Dinner with "Wild Bill" Guarnere

[Douglas J Schrack]

A couple of weeks ago I enjoyed an evening with Bill Guarnere at Popi's Italian Restaurant in South Philadelphia. There were friends and well wishers from all over the world. A great evening of stories, food and drink, autographs and just being with Bill. This all, thanks to his grandson, Geno. Here is a picture of Bill.

Doug

[chrischa]

Top man.


How does he feel about his portrayal in Band of Brothers? I assume it's positive.

Chris.

[J.von Canon]

Wild Bill

I met Wild Bill at Indiantown Gap,Penna. some years back.This was the "Bulge" reenactment done yearly.
Being an ex-506 guy myself we had a real nice confab.
Bill was amazed at the reenactors that day and not a little irritated that so many were wearing "SS" regalia ,although he chuckled at the girths of some of these "elite" unit dress-ups.
I asked him what he thought about it.Said he'd "shoot every damn one of "em!" He was'nt smiling either...
Wild Bill is the trooper featured in BOB.whose brother was kia and he learned of it prior to the Normandy drop.Said he "did an awful lot of killing" during Normandy.
He was a great flirt with the ladies.One of a kind fellow and loads of fun.

[Craigob]

hey Douglas.

I live in South Philly and are you aware another BOB lives in South Philadelphia. Babe Heffron lives off snyder avenue. Met him last summer on the bus, He was wearing his airborne shirt and i kinda had to do a double take.

[Douglas J Schrack]

Sgt. Bill Guarnere

I really did not ask him anything like that. I do know that he is enjoying life and apparently has offers every week to visit, travel and make guest appearances all over the world. I was hoping to meet Babe, however it was not to happen. If you look closely into Bills eyes and his face... you can see that he has been there and done it .

Doug

[DJT]

Just wondering, Did Bill marry and have a family?

[Douglas J Schrack]

Sgt. Bill Guarnere

Des, yes he did ,his son and grandson were at the get-together.

[Greg Sebring]

Douglas,

...had to have been a real thrill just to be in his company. He looks to be "still in the ballgame" even with his 80+ years.



Greg

[Douglas J Schrack]

Sgt Bill Guarnere

Greg
It certainly was and I was happy to just be there. After dinner a young man from Holland came up and shook his hand and thanked him for what he and everyone had done. It was something that I will never forget.

Doug

[DJT]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the reply. Nice to hear he raised a family. I think to go through what he did plus loose your leg in the manner in which he did, most guys would go slightly nuts and never be "normal".