2012 Memorial Day interview with the oldest living member of the Band of Brothers, 95 year-old Frank Perconte of Joliet, Illinois. (From Chicagonow.com/newsboy/)
I had the honor of interviewing Mr. Perconte in 2007 for a college paper I was writing. I still have the interview on tape, and I can only say it was the greatest interview I've ever conducted. I was heartbroken to learn of his passing, and I only can hope that he now rests in peace. Thank you for your service, Mr. Perconte, and it was a true honor to talk to you. RIP.
@@novaduh Well I have the interview on cassette tape somewhere. I'd need to find it and convert it to digital format, though I'm unsure how to do this. No doubt I can, but yes, I'll need to track it down, as we moved recently, and then convert it.
"I got hot chow, hot showers, warm bed. Germany is almost like being home. I even got to wipe my ass with real toilet paper today. So quit asking when are you're going to see some action."
It is awesome in every way that word can be used but "the Pacific " is the greatest no offense intended but what the Marines went through in the Pacific makes this look like a walk in the park no disrespect in any way whatsoever to the Airborne they are great men and did great things
I had lunch and dinner with him and had him at my son's high school for a Q and A. When I saw the movie and the end said Frank Perconte - went back to Chicago to be a post man - I though later I'm going to whitepaged him. There was a phone number. I held on to it for a week before I called. I said what are the chances of a this being the real Frank Perconte. When I dialed it rang. When someone said hello. I said Frank. YES he said. Frank Perconte? He said yes. What do you want? (he was tart in person as he was in the movie) I was pure and simple. Speechless. I said let me call you back. I was that choked up I called him later and said I want to meet you and take you to lunch. He doesn't live very far from me. I sat with him in his living room and we talked about one of the series. He said hold on let me put it in and we watched the one where they liberated the camp. What is the name? So I sat there the whole afternoon drinking Pepsi
I lost some blood and skin during Desert Storm. But nothing compared to my WWII, Korea and Vietnam heroes. You guys (And Gals!) are tops!! God Bless You All!!!
I met these guys in real life, and it always cracks me up watching interviews like this. Most of them, if not all of them are gone now, last Eagle who did his final jump was Rod Strohl. Al Mampre before that, both in 2019. Frank died 24th. of October, 2013, a month before Earl McClung. They'll be missed, but never forgotten. Oh, and I agree with the rest, the music was too loud.
When I saw this documentary it made me feel proud of them, and of course sad, because of the great sacrifices they all made for our country and what they all did and achieved during world war 2. I loved the camaraderie that they all shared and how they looked out for one another. I Thank God for these men because He (God) in all His wisdom choose the right men tough, valiant, and dedicated to the mission; For He knew what kind of man it would take to bring this war to an end. God, I Thank You for Your many blessings that You have bestowed upon us as a nation. I Thank You for choosing these tough men of Paratroopers from Easy Company, 506th PIR, as well as all who participated in this Great War. They have all departed now and are no longer are with us, but their extraordinary valor and bravery remain with us as a testimony. May the peace and love of God always be upon their families, May You O'God cover them under the shadow of Your Might Wings. In Jesus Name I pray. CURRAHEE!!!
To the guy interviewing, people want to hear the person being interviewed, not your voice. And do you think for a second Mr Perconte would snitch on Lt. Spieres ever? Even if it did happen Mr Perconte would take that fact to his grave.
coolest men on the planet. imagine our youth today, these hipster pussies trying to do what these men did! Im glad these movies come out so these men get the credit they deserve
I'm making a effort to get in contact with this man, I live like 2 hours away from him. Hopefully I can do it before I enlist in a month, trying to get into the 101st.
AndersonSprenger - I don't remember the exact quote but Winters said in his book that Speirs was a killer and would likely get into trouble in today's army. But I think he respected him. The paratroopers found those men useful.
@RonnyDonny13 There is a "Major Dick Winters Tribute" series on TH-cam and in episode 5 Major winters tells the interviewer that The lawyers at Random House were concerned about possible lawsuits because of some of the stories in the David Ambrose book, "Band Of Brothers"...Spears actions being a major one, along with Nixon being an alcoholic. Winters states that he called "Sparky Spears" and asked him about it and Spears flatly stated that it was true, offered to, and in fact did write a letter attesting to the fact and that letter was in Winters' possession, among his papers having to do with the Ambrose book, at the time of that interview. Whatever anybody else says or said, if Major Winters states something that flatly on camera and says he has a letter backing it up, that's the version I'm going to believe is true.
We will never know the exact details of the prisoner shootings. I believe Speirs was secretly ordered to shoot those prisoners. What were we going to do with prisoners on D-Day?
Read or listen to band of brothers ( Stephen e Ambrose) and beyond band of brothers ( major dick Winters and Cole c Kingseed) the show was great the books are better wonderful interview
I know Winters said that Speirs was a real killer, but as far as 20, it looked more like 5 or 6 maybe and they didn't have any where to put them or hold them yet, remember?
With all respect to Mr. Perconte, I dislike the actor who portrayed him in Band of Brothers. and I dislike when Hollywood portrays characters from Chicago with actors who have thick New York accents, we dont speak like that here and were dont talk like some phony wiseguy from Brooklyn, otherwise I have nothing but respect and admiration for WWII vets and all vets in general!
MelMels nRich 100% I’m not from Chicago, myself, but know EXACTLY what you’re talking about. Sort of like how characters in westerns all have southern accents, for some reason.
+조현민 He was Italian and also my Grandfather's friend growing up in Joliet, IL he died a years later at the age of 96' my grandfather passed away before him in 2006 at the same age of 96'.
Video tip:
Nobody came here for music.
We all came here to hear what Perconte had to say.
Besides that, thanks for sharing!
Music is nice but it is hard to hear him
Mr. Perconte just passed away today, 96 years, 7 months. It is sad to see these great men go. God bless.
May he rest in peace. He was a hero.
I had the honor of interviewing Mr. Perconte in 2007 for a college paper I was writing. I still have the interview on tape, and I can only say it was the greatest interview I've ever conducted. I was heartbroken to learn of his passing, and I only can hope that he now rests in peace. Thank you for your service, Mr. Perconte, and it was a true honor to talk to you. RIP.
Not sure if you're still trawling around on youtube, but I'd love to see that interview.
Me too
Man i would love to see those tapes
Doubt you’ll ever respond. Let alone if your really are telling the truth, but would I’ve to hear this interview
@@novaduh Well I have the interview on cassette tape somewhere. I'd need to find it and convert it to digital format, though I'm unsure how to do this. No doubt I can, but yes, I'll need to track it down, as we moved recently, and then convert it.
"I got hot chow, hot showers, warm bed. Germany is almost like being home. I even got to wipe my ass with real toilet paper today. So quit asking when are you're going to see some action."
And stop with the fucking love songs.
Band of Brothers, hands down is greatest war series/movie ever. Sorry but audio on this interview is brutal.
It is awesome in every way that word can be used but "the Pacific " is the greatest no offense intended but what the Marines went through in the Pacific makes this look like a walk in the park no disrespect in any way whatsoever to the Airborne they are great men and did great things
Saving Private Ryan is the best movie and Band of Brothers is the best series. Pacific is close too
@@joenobody571 You might be right tho man
Rest in peace Frank! You did the world a great favor and you were one of the greatest heroes ever existed! You will be missed!
I had lunch and dinner with him and had him at my son's high school for a Q and A. When I saw the movie and the end said Frank Perconte - went back to Chicago to be a post man - I though later I'm going to whitepaged him. There was a phone number. I held on to it for a week before I called. I said what are the chances of a this being the real Frank Perconte. When I dialed it rang. When someone said hello. I said Frank. YES he said. Frank Perconte? He said yes. What do you want? (he was tart in person as he was in the movie) I was pure and simple. Speechless. I said let me call you back. I was that choked up
I called him later and said I want to meet you and take you to lunch. He doesn't live very far from me.
I sat with him in his living room and we talked about one of the series. He said hold on let me put it in and we watched the one where they liberated the camp. What is the name?
So I sat there the whole afternoon drinking Pepsi
Lucker
Man, what once in
The episode where they liberated the camp is called "Why We Fight". What a great story you told about Frank!
I don't remember how many times I watch this mini series and I still impress for so memorable company. I love it.
The debt this nation owes to these men and women can never be repaid.
Could the German debt be repaid? Who caused WW2? Germans don’t just cop it up the ass.
Rest in Peace Mr. Perconte.
I hope you're reunited with all the friends you've lost.
God blessed us with the greatest generation. Thanks to all who served and sacrificed.
Frank, you are a hero.
Thank you for everything.
I lost some blood and skin during Desert Storm. But nothing compared to my WWII, Korea and Vietnam heroes. You guys (And Gals!) are tops!! God Bless You All!!!
I met these guys in real life, and it always cracks me up watching interviews like this. Most of them, if not all of them are gone now, last Eagle who did his final jump was Rod Strohl. Al Mampre before that, both in 2019. Frank died 24th. of October, 2013, a month before Earl McClung. They'll be missed, but never forgotten. Oh, and I agree with the rest, the music was too loud.
Nice interview. R.I.P. Frank. Your family should be proud.
Hey- thanks for putting this up. He is genuinely proud, and this is a nice image for me to hold
Thanks for everything Frank, Europe it will be forever grateful!!!
Very humble man, an inspiration.
RIP FRANK. A TRUE HERO
Thank you Frank Percanta For your service, May you rest in peace With your band brother, My God-bless you. The greatest generation
Great man! So happy he lived a long life.
My favorite person in band of brothers rip Frank
Thanks for your service, god bless.
God Bless these men, one and all.
Thank you sir
R.i.p. Sgt. Perconte! That you may be reunited with youre long lost brothers. Thank you.
a REAL hero. thank you for serving Sir.
Would be great to see more of this
When I saw this documentary it made me feel proud of them, and of course sad, because of the great sacrifices they all made for our country and what they all did and achieved during world war 2. I loved the camaraderie that they all shared and how they looked out for one another. I Thank God for these men because He (God) in all His wisdom choose the right men tough, valiant, and dedicated to the mission; For He knew what kind of man it would take to bring this war to an end. God, I Thank You for Your many blessings that You have bestowed upon us as a nation. I Thank You for choosing these tough men of Paratroopers from Easy Company, 506th PIR, as well as all who participated in this Great War. They have all departed now and are no longer are with us, but their extraordinary valor and bravery remain with us as a testimony. May the peace and love of God always be upon their families, May You O'God cover them under the shadow of Your Might Wings. In Jesus Name I pray. CURRAHEE!!!
R.I.P. Frank 10/24/2013! Thank you for all you did!
Thank you
Hand Salute and thank you
just watched that part again, they are heroes
Too bad the music is so loud that one can barely hear this man speak.
I absolutely love it. Thank you for sharing this with us.
One of many brave men
next time dont use music in videos like this. we wanna hear what he says, we dont wanna hear the music.
YOU DID THE WORD A GREAT FAVOR AND YOU WERE ONE OF THE GREATEST HEROES EVER EXISTED..!!!!!
REST IN PEACE BIG FRANK...!!!
..great man
Seems like a wonderful guy.
Goodbye sir.
Rest in peace, Sergeant.
It kind of amazes me that my church is in Joliet and that he could actually be attending the services.
Goodbye, Frank.
Thank you for everything You and Easy did.
You will be remembered forever.
I"m from chicago and I think he did a great job
To the guy interviewing, people want to hear the person being interviewed, not your voice. And do you think for a second Mr Perconte would snitch on Lt. Spieres ever? Even if it did happen Mr Perconte would take that fact to his grave.
Perconte simply didnt not know itAfter all these years. It seems it was still rumour for him. . Speirs told only Winters about it befoe his death.
Good night god bless
Thanks for the video, Try to get the person speaking a little closer to the mic. Try turning the music down some also. Thanks :)
RIP Frank. Ill watch BoB tonight in your memory, I'm up to 'Why We Fight'
RIP Frank!!
Better no music ! We want his story and can t listen to him now ! What a shame to put music on this document ! The best generation ever !
Bad ass
The balls of steel
rip frank
Omg why the title theme over the interview!
Rip Perconte!
Have to use headphones. It's noted in description.
rip
coolest men on the planet. imagine our youth today, these hipster pussies trying to do what these men did! Im glad these movies come out so these men get the credit they deserve
This millennial generation would have sued for peace on Dec. 7th 1941.
I'm making a effort to get in contact with this man, I live like 2 hours away from him. Hopefully I can do it before I enlist in a month, trying to get into the 101st.
RIP Perconte
RIP
I wish this didn't have the music.. I can hardly hear him.
Music is to loud at times making it hard to hear him.
Bill Guarnere told me that the stories about Speirs are true.
AndersonSprenger - I don't remember the exact quote but Winters said in his book that Speirs was a killer and would likely get into trouble in today's army. But I think he respected him. The paratroopers found those men useful.
So you had a sit down with Wild bill
th-cam.com/video/Y68p63Fb1mk/w-d-xo.html in this video bill says he believes the story to be true
@RonnyDonny13 There is a "Major Dick Winters Tribute" series on TH-cam and in episode 5 Major winters tells the interviewer that The lawyers at Random House were concerned about possible lawsuits because of some of the stories in the David Ambrose book, "Band Of Brothers"...Spears actions being a major one, along with Nixon being an alcoholic.
Winters states that he called "Sparky Spears" and asked him about it and Spears flatly stated that it was true, offered to, and in fact did write a letter attesting to the fact and that letter was in Winters' possession, among his papers having to do with the Ambrose book, at the time of that interview.
Whatever anybody else says or said, if Major Winters states something that flatly on camera and says he has a letter backing it up, that's the version I'm going to believe is true.
We will never know the exact details of the prisoner shootings.
I believe Speirs was secretly ordered to shoot those prisoners.
What were we going to do with prisoners on D-Day?
The audio please
Frank Picasso is actually in my family
Damm.. The music and dialog mix ruined this.
Why would you have the stupid music playing while he was talking. I hope you don't do documentaries for a living.
Why are you so mean?
Cuz I'm a scared little man.
I cant hear him😣
ne he didnt
cab not hear him talk, sad turn the music off
Shit I live in Jolliet
Turn the music off!!!!!
says who
Pretty insulting to this hero by drowning him out with the music. I like the music, but it shouldnt be louder than the guy speaking.
Read or listen to band of brothers ( Stephen e Ambrose) and beyond band of brothers ( major dick Winters and Cole c Kingseed) the show was great the books are better wonderful interview
Dick Winters stated that Speirs did shoot the Germans. So, who knows?
Wild Bill said they were told take no prisoners, what would be they do with them. Spiers did what he had to do
I know Winters said that Speirs was a real killer, but as far as 20, it looked more like 5 or 6 maybe and they didn't have any where to put them or hold them yet, remember?
Easy Company tradition getting shot in the ass. RIP Perco.
Malarkey is still alive though..
:(
Isn't it a sin to kill
With all respect to Mr. Perconte, I dislike the actor who portrayed him in Band of Brothers. and I dislike when Hollywood portrays characters from Chicago with actors who have thick New York accents, we dont speak like that here and were dont talk like some phony wiseguy from Brooklyn, otherwise I have nothing but respect and admiration for WWII vets and all vets in general!
MelMels nRich 100% I’m not from Chicago, myself, but know EXACTLY what you’re talking about.
Sort of like how characters in westerns all have southern accents, for some reason.
Ń
Is he white? Seeing Band of brothers, I thought Perconte was Latino or something.
+조현민 He was Italian and also my Grandfather's friend growing up in Joliet, IL he died a years later at the age of 96' my grandfather passed away before him in 2006 at the same age of 96'.
Italian.
MUSIC BAD
rip
rip