WWII Airborne Legend: 336 Days in Combat and Wounded 4 Times | 101st Airborne | Tom Rice
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- Опубліковано 21 лис 2024
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Thomas M. Rice was born in a small wooden shack in Coronado, California in 1921. A graduate of Coronado High School in 1940, Tom joined the U.S. Army at Fort Rosecrans near San Diego. In 1943, he attended Camp Toccoa, Georgia before being sent to the Air Force Troop School at Fort Benning.
After 18 months of training, he joined the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) of the legendary 101st Airborne Division and was shipped overseas to participate in the D-Day invasion. Normandy would offer Rice his first taste of combat, but it certainly wouldn't be his last.
Tom Rice would spend a total of 336 days in combat participating in Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden, The Battle of the Bulge, and helping to capture Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden. During this time Rice would be wounded on four separate occasions.
Thomas M. Rice passed away on November 17, 2022.
Interview recorded on November 6, 2021
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Your videos are excellent.
But I really think you should reconsider the introduction with George W. Bush speaking in the background.
The war in Iraq has been proven to be based on the lie that Iraq had WMDs and Bush and Cheney deceived the world.
Eisenhower has said many poignant and stirring phrases.
Surely he or at least some other president would be better.
*We still drink the Bouillon brewery's Bastogne Airborne Bruin-Brown! Thank you Vince!*
God bless him. He told me his last wish was to live until he was 100 years old and make his last jump at 100. On his 100th birthday, he did just that, with the support of many local Coronadans and vets of the 101st.
Amazing 👏
❤
incredible
Oh, is this him? How cool!
This man's memory and the amount of detail given is impressive.
I do know my name at 67.😁😁😁😁😁
Veteran's accounts should be taken with a grain of salt. Vietnam vets tell a lot of made up bs themselves and they are younger than WW2 vets.
@@jimshoe402Unlike our fearless leader. 😂😂😂
Just couldn't resist bringing our sh*tty politics into this could you? @@pickititllneverheal9016
He probably relives it every day.
This hero had 6 inches of arm bone wrecked, and he still insisted on going back to fight in just a couple of weeks. Now that's Tough! Thank you for your service!
30 year old with a full hip replacement… I’d have to agree:::
The fight in so many WWII soldiers was unbelievable, they fought relentlessly like demons every step of the way.
We often think of how hard the fight was from the Allied perspective but it must have been horrifying for the Axis powers. No matter what they threw at the Allies, they kept on coming like unstoppable Terminators. Hopefully they were shitting themselves in terror as the walls closed in, for inflicting WWII upon the world
There's only 120,000 WW2 veterans still alive as of 2024. Cherish all of these priceless moments and stories.
Shocked there's that many
@@SigmaNuHE481me too
Thankfully some organizations are getting their stories before they are lost forever. Too bad there isn’t more of the WW1 & civil war soldiers stories
Damn 120k?? I didn't think we had that many left.. But within the next 5 yrs that number will probably drop bigtime
Everyone of them should be interviewed!
What a MAN. He remembers names, dates, places from 80 years ago and I have trouble remembering what I had for breakfast! Men like Mr. Rice were the true heroes of our nation. He and others like him, won the peace that we enjoyed for so long. God bless you sir and thank you for your story, from an 83 year old USAF retired MSGT.
Nobody actively trying to KILL you while you're eating breakfast!!!!!! When you're in a adrenaline situation it imprints memory
Right, he even remembered the two guys names who jumped into France right after he jumped, weight, dates, landing zone..knew the gal was a spy, said 50k Americans up the road..unreal brave and memory
Back then the foods didn’t mess with our brains either like out store food does so the issues weren’t as common mentally
@@shawnwhite08sw you think that's what it is???? MY hubs and I are talking recently about WTF is WRONG w ppl anymore??? Idk how we got "here" but I want to go BACK to when people had sense and the world wasn't off his kilter
@@shannonobrien9922and we have lost morals and God. Everyone’s an selfish , anti god moron now.
Gets shot in the leg, pulls the round out and sticks it in his pocket. These men were a different breed.
Yep strong as hell!!!
Balls of steel.💪👍🥃
18:27 Tough as nails!
No they were a man, we today are different breed.
@@Igor-my6ml
Who’s we?
I was fortunate to meet Tom Rice on many occasions in San Diego at various fundraising events and celebrations here in the San Diego area.His memories on D-Day and other battles he was in were like it happened yesterday. It was great to see him and hear his voice again he is sorely missed. We should never forget what the greatest generation did for our freedom and always cherish their memories
Amen
My great grandfather landed on the beaches at Omaha. His unit was fortunate to land after they had begun to successfully take control of the beach. He was wounded multiple times and was awarded a purple heart and then a purple heart with an oakleaf cluster. He passed away before I was old enough to understand what he had done and I was never able to personally hear him talk about it. Hearing these heros speak on their experiences kinda helps paint a picture of the same sacrifices my grandfather made. I've always been greatful for my dad naming me after him. These men are the reason we have all of the things we so often take for granted.
My great grandfather landed on the beaches at Omaha. His unit was fortunate to land after they had begun to successfully take control of the beach. He was wounded multiple times and was awarded a purple heart and then a purple heart with an oakleaf cluster. He passed away before I was old enough to understand what he had done and I was never able to personally hear him talk about it. Hearing these heros speak on their experiences kinda helps paint a picture of the same sacrifices my grandfather made. I've always been greatful for my dad naming me after him. These men are the reason we have all of the things we so often take for granted.
Goddam, after so so many years this guy didnt forget nothing, his memory is better then mine at 35 years old. What a great generation of heroes.
All I can say is that having an individual like this, I war hero, is a reason why we have freedom today, although some of that freedom is being diminished as we speak
Now kids are fighting for whatever narrative they're told is the correct one. I wish young people would open their eye's.
There are thousands of US Army Airborne troops around the world that could face the same situation anytime!
I'm always blown away by these veteran accounts. If still alive, these men are at least 98 years old. Mr. Rice survived nearly a year of combat but was also able to live a long, hopefully peaceful and prosperous life -- all the while being blessed with a fantastic memory. Whether a blessing or luck, to live for so long -- and through so much-- is RARE. Thank you, AVC, for recording these memories for future generations.
I TINK only one unit did the Mohawk all Nuts F the Army they said..🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
You could in fact be 97 if your parents signed off at age 17 like my dad. You could in fact be a very old 96 as of June 2026 and still have seen WW2 service. But yes, good for their longevity.
One of the features of war is the trauma it leaves on its participants...you always hear them say that they wake up screaming. Or they'll hear a sound or smell something and it takes them back 'there'. They will never forget.
This man was clearly promoted to leadership positions quickly. Hearing him describe what it takes to be a good leader, the first 3 words he says... "Diligence, awareness, compassion." What a leader he must've been, and clearly still is. The way he threw out the word "salubrious" so casually to describe the climate in southern California was remarkable. We are so fortunate in the USA to have men such as this - and to think our society was once capable of producing men like this by the 1000s - times have certainly changed! Thank you sir and God Bless.
They truly were the greatest generation.
This man's recollection is as if he was being debriefed hours after these events he experienced almost 80 years ago!! Just amazing!
It's wild how he is not telling a story here, he is reliving a past that never left him. Incredible man indeed.
Yes, and he's still proud of those 1 armed push ups, and the boiling mad staff Sargent lol.
What a National Treasure... You can see in his eyes, and face how hard his Fathers Death still hits him. These interviews are excellent, no annoying background music, or constant interruptions from the proctor. SUBSCRIBED !
Really interesting account. It's great to hear a veteran tell such a detailed account. He does have an amazing memory. What a hero he is.
I’m sure having such a traumatic experience at such a young age would be imbedded into your memory for the rest of your life. If you survived. I’ve heard other WW2 veterans say. After getting through D-Day that the rest of his life was easy street. Never worried about anything or cared about repercussions. Think of what you were doing at 19,20,21 and I couldn’t imagine playing life or death war with real bullets and soldiers trying to kill you. I was worried if I had enough gas to get to the beach.
I loved Tom Rice! I was lucky enough to travel back to Europe with him twice!
Omg that’s so cool! I can’t imagine being around such an incredible man! Must have been awesome!
True American Hero & Patriot!
Impeccable memory!
That hero is as hard as a bag of jawbreakers!
Thank you for our Freedom!
"They paid us extra for jumping..."
This got a chuckle from me. In 1971, we were paid an extra 55 bucks a month jump pay.
And I bet you blew it on fast women and booze! 👍😎 (as you should).
Thank you for your service! My grandfather flew hueys 69-73!
Great guy…reminds me of my Dad. 529th Engineering and Light Pontoon Company of 3rd Army (General George Patton Commander). He was 22 years old.
WOW what a man. The 101st were tough. I looked Tom up, he past in 2022, aged 101, somehow that seems appropriate!
Thanks for your service Tom Rice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow. His recollection is amazing. Names, places, rivers.... I don't even remember what I had for breakfast this morning. What an amazing man with amazing memories.
Thank you AVC and the veterans. ❤
Such a hero. I’m Dutch and want to thank the American army for what you did in world war 2.
You just can't help loving the old ww2 vets they talk about the war like it was any other day complete understated heroics humble to the core and just great men thank you all for giving us a future we might not have had 🏴💪🇺🇸💙👊
Unbelievable how this hero can recall all of these details! Wow! Much respect to you Sir Much respect!!
Amazing the clarity of his memory of place names and dates and names and such.
what a great honour to have this interview for future generations. Thank you for preserving these interviews. I live in Canada your neighbor to the north. We have just as many stories of our Canadian Vets. Lest we forget.
Put them on youtube.
What a great guy. I worked union construction with alot of these dudes. Lunch time was story time.
My family and most of my neighbors were all WW I and WW II veterans. Some of my dad’s best friends were veterans from WWII in both the European Theater and the Pacific Theater. The best people I’ve ever known. Absolute pillars of the community. All kinds of jobs and professions and they were hard working decent people who would be heartbroken to see what our country has become. I miss them.
I'm so glad you found this veteran 🥰 His memory is incredible!
What an amazing memory in detail this man had with dates time roads cities etc! God bless him!
This guys mind is still sharp as a razor blade!
From Georgia ❤ God bless you and thank you for your service 🙏
Mr Rice thank you for your service sir you are a remarkable human being and lived an amazing life. Thank you for sharing your story i enjoyed it very much!
Thank you for your service, sir - and RIP
Godspeed to you sir. Thank you AVC for providing these amazing interviews of these amazing men.
"I weighed 286lbs...normal weight 137lbs. The rest was military bric-a-brac"
Holy f@&k.
They broke the mold after this lot.....double tuff. What a lovely humble gentleman. If it wasn't for guys like him we would be speaking Japanese down here in New Zealand & working as slaves. No disrespect to anyone intended. Thanks for what you did,
Tough as a bag of nails. Absolutely definition of heroic!
Bless your name forever Sir!!!
Anchorage, Alaska
It's a honor just watching this.. he's so sharp, and badass as they come even at his age . So much respect.. thank you sir for your time for this interview for the world to see. This is history at it's best.
I always wonder about how they were able to recall all this detail. Then it hits me that they carried the burden of remembering all this carnage and trauma for the remainder of their days, that these memories probably tormented their dreams every night. They damned themselves for the peace of others and that degree of sacrifice is hard to quantify.
Well said. My dad was on a bomber in ww2. He never talked about. He was mean, tough and very distant from his kids. I saw him do some very cruel things to the animals on his ranch--mainly cruel neglect. If I had known what he went through in the war I would have forgiven him for everything.
I was amazed at how much detail he gave, including names of his comrades. I am thankful for his service and have full respect for his bravery. To the service men and women I am indebted. I have freedom because of you and I am grateful.
Im a Canadian from a small province in Canada called Newfounfland, Newfounfland is North Americas most eastern point. There were American bases here at that time and plenty of things left from here to go to Europe in WW2. I was born in 89 and graduated in 07, in about 05 a survivor from the concentration camps cam to our school. Ill never forget seeing his number tattoo and the things he said. The people from Newfounland where sent to slaughter in WW1 and plenty fought in WW2 aswell. Those men Canadian, American and Newfounflanders (technically british at that time) are the most amazing men maybe of all time.
After the third time I’d call time out. What a trooper.
Just a simple old man that went beast mode for a couple years 😊
Blessed with a keen survival instinct and well trained.
The details are incredible! I could listen to this guy all day. Greatest generation.
This interview is absolutely amazing! What an incredible human being.
If you are ever in the south west UK it's well worth visiting the disused Smeatharpe Airfield where the 101st took off from. Very quiet place in the middle of nowhere. The little museum there is fascinating.
What an amazing account of the war. This man was sharp as a tack. I was spellbound listening. ❤
"The sound of a dying man will stop all conversation".
That's pretty much the best description of how brutal it must have been that I've ever heard.
Thank you very much to you,and your colleagues, for the sacrifices you all made on our behalf,and for the peace we take for granted today. GOD BLESS.
Worked in a construction company in Houston in the early 70s there were 3 navy vets ww2 from working there learned a lot listening to there stories
Tough as nails! Thank you sir!
Be tough or die,they probably thought they would be dead, but wasn't going to give up,no matter what.
A true hero. Ty for your service sir
Lost my father a couple years ago, he served on a carrier in the Pacific during WW2.
I'm sorry to hear that. My dad was a gunner on one of the ships that carried fuel for the carrier group in the Pacific. Because of that generation they gave us a lot of options that we're screwing up on today. Says my masculine side 🤫
Thank you for your sacrifices, services, and Valor!
This beast of a man has an incredible memory and doesn't blink his eyes when he speaks. Amazing.
We couldn't thank you enough for what you and our allied forces had to endure for the freedom some people take for granted! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Thank you Tom Rice for your service,with men like you America will overcome and endure
Absolutely ❤ America is strong. Times are tough and complicated. But we will prevail ❤
Thank You for being a BAD ASS GET IT DONE AIRBORNE RANGER! You inspire me!
He recounts it like it happened yesterday. I am certain this man is a genius. God bless him!
I have sat in on a lot of After Action Reports and have never heard such precise detail. This is a brilliant man with an extremely high level of situational awareness. A natural leader.
Its amazing that we still have ww2 veterans. Im so grateful that we get to listen to the experiences of ww2 veterans. Its incredible. Thank you for your service. Im so impressed on how articulate he still is. His memory is good on so many details. Thr amount of details is so impressive. I couldn't tell a story with that many details if i tried. So impressive the amount of small things he remembers.
Much respect sir.
What a fantastic man. Every detail etched in his amazing memory.
Good story. Thanks to all our Veterans who served. Semper Fi.
I can't even remember the phases of basic training in 1987... how does this man have such detail.. Thank you sir!
I listened to the whole thing at once spellbound. I don’t have words to say except to thank him
I was born and raised across the bay in Barrio Logan San Diego. Coronado was best known for crazy Navy pilots and crazier Frog Men then even crazier Navy SEALs later on. I spent my first year in the USAF in Montana during the coldest Winter in Montana recorded history at Great Falls, Mamlstrom AFB, 1976. I felt this Veteran's pain from the cold. I slept in my thermals and an Arctic parka! RIP Chief Master Sgt Baer. You made me the strong man I am today.
Thank you for your service sir. i wish i could sit down with you and listen to your stories. i appreciate you. you are the reason that we Americans are not speaking German or Japanese today.
Wonderful man. Would love to hear ALL he had to tell. I can tell he's told this many times. God bless them all.
Two sons in the service.
God bless America
Thank you Sir
The voice of a hero.
I had Mr. Rice as a civics teacher in high school. None of us had any idea what a hero he was. He never talked about his experiences back then.
Absolutely Incredible Memory!
Thank You Sir, for your service.
Incredible memories.🇺🇸💪
What an amazing man and hero. I wish I would have had the honor of meeting him. God Bless him 🙏
These guys , just know words to describe them . Thank them all . Thank you to all veterans .
Very articulate guy, with a great memory. Well spoken
Amazing the bravery and sacrifices men of their age made.
In the 80’s I had a Dr. in New Hampshire that had a signed photo with a small note of thank from George Patton (with his dog in the photo). Of course I asked him about it and he was the medical corps attached to Patton’s third army.
Getting shot twice in France is nothing compared to the harrowing experience of walking around for 80 years with his massive balls.
😂
God bless this man. He’s of the time of selflessness and values and courage of which our youth seem to no nothing about. It saddens me to type this but it is just the way it is.
So did you go volunteer for service?
This guys clarity of memories awesome. I feel like it could be a training exercise just listening.
Greatest generation bar none 💯
The took off at 1:31PM 17th of September, its incredible the man remembers such a detail but given the events its no wonder Thank you for allowwng all of us to live free your duty is appreciiated,
His mind is like a steel trap….amazing memory
I vote this guy for president! Sharp as a tack. God bless our WWII Vets!
I had to look up “salubrious”. Dude is sharp!
This generation man 😢 so much respect 🙏 🫡 👏 🙌 💪
Right? this generation knew which bathroom to use. The one for white people
Great recount of d-day. Had me at the edge of my seat.
Isn’t it interesting the amount of exact detail this old man can recall. Most of us have short-term memory loss. Most of us do better with long-term but this guy received such thorough training that he still remembers it in his old age.
What a man!! A great, great member of the world, 's Greatest Generation...
What a genius brilliant brave man. Thanks for the story sir!
Quite a memory thanks for sharing
Wow! He still got so much energy and clear in the head. Golden. 😎🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
None of us would have any freedom except for these young men. Mere teenagers. Thank you sir. 🇺🇸 I’m afraid if this happened today, I would be speaking German.
so nice they made him a cross such strong amazing men my grandfather never would talk about the war the things he saw,heard unimaginable
Thank you for your service and God bless you.
Judging from everything I've ever heard about it, combat is totally terrifying. But more is expected of Airborne Soldiers. That 336 days in combat represents levels of exhaustion, levels of fear, closeness to death unimaginable.