World War II Honoree

Ernest Earl Corbin

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Mayo, Florida

Honored By

Carolyn Thomas Walker

Relationship

Niece

UNCLE 'BIDDY' FIRST SAW DUTY IN NORTH AFRICA. THEN WAS SENT TO ITALY FOR THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN. UPON THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THAT SERVICE, THE 101ST AND 82ND BEGAN PREPARING FOR D-DAY. ON JUNE 6, 1944, HE WAS ONE OF THOSE PARACHUTED BEHIND ENEMY LINES IN THE ST. LO AREA. FIGHTING FROM HEDGEROW TO HEDGEROW, HE WAS PRESENT WHEN GENERAL MCAULIFFE SENT HIS WONDERFUL RESPONSE TO THE GERMAN DEMAND THAT HE SURRENDER - 'NUTS!'. HIS BROTHER, JULES, WAS AMONG THE AMERICAN TROOPS WHO CAME IN TO DEFEAT THE GERMANS AND RELIEVE EMBATTLED BASTOGNE. NOT KNOWING WHETHER EITHER HAD SURVIVED TO THIS POINT, THEY WERE BLESSED WITH A WONDERFUL REUNION IN ONE OF THE MANY ALLEY-WAY BARBERSHOPS WHICH SPRANG UP WHEN OUR WONDERFUL GUYS HAD A BRIEF RESPITE.