Joseph H. Harper
Encyclopedia
Joseph H. "Bud" Harper was a United States Army officer. Harper was the officer who delivered General Anthony McAuliffe
's one-word response, "Nuts", to the German request for the surrender of Bastogne
.
Though not a graduate of West Point
, Colonel Harper had been appointed to command the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment. When the 401st was split to expand the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment and 327th Glider Infantry Regiment from two battalions to three, Harper took command of the 327th.
, two German officers and two enlisted men came in the lines of the 327th carrying a white flag
. They bore a note from the German commander requesting that the Americans surrender. Harper was contacted and personally took the German's request to the Division
command post. Brigadier General McAuliffe, who was in temporary command of the Division sent Harper back with the now-famous one word response, "Nuts."
Harper returned to the German officers with a medic
, Ernie Premetz, as his translator.
The Germans were confused by the use of American slang. Most accounts report Harper as saying something along the lines of
Premetz recalls that Harper attempted to angrily explain in English, but that he (Premetz) translated for them - "Du kannst zum Teufel gehen." (You can go to hell.)
and serving as Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School
.
Anthony McAuliffe
General Anthony Clement "Nuts" McAuliffe was the United States Army general who commanded the 101st Airborne Division troops defending Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II...
's one-word response, "Nuts", to the German request for the surrender of Bastogne
Bastogne
Bastogne Luxembourgish: Baaschtnech) is a Walloon municipality of Belgium located in the province of Luxembourg in the Ardennes. The municipality of Bastogne includes the old communes of Longvilly, Noville, Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, and Wardin...
.
Though not a graduate of West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, Colonel Harper had been appointed to command the 401st Glider Infantry Regiment. When the 401st was split to expand the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment and 327th Glider Infantry Regiment from two battalions to three, Harper took command of the 327th.
"Nuts!"
During the siege of Bastogne in the Battle of the BulgeBattle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, two German officers and two enlisted men came in the lines of the 327th carrying a white flag
White flag
White flags have had different meanings throughout history and depending on the locale.-Flag of temporary truce in order to parley :...
. They bore a note from the German commander requesting that the Americans surrender. Harper was contacted and personally took the German's request to the Division
Division (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
command post. Brigadier General McAuliffe, who was in temporary command of the Division sent Harper back with the now-famous one word response, "Nuts."
Harper returned to the German officers with a medic
Medic
Medic is a general term for a person involved in medicine, especially emergency or first-response medicine, such as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, or a military member trained in battlefield medicine. Also the term is used toward a Nurse in pre-hospital care and/or emergency...
, Ernie Premetz, as his translator.
I have the commander's reply, Harper said. He handed it to one of the German officers, who unfolded and read it. He looked up, puzzled.
"What does that mean?" he asked. "Is this affirmative or negative?"
"Definitely not affirmative," Harper said.
The Germans were confused by the use of American slang. Most accounts report Harper as saying something along the lines of
"If you don't know what 'Nuts' means, in plain English it is the same as 'Go to Hell'. And I'll tell you something else, if you continue to attack we will kill every goddamn German that tries to break into this city."
Premetz recalls that Harper attempted to angrily explain in English, but that he (Premetz) translated for them - "Du kannst zum Teufel gehen." (You can go to hell.)
Post-war career
Harper remained in the Army, reaching the rank of Major GeneralMajor General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
and serving as Commandant of the United States Army Infantry School
United States Army Infantry School
The United States Army Infantry School is located in Fort Benning, Georgia. It is made up of the following components:*192d Infantry Brigade...
.