'Band of Brothers' Soldier Turns 90

[krome2ez]

'Band of Brothers' Soldier Turns 90

Wendy Victora - Northwest Florida Daily News

Jul 27, 2011

. SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL -- On Monday, Roy Gates wore his Easy Company cap commemorating his role with the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.

He also wore a T-shirt made for him by the staff of Grand Boulevard Health and Rehab, with his name on the front in lime green paint and the number 90 ironed onto the back.

Gates, a former Seagrove resident, celebrated his 90th birthday Monday with a party at his new home.

The humble World War II veteran was one of 20 contributors to historian Steven Ambrose's now-famous book, "Band of Brothers." The book was turned into an HBO miniseries in 2001.

He has stories to tell, but doesn't share them often. And he doesn't say much at all about the book or the mini-series.

"It's a bunch of hooey," says his close friend, Tom McGee of Seagrove, adding that Gates was not mentioned prominently enough in either.

But, he adds, Gates has stories, if he can be prodded into telling them.

For example, the second lieutenant was there when Easy Company freed a number of concentration camp survivors at the end of the war.

"It was terrible," Gates said. "Pretty dramatic to see the prisoners running from the camp. So emaciated that some of them died.

"We caught the general who was commandant of that place and we shot him after a firefight," he added.

On a more upbeat note, Gates was with the 101st when they went to Eagle's Nest -- Adolph Hitler's private retreat -- in the final days of the war.

While the German leader was spending his last days underground in Berlin, Gates and his fellow para-troopers were joyriding in Hitler's touring car. And Gates, who liked to drink, was put in charge of Hitler's stash of exotic champagnes and whiskeys.

"What did I do with it?" Gates asked, smiling. "Drank it."

He also made sure that officers' clubs and NCO clubs all the way back to France were well-supplied with the expensive liquor. And he helped them make sure nothing was wasted.

"Top of the line," Gates reminisces, smiling. "Top grade."

For his 90th birthday, friends and family came from across the country.

Among them was his son-in-law, R.D. Martin of Texas, who read "Band of Brothers" and says he learned a lot about the devotion of men like Gates.

"He was quite a leader," he says. "And the people that he was leading, according to the book, really trusted him.

"He was just a part of the Band of Brothers -- a very important part of the war."

http://www.military.com/entertainment/offbeat/band-of-brothers-soldier-turns-90?ESRC=soldiertech.nl

[DinarThug]

Thx for the post krome2ez

I watched that Series and read the Book by Ambrose as well as the Book by the Easy Co. Leader Richard 'D*ck' Winters.

The DV software won't let u type his name. All those Guys were Heroes !

[dman13]

My father was in WW2; battle of Ardennes and the movement leading up to it. He spent 340 days on the front line- just turned 90 and went into the hospital this evening with 'stroke like' symptoms. This world is losing a great generation. My respect to all those that served and may their passage be to a better place. God bless.

[luvcats17]

Thank you for this post. 'Band of Brothers' is truly one of the most remarkable works that sheds light on these amazing heroes who fought during WWII so that we can live in and experience the freedom of this wonderful country we call America.