[ansel12]

"On 16 December, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. Two days later the 82nd joined the fighting and blunted General Gerd von Rundstedt's northern penetration of American lines. During this campaign, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, told a sergeant in a retreating tank destroyer to, "... pull your vehicle behind me—I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!""

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I met a man last year...said his name was Joe. He was eating dinner at a local buffet type restaurant near Laguna Hills in California where I was traveling for business.

On his table was an 82nd Airborne insignia cap. I stopped and asked him about it. He said he was with the 82nd at Ardennes. We talked for quite a while. In the end, I shook his hand, thanked him for his sacrifices and bought his dinner for him. I also arranged for a $50 gift card for him after the manager told me he was a regular there. Quite a guy. Quite an experience.

[exit82]

During this campaign, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, told a sergeant in a retreating tank destroyer to, "... pull your vehicle behind me—I'm the 82nd Airborne, and this is as far as the bastards are going!""

PFC Martin, wherever you are, thank you and may God's Light ever beam upon your face.