World War II Chronicles

A Quarterly Publication of the World War II Veterans Committee ISSUE XXXVIII, Spring 2007 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 overwhelming 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 are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D. Eisenhower World War II Chronicles A Quarterly Publication of the World War II Veterans Committee WWW.WWIIVETS.COM ISSUE XXXVIII, Spring 2007

Special Feature -In This Issue-

4 The Third Annual National Memorial Day Parade It was war on a scale unimagined by any On May 29, 2007, a crowd of 250,000 spectators lined before. Stretching from Europe and Africa Constitution Avenue, in a demonstration of respect in the Atlantic to scattered islands across and reverance for those Americans who have fought the entire Pacific, the Allied victory in and died in service to our country. World War II saw the preservation of free- dom in the West—but at a cost. Millions Articles American GIs prepare to storm lost their lives, and in the East, a new threat the fiery beaches of Normandy, arose, hidden behind an Iron Curtain, June 6, 1944. Omaha Beach and Beyond by which would doom millions more to suffer 9 John Robert Slaughter for decades more under the tyranny of communism. The invasion of “Bloody Omaha” as told by one of the thousands who experienced it first-hand.. In this issue, we share the first-hand accounts of those veterans who suffered through some of the most terrible fighting of World War II, so that others might be free. From Omaha Beach to the Aleutian Island of The Battle of Attu by Attu to the tiny Pacific Island of Pityliu, this is World War II in their 18 Major William S. Jones, USA-Ret words. Finally, we end with a tribute to those who, after the defeat of For the first time in 130 years, American soil is occupied Nazism and Japanese Imperialism, continued the struggle against com- by a foreign army. Here, one man recalls his experience munism. in taking it back. PLUS 22 WWII: A Legacy of Letters by Clinton Frederick Beyond Courage: A Musical Tribute to the Survivors of One man’s World War II story, lost with his death in the 30 the Bataan Death March Pacific, is found once more through his letters home. A new orchestral work honors the bravery of those who suffered through one of history’s great tragedies. Caring for the Fallen: A Personal Story by 25 George Ciampa The Dedication of the Victims of Communism Memorial One man’s experience performing one of the war’s 31 Committee President James C. Roberts helps dedicate the grimmest tasks, and his mission to keep the legacy of memorial in Washington, DC honoring those who lost their the fallen alive, 60 years later. lives to one of history’s most evil ideologies. From the World War II Veterans Committee World War II Memorial Tapestry Throw Blanket

Since its dedication in 2004, millions of people have come to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC to remember those 16 million Americans who served in history’s greatest conflict.

Now available from the World War II Veterans Committee is this new, full color tapestry throw blanket commemorating the World War II Memorial. The blanket, made from 100% cotton grown in North Carolina, measures 54x70 inches, and makes a great gift.

This beautiful blanket can be ordered from the World War II Veterans Committee for $65 (plus $8 shipping) by calling 703-302-1012 ext. 203.

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 2 From the Editor Thank You By Tim Holbert

For the tens of thousands of patriotic Americans like yourself theme of the parade was a celebration of the 60th anniversary of who receive World War II Chronicles, it goes without saying that the U.S. Air Force, with the event including such legendary aerial you believe in preserving the legacy units as the Doolittle Raiders, Flying of the World War II generation for Tigers, and Tuskegee Airmen. generations to come. Unlike any other publication, Chronicles is devoted to let- This celebration of America’s heroes ting the veterans of World War II would not be possible without the share their own experiences, in their support of thousands of individuals own words. The World War II Vet- who, like you, care passionately about erans Committee is honored to have honoring their sacrifices. Thanks to your support in this effort, and we you, the National Memorial Day Pa- hope that you enjoy reading World War rade has quickly become a tradition II Chronicles as much as we enjoy bring- our entire country can take pride in. ing these first-hand accounts to you. The Grand Marshals of the 2007 National Memorial Day Parade Our mission to provide a forum for However, there is so much more be- - our wounded warriors from Operation Enduring Freedom and America’s veterans to share their ex- yond the printing of this publication Operation Iraqi Freedom - pass by the National Archives. They periences continues year-round. In that your support enables the World are joined by Honorary Marshal Gary Sinise. addition to the National Memorial War II Veterans Committee, and its parent organization, the Ameri- Day Parade and World War II Chronicles, our projects include the can Veterans Center, to do. This support was most recently dem- two weekly radio series Veterans Chronicles and Proudly We Hail, onstrated as we put on the third annual National Memorial Day which feature the stories of American heroes in their own words. Parade, held along the National Mall in Washington, DC. Here, We are also currently planning our 10th annual conference, to be an estimated 250,000 spectators gathered to thank those who held Veterans Day weekend, at which our country’s greatest vet- have served, and remember those who have been lost—all in the erans will gather to share their experiences with hundreds of high defense of freedom. The parade featured veterans from across school and college students, as well as an admiring public. Finally, the generations, and was covered by network and cable news your support also allows us to continue sponsoring periodic din- channels and dozens of newspapers from around the country. It ners for our wounded service members currently at Walter Reed was also filmed to appear in the IMAX film, Proud American, set Army Medical Center, giving them an opportunity to get away to be released nationwide in 2008. from the hospital to enjoy a nice evening out.

The Grand Marshals of the 2007 National Memorial Day Pa- It is a tremendous honor to help bring the stories of courage and rade were a contingent of our wounded heroes who have served sacrifice of our nation’s service members to the public, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, and were joined by actor and veterans today’s younger generations. And as we continue our work, we activist Gary Sinise. The parade also featured Frank Buckles— wish to thank you, once more, for your gracious support. one of only three remaining veterans of the First World War. The WWII World War II Chronicles World War II Chronicles, Issue XXXVIII, Spring 2007. A quarterly publication of the World War II Veterans Committee, 1100 N. Glebe Rd. Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22201. Telephone: 703-302-1012. Fax: 571-480-4140. The World War II Veterans Committee is a division of the American Veter- ans Center. World War II Chronicles is mailed to donors to the World War II Veterans Committee who make a contribution of $50 or more per-year. David Eisenhower - Honorary Chairman Contributions help to fund the Committee’s various speaker conferences, James C. Roberts - President student programs, the National Memorial Day Parade, documentary and Tim Holbert - Editor/Program Director oral history projects, and this publication. To make a contribution or sub- Jim Michels - Director of Development scribe, call 703-302-1012 or e-mail [email protected]. Michael Paradiso - Publisher World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 3 The Third Annual National Memorial Day Parade Presented by the American Veterans Center

On Monday, May 28 2007, an estimated 250,000 spectators gathered along Constitu- tion Avenue in Washington, DC, for the third annual National Memorial Day Parade, pre- sented by the American Veterans Center— the parent organization of the World War II Veterans Committee. The parade featured nearly 3,000 individual participants, includ- ing marching bands, military units, youth groups, and veterans from across the genera- tions, and proved to be a moving tribute to those who have fought, and died, in service to our country. Photo by Ron Engle

The Grand Marshals of the 2007 National Memorial Day Parade were a contingent of our wounded service members who have served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Op- eration Iraqi Freedom. These brave young men and women represented all of those from this current generation who have sacrificed so much to defend our country. The Grand Mar- shals rode alongside Honorary Marshal Gary Sinise, star of “CSI: New York” and best known for his film role as “Lt. Dan” in Forrest Gump. Mr. Sinise (pictured left with several of the Grand Marshals) has been a tireless supporter of our mili- tary, coming straight to the parade from a three-week tour visiting the troops in Iraq. Photo by Ron Engle These wounded heroes were cheered wildly by the crowd as they proceeded down the parade route. Said Army Captain D.J. Skelton, who was one of the Grand Mar- shals, “They truly need America’s support. When you look at them, you are forced to be reminded of this amazing group, who allows us to live in a safe democracy.” He continued, “It means a lot to know that America is still engaged and still cares and still recognizes that we sacrificed for something — the greater good”

A special theme of the 2007 National Memorial Day Parade was honoring the 60th anniversary of the United States Air Force. The parade featured some of the most legendary veterans and units from the Air Force’s history, as well as active duty elements (pictured top), the Air Force band, and an Air Force flyover. Serving as the reviewing official for the parade was Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne (pictured right).

Photo by Jose David

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 4 Prior to the start of the parade, spectators and partici- pants were led in the singing of the Star-Spangled Ban- ner, as well as the Pledge of Allegiance by several of America’s greatest heroes—Medal of Honor recipients John F. Baker, Jr., Roger C.H. Donlon and Robert L. Howard (pictured left with American Veterans Center president James C. Roberts).

Performing his new song “For My Country,” prior to the parade was music legend Pat Boone (below). “For My Country” was written to be the official ballad of the National Guard, who have bravely served America both at home, and abroad, since colonial times.

Photo by Ron Engle

Perhaps the highlight of this year’s National Memorial Day Parade was the inclusion of 106-year-old Frank W. Buck- les—one of only three remaining American veterans of the World War I-era, and the last to serve in Europe during the war. Buckles (pictured below), was presented the U.S. Army Freedom Salute by Maj. Gen. William Monk, III as he passed the parade reviewing tent to a standing ovation from all in attendance.

Photo by Ron Engle Joining Frank Buckles were hundreds of veterans from across the generations, and of course, the veterans of World War II were well represented. The World War II segment of the parade, led by Honorary Marshal Colo- nel Walker “Bud” Mahurin—America’s greatest living “ace” pilot—consisted of several hundred veterans. Among them were legendary airmen such as the Doolittle Raiders, Flying Tigers, and Tuskegee Airmen.

Photo by Ron Engle

Also participating were veterans of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, including several of the famed “Band of Brothers,” veterans of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Japanese American Veterans Association, and many more. Pictured right are proud veterans of the 99th Infantry Division, marching down Constitution Avenue to a warm reception.

Photo by Chris Graham World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 5 Joining the heroes of World War II, like the Doolittle Raid- ers (Edward Saylor and David Thatcher, pictured left), were veterans from Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. Each segment was led by an Honorary Marshal—a distinguished veteran of that era. Following Honorary Marshals for World War I and World War II, Frank Buckles and “Bud” Mahurin, was Honorary Marshal for the Korean War James McEachin (below). Decorated with the Silver Star and Purple Heart, Mr. McEachin went on to a long career as an award win- ning author and actor, and was the first black American to star in his own TV series on NBC, in Tenafly. His current project in which he stars and directs, a short film called Old Glory, which seeks to salute all who have served in our armed services Photo by Ron Engle Leading the veterans of the Vietnam War was Brigadier General R. Steve Ritchie—the only Air Force “ace” pi- lot of the war. The Honorary Marshal for the Gulf War was Col. Paul T. Johnson, one of only two recipients of the Air Force Cross for his valor in leading an operation to rescue a downed airman. Included in the Gulf War section was a tribute to Spirit 03, the AC-130 plane that went down in the battle for Khafji, resulting in the Air Force’s single greatest loss of life during Operation Desert Storm.

Photo by Ron Engle The National Memorial Day Parade featured a number of floats, sponsored by generous donors such as TriWest Healthcare Alli- ance, Argon ST, AMVETS, Raytheon, Phillips International, Lockheed Martin, Fund Raising Strategies, Inc., the National Rifle Association, and the Dodge Jones Foundation. Additional support was provided by WMAL 630 Radio, the Greenwich Workshop Gallery, the American Postal Workers Union, Marriott Hotels, McDonald & Eudy Printers, and Mountain Reserves.

Photo by Ron Engle

Of special note was a float sponsored by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait, which featured young Kuwaitis thank- ing America for the liberation of their country during the Gulf War. The Kuwaitis joined veterans and immigrants from France, the UK, Canada, Taiwan, and South Viet- nam in an effort to demonstrate the appreciation their countries feel for the American military standing beside them through the years to defend freedom.

Photo by Ron Engle

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 6 The National Memorial Day Parade strives to tie together the lega- cies of America’s uniformed personnel from every generation—to demonstrate that the ideas of service, valor, and honor continue, from the Greatest Generation to the latest generation. And receiv- ing perhaps the warmest welcome of all were those who are cur- rently defending America abroad. Following the veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Desert Storm were active duty ele- ments from the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines (pic- tured below), Coast Guard, and National Guard.

Photo by William B. Moss

Perhaps the most moving moment of the 2007 parade was the National Moment of Remembrance. At exactly 3:00 PM, the entire parade was halted, as lone buglers stationed along the parade route played taps in honor of those who have fallen (bottom right), and Air Force helicopters flew low down Constitution Avenue. The National Moment of Remembrance, held in conjunction with the White House Commission on Remembrance, seeks to remind citizens of the sacrifices made by generations of Americans to pre- serve freedom.

Photo by William B. Moss The National Memorial Day Parade was begun in 2005, following the success of 2004’s “Parade Salute to World War II Veterans,” which coincided with the dedication of the World War II Memorial. For nearly 70 years, Washing- ton, DC—our nation’s capital and headquarters to the mili- tary—was without a parade on our armed forces’ most hal- lowed day. At the same time, many Memorial Day parades in cities in towns across the country have been fading away in recent years, as our veterans become older and the public’s attention turns elsewhere.

Photo by Ron Engle

Since its inception, the parade has grown tremendously, be- coming the tradition that the nation’s capital lacked for so long. And on a day when all eyes are on Washington, the parade has helped to draw attention back to the true mean- ing of Memorial Day—the service and sacrifice of Ameri- can service members of every generation. With 250,000 spec- tators and coverage on major television networks and news- papers, the National Memorial Day Parade will continue to serve as a public reminder of the valor of our military men and women. Photo by Ron Engle

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 7 The National Memorial Day Parade, along with all of the pro- gramming of the American Veterans Center and World War II Veterans Committee, seeks to build an appreciation of the ideas of service among today’s young people, and to help carry on the legacy of those who have come before. Participating in the parade were hundreds of high school students from over two dozen marching bands from around the country, as well as kids from the Young Marines and National Guard Youth ChalleNGe programs, who carried parade banners and flags, as well as assisted veterans along the parade route.

The National Memorial Day Parade is, in short, a place where Americans of all generations can come together to celebrate those who served and remem- ber those who died. None of this would be possible without the support of thousands of Americans from around the country who believe that freedom is worth defending, and that those who have given everything defending it deserve to be remembered.

WWII

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 8 Omaha Beach and Beyond By John Robert Slaughter

Bob Slaughter joined the National Guard in 1941 at the young age officer of the 116th Regimental Headquarters Company, of 16. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, and the United States for example, vividly recalled that those aboard the Charles was thrust into another World War, Slaughter found himself sent Carroll also rose “about 2 a.m. while the ship was still in from his hometown of Roanoke, Virginia to Britain, where he would motion, and had an early breakfast. The anchorage, some train with the 29th Division, 116th Infantry for the largest sea borne twelve miles out, was reached about 2 a.m. The navy invasion in history—Operation sounded general quarters as Overlord… the anchor dropped.

Each man on our thirty-man “Going out on the open boat team climbed over the decks in the dark, we could railing of the Empire Javelin hear aircraft off in the dis- into our assigned seats on the tance as they flew toward the LCA. We were then lowered Cherbourg Peninsula. into the sea by winches held Flashes of light in the sky by davits. The always-rough and the roar of the distant English Channel was much artillery indicated enemy an- worse than usual, making it tiaircraft fire. The wind was very difficult to disengage coming up and the waters the ship. Our craft immedi- were beginning to run rough ately began taking on water when Colonel Charles as its flat bow slammed into Canham, commander of the seven-foot swells that sloshed over the front and ended up 116th Regiment, left the Charles Carroll in his free boat (an in our laps. It wasn’t long before all hands were ordered to LCVP), about 5:30 a.m. H-Hour was scheduled to be 6:30 bail water with battle helmets. It was to be a long, miser- a.m.” able ride. Yes, I actually looked forward to getting ashore. Sink’s account also testifies to the difficulty caused by over- Our boat circled around and around until the other five loading the men, and problems of radio contact which later had lowered to the water. This maneuver, called “Piccadilly occurred. He himself: Circus,” was designed to slow our departure until the entire six-boat wave had formed a straight line. ’Round and ’round “ . . . experienced difficulty in loading Landing Craft, Mecha- and ’round we went, getting colder and wetter as the icy, nized (LCM)-10-2-DG, which came alongside the Carroll briny water poured into the boat. Finally, the last landing from another ship at 6 a.m.. As loading over the side in- craft in our wave caught up, and the wave commander sig- volved considerable hand-carried equipment, it was neces- naled for us to proceed to the beach. sary to change loading stations to the leeward side of the ship and go over the side on a chain ladder, which gave The roar of the engines made it hard to talk or listen. Be- better footing. This change in loading caused some delay in sides, there wasn’t anything more to be said. As far as I departing for the rendezvous area. could tell, no one on our boat seemed reluctant to go. We were well aware that the road back home was through Ber- “The craft proceeded slowly through the rough seas to the lin. control ship, a British landing ship, the Prince Baudouin, to be told that our wave had departed and to return to our Others were undergoing, or soon would experience, similar parent ship for instructions. This order was complied with conditions. Roanoker Captain James D. Sink, commanding and the Carroll ordered us to proceed to land on our own.

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 9 Meanwhile, H-Hour had come and gone. Significantly, the telephone wire, radios and demolition packs were girded many radios in the various command nets reported promptly with these in hope that if they were lost in the surf they on time to the net control stations aboard the LCM when would float ashore. radio silence was lifted at H-Hour. It was unfortunate that most of them would go silent upon landing and not be heard “The expansion of perhaps a hundred belts added to the from further on D-Day.” bulk already crowding the craft, and so we rode, packed in an open can, feet awash in water and altogether cold, wet, While Captain Sink was loading up, our landing craft had and miserable. It seemed that we were slamming into waves performed the last circle in the “Piccadilly Circus,” and was with enough impact to start any rivet ever set. heading in to shore. Until almost daylight I rode in that craft—wet, shivering, “After about an hour of and cold, but not sea- circling, the control sick. All of us had been launch passed a signal, given Dramamine tab- and the craft carrying lets and brown paper us—the second wave of puke bags, along with 116th RCT—peeled off sparse instructions. I into line and began bat- had never been seasick tering through heavy in my life, and believing seas toward Normandy; I was immune, I gave my thirty minutes ahead was puke bag to someone the first wave; twenty who had already filled minutes behind would his. We still had a long come the third. way to go. My stomach was feeling almost up to “For the next hours the par, but I couldn’t con- line pitched and rolled trol my shivering. toward Normandy, and Tucked into my assault gradually a lighter hori- Battle plans for the invasion of Normandy, commencing on June 6, 1944 under jacket, I found a folded the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, SHEAF. zon, as we closed with plastic gas cape, de- the dawn of June 6. signed to protect the upper torso from blister gas, and pulled There was no attempt to talk above the roar of the en- it over me to block the wind and sloshing spume. gines, wind, slamming of the waves, and the laboring of the bilge pump that managed to keep up with the water Oxygen depravation under that cape shortly caused me to washing in. feel deathly seasick. I held my battle helmet with both hands and puked my insides out, and then threw the contents over “We stood packed together, encased in equipment, dumb the side of the boat. By scooping up water from the bot- with the noise, and with the enormity toward which we tom of the boat, I was able to wash out the helmet. I heaved were laboring. I recall offering no prayers and having no and vomited until there was nothing left in my stomach. It particular worries other than whether we were coming in seemed that everyone on the craft was sick, and the sour on Dog Red sector.” odor just made things worse. As the sky lightened, I watched as large and small landing All of the men suffered from conditions in the crowded craft, transports, and men-of-war emerged from the misty landing craft. Captain Charles W. Cawthon, commander of darkness. The smoking and burning French shoreline be- 2nd Battalion Headquarters Company, memorably described came more defined. At approximately 5:30 a.m., the huge the angry sea: “Blowing spume had soaked us before we hit guns of the Allied navies began the greatest cannonade in the channel. It seemed we would surely swamp, and life the history of the world. belts were inflated. Not only our persons but also reels of

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 10 Imagine seven battleships, two monitors, twenty-seven Unfortunately for us, not long after the battleship lit the cruisers, and 164 destroyers, firing five to eighteen-inch fuses that fired her ten-gun salvos, a mountain of water guns, over and over. The engine noise from the LCA, a came roaring over to toss us around like a cheap cigar box. howling wind, and crashing waves failed to muffle the Twin-bodied P-38 fighter-bombers flew close support, but booming of the navy artillery. I couldn’t help wondering they could do nothing to smooth those gigantic ocean waves. what it was like on the other end—but I was just wonder- ing, not sympathizing. Sympathy for the Germans was in The sea was so rough and the currents and wind so strong short supply that morning. that the six LCAs carrying Company D became separated as we approached Omaha Beach. We had followed at an Knowing the navy and air force were dishing out misery by interval behind Companies A and B, respectively, but smoke the ton gave us confidence that we would walk ashore, gain from the bombardment and the foggy mist obscured our our objectives, and be view of the preceding com- home by Christmas. The panies and the coast. lopsided First Act seemed to help moderate the mis- Our own boat became even erable chill and the dread- further separated from the ful seasickness. rest as we got closer, and the coxswain fought to A few thousand yards from miss obstacles amid the shore we rescued three waves and tidal currents of shivering, water-soaked the shoreline. At this point survivors from a landing in my war, I myself was not craft or floating tank that the least bit worried about had swamped and sunk. I what the Germans would don’t know what outfit do to us. they were from or how long they had been in the water. About 150 yards from The lucky three were shore—despite the warning grateful to have been A convoy of Allied Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) sails across the English from someone behind me rescued, but in reality, their Channel toward the beaches of Normandy. Each craft is towing a barrage to “Keep your head ultimate fate just might balloon for protection against low-flying German aircraft. down!”—I cautiously have been postponed. We peeped up. I could see that left their mates, with Mae Wests inflated, bobbing in the the craft about twenty-five yards to our right and a couple turbulent waves. Riding low in the water, our boat was of hundred yards ahead were targeted by small arms. Fiery already filled beyond capacity. tracer bullets skipped and bounced off the ramp and sides as they zeroed in before the ramps fell. I said to anyone About a mile to our starboard side, the ancient but still close enough to hear above the bedlam: “Men, we’re going virile battle wagon USS Texas was turned broadside so it to catch hell. Be ready!” could aim and fire all of its ten fourteen-inch guns toward the dangerous six-inch gun batteries at Pointe-du-Hoc. We Then it began to happen. Enemy artillery and mortar shells cheered as the Texas boomed and belched fire and smoke sent great plumes of water spouting skyward as they ex- in the direction we were heading. A few seconds after the ploded in the water. Near misses rained us with seawater. I orange fire and white smoke, the roaring boom-boom-boom! suddenly became very worried about what Jerry could do was followed by coveys of 2,000-pound missiles whining to us. to their calculated destinations. We could actually see the projectiles spiraling as if thrown by a gigantic quarterback. How in the hell did those sonsofbitches survive what we thought was a carpet-bombing and shelling of the beach? At Slapton Sands we trained with live explosions, but these

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 11 were far more frightening. This time they were shooting to ratic landing craft. Luckily, I didn’t see anyone else get hit kill every one of us. by the ramp.

We expected A and B Companies to have the beach se- I was now struggling in water up to my armpits. Luckily for cured by the time we landed. In reality, no one had set foot me, at six–feet five, most of the time my head was above where we touched down. Smoke and fog had prevented water. Later, as I crossed the beach, my height would be a our coxswain from guiding on the Vierville church steeple. detriment, making me a larger target. Meanwhile, as I tried This, plus strong tidal currents had diverted us about 200 to get to shore, shorter men grabbed my clothing to keep yards to the east of our intended landing. Mortar and artil- their heads above water. Suddenly, as fear replaced sea- lery shells exploded on the land and in the water as we sickness, I was no longer cold. Most of all, I feared I would approached. The telltale screech just before impact and drown after being shot. Snipers hiding in the bluffs hit quite explosion made the incom- a few men. But most of the ing artillery even more terri- damage came from rapid-fir- fying. Even worse, they ing automatic weapons. seemed to land in clusters. In every war since gunpow- The craft slowed as we der was invented, soldiers scraped a submerged sand- have experienced the bar, which kept us from a dry dreaded feeling of being un- landing. Everyone wanted to der live enemy fire for the get the hell off that rocking first time. It was demoraliz- boat, but the coxswain had ing to hear good men scream trouble dropping the steel as bullets ripped into soft ramp. When it finally flesh and others scream as slammed and splashed the fierce, flooding tide down, the front of the boat dragged the nonswimmers began to buck like a wild under. stallion, rising six or seven Survivors of a sunken troop transport make their way ashore on feet, turning slightly side- Omaha Beach. Almost everyone dumped ways, and then slamming his heavy assault jackets and down again. Over and over, it went: rise-turn-slam! rise- weapons, as getting to dry land became the prime objec- turn-slam! The boat and the ramp became enemies in and tive. For some reason, most likely the earlier incident with of themselves. Private Avolino losing a water can, I kept my jacket and its contents. It was extremely hard to shed the extra weight, The first man to exit went off about mid-ramp. The craft and a weak swimmer could drown before inflating his life surged forward and crushed the poor fellow to death. Ev- preserver. I had to inflate mine to get ashore even though I eryone who followed went off at each side or the rear. I was a pretty good swimmer. was about fifth from the front on the left; Platoon Sergeant Willard Norfleet led the right side. Bullets and shrapnel not- Especially if you were hit and going under, it was extremely withstanding, it was especially hard and dangerous to exit tough to shed the sixty to one hundred pounds of weapons the front of that boat. Many of us simply had to wait our and equipment in time. I remember helping Private Ernest turn. McCanless, who was struggling to get closer in. He still had one box of precious .30-caliber machine gun ammo. I My turn came, and I sat on the edge of the ramp waiting on remember him shouting to me, “Slaughter, are we going to the down cycle, when the ramp would allow me a clean get through all of this?” I didn’t know how to answer him, getaway. I must have sat there for two or three ups and so I didn’t say anything. To tell the truth, I thought we were downs, causing a bottleneck that endangered those behind all going to die. me. So I jumped off and moved away from the crazy, er-

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 12 A body with its life preserver inflated floated by. The face I saw men vomit at the sickening sights, and others cry had already turned a dark purple. At first I thought it was openly and unashamedly. All of us had to find it within Private Richard Gomez, who had a dark complexion. But I ourselves to get across that sandy no man’s land. This is later found out that Gomez had survived the day. The fel- where the army’s strict discipline and rigorous training took low I saw was just one of thousands who died. There is no over. Individual pride had a lot to do with it, too. way to be sure if I had known him. Many of our company were hit in the water and drowned, good swimmers or not. The tide was rushing in and later waves were due. I couldn’t retreat, and I couldn’t stay where I was, so I signaled my I came ashore surrounded by the screams of men who had depleted squad to follow. Before disembarking, I had been hit and were drowning under their ponderous loads. stripped the plastic from my rifle, designed to protect it All around me, dead men floated in the water, along with from salt water and sand, and fixed my bayonet. I wanted live men who acted as if they to be ready. For what, were dead. The Germans though, I wasn’t sure. couldn’t tell which was which. The flooding tide washed ev- It was a bad mistake. eryone in. I gathered my strength and my I finally washed in to the courage, and then I just came water’s edge and took cover up out of the water and behind a log bipod obstacle. I started running. I ran as fast looked up and saw a large and as low as I could, to make round teller mine tied to its myself less of a target. I had top. It was suddenly clear that a long way to go: 300 to 400 this was not going to be the yards. I was loaded down with easy “walk-across-the-beach” gear, and my woolen clothes operation we had thought it were soaked and heavy. As I would be. Jerry was either ran through a tidal pool six or Supplies are offloaded onto Omaha beach from merely a few of the very clever or very lucky. No thousands of ships that participated in the D-Day landings. eight inches deep, I began to one thought he would give us stumble, which caused me to this kind of opposition coming off the landing craft at the accidentally fire my rifle. Luckily, no squad members were edge of the water. in front of me when it went off. I caught my balance and kept on running. I ran and ran for what seemed an eternity, At that moment, we sorely needed our officers and senior and finally made it to a five-foot-high sea wall to take cover noncoms, but many of them were already wounded, dying, and catch my breath. or dead. Tracer machine gun bullets raked the beach and, as we got closer, the puffs of white smoke changed into After I fired my M1, it jammed. To clean it, I slipped out of accurate target patterns along the shoreline. my assault jacket and spread my raincoat, only to discover bullet holes in my pack and coat. Suddenly overwhelmed Lying at the edge of the high water mark, I watched a GI with fear, I became weak in the knees. My hands shook as trying to cross the beach. He had a hard time running. I I tried to wipe sand from my weapon. I had to catch my believe he was from the craft to our right. An enemy gunner breath and compose myself. cut him down and he staggered and fell to the sand. I can still hear him screaming. A well-marked medical corpsman I believe I was the first from our craft to reach the sea wall. moved quickly to help him. He was also shot. I will never Following me were Private First Class Williams, Private forget seeing that medic lying next to that dying soldier, Augeri, and Private McCanless. Augeri lost the machine both screaming for help. Within minutes, as I watched, both gun receiver while struggling to get ashore. Williams was men fell silent and, mercifully, died. still carrying the 50-pound tripod, and McCanless had a box of machine gun ammo but nothing from which to fire

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 13 it. We were pinned down over halfway across Omaha Beach By midmorning we had worked our way to the base of the without a weapon capable of firing. At that point we were hill. Men from other units began to gather. The regimental essentially helpless. I felt like a tasty morsel on a giant sandy commander, Colonel Charles D. W. Canham, appeared from platter just waiting for the Germans to chew us up. down beach with his right arm in a sling and clutching a .45 Colt semiautomatic pistol in his bony left hand. At the sea wall, I could hear the firing of concentrated en- emy machine guns over to the right where Companies A, Canham didn’t look like a soldier, but he sure as hell was parts of B, and our own D were landing. We didn’t know one. He was tall and thin, wore wire-rimmed glasses, and who was catching all that hell. Finally, I cleaned my rifle had a pencil-thin mustache. He yelled for the officers and and organized the squad as best I could, although many of noncoms to help him get the men across the beach and up them were missing. Then we went up over the sea wall and, the hill: “Get these men the hell off this goddamned beach fortunately, made it to the base of the bluff. and go kill some goddamned Krauts!”

About midday, we met a few machine gunners from H or M In a nearby sentinel pillbox, a lieutenant colonel taking ref- Company who had a uge from an enemy mor- machine gun receiver but tar barrage yelled out to no tripod. By combining Canham, “Colonel, you’d our assets, we finally had better take cover or a workable offensive you’re going to get killed!” weapon. We had been Colonel Canham watching a German screamed his reply: “Get 88mm, considered the your ass out of there and best field weapon of the help me get these men the war, firing from a pillbox hell off this beach!” The up on the bluff. We set up officer did what Canham the gun in the best ordered. position possible, which The bronze statue, Spirit of American Youth, stands in Normandy in tribute to was behind an exposed those thousands of Americans who did not come home. Later, we joined with sand dune. eight or nine men from Company B who were being led by First Sergeant Bill Williams was determined to get even with those square- Pressley. He was looking for a cleared path through anti- headed bastards. The gunner pulled the bolt handle, send- personnel mines planted on the slope of the bluff. There ing a bullet into the machine gun’s firing chamber. He then were many “Achtung Minen” signs to warn the public of the squeezed the trigger, sending a burst of .30-caliber bullets danger of mines, their message reenforced by a skull and at the concrete and steel bunker. I watched as a string of crossbones. fiery tracers ricocheted around the opening of the gun em- placement. There was, however, a path marked by white tape that seemed safe to use, one of the paths cleared by German The gun jammed after a few bursts. I couldn’t believe it work crews. A dead naval officer was lying facedown at the when I saw Williams stand over the machine gun, trying to base of the bluff. Strapped to his back was a large back- eject the jammed cartridge from the chamber. “Fats, for pack radio. We followed Pressley and his contingent up the God’s sake, get down!” I screamed. He looked over at me path to the top of the hill. and smiled. He and Augeri picked up the gun and tripod A strange sounding zoop-zoop-zoop came from a battery of and moved to another location. German nebelwerfers, the rocket-firing six-barrel mortars aptly nicknamed “screaming meemies.” The battery was That was the only time that day that we were able to use being fired from fixed concrete positions about 200 to 300 our gun. I’m sure we didn’t draw much blood, but it helped yards to our right front. We could actually follow the mis- vent a bit of anger and frustration. siles’ high trajectory to their targets down the beach. What

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 14 a sight that was! But how could a dozen men armed with took turns making special trips back to the still-dangerous .30-caliber weapons neutralize a battery of screaming beach in order to find more automatic weapons, ammo, and meemies and a battery of armed German soldiers? supplies.

“Simple,” said Pressley. “We’ll get that radio off the dead When it was my turn to go down, I was horrified at what I officer.” I don’t remember who fetched the radio, but it saw. The debris-strewn beach was a disaster area. The in- was the sergeant’s good idea. We hoped the radio was work- coming flooding tide brought with it the bodies of hun- able, and that we could make contact with its source. dreds of our proud regiment. Scores of our men with blood- stained shirts rolled in the surf among helmets, assault jack- Pressley flipped a switch, and the radio came to life. After ets, gas masks, and M1 rifles. extending the antenna, he was soon talking to someone miles away out on the English Channel. He calmly told the At the edge of the water I saw a burning landing craft, tank destroyer that the ship’s liaison officer (LCT) that had been trying to deposit a was dead and that he had a target for Sherman tank down its ramp. The tank them. He described nearby landmarks was also burning and abandoned. From and asked them to fire a test round, our perspective, the battle looked hope- which they did. less.

We heard the report of the cannon and As I later discovered, one company of then the whine of the six-inch shell go the 116th Infantry had fared even worse over and explode hundreds of yards than we had in D Company. As the away. We didn’t actually see the first two ramps splashed down, the 180-man A or three explosions, but after a while, Company, led by Captain Taylor Fellers, one came within our sight. It was now a was cut down like wheat under a matter of time and, I suppose luck, that slashing scythe. Because this first-wave he would find the range. We could hear team beat the smoke and fire, they the ship fire its salvo: boom-ba-ba-boom! landed precisely where they were Boom-ba-ba-boom! Swish-swish, ker-whoom! supposed to land, and were decimated Ker-whoom! in mere minutes. Ninety-one of the 180 men in the landing party died, and most The ground trembled as the exploding of the others were wounded. We found John Robert Slaugher somewhere in shells saturated the area to our right Germany, 1945. out later that it was that concentrated front. Some of those explosions came machine gun fire we had heard to our too close for comfort, but they put that nebelwerfer battery right when we were at the sea wall that nearly wiped them out of action and earned Pressley the coveted Distinguished out. The next day, only about fifteen soldiers from Company Service Cross. There is no telling how many lives he saved A were able to continue the fight. that day. Company B, led by Captain Ettore Zappacosta, had landed Later that afternoon, we still hadn’t gotten farther than the at 7 a.m., following Company A at the draw. It, too, was cut top of the hill. A few German bicycle troops appeared, down, execution style. Captain Walter Schilling’s D riding down the road parallel to the beach as if on a Sunday Company followed B at 7:10. We sustained at least seventy- outing. If that were the case, we surely ruined their picnic two casualties. Company C, led by Captain Bertier B. Hawks, with a few rounds of well-placed rifle fire that separated came in at 7:20 and fared somewhat better, because C many of them from their vehicles. Company drifted to the left of the Vierville Draw. The 2nd Battalion, 116th, landed companies abreast: E, F, and G, After that, we began to think about defending against the with H in reserve. expected counterattack that we were told would take place in less than twenty-four hours. To bolster our defenses, we

World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 15 It was a far cry from the unarmed pillboxes, “second-rate into our perimeter of defense on top of the hill and close soldiers,” and POW conscripts whom we were told would to a copse of scrub trees. We had been on the go since 2 likely surrender at the first opportunity. a.m., and I had never been so tired in my life. I asked Pri- vate First Private First Class George Borys if he would stand While scouting for D Company survivors near the Vierville first watch for a half-hour. I promised to take the second Draw, I saw a regimental intelligence officer armed with a shift if I could first catch a short nap. We had dug shallow carbine, interrogating a German prisoner. The prisoner was foxholes in the hard shale because we didn’t have enough on his knees with his hands behind his head. He was rather energy to dig deeper. small and frail looking. I was surprised he was not wearing the usual square-shaped battle helmet. Instead he wore a Borys, nicknamed “Churchill” because he was a bit chubby, gray, billed cap. said he would take the first watch. Not until dawn’s early light of June 7 broke over the The lieutenant asked the Normandy coastline did our prisoner, among other things, squad awake from a sound where the minefields were. sleep in our shallow slit The soldier, wearing a single trenches. We found out later inverted stripe on his sleeve, that German soldiers were answered only with the dug in less than twenty-five accepted Geneva Convention yards away. Borys, feeling requirement of name, rank, sheepish, said he didn’t re- and serial number. We had member going to sleep. been instructed not to take prisoners for the first two or June 6, 1944, was unlike any three days, so I expected the other day of my life. Yet at officer to eventually shoot the time, I failed to realize its the prisoner. Bob Slaugher (left) with Joe Dawson, President Clinton, and Walter full significance. I was too Ehlers - recipient of the Medal of Honor - at Omaha Beach com- busy trying to keep my squad memorating the 50th anniversary of D-Day. Again the interrogator and myself alive. screamed, “Where are the damned mine fields?” Again, he received the same reply: name, rank, and serial number. Combat deaths are ugly and sickening. A bullet or piece of red-hot shrapnel tears flesh, gristle, and bone into grue- The lieutenant’s carbine barked, but the bullet was aimed some wounds. A few hours in the sun causes a body to at the ground between the prisoner’s knees. The arrogant swell grotesquely and turn dark purple. The stench is un- German looked straight at the officer and said with a smirk, bearable. Such deaths were trag