Today. 79 Years Ago--Invasion!

[jh]

This was the start of the invasion of Europe on June 6, 1944 as broadcast on NBC radio.

The estimated total battle casualties for the United States were 135,000, including 29,000 killed and 106,000 wounded and missing.

Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-Sur-Mer, Normandy, France

[chopper]

My grandpa went up the beach at Omaha and got the Bronze Star at St. Lo.

To my knowledge he never spoke about it with anyone but my grandma. She said he put kids on litters no arms, no legs, no face ... he would not watch war movies on TV. Always got up to go do something outside or if it was winter he'd wash the dishes.

I did the math. He was 34 years old when he walked from Omaha to Paris and then Berlin. I thought he was a kid but he was 34.

[TheCaber]

My dad was 26 when he finished basic and was shipped to Europe to join Patton's 3rd Army in France. He was part of / led an anti-tank squad and earned a bronze star. He and his squad were all over central Europe, chasing panzers.
He (Staff Sergeant) was usually the oldest in the squad by far.

Their armament was hand grenades and whatever M-1 carbines they could acquire. Freakin' cold, rainy, icy, snowy. I'm glad he made it back (as was my mom). He never talked about it (except with my mom). I only ever saw his bronze star and citation at his wake in 2016 (he was 98).

He did like the "Hogan's Heroes" TV series, but did not care for war movies.

[My memories may not reflect reality. My apologies.]

[RAMd®d]

Much respect to those who survived, and to those who did not return.

Rest In Peace, here and abroad.

It's always a surprise to me when I read about the ages of WWII soldiers.

I read the average age of a WWII combatant was 26, compare to Viet Nam, which was 19.

26 in Viet Nam would have been ancient.


Hand Salute...

Ready... Two.

[Ombligo]

It is worth remembering that two years earlier (or 81 years ago this week) the Navy did its part at Midway. That battle essentially turned the tide and put Japan on the defensive going forward.

[modelamac]

I just finished reading this book by Stephen Ambrose: https://www.amazon.com/Citizen-Soldiers-...0684848015

I highly recommend it. A lot of stories from GIs that did not tell them to anyone else.