Friends and family are mourning the death of a national hero. William "Wild Bill" Guarnere, a South Philadelphia native and World War II vet who was portrayed on the television miniseries, “Band of Brothers,” died on Saturday at the age of 90.
Guarnere's son, William Guarnere Jr., confirmed Sunday that his father died at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Guarnere was rushed to the hospital early Saturday and died of a ruptured aneurysm early Saturday night.
Born in South Philadelphia on April 28, in 1923, Guarnere was a non-commissioned officer with the legendary Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.
After enlisting in the paratroops in 1942, Guarnere joined Easy Company, earning the nickname “Wild Bill” for his daring battlefield exploits. Guarnere’s time in World War II was dramatized in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers" in which he was played by actor Frank John Hughes.
"He was without a doubt one of the bravest and best soldiers in all of Easy Company. He was one of the best combat leaders not only in his company but also the division. If there was a fight going on with the 1st Platoon or 3rd Platoon, Bill would show up and leave 2nd Platoon to go help. He would 'march to the sound of gunfire.' He had no reservations and was just a fearless man in combat."
Guarnere’s time in the war ended when he lost his right leg while trying to help a wounded soldier. For his efforts during the Brecourt Manor Assault on D-Day, he earned the Silver Star. He later received two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.
Rest in peace my fellow warrior brother.
God speed…….
Thank you. God be with you. RIP
God Bless
Go with God and may your soul find peace.
GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN !!!!
You were my introduction to the incredibly brave actions of Easy Company, 506 PIR, 101st AB. Reading ’Band of Brothers’ set me on a different path in service to our nations vets. Like Maj. Dick Winters said, ’respect i can’t describe.’
Feet & knees together, LGOP will regroup on the other side.
RIP
Just want to say how thankful I am for Mr. Guarnere’s service to our country. There aren’t enough ways or time to tell you how grateful I am for the sacrifices he made; for his courage, bravery and honor. A True Hero.
Be at peace fellow currahee
Sir you are a true American Hero and A Brother
Gods speed thank you for your service.
Rest in Peace Hero. Thank you for your service.
How appropriate that you would follow right after Babe. At long last the two of you are finally reunited with the rest of Easy Company R.I.P.
As a fellow veteran, my utmost respect goes out to you SGT.
Rest in Peace sir
Rip brother and thank you
God bless you sir, and may He be with your family. My father was also 101st, and I thank you your service. RIP hero.
For the family, My sincerest condolences and prayers for your comfort. To Wild Bill, thank you for seeing the standard for Paratroopers for decades yet to come. Light winds and soft , Airborne!
Rest in Peace. Thank you!
Sorry for your loss and sorry I never met Bill.
Thank you sir.
Sorry for your loss and sorry I never met Bill.
I was not fortunate enough to know you, but I know a dear friend, and I sincerely thank you for your service and life. May the longtime sunshine find you. And the pure light within you guide you all the way home
My family would just like to convey what a hero and inspiration Bill Guarnere is for all Americans, but especially for Soldiers like me. Airborne. I’ll shake your hand on the other side Sir.
You earned your place in heaven, spread your wings and fly.
Rest in peace Bill. Thank you for all you did for this country.
I was born it Toccoa Ga, on April 6, 1947. I want to thank you Mr. Guarnere for your sacrifice and the wonderful things you did for our Great Nation. Thank you again and may God Bless You and your family.
Thank you for your service, rest in peace
Greatest generation for a reason. Rest in peace Wild Bill.
I would like to give a final salute, from one “Screaming Eagle” (C-COMPANY, 1ST/502ND INFANTRY) to another! Navy vet also(USS BUNKER HILL CG-52).Thanks Bill for your bravery/dedication/service to our fine nation! R.I.P. soldier, as you and the older generation of veterans, will always be remembered and never forgotten. God bless.
Seeing Bill in the band of brothers series was a truly moving experience. His courage in the face of danger shows that all men can stick together and overcome any obstacle that life throws their way. Thank you for your service Bill. You will be missed and never forgotten.
Thank You for standing up for America when we needed it. RIP Soldier.
……..a brother in arms not gone, simply received new orders! Semper Fi, Sir.
Blessed for your service.
Rest in peace paratrooper, you truly are an american hero and thank God for your service.Hope your enjoying that big drop zone up there.
US Air Force veteran, May God welcome you into his kingdom my brother.
Thanks to you and your generation of Heros
Thank you for all you have done bill. May you rest in peace and your family never forget all you have done for our country.
Thank you so much for your service and love for your country. God Bless you and rest in peace.
God bless!!!
Thank you for the service to our country.
Thanks bill, you are an inspiration to all of us. Your service to your nation was valuable on so many levels. Curahee!
Rest in peace, soldier! You were a real American Hero!!
Thank you Bill for serving your country when called. As a former captain in the US Army, I salute you. You’re with your buddies now and with Babe. No more combat jumps needed as you find the peace you and those men fought for and longingly sought. God bless you and rest your soul.
God bless you Sir this nation owes you more then can ever be repaid.
Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your bravery and service.
You and your brother warriors set a standard that even we today still try to up hold across all branches. We lost a true warrior and American with your passing sir.
Semper Fi
Currahee Brother
Bravo Company 2/506th Viet Nam 1969
Bill I will always be the sweetheart of the 101st 506th! I will always be your sweetheart! My husband died last August and I know he was anxiously awaiting your arrival!My greatest pleasure was meeting you and what you brought to my husband’s and my life. Rest well my sweet prince!
Thank you for your service for this great nation so that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms so many take for granted. May you rest in peace and thoughts and prayers to your family.
You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten.
Thank you sir may god bless your soul .
Halfway down the trail to Hell,
In a shady meadow green
Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped,
Near a good old-time canteen.
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddlers’ Green.
Marching past, straight through to Hell
The Infantry are seen.
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marines,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers’ Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene.
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he’s emptied his canteen.
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers’ Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge of fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers’ Green.
He served in a company of hero’s.
God Bless you Mr Guarnere. Thank you and thank you to your family. You sir, were and always will be a hero in my book.
Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace.
Lew Blevins Jr.
and Family
RIP Bill, and thanks to you and Easy Co…
Rest easy Hero…
As you rejoin your unit, all of you will..
Never be forgotten!
Thank you for your service. God grant you rest.
Bill, thanks for your great service to this nation! We are all the better for great men like you. God be with you.
God bless you.Rest in peace.
He, like all veterans, was a hero to all of us. Thank you for your service.
Thank you. I hope our country never needs another generation of your quality of soldier, but if we do I hope your spirit leads them in the field
As a ’baby boomer’ I will always be grateful for what the ’greatest generation’ did in WWII. Thank you for your sacrifice and the legacy of service you helped to coninue in this great nation. I served in the cold war and my son serves in the Army now. May the story of your life continue to inspire others. Rest Easy Bill.
Thank you and may you be at Peace. You done us Proud all your life.
You are an inspiration to may service members today. Thank you for your service and may you Rest In Paridise. God Bless!
RIP Wild Bill. Thank you for your service and sacrifices.
Wild Bill,
Thanks for your service & sacrifice!
Thank You!
May You Rest in Peace
May you have eternal blue skies, fair winds, and soft landings.. Airborne!
Thank you for your service. Without you and ALL the other Service Members of the Greatest Generation, fighting for freedom and Democracy, who knows where this country would be today. Another member of the Greatest Generation has gone to his Rest. G-d Speed to your family and friends. Slow Hand Salute.
Thank you and God bless you.
Thank you for your service and for our Freedom, Thanks to you and the many Men of the greatest generation who made this country safe. Your family can be proud of the way you lived your life for family, God and country…..God Bless You and Keep you in His Arms. REST IN PEACE.
I admire you very much. I hope you are resting in peace. curahee!
Wild Bill, as the daughter of a ex-POW during “the Bulge”, I salute and honor your service. You will be missed by all. Your legacy is far reaching and has touched many people. Enjoy eternity with your Band of Brothers and all who served so gallantry in WWII.
Wild Bill: You may be gone but you and your brave
band of brothers will never be forgotten.When we see that beautiful flag waving over our beautiful
Country we will always remember heroes like you .
God put you here at just the right time .
Thanks Bill , Harry Beeman U.S.Navy WW2
My sincere condolences to your family. May Jehovah the God of comfort give you peace at this most difficult time. And the promise of a resurrection hope found at John 5:28,29 bring you joy.You’re invited to learn more about God’s promise of a life free from sickness & death.Please visit http://www.jw.org for more information
Wild Bill, listening to your war stories has had a lasting effect on me as a person. You truly are an american hero to us all. The sacrafices you and E Company made for the better good of this nation will always be remembered. God bless you, we thank you for all you have done and what you have taught alot of me: Sometimes we forget that things come easy in this life and we take it for granted. When listening to you and your fellow 506ers I realize the hard work and dedication needed to succeed in this life was instilled in your generation and needs to be instilled in future generations. I will be sure to follow your example and teach my children the same. I salute you as I am sure you are saluting your buddies in heaven. Thank you, thank you for all you have done for us. RIP.
Thank you for your service on the European battlefield.
Wild Bill, our heartfelt remembrances and thanks this day to you for your valor, services and fellowship to your valiant brothers. You have my undying respect and admiration.
Rest well eternally my friend.
Joe Vigorito