Herbert Sobel
Herbert M. Sobel | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Black Swan |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1940-1947 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles / wars | World War II |
| Awards | |
Herbert M. "The Black Swan" Sobel (26 January 1912 – 30 September 1987)[2] was a commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division during World War II. Sobel was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by David Schwimmer.
Early life
Sobel was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was Jewish.[3] He was a clothing salesman after attending military school at the highly-regarded Culver Military Academy in Indiana.[4] He graduated from the University Of Illinois.[4] Sobel volunteered for the paratroopers soon after the outbreak of World War II and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
World War II
Promoted to first lieutenant, Sobel commanded Company E for all of their basic training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, and was credited with having the finest company in the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of captain in recognition of his ability as a trainer. Sobel was disliked by the soldiers of Company E for his extreme strictness at Camp Toccoa. Sobel had difficulties in map reading and his grasp of military tactics was apparently poor.[5]
After a period of training in the United Kingdom before the Normandy invasion, Captain Sobel was removed from command of Easy Company.[6] He was then transferred to command the Chilton Foliat jump school.[6] First Lieutenant Patrick Sweeney replaced Sobel, and was one of several officers (including Richard Winters) to succeed him in that post before the war was over.[6]
Shortly before Easy Company took part in Operation Market Garden, Sobel was assigned to the 506th once again, this time replacing Salve Matheson as the regimental S-4 (logistics) officer.[7] Sobel discharged in 1947.
Despite his apparent lack of leadership skills, many Easy Company veterans are quoted as saying that Sobel's intense training at Camp Toccoa kept them alive.
After World War II
Sobel returned to the United States after the war, and worked as a accountant before being recalled to active duty during the Korean War.[8] It is unknown if he was stationed in Korea or remained in the United States.[citation needed] He remained in the Army National Guard, eventually retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He later got married, and had two kids.[9]
Later, he moved to a VA assisted-living facility in Waukegan, Illinois. Sobel resided there for his last seventeen years until his death on 30 September 1987.[10]
Notes
- ^ DeAngelis, Frank. "Herbert Sobel's shadowbox". Retrieved 2009-10-05.
- ^ Social Security Death Index SSN 351-07-4644
- ^ Ambrose (1992), p.17
- ^ a b Brotherton (2009), p.241
- ^ Hanks, Tom & Jendresen, Eric (2001) Band of Brothers (TV miniseries). Part I- (Currahee). Retrieved 2009-10-05.
- ^ a b c Ambrose (1992), p.53
- ^ Ambrose (1992), p.240
- ^ Brotherton (1992), p.242
- ^ Ambrose (1992), p.298
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Brotherton 244was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
Sources
- Ambrose, Stephen E. (1992). Band of Brothers: Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9780743464116.
- Brotherton, Marcus (2009). We Who Are Alive and Remain: Untold Stories from The Band of Brothers. Berkley Caliber. ISBN 0743464117.