NUTS!
Anthony McAuliffe
Context:
(Anthony McAuliffe (2 July 1898 – 11 August 1975) was the United States Army general who was the acting division commander of the 101st Airborne Division troops defending Bastogne, Belgium, during World War II’s Battle of the Bulge, famous for his single-word reply of “Nuts!” in response to a German surrender ultimatum.)
My Dad was there then but was pretty badly shot up during the battle and spent years in hospitals after. He was a West Point grad and was a Company Commander with the 101st. He survived Normandy but was wounded so missed Market Garden but made it back in time for the Bulge. What luck, huh?
Worked out okay for me though, he met my mother while in a hospital.
I’ve watched several film portrayals of the Battle of the Bulge including the Band of Brothers television series. I wondered how I would have acquitted myself under such circumstances. My conclusion was not as well as they seemed to have. Those were remarkable times. Your father participated in history with a capitol H. You have the right to be justly proud of him.