Eric Logister

This photo shows Captain Lewis Nixon of Easy Company, suffering a hangover after celebrating V-E Day in 1945. In Berchtesgaden, Germany, Nixon had access to an extensive wine collection assembled by Hermann Göring, a leading Nazi figure. This collection was stolen from European wineries by the Nazis. Despite experiencing intense combat during World War II, Nixon never fired a shot. He was famous for always carrying whisky, especially his favorite, Vat 69. Dick Winters, commander of Easy Company, praised Nixon: “Captain Lewis Nixon and I were together every step of the way from D-Day to Berchtesgaden, May 8, 1945 - VE-Day. I still regard Lewis Nixon as the best combat officer who I had the opportunity to work with under fire. He never showed fear, and during the toughest times he could always think clearly and quickly. Very few men can remain poised under an artillery concentration. Nixon was one of those officers. He always trusted me, from the time we met at Officer Candidate School. While we were in training before we shipped overseas, Nixon hid his entire inventory of Vat 69 in my footlocker, under the tray holding my socks, underwear, and sweaters. What greater trust, what greater honor could I ask for than to be trusted with his precious inventory of Vat 69?”