Band Of Brothers Hero, Darrell ‘Shifty’ Powers Dies
Contributed photo
Darrell “Shifty” Powers, one of the soldiers depicted in “Band of Brothers,” passed away on Wednesday, June 17, 2009.
BY ROGER BROWN
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
“The world depended on them. They depended on each other.”
That was the tagline for “Band of Brothers” – an award-winning 2001 HBO mini-series drama on the World War II experiences of Easy Company, a U.S. Army unit that fought bravely and fiercely across Europe.
But for Bristol’s Margo Johnson – daughter of Darrell “Shifty” Powers, one of the soldiers depicted in “Band of Brothers” – two more lines could be added to describe her heroic father: “The world truly admired Darrell Powers. I absolutely adored him.”
“I loved everything about my daddy,” Johnson said. “He never bragged about what he did in the war. And for a lot of years, he never even talked much about what he did – unless someone asked him about it.
“But he truly was a hero to me,” Johnson said. “Just like he’d been to the people who know him as a soldier in a [mini-series].”
Powers, a Dickenson County native, died earlier this week at age 86 following a battle with cancer. His funeral service will be held today in Clintwood.
“He was a brave man, even to the end of his life,” Johnson said of her father. “He’s helping me be brave now, too.”
Bravery – and dignity – was a constant, running thread in the life of “Shifty” Powers, both during and after his life as an Army sharpshooter in the actual “Band of Brothers.”
During the war, he fought brutal battles against the German army across France and Belgium.
After the war, Powers served as an eloquent representative for the men he fought with: At one point during the “Band of Brothers” mini-series, he appeared on camera to talk in moving, humane fashion about his grim but necessary task during the war – killing the enemy.
And, too, Powers served as a loyal, steadfast representative for the country he fought for: from graciously meeting with a former enemy German soldier to eagerly accepting any chance to speak with modern-day members of the U.S. military.
Ivan Schwarz, a producer on the “Band of Brothers” HBO series, remembers Powers as a “kind, generous soul with a great sense of humor.”
“Shifty was an incredibly humble human being,” said Schwarz, now executive director of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission in Cleveland, Ohio.
“He was like most of the other [Easy Company] soldiers we met for the series. They were good guys who were kind of shocked that, 50 years later, people were making a big deal over them for just doing their duty.
“That’s exactly how [Powers] was, too,” Schwarz said.
Attempts were unsuccessful to reach Peter Youngblood Hills – the English actor who portrayed Powers in the “Band of Brothers” miniseries, through both HBO and his former publicity firm, Hamilton Hodell in London, England.
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Reader Reactions
It was with much sadness and a deep sense of loss that I learned of the passing of a truly great American, Sgt. Darrell “Shifty” Powers. I never had the privilege, the honor, to meet the man himself, or any of his “brothers,“ having had to resort to watching the recreation on the show. With so much attention paid to recent celebrity passings, it is a sad refelction on our country that a man like Sgt. Powers who has served American so well passes to little fanfare. Shame on my country for allowing this man, this hero, this soldier to depart this live virtually unnoticed. Mrs. Johnson, your father was everything portrayed on the show, and more, if for no other reason that everything I’ve read about him shows he was a kind, decent, and humble man. I am truly sorry for your loss, but if it’s any consolation, your father is surely in heaven because he’s served his time in he!!.
Philip Lorenz, Atlanta GA.
Rest in Peace Shifty. You earned it.
I am very sorry to hear that Shifty Powers died. But I am happy for him because he was lucky to fight in an army that was recognized and appreciated by the Nation, with officers like Patton, Mc Arthur, Ike, etc. that were loved and admired like sport heroes or movie stars are today. What I am really sorry is for the young boys just like Shifty Powers that fought in the Korean and the Vietnam war that were insulted and humiliated in the streets of their own towns while people that were openly behaving as traitors were praised and exolted. Times have changed for the worst and will get even worst if America does not wake up and stop trying to be the best guys in the world and think more about their children and grandchildren that, if it continues as it goes, will have nothing left for them.
So sad that our government has become what Darrell and others fought and died fighting against.
Well AirCav…the reason you didn’t hear about it is because, unfortunatly and sadly no one cares anymore. They are to busy watching funerals of pedophiles aka Michael Jackson to take note of the passing of a REAL American hero. A sad commentary on our state of affairs.
I am shocked that SSGT Powers died a month ago and I just found out today. It was because of men like “Shifty” that I also volunteered for the Paratroops during the Vietnam War. While recovering from another operation on my wounded hip a friend brought me VCR’s of “Band of Brothers” as I did not get HBO. I fell in love with the men of Easy Company. They truly were a Band of Brothers as were the men I served with in Vietnam. It is so sad when a Hero like this dies and unless you live in the Tri-Cities, you don’t find out for a month later. Thank God for all the “Shifty” Powers of the world who have served this nation from it’s beginning through the wars we are fighting now. “I am not a Hero. But I served in a Company of Heroes.“ Rest in Peace SSGT Powers and thank you, very much.
I served with pride…I ask no more, but for our country’s, please Wake Up America…one more request please…all to often I hear the horrible comment: He of She “Won” the Silver Star, Navy Cross, or the Medal of Honor…LADIES, AND GENTLEMAN NO military recipent won a medal for valor…they receive them for Our Nation’s recognition that they gave a part of if not all of their life that we may live free…the correct terminology they are entitle to is they “awarded”, “received”, or “earned” whatever medal that was bestowed on them by a Greatful Nation. God Bless them, and America. Please help stomp out the terrible comment that they won the medal as if it came in a box of Cracker Jacks, or they picked it up in a Poker Game. Thank you and thanks to ALL our servicemen, Some Gave All, others gave some, either way we are richer by it.
I just learned today of SGT Powers’ passing. As a veteran myself, I can only imagine the sacrifices he, and the other men of Easy company made. My eyes filled with tears as I read the story. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. We have lost a TRUE American hero and yet another member of the greatest generation. Thank you SGT Powers, you will truly be missed.
I met Shifty in June 2004 in Normandy for the 60th anniversary of that momentous invasion.
It was an amazing three-week excursion into the heart of living history. And Shifty was right in the middle of it. As much as was possible, given the unique circumstances and the intensity of that time, we all came to love him, no more than his brother paratroopers, of whatever age, of which I was one.
Chris Anderson—one of our group leaders—warned us that first night in London before the Normandy veterans began arriving in earnest. He told us we would come to know the men who had known only from history books and TV documentaries. And we would do so at the site of their greatest triumph. If we were truly fortunate, they would become our friends. Then he added something else. He mentioned that when they departed this world, the sense of personal loss we would endure would be indescribable. That has certainly proven to be true.
If I had to offer one observation about Shifty Powers, it would be that he possessed that rare combination of understated humility and deep devotion to his community and country. To meet him away from his role in the crusade in Europe, you would never connect him to those events. He was one of those rare human beings where humility and greatness come together.
To say he’ll be missed does not begin to cover the depth of what we’ve lost. Men of his character, commitment, wit and courtesy are rare indeed, sad to say. Those of us whose lives he touched came away so much the richer for the experience. And now that Shifty has received the green light on his last jump, I’m sure he landed on his feet.
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. . . Enter into the joy of your lord.“—Matthew 25:21
This is very sad news, my heartfelt condolences to the family. But there is something that makes me even sadder. I only just heard this news today, 7/14/09. This is an absolute disgrace! We have to put up with non-stop coverage of the death of a serial child molester/abuser, but nothing about the passing of a truely wonderful man?! I guess Mr. Powers didn’t bugger enough young boys in order to warrant coverage by our vile media!
I would like to send my heart felt condolences and deepest thanks to Shifty’s family for their loss and for his service.
I read with deep interest the message posted by Joe Galloway.
Having served with the US Army Special Forces and being a Vet Nam veteran I have a very deep and abiding respect for both of these uniquely special individuals.
Sincerely.
Wally
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