Actually,General Anthony McAuliffe said it. Kinnard repeated it.
Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, the 101st’s artillery chief and acting division commander in the absence of Maj. Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor, laughed and remarked, “Us surrender? Aw, nuts,” and then wondered aloud how he should reply.
As recalled later by himself and other witnesses, Kinnard suggested that McAuliffe tell the Germans “what you just said ... nuts.”
“Actually,General Anthony McAuliffe said it. Kinnard repeated it.”
Wasn’t there more to that statement than just the word “nuts?” When I was in Germany during my AF tour there, I thought I’d read somewhere that the full statement was “He’s f***ing nuts.” Anything to that? God bless Gen. Kinnard and all those who stood tall in America’s defense in WWII. A special (and rapidly vanishing) breed of American.
I might add, fellow FReepers, if you’re anywhere near a VA hospital, please take some time to visit the veterans there and thank them for their service. Don’t need to wait until Veterans or Memorial Day to do it; they will greatly appreciate it.