Herb Suerth: American Veteran
As we approach our nation's 236th birthday, I am reminded of one of the most humbling encounters of my life. As a social studies teacher at Osceola Middle School, I annually coordinate our Veterans' Day program. During the summer of 2003, I had the incredible luck to come into contact with a World War II veteran named Herbert Suerth. After a brief conversation, Mr. Suerth agreed to be the guest speaker at our Fall program. In preparation for his address, Mr. Suerth and I had two interview-style phone conversations. What follows is the result of those conversations.
Herbert Suerth was a member of the 101st Airborne, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment - Easy Company - that fought against Nazi Germany during World War II. Easy Company's exploits were told in the best-selling book and seen in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers".
Herb Suerth was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1924. Although a child of the Depression Era, he planned to attend Marquette University after high school. However, his plans were put on hold one December afternoon in 1941. Returning home from a game of football, he was met on his front porch by his grandmother, who gave him the terse message, "we are at war." The date was December 7th.
Following high school graduation, Herb enlisted in the Army Combat Corps of Engineers. His unit arrived in England five days after D-Day - the Allied invasion of Normandy, France - which had begun on June 6, 1944.
Suerth became a paratrooper almost by accident. While his unit was waiting at a replacement depot, elements of the 101st Airborne were passing through. With the Airborne's feats at Normandy already legend, Herb said to himself, "Boy, would I like to be one of those guys."
Herb Suerth's commanding officer wasn't happy about losing one of his combat engineers to a paratrooper regiment. Nonetheless, the CO signed Herb's transfer order. Little did Private Suerth know that with this stroke of the pen he would join Easy Company during a time of extreme suffering . . . and one of the proudest moments in American military history.
Before Herb could join the Airborne, he had to complete jump school. This consisted of five jumps wearing full combat gear that weighed between 100-150 pounds. Due to high winds that postponed his final jump, Herb was unable to join the 101st for the invasion of Holland.
Finally, in late November 1944, Suerth joined Easy Company in France. Easy expected to return to England for rest and recovery. However, this was not to be. The German Army had smashed through a lightly defended front line that stretched from Belgium into France. The Battle of the Bulge had begun and the 101st Airborne was badly needed to resist Germany's last offensive action of the war.
On December 18, 1944, Herb Suerth, Easy Company and elements of the 101st Airborne arrived in a small Belgium town called Bastogne. Between then and January 10th, 1945 - 24 days - Private Suerth would spend every moment outside. He and his "band of brothers" would dig foxholes in ground that was frozen a foot thick, survive nights (without winter clothing) in which temperatures often plummeted to twenty degrees below zero and endured artillery barrages that lasted for hours - all the while knowing that they were surrounded by Germans that outnumbered them 10 to 1. "We coped," Suerth said, "because we were tough-minded, stubborn and proud."
Herb Suerth's war ended the night of January 10, 1945. That day he was Easy Company's runner, bringing messages and supplies to and from the front lines to Easy's command post. By this time, the 101st Airborne was fighting its way out of Bastogne. Against all odds, the paratroopers had beaten back all German attacks and were now on the move. "Junior", as Herb's buddies called him, was sent back to an aid station to get medical supplies in preparation for the wounded Easy Company expected. At approximately 10pm, Junior was on a slope between the aid station and a battery of American tanks higher up the hill. He looked up at the tanks and saw a single match being lit. Seconds later, Junior said, "all hell broke loose."
German artillery had fired on their position after seeing that single match. Junior and four other men near him began looking for cover. Before they could find it, an 88 millimeter shell exploded amongst them. Suerth was blown into the air. After looking at his shattered femurs, he was certain that he was dying. After making his peace with God, Herb thought of his mother and how she would react to the news of his death. The last thing he remembered before waking up in an evacuation hospital was a medic pronouncing the four men around him dead. He had been the only survivor.
Herb Suerth was discharged from the Army on May 17, 1946. However, the time between his wounding and discharge was one of unending pain. First, he spent three months in England in skeletal traction, pins through both knees and a constant burning feeling in both legs. Maggots were applied to his dead flesh in order to stave off infection - assuring that Herb would keep his legs. This was followed by a return to the States in a cast up to his chest, then rehabilitation in Clinton, Iowa. All told, Herb Suerth remained in bed for nine months before he took his first post-war steps.
Like most returning veterans, Herb was in a hurry to get his life going again. He enrolled in the mechanical engineering program at Marquette and graduated in June 1950. Six months after graduation, Herb married the girl he had dated throughout college. After spending some time designing mechanical equipment, Herb settled into a career in industrial marketing. This career move brought him to the Twin Cities in 1968, where he and his wife still today. Eventually, they had nine children and were additionally blessed with sixteen grandchildren.
Herb Suerth had the good fortune to serve with a company of men who remained close for a half-century after World War II ended. Since 1946, Easy Company had over 50 reunions. Herb said the reunions were therapeutic for him and his comrades - a time to share stories and sorrows. "My service with these men," he said, "taught me the most valuable lessons of my life - personal discipline, taking orders and respecting other people and their differences - these are the lessons we can all learn."
My interview with Herbert Suerth was over eight years ago, but it was a conversation I'll never forget. I had been talking to living history. Our veterans - young and old, men and women - are amongst us in the millions, waiting (when they are ready) to tell their stories. Each story contains valuable lessons for all Americans who are willing to take the time to listen.
Herb Suerth's war ended the night of January 10, 1945. That day he was Easy Company's runner, bringing messages and supplies to and from the front lines to Easy's command post. By this time, the 101st Airborne was fighting its way out of Bastogne. Against all odds, the paratroopers had beaten back all German attacks and were now on the move. "Junior", as Herb's buddies called him, was sent back to an aid station to get medical supplies in preparation for the wounded Easy Company expected. At approximately 10pm, Junior was on a slope between the aid station and a battery of American tanks higher up the hill. He looked up at the tanks and saw a single match being lit. Seconds later, Junior said, "all hell broke loose."
German artillery had fired on their position after seeing that single match. Junior and four other men near him began looking for cover. Before they could find it, an 88 millimeter shell exploded amongst them. Suerth was blown into the air. After looking at his shattered femurs, he was certain that he was dying. After making his peace with God, Herb thought of his mother and how she would react to the news of his death. The last thing he remembered before waking up in an evacuation hospital was a medic pronouncing the four men around him dead. He had been the only survivor.
Herb Suerth was discharged from the Army on May 17, 1946. However, the time between his wounding and discharge was one of unending pain. First, he spent three months in England in skeletal traction, pins through both knees and a constant burning feeling in both legs. Maggots were applied to his dead flesh in order to stave off infection - assuring that Herb would keep his legs. This was followed by a return to the States in a cast up to his chest, then rehabilitation in Clinton, Iowa. All told, Herb Suerth remained in bed for nine months before he took his first post-war steps.
Like most returning veterans, Herb was in a hurry to get his life going again. He enrolled in the mechanical engineering program at Marquette and graduated in June 1950. Six months after graduation, Herb married the girl he had dated throughout college. After spending some time designing mechanical equipment, Herb settled into a career in industrial marketing. This career move brought him to the Twin Cities in 1968, where he and his wife still today. Eventually, they had nine children and were additionally blessed with sixteen grandchildren.
Herb Suerth had the good fortune to serve with a company of men who remained close for a half-century after World War II ended. Since 1946, Easy Company had over 50 reunions. Herb said the reunions were therapeutic for him and his comrades - a time to share stories and sorrows. "My service with these men," he said, "taught me the most valuable lessons of my life - personal discipline, taking orders and respecting other people and their differences - these are the lessons we can all learn."
My interview with Herbert Suerth was over eight years ago, but it was a conversation I'll never forget. I had been talking to living history. Our veterans - young and old, men and women - are amongst us in the millions, waiting (when they are ready) to tell their stories. Each story contains valuable lessons for all Americans who are willing to take the time to listen.
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