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Little slideshow I made for y'all of Albert Blithe on a post-war training parachute jump while at Fort Bragg, NC, with 82nd Airborne Division, who he served with from 1953 onwards.
It's stated that during his Army career, Blithe made over 600 parachute jumps.
#bandofbrothers
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It's stated that during his Army career, Blithe made over 600 parachute jumps.
#bandofbrothers
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Blithe was awarded the Master Parachutist Badge in May, 1954, after completing 66 official parachute jumps. 65 jumps is the minimum requirement for the Army, along with other conditions.
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Pictured is the bullet that wounded Easy Company's Pfc Albert Blithe outside Carentan, Normandy, on June 25, 1944, which was also Blithe's 21st birthday. Blithe kept the bullet and carried it around in his pocket, giving it to his son years later.
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On June 25, Blithe was selected to go on a daily patrol to check the surrounding buildings and area. He was made lead scout by Sgt Bill Guarnere who described Blithe as a good soldier.
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Unfortunately as he neared a farm building he was shot by a German sniper in the right shoulder, with the bullet hitting his collarbone. Joe Lesniewski, who went to help, says he was able to fit an entire t-shirt into the bullet hole to try and stem the bleeding.
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Blithe was sent back to the U.S to recover from his wound. He recovered and returned to work on a wartime disability payment.
But he later waived his disability and reenlisted in the Army.
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But he later waived his disability and reenlisted in the Army.
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He served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, served in the Korean War, qualified as a Master Parachutist (with over 600 jumps), and was awarded 2 further Purple Hearts, 3 Bronze Stars, and a Silver Star during his service.
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Blithe was on active duty in Germany when he was taken ill after returning from a visit to the Bastogne Commemoration in December 1967. He was hospitalized with a perforated stomach ulcer but passed away on Dec 17, aged just 44.
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In the Band of Brothers episode Carentan it states that Blithe never recovered from his wounds and died in 1948. Blithe had attended the 1st annual 101st Airborne Division reunion after the war and then lost touch with most of the other veterans. They believed he had died.
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Pictured is the citation for Blithe's Purple Heart Medal due to his wounds sustained on June 25. What a 21st birthday present!
Currahee, Alby
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Currahee, Alby
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