Welcome to Roll f Honour The servicemen from the of America named below and many more, tragically lost their lives during Exercise Tiger, Sherman D.D. a full dress rehearsal for D-Day, 28th April 1944. Their sacrifi ce for our freedom today is appreciated and will never be forgotten. LST 507 Panek, Helmer E. Maggard, Daniel W. Chambers, Robert G. Hebert, Ravila Payton, Marvin L. Webb, Grady D. Jr Jencovic, Albert J. U.S. ARMY Parisi, Frank Malott, Robert J. Childs, Donald H. Heffernan, Peter J. Peake, Cleo B. Weir, Larry R. Johnson, Albert W. Unsuspecting visitors may wonder why a TANK SPECIFICATIONS Pemberton, Leray Martin, Howard A. Chudzinski, Arthur F. Henley, Eugene A. Pearson, Luther M. Whetstine, Everett E. Kartz, Henry Training Exercises & Exercise Tiger Alexander, Walter W. Pentecost, Curtis Mathews, John E. Ciccio, Joseph Hobbs, Charles W. Penalver, Joe V. Whitelock, William L. Kaska, Albert P. Sherman tank stands in this village Allen, John J. Powell, Herrel K. Miller, John H. Circle, Ott S. Hobbs, Lester Penn, Milton Williams, Horace S. Kelley, Ford H. Arcuri, Sam S. Pritchard, Clyde C Moore, Joseph M. Clardy, John J. Hollon, Otis L. Peters, Gerrit Wilson, Kenneth P. Kerby, Reuben surrounded by tranquil countryside. It honours LST 316 practicing on Slapton Sands On Supreme Allied Commander 749 American soldiers Barrett, Chester Pritt, Isaac W. Morancy, Edgar F. Clark, Herman D. Holmes, Robert E. Peters, Lindsay Jr. Wilson, Paul W. Kessinger, Mark F. Exeter Bridport Battle, William R. Recchione, Quirino A. Myers, Lester A. Coan, Francis M. Holzberger, Stephen G. Jr. Picking, Charles R. Wilson, Raymond B. Kirby, Grady E. Eisenhower’s order live ammunition Sidmouth & sailors died that night of the memory of servicemen who perished in one was used in the later exercises as wounds, hypothermia, or Bernardo, John Reibel, Thomas C. O’Connell, Michael J. Conklin, Robert J. Hopkins, Robert L. Poggi, Alfred E. Wilson, Vernon S. Kirkwood, Ralph A. Weymouth he wanted the men to be hardened Exmouth incorrectly fi tted lifebelts Bertini, Nilo V. Roberts, Lewis Ragusa, Paul M. Constant, Woodson D. Hovis, Albert H. Poore, Winford J. Wintjen, Floyd E. Krizanosky, Alexander of the great tragedies of World War II, & marks Blake, Floyd E. Rosiek, Joseph A Raptis, Charles G. Cope, Christopher T. Hudson, Francis L.C. Pope, Edgar F. Wirth, Russell L. Kuhns, Harold D. to real battle conditions. As a result Teignmouth in the cold waters of the Blind, Frederick W. Rosowski, Anthony J. Ricketts, Richard E. Cottrell, James O. Huelsmann, Anton W. Pshenitzky, Charles J. Wolfgram, Henry F. Lacey, Burvil E. Slapton saw heavy losses of life channel. Many more men Blond, William Ruoto, Victor P. Rogers, William L. Crandell, Harold E. Humphrey, William L. Raines, Thomas E. Wolpert, Frederick J. Land, Charles G. the importance of Slapton Sands & surrounding Torquay before the invasion of the 6th June. lost their lives during Bohl, Jacob A. Scanlon, Edward T. Ryan, James P. Jr. Crane, Carroll S. Hurt, Arnold Ray, Ulton A. Wooderson, Darryl V. Leeman, Hollace H. The most tragic episode Torbay Brown, Edward L. Schwartz, Stephen G. Saucier, Henry Q. Creed, Thomas C. Jr. Hutchison, Clifford E. Reese, William R. Wright, Lester Levine, Harry area to the Allies’ preparations for D-Day. Exercise Tiger than died Brixham Brown, George E. Schwechheimer, Conrad J. Saxton, Robert E. Crocker, Ed W. Jensen, Richard H. Reitzel, Walter W. Wright, Myron A. Levy, L. H. occurred during Exercise Tiger. Dartmouth in the actual landings on This operation required rehearsals. Brown, John B. Seibert, Ray E. Schreiber, William H. Cruikshank, James F. Johnson, James G. Renner, Lowell L. Wyckoff, John E. Locklear, Melvin L. Slapton . The Transport and LST convoy Brumfi eld, John W. Sheridan, James P. Scott, Kenneth L. Cutrone, Allesantro Jordan, Everett W. Rettinger, Irving Yadrich, Mike J. Manning, Tiffany Salcombe There were fears Campbell, Terrence V. Sigman, Charles W. Smith, Kennan H. Czyzniak, Stephen J. Kapinos, John A. Rice, Playford R. Yates, John W. Marcus, Emery E., Jr. Field Marshall Montgomery noted Slapton Sands’ German E Boat 130, involved in route used during Exercise Tiger showing the Germans could have Campbell, William M. Silversmith, Samuel Squiers, Lawrence P. Dakis, Nick G. Kay, William M. Richardson, Alvin F. Yates, Phillip R. McCuen, Frank A. the Exercise Tiger attack, now the position that the 8 LSTS were in when attacked. striking similarities to the most westerly of the captured key information Catman, Ulysses J. Southcott, Herbert A. Stanesic, John L. Dame, Homer L. Keller, Otto W. Riggs, Robert R. McLean, Robert W. being restored Eddystone Kielbasa, George A. Rocks & discovered Allies’ plans Cavanaugh, James P. Spitler, George E. Staudt, Charles J. Daniels, Leroy Riter, Edward L. LST 531 Merrill, William J. in Plymouth King, William E. 5 invasion points, code named ‘Utah beach,’ for D-Day, but once all Clayton, Kenneth Stokes, Horace A. Sturdivant, Malcolm E. Danner, Fred S. Roberson, James E. U.S. NAVY Miller, Ralph R. Coleman, Guy Strapp, John W. Sullivan, George A. Daoukas, Thomas Kinkead, Bertran Roberson, Melvin A. Montgomery, Doyle D. high level intelligence selected it as a training ground. Conner, Willie J. Strubel, Mathew E. Sutherland, Pete J. Davis, Franklin W. Kladus, Johnny D. Roberts, Ralph R. Achey, Allen O., Jr. Neal, Kermit H. The fi rst assault troops arrived on the morning offi cers were accounted WORLD WAR II AMERICAN SHERMAN D.D. Cooke, Robert M. Suesse, Ralph A. Swartz, James S. De Baene, Morris J. Klobe, John T. Rodriguez, Aristedes Anderson, Williard C. Nelson, L. O. Korodi, William he fi rst training rehearsal, known as of the 27th April. In the dark morning of the 28th for, plans progressed. Recovery date: 19th May 1984 Craig, Arthur L. Swanson, Richard E. Trgovic, Steve J. De Hass, Paul R. Jr. Ruediger, Harry Baugher, Ellis W. Noble, Elisha G. UNITED Duck I, took place in December 1943. After their ordeal Crawford, Poindexter D. Sweeney, Myles E. Tully, Joseph E. De Salvo, Joseph F. Kreiss, Ezra F. Salemmo, Raymond G. Behrens, J.W.M. Parker, Cornelius J. April 9 E-Boats (fast moving La Iacona, Salvatore KINGDOM For 5 months there were almost continual survivors were told under SPECIFICATION Cutrone, Samuel J. Toma, James L. Jr. Watson, Andrew Delamater, Edward J. Sanders, Elmer J. Bolling, Floyd H. Pear, Williams T German ships armed with Davenport, Bernard A. Tomberlin, Clarence H. Weinbrot, Harold M. Delitko, John A. Larson, Walter V. Sandford, Harold L. Borgerson, Ray Petcavage, William J. exercises (Fox, Muskrat, Beaver & Trousers) each threat of court-martial Model M4A1 Duplex Drive torpedoes) discovered a Sherman DD aboard an Deakyne, Clarence O. Jr. Tyson, Ernest Whipple, Frank L. Donaldson, Alexander G Leishman, Robert B. Schleyer, Richard C. Brickey, William E. Peters, James D. not to talk of it prior Levengood, John E. larger than the last culminating in Exercise Tiger poorly protected convoy of LST heading for Slapton Sands Height of Tank with screen : raised 13 feet, lowered 9 feet. DeLeon, Anastacio Unger, Edward J. Woods, Deward W. Donaldson, Garland W. Schmidt, Marcus W. Bridgham, Wade L. Pogue, Richard Libla, Champ W. & Exercise Fabius. 8 LSTs transporting a follow- to the invasion. Those Weight 28 tons - Waterproofed Cast Iron Hull Di Pasquale, Michael J. Veenbaas, John D. Wright, Curtis M. Douglas, Earl V. Schultheis, Carl L. Brock, Norris G. Poloncarz, John E. uninjured went on to Dindino, Paul J. Vieira, Manuel Jr. Douglas, John M. Jr. Lillo, Rocco F. Sessamen, Joseph H. Brummitt, Clifton H., Jr. Rugani, Daniel L. up force with trucks & heavy Water speed 5 knots Long, Evan W. take part in the D-Day Dobson, Troy Von Wald, Richard F. LST 531 Dunahoo, Bruce E. Sharff, Willard C. Callos, Vincent M. Samuelson, Gail E. LST 289 damaged engineering equipment, Normal Armament: Dubisz, Frank Voorhees, Harold Duncan, Johnnie O. Long, Joseph D. Sheahan, John P. Jr. Cantrell, W. H. Schimanske, Daniel R. during Exercise This 8 day exercise used landing landings. U.S. ARMY Loper, Samuel S. FRANCE & attacked. 1 x 75mm Gun Dye, Quong J. Walsh, Joseph J. Duncan, William A. Siatkowski, Michael J. Carr, Frederick C. Scott, James O. Tiger in Dartmouth craft or LSTs (Landing Ship, Tank Casualty fi gures for Louder, Blaine L. Just after 2am 3 ships Eintracht, Herman Welch, Elmer O. Adcock, Ovid C. Earnest, Ralph T. Simmons, Leland Cason, Paskel O. Shea, John Maurice Harbour – slow fl at bottomed assault ships Exercise Tiger were 2 x .30cal Browning Machine Gun Lowell, Theodore G. FRANCE were torpedoed. LST 507 was Exercise Tiger were Fischer, Edwin G. Wood, Stanley K. Aid, Alvin E. Eckhoff, Roy E. Sitche, George R. Christoffel, Raymond J. Shengarn, George Lowrie, Earl C. capable of carrying several hundred released with those of 1 x .50cal Browning Machine Gun Fleming, Herman Wright, Joseph O. Alexander, Marvin R. Edelmann, Matthew J. Slusher, Carl W. Cobern, William W. Sheppard, Thanuel V. set ablaze then sank, LST 531 Lutz, Otto Jr. men, lorries & tanks) to deploy troops D-Day in August 1944. Follmer, William J. Yangrello, Dominick Allen, Delmar R. Edwards, Bill E. Smerek, Steve L. Colwell, Richard L. Showers, Lyle F. sank within 6 minutes, & LST Lyon, Wilbert V. Glass, John P. Zempel, Lawrence C. Alsip, Albert F. Edwards, John J. Smith, Jesse E. Corideo, Richard V. Sochacki, Edward A. & equipment onto Slapton Sands. 289 managed to limp back to It is widely MacDonald, Lawrence 30,000 American troops (infantry, artillery, Goodhue, Elmer J. Arismendiz, Joe M. Elliott, Carl M Smith, Wallace W. Cowan, Eugene R. Solomon, William The convoy set sail from ports recognised that the Mahoney, Patrick J. Dartmouth. Grigsby, Roy B. Asberry, Marion J. Elliott, William R. Snider, Donald E. Coyle, Michael J. Spangler, Walter A. including Plymouth, Dartmouth, & success of the eventual LST 507 Malassi, John engineers, medical personnel & tank battalions) The stench of fuel was Grossman, Harold H. Augustynski, William Evangelist, Nicholas J. Snyder, Wallace F. Cram, A. F. Starr, Joseph L., Jr. U.S. NAVY Manak, John V. Brixham. Their winding route across D-Day assault was due, Hanks, John P. Baldwin, Raymond Farris, Junior T. Sparks, William F. Croswell, Curtis W. Stemats, Steve J. heavy in the air & on the Mance, Michael took part & 16 million tons of equipment & almost to Portland Bill & in no small part, to the Haynes, Ernest P. Bailey, James Banister, Calvin C. Ferguson, Darrel D. Spurling, James W. Cruz, Joseph Jr. Stoklosa, Edward surface of the sea; many Manes, Robert E. Hogland, Alvie M. Bennen, Charles D. Fizer, David E. Steen, George W. Cummings, Eugene F. Taylor, George W. back to Slapton simulated the length hundreds of men were trapped rehearsals carried out Barber, John L. Marsh, Ralph D. supplies descended on Devon’s shores for Hoops, George E. Bettencourt, John J. Fletchall, Arthur A. Stephenson, James W. Czerwinski, William J. Townsend, Willie W. of time it would take to journey here at Slapton Sands. Barber, Ralph E. Mathewson, John I. below decks as the ships & Humble, Merle B. Blackie, Henry A. Floyd, Charles R. Stevens, Marshall L. Danley, Harry I. Unger, Alvin C. to Utah Beach on D-Day. Basgall, Edwin A. Mattos, Frank F. sea burned. Johnson, Horace Burns, Sylvester M. Flynt, Lawrence R. Stillwell, Elmer D. Dawson, Glenn H. Vendeland, Albert J. rehearsal exercises & D-Day. Baugus, James R. Mayfi eld, Haskel H. Johnson, John T. Carroll, Francis A. Fond, Salvador D. Strader, Glen T. Debias, Edward G. Walls, James W. Bean, Carl M. McCampbell, Louis B. Johnston, Claude E. Cieary, James F. Fontana, Russell Summerall, Marvin L. Degouff, Theodore D. Walters, Robert G. Bergfeld, Walter B. McClatchey, Evert M. Joyal, Raymond O. Clark, James J. Ford, Adrian L. Sutphin, Claude R. Denton, Harold C. Watson, Raleigh F. Bird, Howard G. McCormick, Thomas B. Knight, Elmer L. Collins, Conner D. Foster, Harold G. Sutt, Lennie C. Dobson, Edwin J. Waugh, James N. Birkley, Louis L. Jr. McCuen, Grady H. Kretz, Harold Crowe, James T., Jr. Frank, Joseph H. Jr. Tate, Owen A. Drake, Robert G. White, Earnest T. Obelisk Dedication Ken Small Bisaillon, Martial J. McKinnon, Roy E. Lambert, Douglas L. Cusak, Vincent P. Franks, Richard L. Tenuta, Louis A. Duffy, Ralph Witten, Lloyd L. Ceremony, from the U.S. (1930-2004) Blethroad, Thomas J. McMore, Earl M. Recovering & Restoring the Tank Lee, Harold E. Daily, Carl W. Freed, Hershel G. Tesoriero, Joseph A. Edson, Richard W. Evacuation & ‘Occupation’ Blevins, Harley E. Army to the people stands Meehan, William F. Lo Preso, Joseph P. Del Duca, Thomas J., Jr. Friend, Leslie W. Tetreault, Rene W. Ellis, John J. of , proudly on Bolton, Louis Archer Megathlin, Robert H. LST 289 TORBAY Mancuso, Joseph P Dickerson, William W. Fults, Peter L. Thomas, Fay E. Fisher, E. C. on 24th July 1954 The tank comes ashore to a crowd in May 1984 A detachable tiller & basic navigational turned as freely as it had in 1944. The tank & top of his Bonderer, Bernard E. Mercado, Trinidad U.S. NAVY n December 1943 over 3,000 inhabitants Many stayed Marcum, Glen R. Dinneen, Joseph M. Galluppi, Joseph A. Thompson, Ernest M. Ford, Hobart Jr. Berry Borchers, Harry J. Head equipment were provided for the commander surrounding plaques are here today due to Ken’s tank as it Mettler, Harry W. were evacuated from their villages & 30,000 Marino, Joseph A. Dobson, Henry R. Gamer, Eugene Toerber, Mearl W. Gaboys, Edward A. with friends & Bost, Winford G. Metz, Charles E. Jr. Broske, Mitchel L. BRIXHAM who stood on a small platform welded just determination to provide a lasting memorial to emerges from Marino, Patty Gardner, Lester J. Tolie, John N. Gallagher, JohnJ. acres of land. They were given 6 weeks relations outside Durrum, James W. Boyles, Hoy F. Meurer, Lawrence L. Chandler, James W. I behind & to the right of the turret. those who lost their lives during Exercise Tiger. the sea Marts, Wilbur Goldstein, Samuel Garrison, William A. Torres, Victor M. to pack & leave and wouldn’t return the evacuation Eisenbach, Harold E. Bratton, Portter J. Miller, James E. Frazier, Walter H. During Exercise Tiger this tank disembarked Over a period of 30 years he battled against Massa, Charles F. Garvin, Herbert S. Tousignant, Joseph H. Gunn, Murray S. for at least zone. Some Field, Paul R. Brecheisen, Calvin D. Miller, Roy A Griffi n, Joseph W. from a landing craft Bureaucracy to ensure Methner, Paul A. Fitts, Felton T. Brewer, Wayne R. Gasser, John S. Tucker, Luther R. Hall, William C. Hackes, Mike G. 10 months. SLAPTON Morgan, Alvin G. families BATTLE Mieczkowski, Harry Gambrel, Jake Gearhart, Walter F. Turk, William A. Harrell, Charles TRAINING without its water proof Sherman DD tanks in action with screens raised that the tragedy was Brown, Ivan J. Murray, Hugh C. Harvie, James H. Some had never moved away AREA START Miglianico, John A. Gephart, Donald E. Tuttle, Hillard Hayth, Eugene Evacuation underway Garlock, Charles W. Bryant, Donald S. Naccarelli, Michael J. Kortenhorn, Herman R. Torcross BAY engine plate in place. brought to our attention. Misciagno, Christian Gieschen, Hilmer L. Van Ess, Simon Hill, John H. left their village in Slapton Village never to Geehan, Raymond R. Bryson, Ernest C. Nelson, Hollis L. May, Robert M. N The crew abandoned Ken could always Mitchell, James C. Gillespie, Bill E. Van Nostrand, Clarence M. Holmes, Samuel D. Jr. before & the return home. Gibson, Richard M. Buckner, George W. New, Robert T. Muller, William C. the tank which sank be found parked in his Mlakar, Albert Glasscock, John W. Vannatta, Raul J. Hopkins, Lawrence E. upheaval was Start Point Military presence was not limited to Goldsmith, Leonard Burke, Robert E. Newman, Aubrey L. Muza, Earl V. In 1954, Bolt Head Molander, Norman C. Glaze, Melvin R. Wagner, Howard W. Hurley, James W. Prawle Point in 65ft of water car, next to his tank Grecco, Joseph G. Burks, Floyd H. Newman, John D. Neff, Harold A. traumatic for 10 years the Slapton area. A US Naval Battalion Monk, Clarence Golfi nopulos, Louis J. Walker, Denver Jackman, Walter P. approximately ¾ of a were he would talk Griffi n, Jimmie W. Burns, Harold W. Niedermeir, Clarence C. Roberts, Clifford L. many. Farmers after D-Day, U.S Army authorities was stationed in Salcombe, & Dartmouth Morang, Robert C. Gray, James P. Ward, Luther T. Jacques, Edmond L. he ‘swimming tank’ was a British adaptation mile off shore, which to many thousands Grunther, Nelson Burrell, Robert T. Ogden, Ubron M. Shipp, John L. Jr. had to make became home for U.S Naval vessels including Morgenstern, Aloysius G. Gray, William H. Watson, Gerald A. Jansen, Melvin J. unveiled an of the American Sherman. It had a Gulledge, William T. Butry, Metro Ostrowski, Joseph L. is where Ken Small, a of visitors & sell copies Morse, Erwin F. Grevon, John C. arrangements for obelisk thanking those who gave up minesweepers. Of the D-Day force over 480 collapsible rubberised canvas skirt held up Hampton, Jerry P. Cain, Jay H. Ott, Lawrence W. T Torcross hotelier, discovered it with the help of a of his book ‘The Forgotten Dead’. Motley, Robert Hoffman, Bruce B. Caracciolo, Dominick Grissom, Robert Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above details, livestock & any their homes & lands to provide a battle ships left from Dartmouth, & over 60 from Overton, Delbert E. by infl atable tubes & iron hoops giving the correct Murphey, Raymond J. Groves, Marvin W. recoverable crops. Salcombe. Servicemen were billeted in local local fi sherman. The site continues to be of great importance King, Philip E. Carey, Ernest Owens, Johnnie D. those involved with the placing of this plaque cannot be held responsible for training area. displacement to fl oat the tank. Propelled by tracks Music, James E. Guffi n, Dale E. Forty years after it was lost the tank was locally, historically, educationally & of course Koski, Theodore J. Cates, Georgie P. Park, Clifford F. any errors or omissions that may have inadvertently occurred. It stands by the middle car park & lists hotels in South Hams & Torbay & pitched tents Nathan, Hyman Haile, Francis L. on land & by two 26 inch diameter propellers in towed ashore & winched up the beach. When emotionally. It is now also a tribute to the Ledbetter, Alvin L. Cesaro, Libro C. Park, James E. the main villages that were evacuated. in fi elds. Many Offi cers stayed in manor houses Noel, Joseph L. Harrington, Ern F. water, it could reach up to 5 knots (6 mph). the tracks hit the slipway the running gear man himself. Lichty, Frank T. Chamberlain, Richard L. Patou, Louis S. & farms. Troops, equipment & supplies fi lled the Olsen, John A. Mackey, Robert C. Harrison, Frank G.

Thanks for specialist tank paint donations & suppliers: To learn more about Exercise Tiger see www.exercisetigermemorial.com The Slapton Line Partnership consists of Devon County Council, South Hams District Council, South Devon AONB & Natural England, with input to manufactures: logos To discover more about the area see www.slaptonline.org.uk Photo credits: Cookworthy Museum, Dean Small, U.S Navy, Arthur L. Camp, Ray Freeman, Muriel & David Murch. Panel design: luke tom.com from the Environment Agency, the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Field Studies Council at Slapton Ley and local community representatives.