Posted on 06/16/2022 11:41:47 AM PDT by American Number 181269513
When he looks back on his memories of World War II, Harry Whisler always mentions the 2,000-year-old Roman Bridge in Trier, Germany, where he brushed shoulders with Gen. George S. Patton in 1945.
Patton flagged down his tank, where Whisler was seated in the assistant driver's seat after having caught a ride upon losing his jeep. The general, after tossing a glance at the red cross on Whisler's helmet, proceeded to reprimand him for being in front of a machine gun as a medic.
"He asked me what I was doing sitting in the driver's seat with my red helmet on," Whisler remembered. "I never thought about that, you know? So he chewed me out a little." When Patton started to walk away, he turned around and asked Whisler, "What would you have done with that machine gun there if you had to use it?"
"I'd have used it," Whisler shot back, to which Patton replied, "Job well done, soldier."
Whisler, who celebrated his 100th birthday in Texas on Wednesday, served as a medic in Patton's 10th Armored "Tiger" Division and recently recounted to Fox News Digital his wartime experiences, as well as the lessons he has learned in his century of life.
Born June 15, 1922, in International Falls, Minnesota, Whisler had four younger siblings, two of whom are still alive and in their 90s. The family later moved to Midland, Michigan, where he grew up. When he was 20 years old, he enlisted in the Army on Nov. 23, 1942, just five months after marrying his high school sweetheart, Dorothy Grice.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Happy 100th Birthday Sir!
And Thank You for your service.
Whisler in Bavaria, Germany, in 1945. (Courtesy Whisler family)
Who writes these headlines? How about “On 100th birthday World War II veteran reflects on meeting Patton, getting ‘chewed out’”
Looks pretty good for 100.
He looks healthier and happier than Uncle Brandon who’s 30 years younger..
He looks to be not a day over 80. Good genes.
Harry Whisler / Salute
thank you sir.
Pedo Joe is the picture of Dorian Gray
If he got chewed out by Patton when he was 100, he must be 175 now.
Same thought here.
Who ever wrote this needs to go back and get some grammar lessons.
Happy Birthday! And thank you for your service.
Really mean of the ghost of Patton to chew out a 100 year old combat Vet!
Pedo Joe is the picture of Dorian Gray
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Good one!
Looks pretty good for 100.
—
Darn good!
God Bless you sir and thank you for your service
Brandon couldn’t shine this man’s shoes!
Who writes these headlines? How about “On 100th birthday World War II veteran reflects on meeting Patton, getting ‘chewed out’”
I had a battalion commander that was gruff like Patton. I was "chewed out" frequently, as I was a know nothing 1st LT on his staff. In every instance, it was forgotten within minutes after leaving his office.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Whistler!
God bless you soldier and god speed! It would have been an honor of a lifetime to have met Patton much less being semi chewed out by him!
“When he looks back on his memories of World War II, Harry Whisler always mentions the 2,000-year-old Roman Bridge in Trier, Germany, where he brushed shoulders with Gen. George S. Patton in 1945.”
The Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHEAF), Eisenhower’s HQs, radioed Patton’s army to halt outside of Trier because it “would take four divisions” to seize the city. Unbeknownst to SHEAF, Trier was already in American hands, as the 10th Armored Division had pushed through with the infantry.
Patton then sent his now-famous message, “Have taken Trier with two divisions… what do you want me to do, give it back?” https://sofrep.com/news/general-patton-have-taken-trier-do-you-want-me-to-give-it-back/
Thank you, Harry Whistler, for having served in WW2 (and with Patton, no less), and for the lives that you undoubtedly saved as a medic. Congrats on your 100th birthday, and may you live a much longer life in good mental and physical health!
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