Forrest Guth
Youth
Forrest Guth (pronounced "Gooth") was born to John H. R. and Mayme L. Guth in the small
district of Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. He is a direct descendant of the original German
settlers who established themselves in the inland counties of eastern Pennsylvania in the 1700's.
These early colonizers were known as the Pennsylvania Dutch, although they were not Dutch,
but rather of Germanic origin and German-speaking heritage. Forrest was brought up in
Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Allentown, in Upper Macungie Township. Guth was
fluent in the Pennsylvania Dutch language and would speak it with his best friends; Carl
Fenstermaker and Roderick Strohl who also became one of the 140 Easy company originals,
although later C. Fenstermaker volunteered for the Pathfinders and was transferred from 'Easy'.
Paratrooper Training
In 1942, Guth was working for Bethlehem Steel making armor plates for the Navy when the
Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. At that time, working for the defense industry meant
that he was advised not to join as he was needed back at home producing steel plates, but he
enlisted in the Army and volunteered for the paratroopers. He and two friends joined in 1942,
and became part of the original Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
Easy Company consisted of 132 enlisted men and 8 officers. Forrest went to basic training at
Camp Toccoa, Georgia where the Regiment's motto was born: "Currahee," named after the
mountain where the regiment were forced to run the 6-mile round trip up and down daily.
After parachute training at Fort Benning, Guth made his qualifying jumps and received his
Jump Wings.
Easy Co. embarked on September 5, 1943, and arrived at Liverpool, England. Guth was
stationed in Aldbourne, Wiltshire. Training was carried out according to the later Invasion of
France, and numerous full equipment nights jumps were made. He and his unit were also
involved in the pre D-Day Exercise Tiger at Slapton Sands, Devon.
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An Appreciation by Nick Bucci
There are many ways to uncover and discover history they include various indirect means
such as from books, television programs, and the Internet. But the best is to learn firsthand
from someone who was there and part of the act. I was afforded the opportunity to learn first
hand of a time in American history when we truly met horrible odds and prevailed.
For those who do not know Forrest Guth is a retired Army Sergeant of the 506th Infantry
Regiment, Second Battalion, E Company/Easy Company. Easy Company was made famous by
book “Band of Brothers” by Stephen Ambrose and its HBO adaptation.
When asked why did he join the armed forces Mr. Guth humorously said that it was due to
his current job working in a steel mill offering only a fraction of what the military offered
monetarily. He talked his predicament over with some of his friends and they decided to enlist
together. They chose to join the newly formed paratroopers due it being new and sounding like
the most exciting not to mention it paid a deal more than the salary of the average
infantryman.
The program was very selective of its new potential applicants and would discard applicants
for minor infractions or shortcomings to ensure that only the most elite would pass. Mr. Guth
was ecstatic that he joined and made it through to the basic training. He made lifelong friends
yet sadly only a few are left. He said that the obstacles and physical hardships were no big deal
but the extremely overbearing Company Commander (whose plane was sadly shot down killing
everyone on board) was another issue.
The American and Japanese militarys were always in a bitter rivalry. Upon hearing that the
Japanese walked one hundred miles the Easy Company walked one hundred and seventeen to
Fort Bening (everyone in Easy Company completed the Task). It was there that Mr. Guth
completed his first jump, which was what he would describe as the most exciting thing that he
had ever experienced likening the event to riding a roller coaster although landing and the
occasional stiff neck would detract from the otherwise enjoyable experience.
On the other hand Normandy was a rude and frightening awakening. The men were worried
and uncertain but would not show any fear but instead jest and mock their situation to make
light of its heaviness to ease their tension. They were given pills to ease the motion sickness but
to their dismay the only effect was that it made the men extremely tired and lethargic. Upon
landing they were separated due to miscalculations and other variables. Mr. Guth and his
portion of Easy Company later met up with the 82nd and regrouped with their comrades at
Saint Mary lease. They were in a constant struggle with the German troop who wanted the
land as much as the Americans. After this harrowing experience they were met with more
troubles in the form of navigation due to the countryside’s numerous rivers and streams which
made plotting unbearable.
Despite these hardships Mr. Guth said that he was prepared in his two years of training prior
to the invasion although he admitted that there was a lack of info on the drops. But besides that
he was well prepared with enough rations and ammunition to last him for 3 days after which
he would have to scavenge or re supply to meet ends. With all of his gear including chocolates
to make him feel more at home that were stored in self sewn pockets he weighed over two
hundred pounds and recounted on how everyone had to be helped onto the planes.
When asked what was his most memorable or defining moment in his military career Mr. Guth
explained that he would always regretfully remember Bastogne, where they met they heaviest
German resistance. They suffered heavy loses due to poor field medical assistance which he says
that we have amazing medical assurance today and that if it had been available back then a lot
more people would be able to recount their stories. It was the first time where he was truly
scared and gazed upon his own mortality. He said it was the coldest winter that he had ever
experienced and they were left with minimal protection against the elements. During this time
the Company decided that the first one to go home would go and visit everyone’s parents or
family and inform them of their loved one’s status. Mr. Guth was the one who was selected and
kept true to the promise. He would not return to the war due to the Germans surrendering
during his leave although he asked to be shipped back out to check on his friends who he was
told were “managing” in Hitler’s private and luxurious escape home. Mr. Guth attributes our
victory over the Germans in the Second World War to the Allies being better trained and
possessing greater tenacity and will to persevere. After the war he returned to college and
would later receive a Masters Degree at N.Y.U. he joked that after the army he was a far better
student than he had been in high school. He would then go to Virginia for work where he
would meet his wife. He would retire in 1977 from teaching to enjoy his hobbies of wood
carving which I must add he is extremely skilled at. When asked if he would do it all again he
answered simply with a resounding “yes”.
Men like Mr. Guth are far and few his kind is a fading national treasure that should be
respected and treated like any other document or antique. They are not the history that we
admire or learn of they are the creators ors and shapers of it.
Nick Bucci
March 18, 2008
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