Tony Bennett, the iconic singer who passed away at the age of 96, left a lasting impact on millions of people through his music. However, there was a significant event in Bennett’s early life that had a profound effect on him. In a 2011 interview with Howard Stern, Bennett discussed his experience during World War II, particularly his time in the infantry and his involvement in liberating a concentration camp. This experience transformed Bennett into a pacifist, as he expressed his strong dislike for war and his belief that life is a precious gift to be cherished.
When Bennett was drafted into the war as a teenager, he admitted to feeling scared, but he soon realized that his fear was universal. Both the Germans and the American soldiers were frightened, creating a shared reluctance to take lives. However, the power of the weapons they possessed overcame this sentiment.
Despite his bravery and dedication, Bennett faced discrimination within the military. He revealed to Stern that his friendship with a black fellow soldier led to his stripes being removed by a prejudiced captain. Despite this setback, Bennett had nothing but admiration for his friend, describing him as a talented drummer and recalling their time together in high school.
In a heartwarming moment during the war, Bennett and his friend were able to reunite on Thanksgiving in Germany. Bennett invited his friend to share a meal with him at the Truman Hotel in Mannheim. However, the captain disapproved of their association because of their racial difference. As a result, Bennett was assigned the difficult task of exhuming the bodies of deceased American soldiers for reburial elsewhere. This experience deeply affected Bennett, leading to a complete rejection of bigotry in his life.
Bennett emphasized that one of the most ignorant things a person can do is hold prejudice against others based on their ethnicity. The trauma he experienced during the war eradicated any traces of bigotry in his life and instilled a profound belief in the importance of acceptance and equality.
To hear the full conversation between Tony Bennett and Howard Stern, you can watch the video below.
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