A report from the beaches of Normandy and the final resting place of nearly 9,900 US soldiers who lost their lives in WWII’s Operation Overlord, better known as “D-Day”
My grandfather was not among the first wave at Normandy, probably because he was older and a widower with three kids back home. Yes, the first ones to hit the beach were among the youngest.
Another excellent article, my friend. My maternal grandfather (who was a WWI doughboy) volunteered after Pearl Harbor, and commanded the AAF 462nd Ground Support Group. Initially stationed in England, maintaining, servicing, and preparing B-17s and P-47s (the Orange Tails) for the heavy bombing raids prior to D-Day. He and his senior officers landed in Normandy on day 3, with the rest of his unit following a few days later. Accompanied by a civil engineering unit, their mission was to repair airfields abandoned by the Luftwaffe (they would bomb the runway as they departed) to recover damaged bombers and pursuit fighters as they pushed farther into Nazi Germany. They established the first American airfield across the Rhein, and captured the first two intact ME-262s.
I loved hearing his stories - and he knew it was important to pass on.
Outstanding!
Recommended to my readers of PostAfterThoughts, Kelly. Thanks for sharing!
I'm very grateful; thank you.
This is a beautiful and powerful piece with your families personal story mixed with all of our history. Thank you.
What a deeply moving post. They were so young. So very young. And we did not deserve that generation. But thank God we had them
My grandfather was not among the first wave at Normandy, probably because he was older and a widower with three kids back home. Yes, the first ones to hit the beach were among the youngest.
Another excellent article, my friend. My maternal grandfather (who was a WWI doughboy) volunteered after Pearl Harbor, and commanded the AAF 462nd Ground Support Group. Initially stationed in England, maintaining, servicing, and preparing B-17s and P-47s (the Orange Tails) for the heavy bombing raids prior to D-Day. He and his senior officers landed in Normandy on day 3, with the rest of his unit following a few days later. Accompanied by a civil engineering unit, their mission was to repair airfields abandoned by the Luftwaffe (they would bomb the runway as they departed) to recover damaged bombers and pursuit fighters as they pushed farther into Nazi Germany. They established the first American airfield across the Rhein, and captured the first two intact ME-262s.
I loved hearing his stories - and he knew it was important to pass on.
Wonderful story. These are very important to pass on.