Demotion: The Downfall of Nixon in Band of Brothers
Nixon's demotion in Band of Brothers was not without reason Delve into the true story of Lewis Nixon, his limited combat experience, and the underlying factors that led to his demotion
Summary
Captain Lewis Nixon from Band of Brothers was a capable officer who was demoted due to the horrors of war and personal struggles.
His fellow soldiers accepted Nixon's alcoholism as a coping mechanism for the war, despite his demotion.
The character of Nixon in the series effectively portrays his actual bravery and significant moments during the war, such as his promotion to S-2 and his friendship with Dick Winters.
Captain Lewis Nixon, a prominent character in the series Band of Brothers, was unexpectedly demoted despite his undeniable intelligence and capability as an officer. Episode 9 of the series, entitled "Why We Fight," entirely focuses on his personal journey. The episode reveals that he not only lost his position as Regimental S-2 and was demoted to Battalion S-3, but also suffered the heartbreak of his wife divorcing him and taking everything. The atrocities of war and the impact of his wife's letter shed light on the motivations behind his demotion. However, as the episode progresses, the true reasons for their fight become evident.
Played by Ron Livingston, Captain Lewis Nixon is based on a real-life individual and is part of an exceptional ensemble cast in Band of Brothers. On D-Day in June 1944, Nixon, along with the rest of Easy Company, was parachuted into Normandy. However, the horrors of war took a toll on Nixon, leading him to fall into excessive alcohol consumption. This behavior eventually resulted in his demotion to S-3 due to his lack of reliability. While Nixon's alcoholism was a crucial aspect of his character development throughout Band of Brothers, it did not negatively affect his duties as an officer. His fellow soldiers recognized his struggle with alcoholism, and ultimately accepted it as his coping mechanism in the face of the war.
Nixon Didn't See A Lot Of Action In Band Of Brothers
Nixon frequently complained about his limited involvement in frontline action after being promoted to S-2 early in the war. Unlike soldiers like Richard Winters and the rest of Easy Company, S-2 designation relegated Nixon to a less influential role. He was the only soldier in Band of Brothers who never fired his carbine. However, Nixon still faced danger by bravely running across Utah Beach in Normandy and narrowly escaping death in Holland when a bullet ricocheted off his helmet.
Band of Brothers skillfully addressed the nuanced topic of alcohol dependence during wartime, with Nixon's story being particularly captivating. It remains uncertain whether Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg's upcoming sequel, Masters of the Air, set to be released in 2022, will also explore this issue. The actors, such as Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan, who are slated to appear in Spielberg's Masters of the Air, may exhibit similarities to the characters in Band of Brothers, but confirmation will only come with the anticipated release on Apple TV+.
WHERE TO WATCH: Stream Band Of Brothers On Max
The True Story Of Lewis Nixon
The portrayal of Nixon in Band of Brothers accurately reflects his character as a war veteran. The miniseries captured his notable moments, such as when he received a map from Major Richard Winters revealing German artillery positions in Normandy. With sheer determination, Nixon ran three miles to Utah Beach to deliver this crucial information to the chain of command. This act of bravery, along with his commendable performance in Operation Market Garden, led to Nixon's promotion to S-2. In the series, we witness Nixon being granted the first choice of Goering's liquor cabinet after his battalion successfully captured Hitler's Eagle's Nest.
However, several noteworthy aspects were omitted from the series. For instance, it failed to mention that he enlisted in the 17th Airborne Division during Operation Varsity. During this operation, his aircraft took a direct hit, but miraculously, he was one of only three individuals who managed to escape unscathed. Additionally, the portrayal of Nixon's life in the final episode of Band of Brothers accurately depicts his post-war experiences. Following two unsuccessful marriages, Nixon tied the knot with Grace Umezawa in 1956, and they remained together until the end of his days. Furthermore, his profound bond with Dick Winters endured beyond the war. Winters accepted a job offer at Nixon Nitration Works, served as the best man at Nixon's wedding, and delivered a heartfelt eulogy at his funeral in 1995.
