Joseph Liebgott

Infobox Military Person
name=Joseph Liebgott


caption= Joseph Liebgott
rank=T/5
unit=Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
family=Joseph Liebgott III (Son)
nickname=Joe, Sonny
born= 1915
died= death year and age|1992|1915
placeofbirth=Oakland, California
placeofburial=
enteredservice=Camp Toccoa, Georgia
currentlyresides=
serviceyears=1942-1945
portrayedby=Ross McCall in "Band of Brothers"
laterwork=Technician
awards=- World War II Victory Medal - Presidential Unit Citation (2OLC) - Bronze Star - Purple Heart

Joseph "Joe" Liebgott (1915-1992) fought in World War II as part of Company E ("Easy Company") of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, U.S. 101st Airborne Division. He was portrayed in the television miniseries "Band of Brothers" by actor Ross McCall.

Before the War

During the War

Liebgott participated in all the major battles conducted by Easy Company. His most notable role was as a translator as he could speak fluent German. When Easy Company discovered the Landsberg concentration camp, he acted as translator for Major Dick Winters. He then had to perform the heartbreaking task of informing the prisoners that they must return to the camp so they could be medically evaluated.

Liebgott was noted by Winters as being an extremely good combat soldier and loyal friend, however he had a rather rough attitude towards prisoners. In October 1944 Winters handed over 11 German prisoners to Liebgott to be taken back to battalion CP. Liebgott was ordered to drop all his ammunition but one round, as to ensure the safety of the German men.

Joe was described by fellow comrade David Kenyon Webster as being "one of the funniest in E Company" and the skinniest at 120 pounds. [Ambrose, S. A. (2001). 'Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne From Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest'. Simon & Shuster, pp. 66.]

After the War

Much like Floyd Talbert, after World War II Joe did not associate with the members of Easy Company. He drove a cab for a short while before moving to San Francisco to start a family. Liebgott and his wife had eight children, he chose not discuss with his family what he had experienced during the war.

ee also

References