CLOSE COMBAT: WW2 Private Defends Staircase with Grease Gun

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 Strausburg.

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.

Interview recorded on November 5, 2022

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

[NSBlack_Stallion]

My family and I thank you Mr. Gahs. You’re an honorable man.

[richardthornhill]

Thanks to all our veterans who served.

[westonadams]

Lockered “Bud” Gahs was interviewed by someone else in another video. He goes into great detail about the house him and his comrades were held up in. He tells you the whole story, down to how many they took out.. He even stated he went back to that house in Belgium, I think, and tried to get a hold of the owner. The owner was bitter and didn't want to talk to him or let him in. If you find the video, he tells you where the house is. It is still standing and someone lives there today.

[Native_love]

God bless you Mr. Gahs! Thank you for your service! My grandfather was in a B-24 over Germany during WW2. We all appreciate your service!

[dkkuhn]

Appreciate you guys hosting these guys, sadly we are getting down to the last few members of the greatest generation ever.

[marcusdelk]

I feel honored to be alive in the presence of this Man, and the other WWII Veterans.

These Men truly were the greatest generation

~Future U.S Marine Marcus Delk of KFHS, Close to Sophomore year, finishing out what remains of being a Freshman, and taking the Geometry SOL today.

[dmar]

We owe you greatly, Mr. Gahs, for the freedoms we continue to enjoy today. Thank you.

[TravelatorHr]

I work in a grocery store and I love seeing those hats come in I do whatever I can to get their day along

[madmachine]

I don’t have the words to thank soldiers like this man enough for his service because of all the things that he had to go through and the evil that he had to witness to defeat the enemy in WWII. So with heartfelt sincerity I want to thank you Mr. Gahs for your service.

[aggressivelychad]

It's one thing to read about the antipathy of U.S. soldiers toward the SS in books and quite another to witness Mr. Gahs' disdain for them all these years later. We are eternally grateful for your service, sir.

[larryb]

They gave up on coming out alive but fought and prevailed and conquered. Much respect sir, Thank you for your service. God bless America God bless the veterans!

[tommychew]

Thanks for reminding us today of this history that happened then. These personal stories of what happened are the best to me, one man's view of what he saw and experienced.

[willbrink]

This is a great channel and getting the oral history of such men before they're gone is ESSENTIAL to preserving that history, which sadly, modern gens hardly aware of.

[matthewsmith]

Went to 11B basic and AIT in the early 80’s. They did teach us how to “Cook Off” grenades then. Thank you for the lessons learned in blood.

[b_Loopy]

I met 23 wwII vets on June 6 2023. The honor these men displayed was great. It was the best experience of my life

[ms.sherlock]

NO EGO WHATSOEVER! Mr. Gahs is amazingly humble and witty. What he learned was to "think fast, I guess"! SS="thugs". Well defined, sir. I have total Respect for this man.

[tylerdurdin.]

Incredible. Mr.Gahs thank you for your service and your candor. My Grandfather was drafted in 1943 as well and served until 1945. RIP Robert L. Patrick-United States Navy 🇺🇲

[richie]

Thank you sir for what you endured. Deepest respect from Scotland to you and all our allies who served.

[topcatandgang]

I bought an M3 greasegun for $20 in the black market while stationed in Pleiku Vietnam. 1965. had to leave it there when i came home.

[eatme-gy]

The fact that they accepted that they weren't surviving this, and that they actually came out of it because of that steel resolve, it's amazing...