NORFOLK, Va. — Edward Shames, a World Conflict II veteran who was the final surviving officer of “Straightforward Firm,” which impressed the HBO miniseries and ebook “Band of Brothers,” has died. He was 99.
An obituary posted by the Holomon-Brown Funeral Dwelling & Crematory stated Shames, of Norfolk, Virginia, died peacefully at his residence on Friday.
Shames was concerned in a few of the most vital battles of World Conflict II. Through the warfare, he was a member of the famend Straightforward Firm, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, one hundred and first Airborne Division.
“He made his first fight bounce into Normandy on D-Day as a part of Operation Overlord. He volunteered for Operation Pegasus after which fought with Straightforward Firm in Operation Market Backyard and the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne,” in response to the obituary.
Shames was the primary member of the one hundred and first to enter Dachau focus camp, simply days after its liberation.
“When Germany surrendered, Ed and his males of Straightforward Firm entered Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest the place Ed managed to amass a number of bottles of cognac, a label indicating they have been ‘for the Fuhrer’s use solely.’ Later, he would use the cognac to toast his oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah,” the obituary stated.
After the warfare, Shames labored for the Nationwide Safety Company as an professional on Center East affairs. He additionally served within the U.S. Military Reserve Division and later retired as a colonel.
Straightforward Firm was the topic of Stephen Ambrose’s 1992 ebook, “Band of Brothers,” upon which the HBO miniseries was based mostly. The 2001 miniseries, created by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg, adopted Straightforward Firm from its coaching in Georgia in 1942 all the way in which to the warfare’s finish in 1945. Shames was portrayed by British actor Joseph Might.
Shames is survived by his sons Douglas and Steven, 4 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service can be held at Forest Garden Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday morning, the funeral residence stated.
