William Guarnere, a World War II veteran whose story was featured in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, has died. He was 90-years-old.
Guarnere was taken to the hospital Saturday morning and died of a ruptured aneurism Saturday night, his son, William Guarnere Jr., confirmed to CNN. “He lived a good life. He traveled a lot. He pretty much did everything he could have done,” his son said.
He earned the nickname “Wild Bill” and enlisted in August 1942 with the Army paratroopers, notes the Phildelphia Daily News. The South Philadelphia native became a member of the legendary Easy Company, fearlessly fighting Germans. He earned a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts for his service.
His first combat jump came on D-Day, with Easy Company landing behind enemy lines. “I couldn't wait to get off the plane,” he said in a 2010 Inquirer interview. “I killed every German I could. That's why they called me 'Wild Bill.'”
Guarnere is survived by his wife of 68 years and their two sons. They have nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The family has planned the funeral for later this week in Philadelphia.
Guarnere was played by Frank John Hughes in Band of Brothers, which was based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book.
image courtesy of Amazon