Patrick K. O'Donnell

And I saw a generation that it just blew me away.

that, you know, one house after another.

The platoon went from 60 men down to 20 men standing.

Many guys had multiple Purple Hearts, but would consistently leave the aid station to come back with their brothers.

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War Room.

Here's your host, Stephen K. Band.

I'm on top, a little round top, Steve.

The position of the 16th Infantry Michigan, where the epic stand is the far left flank.

The 20th main is a little bit further down here.

Behind me is the slaughter pen and Devil's Den in the Valley of Death.

I mean, this is a glorious day.

I've been here at least 100 times.

This is one of the most incredible days I've ever been here.

That's correct, Steve.

This is one of the greatest inflection points in history right here on Little Round Top.

Had they been able to seize Little Round Top, they would have gotten behind Lee's army and potentially flanked it and forced to retreat.

they were told to hold at all costs steve and their position was tenuous they were the far left and they had to hold at all cost and they you know they're assaulted uh four times by the 15th alabama under william c oats and they are nearly overrun they're out of ammunition they're taking the they're taking ammunition from the dead

And it's here that the, the great, uh, counterattack, which is a bayonet charge, it's kind of a swinging door takes place and they, they capture portions of the 15th Alabama and force them to retreat.

One of the great inflection points, one of the great small unit actions in military history, um, in American history.