Deaths: There When Gen. McAuliffe Made His Famous Reply-- Part 2

The 101st was essentially surrounded, outnumbered and running out of supplies and ammunition. McAuliffe's first response to the request was "Nuts!" Another officer present suggested he use it in his official written response.

McAuliffe wrote, "To the German commander. Nuts! From the American commander." and gave it to the Germans.

The 101st held on and the Germans were eventually forced to retreat but the arrival of the rest of the Allied Army.

Mr. Vicari on why the reply was "Nuts:" McAuliffe simply did not curse. He's the only general I came across, and I met them all--Patton, Eisenhower, Montgomery, Brradley-- and he was the only general who didn't use profane language."

Now that is some great history.

Mr. Vicari died December 5, 2011, at age 92.

--GreGen