View Full Version : The Longest Day
Airbornelawyer
06-05-2006, 22:15
The anniversary of the Day of Days is upon us. I had hoped to make it to France this week, as, sadly, opportunities to spend the day talking to those who were there are diminishing. I invite people to share any links they might have to resources, recollections and the like over the course of the day.
As I write this, it is 6:20 a.m. in Normandy, 22 minutes past daybreak, and U.S. landing craft are approaching Omaha and Utah beaches.
Here is a timeline of the day: http://www.6juin1944.com/en_journee.html
6 Hours prior to the landings on the beach, members of the American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions began jumping into Normandy. Followed closely by troops coming in by gliders.
http://www.warchronicle.com/dday/utah/all_american_eagles.htm
If the landings on the beaches failed, these men would be cut off, with no real means of escape, nor of any possible means of being resupplied.
They only had, what they jumped in with.
A Weight on Their Shoulders
Paratroopers carried an average of 70 pounds of equipment. Officers averaged 90 pounds of gear. With the parachute, men weighed in at 90 to 120 pounds over their body weight.
The paratroopers were jumping into unknown territory and needed to be prepared for any encounter or conditions. Here's what they took:
Standard Parachutist pack
M-1 Garand Rifle with 8-round clip
cartridge belt with canteen
hand grenades
parachute and pack
anti-flash headgear and gloves
pocket compass
machete
.45 caliber Colt automatic rifle
flares
message book
Officer pack
(British, but similar to American officer pack)
Sten gun
spare magazines with 9mm ammunition
2 lb. plastic high explosives (HE)
2-36 primed hand grenades
two full belts of Vickers
.303 ammunition
wire cutters
radio batteries
small-pack
basic equipment webbing
48 hours' worth of rations
water
cooking and washing kit
Spread throughout pockets
loaded .45 automatic pistol
medical kit
2 additional lb. HE
knife
escape/survival kit
toggle rope
additional personal items
Emergency rations
4 pieces of chewing gum
2 bouillon cubes
2 Nescafe instant coffees, 2 sugar cubes, and creamers
4 Hershey bars
1 pack of Charms candy
1 package pipe tobacco
1 bottle of water purification (Halazone) tablets to purify water. "To use: Put two tablets in canteen full of water (approx. 1 qt.) and shake briskly. Wait 30 minutes before drinking water. If water is dirty or discolored, use 4 tablets."
Roguish Lawyer
06-05-2006, 23:05
If you make it over there and speak to any locals, you might tell them we're inclined to let the Germans stay next time.
[AL -- feel free to delete this if I'm ruining your thread. Sometimes I just can't help myself.]
AL, thank you for this thread. I'm guessing that not one person in a hundred in my town is thinking about these brave men today, nor will they.
How quickly we forget history in this country.
If you make it over there and speak to any locals, you might tell them we're inclined to let the Germans stay next time.
[AL -- feel free to delete this if I'm ruining your thread. Sometimes I just can't help myself.]
That's hardly appropriate.
LEST WE FORGET all the men who lost their lives in the air, on the ground and in the sea.
..... I'm guessing that not one person in a hundred in my town is thinking about these brave men today, nor will they......
I sat my girls down last Sunday and had them watch The Longest Day with me. They liked the movie and understood the French part.
I'll ask them tonight if any mention of D-day was made in school.
Pete
From what I see, there's more hype around the whole stupid 6-6-06 thing than there is rememberance of D-Day.
Slantwire
06-06-2006, 07:13
From what I see, there's more hype around the whole stupid 6-6-06 thing than there is rememberance of D-Day.
Hmm. The anniversary of the turning point in the biggest war (against the most powerful adversary) in human history, or a mildly interesting numerical coincidence? Gee, I wonder which one is more important?
Stupid New-Agey modern hippies looking to believe in anything, from power crystals to inner chi, or in this case, calendar numerology. And yet the numerical coincidence in question is only significant due to the Bible. :rolleyes:
So far I have asked three people if they knew what today was. They are all 0-3.
My GF asked what D-day was. I said get on the internet.
Roguish Lawyer
06-06-2006, 07:53
That's hardly appropriate.
LEST WE FORGET all the men who lost their lives in the air, on the ground and in the sea.
My apologies.
I have not forgotten. In fact, I have relatives I am very close to who participated. Some by sea, some by air. One was wounded badly.
Sorry, that post was two parts. One directed at you the other in general.
My one friend once asked me if D-Day was when we invaded the Japanese mainland. I about punched him in the throat.
We must never forget those men who went into hell that day!
Airbornelawyer
06-06-2006, 10:57
On this link are posted the citations for the four Medals of Honor awarded for actions on June 6, 1944, all posthumous: http://ordinaryeverydaychristian.blogspot.com/2006/06/four-men-on-d-day-june-6-1944.html
Recipients were:
Private Carlton W. Barrett, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
1st Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr., 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Technician 5th Grade John J. Pinder, Jr., 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., Assistant Divisional Commander, 4th Infantry Division
x SF med
06-06-2006, 11:43
In the mid eighties, I was getting moved from one FOB to another during a major JSOCTE (from S to N, a bummer in that respect) on board a MC130E on 6/6 - the French denied flight rights, so we had to skirt the coast, passing over Omaha and Normandy. The whole crew was ecstatic that they weren't being E&E'd - so they were feeding us (2 SF guys) chatting us up, showing us the bird (amazing bird, and a little fact guys, the curtains aren't to keep us from seeing stuff, it's to keep them from seeing stuff) - and all of the sudden at 0555 the EWO says, screw it, talks to the pilot and we head in toward the beaches, losing altitude. The Ewo is turning buttons with an evil grin on his face, muttering about the Gallic rudeness, and says "oops" as 2 chaff cans go off. He then says - we weren't here, we had a malfunction over the Atlantic, and we have no clue why radio and television in the area was interrupted.... A nice tribute to D-Day.
CPTAUSRET
06-06-2006, 11:45
In the mid eighties, I was getting moved from one FOB to another during a major JSOCTE (from S to N, a bummer in that respect) on board a MC130E on 6/6 - the French denied flight rights, so we had to skirt the coast, passing over Omaha and Normandy. The whole crew was ecstatic that they weren't being E&E'd - so they were feeding us (2 SF guys) chatting us up, showing us the bird (amazing bird, and a little fact guys, the curtains aren't to keep us from seeing stuff, it's to keep them from seeing stuff) - and all of the sudden at 0555 the EWO says, screw it, talks to the pilot and we head in toward the beaches, losing altitude. The Ewo is turning buttons with an evil grin on his face, muttering about the Gallic rudeness, and says "oops" as 2 chaff cans go off. He then says - we weren't here, we had a malfunction over the Atlantic, and we have no clue why radio and television in the area was interrupted.... A nice tribute to D-Day.
Nice story, works for me!
Terry
Team Sergeant
06-06-2006, 12:53
Pealer, John W, Member of the 764th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group
Battles and Campaigns:
Rhineland, Air Combat Balkans, Rome-Arno, No Appennines, Po Vally, Southern France, Normandy, Northern France.
Born 29 Jun 1923 Died 11 Mar 2006
Thank you Uncle John.
Thank you Mr. Pealer and your fellow warriors from "the greatest generation."
RIP
Trip_Wire (RIP)
06-06-2006, 13:53
Turn up speakers:
http://www.americanrhetoric.com/mp3clips/politicalspeeches/ronaldrreagandday.mp3
Rangers Lead The Way!
President Reagan's Speech @ Pt. Du Hoe
That was great. Thanks for posting it.
I also recently read Major Dick Winters book, Beyond Band of Brothers. Very good book about the same subject. Co authored by my old company commander.
Airbornelawyer
06-06-2006, 16:52
This is an incomplete list - among others, it is missing most Army Air Corps personnel (including Troop Carrier Command) - but here is a list of known Distinguished Service Crosses awarded for June 6, 1944. The units listed give you an overview of who saw the most fighting on that first day, including the "usual suspects" (Rangers, Airborne, 16th and 116th Infantry on Omaha Beach, etc.), but also the men of a few lesser known units, such as the engineers trying to open up the beaches, chemical mortarmen laying down smoke and tankers.
Part 1:
Ahearn, John L., 1LT, C/70th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Group
Amerman, Walter G., 2LT, B/506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Anderson, William A., 2LT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Anker, Leonard A., 2LT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Appleby, Stanley P., T/4, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Armellino, John R., CPT, L/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Armstrong, L. M., TSGT, L/116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Austin, Billy J., T/5, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion
Barba, James N., CPL, G/502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Barber, Alexander W., PFC, HHC/5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Barcellona, Gaetano R., 2LT, 741st Tank Battalion
Beavers, Harold R., 1LT, 743rd Tank Battalion
Beitler, Kenneth E., CPT, 58th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
Belcher, Julius W., SGT, C/2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Benn, William R., Jr., TSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Bennett, Donald V., LTC, 62nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion
Benton, John L., SSGT, ____ Infantry Regiment
Berkowitz, Henry, PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Bingham, Sidney V., MAJ, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Bleau, Kenneth, 2LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Bolderson, John D., PFC, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Bowen, George H., PFC, Medical Detachment/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Briggs, Victor H., CPT, C/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Brooks, Elton E., 1LT, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Buschlen, Arthur B., SGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Canham, Charles D.W., COL, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Cavaliere, Peter, PVT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Ceffalo, John W., PFC, HHC, 3-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Clark, Philip C., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Clark, Rex D., T/5, E/2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Coffman, Ralph S., SSGT, L/116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Colson, Clarence, SGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Colwell, Curtis, SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Cota, Norman D., BG, 29th Infantry Division
Cotter, John J., CPT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Cutler, Robert R., 1LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Dawson, Francis W. "Bull", 1LT, D/5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Dawson, Joseph T., CPT, G/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Dillon, William T., 1LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
DiTullio, Dominick, PFC, G/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Dock, Lowell L., TSGT, 7th FA, 1st Infantry Division
Dove, Vinton Walsh, PVT, C/37th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5th Engineer Special Brigade
Eberle, George M., 1LT, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Elder, Ned S., CPT, 743rd Tank Battalion
Ellis, Calvin L., TSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Ferguson, Forest K., 2LT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Fitzsimmons, Lawrence J., 1SGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Fryer, Gibson, PVT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Gallagher, Richard J., PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Gearing, Edward N., 1LT (2LT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Gibbs, George W., LTC, 7th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Infantry Division
Giles, Carl K., Jr., 1LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Goranson, Ralph E., CPT, C/2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Gregory, Joseph J., Jr., 1LT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Griffen, John V., PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Habib, George A., SGT, ____ Infantry Regiment
Haley, James W., CPT, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Hall, Henry H., PFC, Medical Detachment/ 397th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (Provisional)
Harbaugh, Francis L. "Bud", PVT, Medical Detachment/508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
Hargrove, Robert C., 1LT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Harris, Ernest O., 1LT, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Harrison, Bailey, SGT, D/502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Heenan, John R., PFC, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Heim, Marcus, Jr., PVT, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Hicks, Herbert C., LTC, 2-16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Isley, Carl J., LTC, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
James, Theodore A., SGT, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Jenkins, Floyd M., SSGT, ____ Infantry Regiment
Jewett, Milton A., MAJ, 299th Engineer Combat Battalion
Jones, Aaron B., PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Jones, Henry W., 1LT, ____ Infantry Regiment
Kehaly, William James, 1LT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Kerchner, George F., 2LT, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Kidwell, Kenneth P., PVT, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized)
Krause, Edward C., LTC, 3/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Lacy, Joseph R., 1LT (Chaplain), 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Lanterman, Raymond E., 1LT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Lillyman, Frank L., CPT, 101st Pathfinder Co (Provisional), 101st Airborne Division
Lockwood, John A., PVT, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (attached to 82nd Airborne Division)
Lomell, Leonard G. "Bud", 1SGT, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Lorenz, Herman J., 1SGT, ___ Coast Artillery
Lovell, Warden F., SGT, 165th Signal Photo Company
Airbornelawyer
06-06-2006, 16:55
Part 2:
Mabry, George Lafayette, Jr., CPT, 2-8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
MacConchie, Howard P., 1LT, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
MacNeely, Carlton O., LTC, 2-8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Mansfield, Paul F., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Masny, Otto, CPT, F/2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
McElyea, Atwood M., 2LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
McGee, Tildon S., CPT(Chaplain), 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
McLaren, Donald B., PVT, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized)
Merendine, Thomas N., CPT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Millener, Raymond D., LTC, G-3, 101st Airborne Division
Moody, William D., 1LT, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Morse, Verne V., 1LT (2LT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Muir, Marvin H., 2LT, 439th Troop Carrier Group
Mullins, Thornton L., LTC, 111th Field Artillery Battalion, 29th Infantry Division
Murrin, Richard C., SSGT, 70th Tank Battalion
Nicoli, Raymond E., SGT, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized)
O’Neill, John T., LTC, ___ Engineers
Orndorf, Douglas, SGT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Ostberg, Edwin J., LTC, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (attached to 82nd Airborne Division)
Panas, James P., 1LT, A/81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized)
Paolini, Camillus J., PFC, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Parke, Joseph P., PVT, H/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Parker, Charles H., 1LT, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Patch, Lloyd E., CPT, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Patterson, Lyman K., SSGT (SGT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Pence, James L., CPT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Perry, Edwin R., CPT, ___ Engineer Combat Battalion
Peterson, Kenneth F., SGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Peterson, Lenold C., PFC, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Peterson, Victor E., PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Philips, Vedra C., CPT, A/743rd Tank Battalion
Porter, Benton L., PVT, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized)
Pressley, William M., 1SGT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Proffitt, Carl D., TSGT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Pryne, Gordon C., PFC, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Radford, David N., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Ralston, Emerald M., CPT, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Infantry Division
Raudstein, Knut H., CPT, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Richmond, Kimball R., CPT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Ridgway, Matthew Bunker, MG, 82nd Airborne Division
Riggs, William C., PFC, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Ritter, Ozias C., TSGT (SSGT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Roach, John A., TSGT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Roberts, Ernest T., CPL, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (attached to 82nd Airborne Division)
Roberts, Eskell F., 2LT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Robinson, James L., 1LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Rodgers, Thomas L., PFC, C/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Rogers, Howard W., TSGT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Rosen, Sanford, PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Ross, Wesley R., 2LT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Rudder, James Earl, LTC, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Sampson, Francis L., CPT (Chaplain), 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Savino, Felice J., T/5, 81st Chemical Mortar Battalion (Motorized)
Schmidt, George E., 2LT, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Schneider, George, SSGT, ___ Engineers
Schneider, Max F., LTC, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Schur, Curtis N., PFC, 149th Engineer Combat Battalion
Settineri, John, CPT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Shelby, John D., 1LT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Shindle, Elmer G., T/4, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Shoemaker, William J., PVT, C/37th Engineer Combat Battalion
Shorter, Paul R., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Skaggs, Robert N., LTC, 741st Tank Battalion
Smulik, Bolik, T/4, 741st Tank Battalion
Sosnack, Andrew, PVT, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Spalding, John M., 2LT, E/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Sproul, Archibald, CPT, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Steiner, Fred Alvin, LTC, XO, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Stephens, Otto K., PFC, C/2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Stockwell, Leeward W., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Streczyk, Phillip, SGT, E/16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Strojny, Raymond F., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Sullivan, Richard P., MAJ, 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion
Summers, Harrison C., SSGT, 1-502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Sweeney, Lawrence G., PFC, 741st Tank Battalion
Talley, Benjamin Branche, COL, V Corps (Omaha Beach Command)
Taylor, George A., COL, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Taylor, Maxwell D., MG, 82nd Airborne Division
Taylor, Walter P., 1LT (2LT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Tegtmeyer, Charles E., MAJ, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Thompson, Paul W., COL, 6th Engineer Special Brigade
Tubbs, Herbert A., 1SGT, I/501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Tucker, Albert J., PVT, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion
Turner, William L., LTC, 1-506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Upham, John S., Jr., LTC, 743rd Tank Battalion
Van De Voort, Leo D., 1LT (2LT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Van Fleet, James Alward, COL, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Van Valkenburg, John J., PVT, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (attached to 82nd Airborne Division)
Vandervoort, Benjamin H., LTC, 2-505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Washington, William R., MAJ, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Weir, William W., SGT, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Welborn, John C., LTC, 70th Tank Battalion
Wells, James A., SSGT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
White, John W., TSGT, 2nd Ranger Infantry Battalion
Wilk, Theodore T., PFC, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Williams, Alfred H., Jr., 1LT, ___ Infantry Regiment
Williams, William B., CPT (1LT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Winters, Richard D., 1LT, E/506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Woodward, Robert W., CPT, ___ Field Artillery
Wozenski, Edward F., CPT, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
Wyman, Willard Gordon, BG, 1st Infantry Division
Zahn, Donald E., SGT, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Zantow, Forrest, CPT (1LT), 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Zeigler, Harvey J., Jr., 1LT, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Zwingman, Otto K., PVT, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment (attached to 82nd Airborne Division)
NousDefionsDoc
06-06-2006, 17:01
Hard men in hard times doing what needs to be done. RIP.
My thanks and prayers to all who served and died in the name of freedom.
Never forget.
There are some eye witness account stories here...
http://www.normandy1944.info/
SUPREME HEADQUARTERS
ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944 ! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground.
Our Home Fronts have given us an superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world marching together to Victory!
I have full confidence in your devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good Luck! And let us all beseech blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Pealer, John W, Member of the 764th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group
Battles and Campaigns:
Rhineland, Air Combat Balkans, Rome-Arno, No Appennines, Po Vally, Southern France, Normandy, Northern France.
Born 29 Jun 1923 Died 11 Mar 2006
Thank you Uncle John.
Rest in Peace Mr. Pealer, TS...my belated condolences.
Slantwire
06-07-2006, 05:59
On this link are posted the citations for the four Medals of Honor awarded for actions on June 6, 1944, all posthumous:
1st Lieutenant Jimmie W. Monteith, Jr., 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
In keeping with the Shugart / Gordon thread, I can't say what home recognition the others received, but LT Monteith was a Virginia Tech graduate; one of the cadet barracks on the Upper Quad is named for him.
Slantwire
06-07-2006, 06:01
Pealer, John W, Member of the 764th Bomb Squadron, 461st Bomb Group
Battles and Campaigns:
Rhineland, Air Combat Balkans, Rome-Arno, No Appennines, Po Vally, Southern France, Normandy, Northern France.
Born 29 Jun 1923 Died 11 Mar 2006
Thank you Uncle John.
As NDD said, sounds like a hard man in hard times doing the hard things that had to be done. An example for all the rest of us to follow. Condolences, TS.
Hard men in hard times doing what needs to be done. RIP.
Reminds me of our Btn's unofficial motto..."Hard times don't last, but hard men do."
Cypher078
06-07-2006, 21:40
Growing up as a kid I knew of D Day through the little history education we got in school and reruns of old movies. I never really understood the horrifying realities of what happened that day until one day, out of the blue, my grandfather told me what happened.
All I knew for 25 years or so was that my grandfather served in WWII, and received a few purple hearts. When I was young I noticed he had a scar on his chest while we were at the beach and asked him how he got it. He got real quiet and said something to the effect of he didn't want to talk about it and my grandmother then got my attention and that was the end of it. My mother told me that he refused to watch any war movies and never, ever, talked about what happened in the war. It was completely off limits to discuss. She had never heard him talk of it in all her years.
One sunday evening we were gathered around the dinner table, as we do every week, a commercial for the movie Pearl Harbor, or some other recent Hollywood war movie, came on the TV. He calmly remarked that he might like to see that movie, and the look on my mother and grandmother's faces were of total shock. He then proceeded to tell us stories about that day in particular. I won't go into details, as I cannot accurately portray his stories, but to see my grandfather talk about this day, with tears in his eyes, tore me apart. Tales of tanks pressing down on him, friends dying in his arms, the paratrooper hanging from the steeple and the like painted a new light on D Day and on that generation as a whole for me. He opened up a bit more after that day and talked about the war more and more after he had heart surgery. Not a Veteran's Day or D Day anniversary passes where I do not give him a call and thank him and to tell him that I love him. I gained a new found respect for a man that I had admired my whole life that day.
I have more stories that I'll not bore you with tonight, like the surprise trip my wife and I put together the take him to the 82nd Museum, with a brief tour of the older sections of Bragg and the kindness of a gentlemen who insisted that he buy him a set of replica wings at the Army Navy Surplus store to give to his youngest grandson who is now a pilot and aspires to go the Naval academy.
Thank you Richard "Kegg" Keggeries for your service and being one helluva role model for me. Thank you to those who served with you and made the world a better place. I, for one, will never forget what happened that day.
Monsoon65
06-08-2006, 14:54
I always remember my mom telling me about her cousin that was killed on Omaha on 6 June. He was 19, with the Big Red One. Never got off the beach.