Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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Charles Shepherd

WWII | K Company, 3rd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division

Moving towards Cologne, Charles Shepherd's unit had to pull back when a German 88mm gun knocked out their tanks and scattered the soldiers. He was in charge of the company for three days when the company commander was wounded. When the new captain arrived, he did not win any popularity contests. (6:27)
When a soldier put a round through his hand while cleaning his .45, the company commander had a fit, accusing him of intentionally doing it. Charles Shepherd , the man's platoon leader, said no, it misfired, trying to defuse the situation. Later on in another town, during a briefing in a German cellar, the same company commander picked up a grease gun and, guess what? (3:18)
Charles Shepherd sent one of his men to the rear with a captured German. He didn't return for a long time and, when he did, the explanation gave him pause. After a 72 hour pass to Paris, where the girls were glad to see him, his unit advanced to Bonn, where they occupied the Ford Motor Works. Scouts had reported a water tank and everyone was anticipating showers, but, situation normal. (5:29)
Crossing the Rhine at Remagen, Charles Shepherd's unit advanced on the town of Siegen. They encountered a German flakwagen, a tracked, anti-aircraft vehicle which the enemy had lowered to fire at the Americans on the ground. The standoff lasted overnight. (5:24)
Before they moved out for the day, platoon leader Charles Shepherd made a startling prediction to his men. As they advanced, he broke with protocol and moved to the front of the column. Soon, they were under German fire and ordered to pull back to make way for an artillery barrage. He started a peel-back maneuver to get everyone back to shelter in a ditch, but when it was his turn, there was no one left to cover him. This action led to him receiving the Silver Star, which he describes in another clip. (7:11)
The second time he was wounded, Charles Shepherd returned very quickly to his unit. He got lost driving around in Germany and then, suddenly, the war in Europe was over. Masses of German soldiers were surrendering to the Americans to avoid Russian captivity. Soon, the division was back in the States for a 30 day leave and then, the Pacific. (6:41)
Charles Shepherd needed five points to be discharged at the end of the war. He pointed out to his commander that the decoration he had been recommended for was worth five points. All he had to do was round up some of the guys to confirm the story. This led to him receiving the Silver Star for a previous action. (3:05)
Charles Smith

WWII | Reconnaissance Company, 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division

Assigned to a recon company, Charles Smith came ashore at Omaha Beach shortly after D-Day and pushed inland. His first major encounter was the Battle of St. Lo. "Sometimes it seems like it was all a bad dream." (5:41)
When his armored car was hit and his comrades retreated, Charles Smith provided covering fire and then spent a tense night alone in the vehicle, not aware of what had happened to everyone. He was awarded the Silver Star and French decorations as well. (13:27)
Charles Smith spent his first Christmas away from home in the snow and ice of the Battle of the Bulge. He "did not think of death. It was almost like going to work." He remembers a scary night left alone on guard duty next to a graveyard. (7:37)