoners or the guards, when he was released he weighed 87 lbs, when he entered the Army he weighed 156. I was pretty young and he never spoke much about it, I’ve shared about all I know.
My Grandfather flew the 82nd in his C-47 on D-Day over Normandy mission Overlord, Holland mission Market Garden, 2 German cities I forgot, then lots of flights after the war resupply and cargo...! I still look over all the flight plans and other stuff I keep here... Great Story
Wow! Man, I would love to hear those tales.
@@TheDukeOfDankness Stars and Stripes back in the early 1990s did a story about him and how he helped save the lives of the whole plane full of troops. Flak damaged the plane and somehow the damaged was bad enough that landing safe would be impossible. Quick thinking he told some of the paratroopers to take off their parachutes and tie a few together on the airframe by the door. When landing they tossed them out the door and was able to slow the aircraft down to a stop...! I found like lots of documents I online with him listed as co-pilot but know his best friend who was the pilot was killed in the pilot seat. Grandpa had to fly hours till mission over with his best friend dead beside him feet away. I actually tracked the plane down by its serial number after WWII and Korea when up until the 1990s it was still in use by a private company in Venezuela... So crazy to actually see a photo of it...
Great summary of a great leader
one of my all time favs.. thank you for the video.
Thank you for watching, Toni. One of my all time favourites too
Damn good work.
Thank you, Chris! Damn good comment, bro.
Very well done! A fitting tribute to a true hero from the greatest generation. My dad was part of that war, served in the south Pacific. And when I say they were the greatest generation I mean that with all my heart. God bless those men and women from that era.
Thank you, Archery. I agree, they were the greatest generation. God bless your father, and all who served in that war.
He was and still is a True Hero!
Absolutely!
What a great way to show respect to this amazing man who saved so many.
Thanks, Bond, James Bond. I wished I could have done better, but I did my best. It's an honor to recognise and celebrate these people!
What always got me about BoB was how well. Cast it was right down to actors who resembled the men they were portraying.
Agreed. Perfect casting.
Great rememberance and historical detail.. appreciate the personal observations and reflections. Looking forward to your next presentations.
Thank you, Jess. I appreciate that! Thank for watching the video. Glad you enjoyed it.
Outstanding....thank you for filling in the gaps. Speirs deserved such a treatment as you have given him. For all that I have faced and overcome, I am nothing in comparison. In awe of the man.
Thank you, Pea. Much appreciated, my man. Thanks for watching and leaving me a comment. Speirs was unbelievable.
Truly, The Greatest Generation. Wish I could have met this man. Legend.
Me too, Rich
Very touching tribute to a Great soldier, from the greatest generation.
Thanks Ken. Don't make them like that anymore.
He has been a hero of mine thanks episode six of band of Brothers sense than I have had an absolute pride in my heart for being from the same country as these men!
Yeah man. Same here. These warriors are to be celebrated.
@@TheDukeOfDankness 110% ! Those men were the definition of brave! I have been fascinated by combat. I know it is hell. It’s not something to wish for at all ! But your right in the video where you say I wonder how I would stack up! My father was a Vietnam vet and he passed when I was 3 and I know he served his tours in 67 and 68 and came home in 69 and the day Tet started on 1/31/68 my dad was promoted from an E-4 to an E-6 Sargent and from that point was in charge of a riffle squad. I requested my father’s military records and I was able to tell a lot by those but details are hard to find, I have his certificate’s from all his promotions and a record of when he got there and when he came home but the details are tuff. I know he was at the battle of Battle of khe Sanh and spent 2 months under siege! He also talked to my mother about something that happened about a month before he came home that was a big operation but she didn’t get much detail just he went through something bad ! And I wonder how I would stack up to my father. I think that is where my fascination with warfare comes from. A need to understand my father.
Very nice video and cap at the end with your words. Very well said. Thank you for making and sharing. -- a true fan of the WWII generation.
You got it, Dirk. Thank you for watching and dropping me a comment, man. Tops.
Such an incredible man. Thank you for telling his story. Beautiful.
Thanks, Connie. Lovely comment.
Excellent work. You succeeded in honoring Sparky. He most certainly was the epitome of a man's man. Civics should be a requirement in any elementary school and a short bio like yours would be a must see.
Thank you so much, MH. I agree. The youth need to remember.