101st Airborne Paratrooper Describes D-Day Jump | Tom Rice

Tom Rice, a paratrooper with the famed 101st Airborne Division, jumping into Normandy on June 6, 1944. On June 5, 2019 – at the age of 97 – he once again jumped into Normandy, landing near the exact same location he landed 75 years prior.

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Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Why join the service?
05:56 - Jumping at Normandy
24:50 - Allies secure beach heads
30:19 - Operation Market Garden
34:43 - The injury
43:58 - Eagles Nest
46:32 - One final jump

[LemonandCrackhead]

So I just want to point out to everyone that this man is still kicking, and just recently celebrated his 101st birthday. Not only that, but being the absolute machine that he is, for his 100th birthday he jumped yet again.

[CJBroonie]

The unbelievable amount of detail he recalls is extremely impressive.

[jebediahgentry]

97 years old and parachutes into Normandy 70 years after he landed during the war. What a true American badass hero!

[annalopinski]

He is definitely the sharpest tool in the shed! His memory is impeccable. What a unique and incredible man. Our military was lucky to have him

[cmoreson]

It was my honor to have Mr. Rice as one of my High school teachers. He is a great teacher and a great man. Thank you Mr Rice.

[karenmanning]

He was my High School teacher, taught government in Chula Vista, California

[amybabcock]

I could listen to these WW2 veterans all day! He is sharp as a tack!

[Nate-vsuo]

Tom recently passed away. I had the pleasure of meeting him. I got to watch him do one of his annual jumps. He was a wonderful person. So grateful for the brave men like him who have made this world a better place. Rest in peace and thank you for your service and sacrifice.

[PreparedPathfinder]

What an amazing man, sharp as a tack at 98 years old. Jumped into Normandy and Holland at 97 years old, awesome. A real hero of our time. From a British paratrooper veteran to an American paratrooper veteran, respect Sir.

[plunderpunk]

A now living person lucidly retelling a story from the 1940's is a treasure to us all.

[jimrutherford]

Tom Rice is the epitome of "bad ass". An American hero and national treasure.

[UnknwnGuy]

This guy's memory is unbelievable. I can hardly remember last week...

[whos-the-stiff]

I stood in a Normandy field in 2019 watching this amazing man jump from a C-47. A memory that will live with me forever. Bless all these veterans and their stories.

[cmonkey]

Remember: every old man was once a young man. I love these interviews, the living history of us.

[Duebie]

the way he said "I hope I got it all" at the end of the interview really hit me like he just wanted to make sure he did his job. As in that's all that ever has mattered to him.

[jeffn.]

"We have a few minutes each for two more stories". Seriously? Let this man speak for the next four months!

[LeveretteJamesClifford]

Mister Rice suddenly starts talking faster as he describes the flight over the channel close to France. Without a doubt, the feelings of that night are still fresh after all these years. My civilian salute to you Mr. Rice!

[kevincerce]

My Father WWII 29th Army 8th Armored Division Landed on Omaha Beach D-Day on June 6, 1944. First town St Glees, on to St Lo, in his words they got the sh-t kicked out of them in St Lo. Fought in the Battle of The Bulge where he carried two GIs under heavy fire to safety, he received the Medal of The Silver Star award in May of 45 for doing so. He told me the 82nd Airborne Division jumped into the wrong place, He passed away 12/2002. Forever my hero! God Bless all that served

[shrapmagnet]

I was airborne in the army. I was told the history of the paratroopers. I've been to the museums at Ft Bragg and Ft Benning. I deployed all over the world, sometimes in combat, and sometimes just for training. But I never UNDERSTOOD what these guys really went through and what it was really like back then until I watched videos like this, and saw Band of Brothers. These guys are all certified badasses.

[nancywarren]

My 3rd cousin was shot as he landed in Normandy and died 2 days later, was also in that unit.From Alabama, he was Pvt.William Trammell. Rest in peace, dear William.🌹