Seventy-eight years ago today, Europe was saved from the Nazis.
To many people, June 6 is nothing more than another day on the calendar. Yet it should be recognized as one of the most important days in world history. It was on this date, off the coast of northern France, that hundreds of thousands of Allied troops landed in Normandy, by air and sea, to rescue Europe from Nazi Germany. Two of these troops, Edward “Babe” Heffron and William “Wild Bill” Guarnere, were from South Philadelphia. Their bravery and courage were chronicled in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.
South Philadelphia is known for many things, such as cheesesteaks, bakeries, food, Italian people (and all the stereotypes), and the fictional character Rocky Balboa. And, admittedly, as a lifelong resident, all these are great. Cheesesteaks are a delicious culinary delight, and Rocky is a cinematic treasure. However, none of these things ever stood up to Hitler in war; Guarnere and Heffron did.
Born and raised only blocks from each other in South Philadelphia, Heffron and Guarnere never met until they enlisted to prepare for war miles away from home. Their “brotherhood” was formed on the battlefield in Europe against some of Hitler’s fiercest troops. Both men served in the legendary Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. Band of Brothers brought awareness to the exploits of their bravery and all the soldiers who risked their lives 78 years ago.
Operation Overlord, the military code name for D-Day, began just after midnight on June 6, 1944. Heffron and Guarnere were among the first to see action on D-Day. After surviving hellacious anti-aircraft fire flying across the English Channel, Easy Company parachuted into Normandy behind enemy lines. Their mission? To destroy any bridges, railroads, or paths that were used to transport Nazi military equipment and reinforcements to the beaches.
By the end of the day, the Allies had landed 175,000 troops and 50,000 jeeps, tanks, and other military vehicles in France. It was the turning point of World War II. Less than a year later, Hitler would be dead and Nazi Germany would no longer exist. The courage of soldiers like Heffron and Guarnere helped ensure the success of D-Day. Historians acknowledged that without Easy Company’s valiant actions, Overlord might have been a failure. With the fate of the free world hanging by thread, two of South Philadelphia’s sons shone the brightest.
Guarnere’s and Heffron’s courage extended beyond Normandy on D-Day. Both men fought and helped liberate the Netherlands from the Nazis and fought beside each other in Operation Market Garden. Later, both survived the brutal fighting of the Battle of the Bulge.
After being wounded in battle by a sniper in October 1944, Guarnere broke out of his recovery hospital to rejoin his unit, living up to his “Wild Bill” nickname. He was court-martialed and demoted for his actions. Still, he persisted and said he would keep doing these antics until he successfully rejoined Easy Company. He was cleared for active duty a few weeks later, shortly before the Battle of the Bulge.
Here, Guarnere’s heroism would be on display again, forever altering his life. While under heavy Nazi bombardment in the forests of Belgium, “Wild Bill” would risk his life to save another soldier in Easy Company, Joe Toye. Toye had been badly wounded and could not walk when Guarnere rushed into action. During the rescue attempt, Guarnere was badly hit by enemy fire. His heroic actions would cost him his right leg.
Heffron went on to liberate the Kaufering concentration camp in Landsberg, Germany. He also helped capture Hitler’s Eagle Nest, a luxurious resort area in southeastern Germany used for strategic meetings and to entertain Nazi Germany’s elite. Heffron was awarded the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.
Guarnere would be awarded the Silver Star, three Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts. He was one of only two Easy Company members to receive the Silver Star.
Guarnere and Heffron formed a friendship that lasted until the end of their lives. They lived within blocks of each other in South Philadelphia. Guarnere was Heffron’s best man at his wedding and the godfather to Heffron’s daughter.
Decades after they risked their lives to save the world, and years after they died, Heffron and Guarnere were honored in South Philadelphia — mainly because of the celebrity each gained from the success of Band of Brothers. Sadly, if not for the television show, their heroism might have faded into anonymity, as have the memories of most of the brave men who fought and died on June 6, 1944.
A section of the same street Rocky made famous in 1976 was renamed William J. Guarnere and Edward “Babe” Heffron Memorial Boulevard. Furthermore, a park in their old neighborhood created a memorial in honor of their service and dedication. Two bronze statues were erected to honor their legacy a few years after both of them died. Heffron’s statue was unveiled in 2015 and Guarnere’s in 2019. Inside Heffron’s statue are his ashes in a bronze heart. The statues are surrounded by plaques honoring each of their lives.
“Generations of Philadelphians will now be able to visit these statues dedicated to war heroes and close friends who bravely served their country,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in 2019. “They’ll be able to remember and honor Wild Bill and Babe as well as the many active duty and veteran soldiers who have risked their lives to keep all of us safe.”
Guarnere and Heffron were two heroes from South Philadelphia. On June 6, we remember all of the 4,415 brave men who died in the largest-ever military invasion by air and sea. They are referred to as the “Greatest Generation” for a good reason. Guarnere, Heffron, and all the soldiers from D-Day are human civilization’s mightiest heroes. It is because of their courage against some of the worst evil the world has ever seen that we enjoy the freedoms we do today.
As President George W. Bush said during the D-Day Memorial dedication on June 6, 2021, of their heroism: “America and the nations of Europe formed a bond that has never been broken. And all of us incurred a debt that can never be repaid. Today, as America dedicates our D-Day Memorial, we pray that our country will always be worthy of the courage that delivered us from evil and saved the free world.”
