The U.S. general who famously said "Nuts!" when asked to surrender at Bastogne was Anthony McAuliffe.

As the 101st Airborne Division's acting division commander during the Battle of the Bulge, McAuliffe found himself in a precarious position when German forces surrounded his soldiers in December 1944. McAuliffe's audacious and defiant reply of "Nuts!" in answer to the Germans' demand for his surrender became famous and embodied the spirit and resolve of American forces. This unwavering refusal to surrender not only inspired his soldiers but also raised the Allied force's spirits. In the end, McAuliffe's leadership was instrumental in the defense of Bastogne, which was taken over by General Patton's Third Army. This marked a critical juncture in the conflict and helped the Allies win World War II.