Unveiling the Untold Journey of Smokey Gordon: A Post-WW2 Odyssey
Discover the remarkable life of Walter Smokey Gordon, a WWII hero who overcame adversity Explore his journey from hospitalization to becoming a source of strength for Easy Company Uncover the fascinating details of Smokey's later life and demise
Summary
Walter "Smokey" Gordon, a machine gunner for Easy Company in Band of Brothers, was hospitalized for six months after being shot in World War II.
Smokey experienced temporary paralysis due to his injury, but eventually recovered full body movement and endured persistent back pain. He played a vital role in coordinating post-war reunions for Easy Company, playing a part in preserving the enduring camaraderie among the soldiers. Smokey's life spanned many years, and he passed away peacefully in 1997 at the age of 77.
Band of Brothers delves into the post-World War II lives of various Easy Company soldiers, but leaves the fate of one soldier, Walter "Smokey" Gordon, unaddressed. The show vividly portrays the horrors of war through the experiences of the 101st Airborne Division, also known as Easy Company. Despite being rooted in reality, Band of Brothers remains a compelling and captivating depiction of World War II and the Allied invasion of Europe.
Throughout the 10 episodes of Band of Brothers, the audience learns about the different outcomes that befell numerous members of Easy Company. Whether it was the tragic deaths of soldiers on the battlefield, the return home of others, or the enduring injuries suffered by some, the story sees several characters come and go. While the series concludes by providing details about the post-war lives of many surviving Easy Company members, the fate of Walter "Smokey" Gordon remains unknown.
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Walter "Smokey" Gordon Was Hospitalized For 6 Months After Being Shot In WW2
Smokey couldn't be present with Easy Company at the end of the war since he had been hospitalized five months before its conclusion. Walter "Smokey" Gordon, portrayed by Ben Caplan in the ensemble cast of Band of Brothers, served as a machine gunner for Easy Company. In Band of Brothers' sixth episode, "Bastogne," Smokey is prominently featured during combat. In one scene, as the harsh cold weather plagues Easy Company during the Battle of the Bulge, Smokey prepares some coffee in a foxhole to counter the chilling effects. Just as he attends to his brewing, a sudden German attack commences, prompting him to promptly man his machine gun.
Was Smokey Gordon Paralyzed?
: In the television series Band of Brothers, Smokey is seen reaching for his coffee when he suddenly takes a bullet in the right shoulder. The projectile passes through his body and exits from his left shoulder, resulting in the loss of sensation in his legs. Subsequently, Smokey receives medical attention at a hospital where he is informed about his temporary paralysis.
Whether Smokey Gordon would remain paralyzed for the rest of his life was a question that loomed, despite being told he would only experience temporary paralysis - at best. Interestingly, the U.S. Army hesitated to discharge Gordon as they feared the potential burden of having to provide full disability compensation if his paralysis proved to be permanent. However, with his father's intervention, Gordon was eventually discharged with a 90% disability. Surprisingly, Gordon eventually regained full control of his body. Nevertheless, he continued to suffer from back pain thereafter. Considering the possible consequences of his injury, this was a small price to pay.
How Smokey Gordon Helped Keep Easy Company Together After WW2
Despite not being mentioned in Band of Brothers, Smokey Gordon's influence is evident in the final episode. Dick Winters, voiced by Damien Lewis, narrates the post-war lives of Easy Company members, highlighting their careers, families, and eventual passing. Winters also acknowledges that Easy Company maintained strong ties through regular reunions.
However, what the series fails to mention is that Smokey Gordon played a crucial role in organizing these reunions. While Winters does not specifically credit him, it is widely known that Smokey was instrumental in ensuring these gatherings took place. The reunions, starting in 1946, allowed the men of Easy Company to maintain their bond long after the war had ended, providing support and camaraderie in the face of their shared traumas.
Smokey Gordon's Later Life & Death Explained
Smokey Gordon had a fulfilling life following his time in Easy Company and the war. Once he recovered from his injuries and regained control of his bodily functions, Gordon relocated to Lafayette, Louisiana. There, he pursued a successful career as an independent broker for oil and gas leases. In 1951, six years after the war ended, Gordon married Elizabeth Ball Ludeau. Together, they built a happy family life in Louisiana, raising four daughters and one son. Sadly, Walter "Smokey" Gordon passed away in 1997 at the age of 77, after suffering a stroke in his sleep.
Gordon's legacy is carried on by his five children and five grandchildren. Despite not receiving much attention in the story of Band of Brothers, Smokey Gordon lived a long and content life following World War II. Although he was unable to actively participate in combat due to his injury in Bastogne, Gordon remained an integral member of Easy Company. The series emphasizes that every soldier in Easy Company, including Smokey, was a hero, fortunate enough to survive the war and build fulfilling lives afterwards.
