WWII veteran bids a silent goodbye after discovering his wingman’s grave 77 years after they last flew

Ed Cottrell was 99 when he stood at the grave of Theodore "Ted" Smith — his wingman, roommate, and closest friend during World War II. For 77 years, Cottrell carried the weight of that loss, feeling an unnegotiable void within. When he finally got to visit Smith’s grave, located in the Netherlands American Cemetery, the moment was captured on video and later posted by writer Andrew Biggio (@therifle_) on Instagram. Cottrell, who is seen walking straight up until that point, halts abruptly upon eyeing his best friend's tombstone. In that moment, time stops, and all that exists is his grief and joy over this bittersweet reunion. 12 days after his death on March 28, 2025, the video was re-released to mark what would have been Cottrell’s 103rd birthday. 

Biggio wrote in his post, "I would like to wish him a happy birthday and re-share this video we recorded four years ago. Nobody was expecting a ‘Saving Private Ryan’ reaction upon seeing the grave of Ted Smith." Smith was killed in action on January 1, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge. He had been flying his P-47 Thunderbolt with the 48th Fighter Group when he was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The caption continued, "Ed was totally unaware Ted Smith was buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery. While we were unsure what his reaction would be, it was my decision to post it." Upon recognizing Smith's grave, Cottrell immediately paused and pointed at it in disbelief. As he knelt in front of his friend's grave, resting one hand on the white marble cross, his face buckled under the weight of emotion.

Through the video, Biggio aimed to confront how quickly stories like Cottrell's are fading. "In a country where some kids think the British bombed Pearl Harbor, the Pledge of Allegiance has been removed from school, and history seems to be skipped. I felt the need to show what sacrifice looks like. I wanted to educate millions of teenagers holding their cell phones that these men still live amongst us, and did so much for our nation," he wrote. He also assured that the video was "released with Ed’s permission." Viewers empathized with Cottrell's reaction, which showed decades of grief bursting out upon discovering a friend who’d been missing from his life for 77 years. @paulalcock723 wrote, "Thank you sir and sorry we seem to be making a massive mess of the freedom you gave us." 

@flock_and_feather_firearms added, "I can just imagine when he paused and pointed. That pause was him remembering those final moments, and all the memories, all at once. I can't imagine how overwhelming that would be." @carolynridderaspenson said, "That is heartbreaking. Kids today will never understand the heroic impact this generation had on their lives. If not for them, they’d all be living a very different life. Bless those still living and those who are gone. They deserve so much more than we’ve given them." @denjpais shared, "When a man honors a man. There is no greater love than when one lays down his life for a friend." @kmg6217 shared, "Thank you for sharing this beautiful moment! It’s heartbreaking that we don’t do more to honor our heroes! Your work is making a difference!" @deadohiosky83 said, "A war from a lifetime ago just flashed through that man's mind."

You can follow Andrew Biggio (@therifle_) on Instagram for more army and veteran stories.