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03-23-2017, 11:11 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2014
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WWII Icon Died Today...
Don Burgett, 101st Airborne vet, author of "Currahee", "The Road To Arnhem", "Seven Roads To Hell" and "Beyond the Rhine" died today a little after 6:00pm.
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03-23-2017, 11:34 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
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I gave that a like because you posted it for us. Rest well, sir, you earned it richly.
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Oh well, what the hell.
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03-23-2017, 11:49 PM
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SWCA Member
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Michigan
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What a shame. I got to meet Don several times over the years. He was a great man. He was also quite a character.
He autographed his entire set of books for my son who was pre teen when we met him. The world has lost another hero.
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03-24-2017, 06:37 AM
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Absent Comrade
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His biography seems like the script for "Band of Brothers". He's back with his Company "A" now. Mission accomplished.
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03-24-2017, 07:33 AM
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US Veteran
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Sorry to hear this. I've read some of his books and felt as though I had actually knew him. Rest in peace, Don.
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03-24-2017, 08:01 AM
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Moderator
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Bought and read all his books. He led a very good life and will be missed.
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So many S&W's, so few funds!!
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03-24-2017, 12:25 PM
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Location: Harlem, Ohio
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I read Currahee in 1969 in 7th grade. First book I read because I wanted to, not because I had to!
I thought Don was in "D" Company. They along with the now famous "Easy" Company and "F" Company together they formed the 2/506th PIR. They told everyone they were the backbone of the 101st Airborne!
Ivan (my family is all 1/325 AIR in the 82nd Airborne!)
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03-24-2017, 01:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwheelzip
His biography seems like the script for "Band of Brothers". He's back with his Company "A" now. Mission accomplished.
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Don was never shy about what parts of his writings were eerily similar to what "Brother Ambrose" published years later...... Almost too similar......
Last edited by RSanch111; 03-24-2017 at 01:48 PM.
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03-24-2017, 01:51 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher
I read Currahee in 1969 in 7th grade. First book I read because I wanted to, not because I had to!
I thought Don was in "D" Company. They along with the now famous "Easy" Company and "F" Company together they formed the 2/506th PIR. They told everyone they were the backbone of the 101st Airborne!
Ivan (my family is all 1/325 AIR in the 82nd Airborne!)
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Nope, Don was 1st Battalion.... A/506.... A lot of the "B's" were in that company for some reason, including his irascible squad leader, Don Brininstool, from Jackson, MI...
Don either completed, or almost completed the manuscript for another book about his life after the war. Hopefully his family will get it published....
Last edited by RSanch111; 03-24-2017 at 01:54 PM.
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03-24-2017, 07:06 PM
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Member
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In the early sixties, he commented about how many paratroops were in the building trades, and school teachers. His thought was after destroying so much of the world they had a need to build it back up!
I was obviously mistaken about "A" Co. 7th grade was a long time ago!
Ivan
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03-24-2017, 08:26 PM
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Absent Comrade
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Rip.
I had a co worker that was in the airborne in ww2. He wasn't wrapped too tight. Funny we were on a mighty lift together and we're all the way up. He starts swaying it side to side. I told him he made it through ww2 he'd be dead before we hit the ground lol. He just laughed. Good hearted crazy guy.
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03-24-2017, 08:31 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Oct 2014
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher
In the early sixties, he commented about how many paratroops were in the building trades, and school teachers. His thought was after destroying so much of the world they had a need to build it back up!
I was obviously mistaken about "A" Co. 7th grade was a long time ago!
Ivan
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Interesting. Don worked in building trades and built his own house. Another 101st icon, George Koskimaki, also from MI, was a teacher and coach.
Don's family will see condolences on his FB page for those who are so inclined.... Donald R. Burgett | Facebook
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03-24-2017, 09:26 PM
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US Veteran
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Rest in Peace. You certainly earned it.
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Mike
S&WCA #3065
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