re: D-Day 80th Anniversary

I had the honor of visiting Normandy and taking an extensive tour of the D-Day Beaches five years ago, just weeks before the 75th anniversary. It was an incredible experience and I highly recommend the trip to anyone who can take it.

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Oh, is that what he was doing? I thought he was shitting himself.

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Fair enough… non-existent toilet?

One of the coolest things I ever did during my time in the United States Navy was participate in the 50th anniversary of D-Day.

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bruce pearl is the man

Can’t let this important thread get buried today.



Stocking Mill Coffee
@smcroasters

Shortly before D-Day, 2nd Lt. Jack Lundberg Wrote A Good Bye Letter to His Parents telling them that the fight is worth the sacrifice for the United States:

Now that I am actually here, I see that the chances of my returning to all of you are quite slim, therefore I want to write this letter now while I am yet able.
I want you to know how much I love each of you. You mean everything to me, and it is the realization of your love that gives me the courage to continue…. I have requested that this letter be forwarded only in the event I do not return.
?
US Soldier on Omaha Beach
You have had many times more than your share of illness and deaths in the family — still you have continued to exemplify what true parents should.
I am sorry to add to your grief — but at all times, realize that my thoughts are of you constantly and that I feel that in some small way I am helping to bring this wasteful war to a conclusion. We of the United States have something to fight for — never more fully have I realized that. There just is no other country with comparable wealth, advancement, or standard of living. The U.S.A. is worth a sacrifice! Remember always that I love you each most fervently and I am proud of you. Consider Mary, my wife, as having taken my place in the family circle and watch over each other.
Love to my family, Jack

Two and a half weeks after D-Day, Lundberg was the lead navigator on a B-17 flying over Abbeville, France, that was hit by German anti-aircraft fire, burst into flames and crashed. Lundberg was killed.

Stocking Mill Coffee
@smcroasters

Capt. George Montgomery, with the 82nd Airborne, wrote about his D-Day experiences to his fiancée Arline:

Arline Dearest,

My chute was on fire from tracer bullets when I landed — right in front of a machine gun emplacement. I cut out of my harness & crawled for a couple of hours with bullets whistling past my ears, coming from seemingly every direction….
We have had mail brought to us twice and have been permitted to write twice. Both mail calls brought me letters from you Arline — & I could have wept with joy & relief to hear from you & that you were still of a mind to be Mrs. G. Montgomery one of these days.

-Montgomery returned home to Iowa after the war and married Arline in 1946.

Lone Star Armory
@LSArifles

Sergeant Frederick G. Chapman, Jr., Easton, PA.

On D-Day he was with Company "A", 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment of the 1st Infantry Division. Fred was killed by enemy fire two hours after landing on the EASY RED section of Omaha Beach.



After suffering the anguish of one funeral for their beloved son, the Chapmans decided to forgo bringing his remains home from Normandy for another series of memorials which would only open up a thinly sutured wound.

They instead chose to have him permanently interred in the American cemetery among his brothers of the Big Red One.

Lone Star Armory
@LSArifles

“My Dear Ms. O'Donnell:

It is with deep regret and a heart full of sympathy that I am attempting to answer your letter addressed to the Catholic chaplain, 6th Beach Bn, USN.

Your brother, John Thomas O'Donnell, PHM1c, USN was instantly killed by heavy caliber enemy fire …while approaching the French coast on "D" Day, June 6, 1944. His body was returned to England for burial. As yet, I do not know the exact location. His personal effects will, of course, be returned to his family … have read your very fine letter to the members of my company who were all O'Donnell's shipmates. Le Marr has assured me that he will write to you.

O'Donnell served with me for nine months. He was a fine lad, a good sailorman and, above all, a good American who wasn't afraid to die that his country might live.

Convey to your parents my very real sympathy and assure them that their son lived and died in accordance with the best traditions of the service.”

Emmett V. Hall
Lieutenant, USNR
Commander, Company "B"
SIXTH Beach Battalion, USN

Stocking Mill Coffee
@smcroasters

P-47 pilot Capt. George Rarey found out before D-Day that he was a father, and wrote this letter:

Junie!… Got back from a mission at 4 o’clock this afternoon & … what did I see? The Deacon waving at me as I walked up the road to the shack. A small yellow envelope — I thought it was a little early, but I quit breathing completely until the wonderful news unfolded — A Son! Darling, Junie! … I’m so proud of you, I’m beside myself….
Junie, if this letter makes no sense forget it — I’m sort of delirious. This iron hut looks like a castle — I’m a father. I have a son!

Rarey’s P-47 was shot down a couple weeks after D-Day while supporting ground troops. He died without seeing his son.