Albert Blithe

Sgt Blithe at Toccoa

Albert Blithe was a soldier in the United States Army during World War II, who became widely known through the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers. Born on June 20, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Blithe enlisted in the army in 1942 and was assigned to Easy Company, part of the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. His experiences during the war, particularly his participation in the D-Day invasion of Normandy and his subsequent combat actions, were chronicled in the book Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose, which served as the basis for the HBO series.

Military Career

Blithe trained with Easy Company at Camp Toccoa in Georgia under the demanding regimen of then-Captain Herbert Sobel. He made his first combat jump into Normandy on June 6, 1944, as part of the massive Allied invasion aimed at liberating France from Nazi occupation. During the Normandy campaign, Blithe was initially reported as missing but was later found with his unit. He was involved in the capture of Carentan and suffered a traumatic incident that led to temporary blindness, a condition attributed to "hysterical blindness" due to the stress of combat. After recovering, Blithe rejoined his unit for Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands and the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.

Post-War Life and Legacy

After the war, Albert Blithe continued his service in the military. Contrary to the account in the Band of Brothers book and series, which mistakenly reported that he died in 1948 from wounds received in Normandy, Blithe actually had a long career in the army. He served in the Korean War and was stationed in Germany during the early years of the Cold War. Blithe retired from the military with the rank of Master Sergeant in 1961. He passed away on December 17, 1967, due to complications from a perforated ulcer.

Blithe's story is a poignant example of the bravery and resilience of the soldiers of Easy Company and the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. His experiences, as depicted in Band of Brothers, have helped to immortalize the sacrifices and camaraderie of the men who fought in one of history's most significant conflicts.

In Popular Culture

Albert Blithe's military service was brought to the attention of a wider audience through Band of Brothers, where he was portrayed by actor Marc Warren. The series highlighted not only Blithe's struggles and heroism but also the deep bonds formed between soldiers during the war. His portrayal in the series, while not entirely accurate in terms of his post-war life, has contributed to the public's understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices made by the Greatest Generation.

See Also

• 506th Infantry Regiment (United States)
• 101st Airborne Division
• Operation Overlord
• Operation Market Garden
• Battle of the Bulge