THE HORRIBLE STORY OF GUTH: Guth was of German heritage and grew up speaking fluent German.

THE HORRIBLE STORY OF GUTH: Guth was of German heritage and grew up speaking fluent German.

He enlisted in the Army with his two childhood friends Rod Strohl and Carl Fenstermaker, on August 8, 1942. 

All three volunteered for the paratroopers and were placed in 3rd platoon, Easy Company, 506th PIR, at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. 

Guth had a talent for modifying weapons and could make M1 rifles fully automatic. He became one of the company's armorers, as well as an interpreter. 

He jumped on D-Day and landed over 2 miles from his intended Drop Zone.

He met up with other Easy men and they joined with 502nd paratroopers led by Major John Stopka to fight at Ravenoville for several days before making their way back to their unit. 

Guth had Strohl's camera with him and took many iconic photos of D-Day and the campaign in Normandy. 

Guth also jumped into Holland in September, 1944, but was wounded on landing by a malfunctioning parachute, and evacuated. 

He rejoined the company in time to head to Belgium for the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944. 

In March, 1945, he won a lottery for a 40 day furlough back to the U.S. He was involved in a car accident while he was away and just as he was about to return to Easy, the war ended in Europe. 

He was sent to Fort Benning to train recruits for the Pacific. 

After the war Guth became a teacher. He married Harriet in 1949 and settled in Delaware.

He was central to the research for the Band of Brothers book, miniseries, and subsequent books on the company. 

His character was planned for the miniseries, his modified uniforms with extra pockets and additions being replicated, but it is said the producers worried his name was too familiar to Forrest Gump so he was only featured as a non speaking part (pictured).

Forrest Guth passed away August 9, 2009.