Audio By Carbonatix
Col. Edward Shames, the last surviving officer of the historic World War II parachute infantry regiment of the US Army known as Easy Company, died Friday at the age of 99.
Shames "passed away peacefully at home," said the obituary posted by the Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home & Crematory.
During World War II, Shames "was a member of the renowned Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division now known globally as the 'Band of Brothers," according to the obituary. The story of Easy Company was later immortalized in the HBO miniseries "Band of Brothers," based on The New York Times bestseller by Stephen E. Ambrose. (CNN and HBO are part of WarnerMedia.)
Shames "was involved in some of the most important battles of the war. He made his first combat jump into Normandy on D-Day as part of Operation Overlord," according to the obituary. Shames "gained a reputation as a stubborn and very outspoken soldier who demanded the highest of standards from himself and his fellow soldiers," it said.
"In Germany, he was the first member of the 101st to enter Dachau concentration camp, just days after its liberation," said the obituary.
When Germany surrendered, Shames "and his men of Easy Company entered Hitler's Eagle's Nest where" Shames "managed to acquire a few bottles of cognac, a label indicating they were 'for the Fuhrer's use only,' said the obituary. "Later, he would use the cognac to toast his oldest son's Bar Mitzvah," according to the obituary.
After the war, Shames worked as an expert on Middle East affairs with the National Security Agency. He later served in the US Army Reserve Division and retired as a colonel.
CNN has reached out to the US Army for comment.
Shames "was preceded in death by his devoted and beloved wife, Ida," said his obituary. "They had a beautiful and loving marriage for 73 years. They traveled the world together making lifelong friends."
A graveside service will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia, on Sunday morning, according to the funeral home.
Latest Stories
-
Livestream: The Law discusses Supreme Court @150
33 minutes -
MTN Momo staff walk to promote wellness and fitness
50 minutes -
Assafuah: Sedina Attionu’s return from Nevada will test government’s commitment to accountability
54 minutes -
How GRA’s Modified Taxation Scheme is boosting revenue compliance & SMEs competitiveness
1 hour -
Stonebwoy Can Do It: A call to unite behind 2026 BHIM Fest
2 hours -
World Shea Expo returns to Tamale for 2026 edition
2 hours -
Prioritise cocoa sector with better prices, timely payments-Annoh-Dompreh urges NDC
2 hours -
Lands and Mines Watch Ghana endorses Heath Goldfields’ mining capacity
2 hours -
Gbintiri residents protest alleged diversion of 24-hour market project
3 hours -
Justin Bieber headlines Coachella with nostalgia-fuelled set
3 hours -
Ukraine and Russia accuse each other of hundreds of ceasefire violations
3 hours -
Asha Bhosle: The sound of Bollywood dies aged 92
3 hours -
Fire destroys section of 4-bedroom apartment at Tantra Hill
3 hours -
Safe city: Unnoticeable protection
3 hours -
North East Regional Police Commander raises alarm over burning of checkpoints
4 hours