Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers

David & some of his buddies ~ February, 1945

This is a photo that David sent to Macey in one of his letters, and which Macey alludes to it in his July 4, 1945 letter to Mom-Mom and Louise. It was taken during a brief respite in February 1945, while elements of the Allied advance were stalled, awaiting an end to the pre-Spring flood waters. In spite of living one the edge in a world gone mad, these guys seem pretty relaxed. It is a wonderful moment in time. I imagine it to be a fine, fair day, redolent with the mixed scent of pine needles and victory; a time of almost painful camaraderie, balanced on a tentative edge of a hope that the worst is past and the end is in sight. It is very likely one of the last photographs of David.

Although you’ve seen some of these guys in other pictures, several are new faces.

Standing (L to R): Stanley Kots (MA), Clayton Schwind (NY), Spencer Celing (MD), Creighton Gardner
Crouched (L to R): David, Williams, James Azur, Winston Stables.