FIGHTING BACK Germans with a GREASE GUN | Close-Quarters | Lockered “Bud” Gahs

Lockered “Bud” Gahs was drafted into service in 1943. He would join the esteemed 42nd Infantry Division, famously known as the "Rainbow Division". Initially serving as a truck driver, he would be sent to France in 1944, along with the rest of the 42nd Rainbow men, to face the German counteroffensive near Strasbourg.

On January 25, 1945 Gahs and his unit took up defensive positions in the town of Schweghausen. Gahs, along with a few other men occupied a two-story building where they repelled an onslaught of German soldiers trying to overrun the position. For his actions on that day Gahs would be awarded the Bronze Star.

Bud would go on to fight into Germany, and was present at the liberation of the infamous Dachau Concentration Camp.

Interview recorded on November 4, 2023

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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
Director of Photography - Jon Hambacker
Editor - Daniel Taksas

[mss]

My dad born in 1940 was never judgemental or critical. He said you never ask questions. He would tell me many of these guys didn’t come back normal. Alcohol and severe depression and anxiety. So many sacrifices for us. God bless each and every one of them.

[timstort]

Clearly the GREATEST generation!!! We will never see men like this again, G-d bless them

[ElDiabloBlanco-dcib]

This man is talking about the most intense violent situations humanity has to offer like he is describing what he did over a long weekend. They're built different

[evanderson]

There will never be enough oral histories and interviews of these men, so I'm happy to know someone is still conducting them nearly 80 years after the war. Thank you especially for asking Mr. Gahs about his role in liberating Dachau. You can tell that what Mr. Gahs witnessed there left him with a permanent and unshakable memory. It is sickening that Holocaust denialism persists even today, especially when men like Mr. Gahs are still living to confirm it as a historical fact.

[jdlambo]

That laugh, sense of humor, and directness reminds me of my pops. What was going through your mind? “Well don’t let ‘em come up the stairs” lmao😂. My grampa was a retired 1st Sargent and Korea veteran and I always looked up to him. All the way to the same unit he retired from. He was on his last leg the year I got deployed to Iraq. He should have died 2 or 3 times while I was gone. When I got home and rushed to him at that nursing home he said, well I waited for ya. Gave me a chill just writing that. He hung on for another couple of months. We had talks like we never had before. Stuff I had no clue about. He never ever drank or cussed, very religious man. The night before I shipped off to Kuwait he actually drank a beer with me. While in the nursing home after my return he wasn’t all there at times. He’d say, hey bring us some strawberry wine when ya come back. My wife left me one night while he was alive and after my deployment and I needed someone to drink with. So I bought some strawberry wine lol. I got kicked out of that nursing home because they caught us sitting beside each other in his room sipping on strawberry wine. 😂 I had to write an apology letter and go in front of the board of the nursing home to apologize just so I’d still be able to come see my pops. He eventually died with me right by his side.

[crystalheart]

Thank you Mr. Gahs for your stories and service.

[ericswenson]

I can’t these stories without tearing up.
I’m so proud of these Americans!

[goosebeardmike]

This guy is totally a bad ass plain and simple. God speed sir

[brianrobertson]

Thank you sir. I owe my freedom as an American to you.

[vaughnmojado]

I like to think that I could’ve been like him. But my dear friend was the only survivor from his platoon in Guadalcanal. He said it was hell. He made it back to the guard gate after hearing his Lt get killed. He said his unit was overrun. He told me that I wouldn’t have liked it at all. Every battle was different. God bless the greatest generation ever.

[ramoneortiz]

Thank you for your service sir. I am the son of a WWII who didn’t discuss his experiences during the war. He ended his military career with a tour in Viet Nam.

[blackkat]

It’s absolutely incredible listening to World War II veterans stories told first hand by those who served. Gives me goosebumps!!!

[herrgodfrey]

This gentleman exemplifies an entire generation of badasses. God bless.

[jeffnemo]

My father was part of this unfortunately he passed away in 1986 and I was too young to hear his story. Thank you for sharing this is such a beautiful man Semper Fi 🇺🇸

[ianseddon]

Thanks and respect from England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[PhilAlumb]

The Greatest Generation. Sir, Thank You for Your Service.❤️‍🔥🇺🇸 Many of us will Never truly know What these Men went through.

[bondalemecovillage]

My grandfather fought in New Guinea, he never wanted to talk mich about it. Remarkable that someone as articulate & smart can relay such history, thank you sir.

[josephbutler]

This gentleman makes me proud to be an American. My father served over there in Germany at that time and was just as humble as this man. These men are truly missed. They truly were our greatest generation!

[gatordoghoytider]

My Granpappy served under Major General Harry Collins in the 42nd Rainbow division also! Here Here for Mr. Gahs! Great Men gone too soon
RIP Jesse A. FOREMAN, Lowland, NC

[williamedwards]

Got a home video of my great uncle Jess talking about how he and his brother my great grandfather were part of the ozark division. Fought in the battle of the bulge and getting separated after my grandfather crossed the bridge before it was blown apart. He told how he finally got there days later in the town and the horror he spoke of is unimaginable. When he found my Papp he and his fellow American brothers were in the cellar below that was full of wine and spirits. They were held up waiting for the rest to join them after they had fought for their life. Needless to say they were not sober at all. The video was recorded 6 months before uncle Jess passed away. My Papp never spoke of this. True legends these men.