This color photo, taken on the set of "Band of Brothers," shows Lt. Dick Winters (actor Damian Lewis) as he leads his fellow paratroopers on D-Day morning. This photo is autographed in black marker by famed Band of Brothers paratrooper Brad Freeman, who fought alongside Winters on D-Day, and beyond, as a paratrooper in Easy Company.
We were fortunate to host Brad at our Valor Studios stand during the 2018 "Show of Shows" militaria event where he signed a small number of these photos. They quickly sold-out at the show but not before we reserved a small number to later make available to our collectors. We're excited to say that day has arrived so orders yours now before they're history!
Shipping added in checkout // photo size: 8" x 10" // ships flat in a heavy-duty envelope
BRAD FREEMAN
Bradford Freeman was born and raised in the lush Mississippi farmlands of Lowndes County, near Columbus. He was one of 8 children, 3 of whom fought in the war. After high school graduation he enrolled in Mississippi State University, which he attended for one semester before enlisting in the US Army on December 12, 1942.
He joined the paratroopers, following in the footsteps of his older brother, who became an officer in the 11th Airborne. Freeman was assigned to the 506th PIR., 101st Airborne at Alderbourne, England in February 1944. There, he trained under the watchful eye of mortar squad leader Don Malarkey and platoon leader Bill Guarnere, both of whom he describes as great fighting men.
On D-Day, Freeman parachuted into Normandy in Malarkey’s stick, forming up and fighting with Sgt. Chuck Grant until they joined the company near Brecourt Manor. Freeman vividly remembers the fierce fighting at Carentan, where he feels E-Company came together as a combat unit.
Freeman participated in the invasion of Holland, and recalls endless patrols and “scary” night outpost duty on the banks of the Rhine. Following Market Garden Freeman survived the brutal weather and constant shelling in the Bois Jacques woods at Bastogne only to be wounded by a “screaming mimi” (Nebelwerfer rocket) in Easy Company’s attack on Foy. Following release from a hospital in England, Freeman joined up with HQ Staff in Berchtesgaden in April 1945, and later with his E-Company comrades in Kaprun, Austria.
After the war Brad Freeman went back to Mississippi State University for a semester, and then returned to help run a 197 acre family farm in Lowndes County. He later worked with the US Postal Service, retiring after 32 years of service.
