Albert Blithe

The Real Story of an Airborne Legend

Albert Blithe, born on June 25, 1923, would become a career soldier, a paratrooper with a formidable service record. He's perhaps best known for his time as a private first class in the legendary Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the famed 101st Airborne Division during World War II. But his story didn't end there—he would go on to serve with distinction in another major conflict.

From Philadelphia to Paratrooper

Albert's journey began in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent his youth. After completing three years of high school, the call to duty came, and he decided on a path few dared to take. On August 18, 1942, in his hometown, he made the momentous decision to enlist for the paratroopers.

Forged at Camp Toccoa

His rigorous training began in August 1942 at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, a crucible where many of Easy Company's future heroes were forged. Under the demanding leadership of Captain Herbert Sobel, Blithe, like his comrades, endured intense physical and mental conditioning, preparing for the unprecedented challenges that lay ahead in a world at war.

D-Day: A Disoriented Jump

On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Blithe jumped with the rest of Easy Company into occupied France as part of the massive Allied airborne invasion. However, the chaos of the night led to widespread misdrops. Blithe found himself disoriented and lost, eventually teaming up with other scattered paratroopers before they collectively managed to locate the rest of Easy Company.

The Battle for Carentan

Following the intense fight to capture the strategically vital town of Carentan, Blithe experienced a temporary but severe psychological reaction—a condition then known as 'hysterical blindness.' This manifested as a sudden, temporary loss of sight, a direct result of the immense stress and trauma of battle. He recovered just a few days later, a testament to his resilience.

Soon after recovering, Blithe was part of a patrol investigating a farmhouse. There, he was struck by a sniper's bullet, which lodged in his collarbone. On June 25, 1944, his 21st birthday, he was awarded a Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.

An Early Departure, A Lingering Question

His collarbone wound was severe enough that on October 1, 1944, Blithe was sent home from the European Theater. He never returned to active combat in World War II, eventually being released from the Army Hospital on October 8, 1945, as verified by his discharge paperwork. Despite attending the first annual reunion of the 101st Airborne Division Association, Easy Company ultimately lost track of him, leading to a profound misconception about his fate.

A Career Soldier's Unseen Path

Unbeknownst to many of his former comrades, Albert Blithe's military career was far from over. After recovering and a brief return to civilian life with Westinghouse Electric in Philadelphia, he reenlisted and once again answered the call to serve, this time in the Korean War.

In Korea, Blithe served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, demonstrating extraordinary courage. He was awarded both a Bronze Star and a Silver Star for his gallantry, including a daring jump behind enemy lines where he found himself surrounded by a Chinese battalion.

His dedication saw him rise through the ranks, eventually achieving the distinguished rank of Master Sergeant. Later in his extensive career, he was assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group in Taiwan, continuing his service to the nation. Albert Blithe truly embodied the spirit of a career soldier, never formally retiring from military service.

A Somber Return and Final Days

In December 1967, while still on active duty in Germany, Blithe returned from a weekend visit to Bastogne, Belgium, where he had participated in ceremonies commemorating the Battle of the Bulge. He began to feel unwell, experiencing severe nausea. On December 11, he was rushed to Wiesbaden Hospital in Germany.

Diagnosed with a perforated ulcer, Blithe underwent surgery. However, despite the efforts of medical staff, he tragically passed away in the intensive care unit on December 17, 1967. It was a somber end to a life defined by unwavering service.

Master Sergeant Albert Blithe was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting tribute to a soldier who had dedicated his life to his country. His grave stands as a testament to his enduring legacy.

In Popular Culture: The Band of Brothers Myth

Albert Blithe gained widespread recognition when he was portrayed by actor Marc Warren in the critically acclaimed HBO miniseries 'Band of Brothers.' He was a central character in the third episode, 'Carentan,' which vividly depicted the fierce battle and his subsequent psychological trauma. However, a significant factual error crept into this popular depiction.

At the conclusion of the 'Carentan' episode, a narrator states that Blithe 'never recovered from the wounds he received in Normandy' and that he died in 1948. This statement, while emotionally impactful, was unfortunately incorrect. It originated from the fact that Easy Company veterans lost contact with Blithe after WWII and genuinely believed he succumbed to his injuries years later.

This misconception was initially documented by historian Stephen E. Ambrose in his 1992 book, 'Band of Brothers, E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne: From Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest.' Ambrose, relying on the veterans' shared memories, presented the 1948 death as factual in the early editions of his acclaimed work.

However, the Blithe family later came forward to refute this claim, providing clear evidence of his continued military service and true date of death. This led to corrections in subsequent editions of Ambrose's book, ensuring historical accuracy for future readers.

Despite the book's corrections, the original, erroneous narrative persists in the television series and its associated DVD and Blu-Ray releases. Thus, for many, the fictionalized account of Albert Blithe's early demise remains a persistent part of the 'Band of Brothers' legacy, overshadowing the remarkable truth of his long and distinguished military career.