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NEWS: [See all News]
Trump to visit France for D-Day 75th anniversary
US President Donald Trump is to visit Normandy in June this year for the 75th anniversary commemorations of D-Day, he has said. Mr Trump made the announcement during a reception of World War II veterans in the Presidential Oval Office, at the White House, in Washington DC. [Connexion FranceRead more...
[Posted: 2019-04-30 09:01:00]
Bernard DARGOLS, 98, died April 28, 2019
We have just learned that Bernard DARGOLS has died. Bernard DARGOLS landed on Omaha Beach with 2nd Infantry Division. Read more...
[Posted: 2019-04-29 22:00:00]
   3 - 4 / 21 news   
WALL - IN MEMORY OF: [See all Messages]
LAHAYE EDWARD J
8TH AIR FORCE
I had the great honor of visiting the Normandy American Cemetery in June, 2023. I walked the grounds until I found a Texas soldier. It was that of Edward J Lahaye. It was truly a moving experience. I hoped to reach out to his family with a photo of his cross, but see it is already posted on this
Honored by Lil Metzger
[Posted: 2023-07-23 04:48:28]
COPENHAVER JAMES E
90TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Today our family remembers our brave husband, father and grandfather who left a wife and daughter to serve and fight for the freedom we enjoy today. Thank you James!!! And, thank you citizens of the Normandy region for your appreciation and gratitude shown during our visits.
Honored by Jim Shafer
[Posted: 2023-06-11 01:08:37]
   3 - 4 / 129 messages   
OMAHA BEACH MEMORIAL - TESTIMONIES
Partager
Private Robert G. Lowry

29th Infantry Division
116th Infantry Regiment
1st Battalion
Company C


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On D-day we were on a troopship by the name of Javelin. The night before D-day was very quiet, there was much praying, we were scared and wanted to get it over with quickly. General Eisenhower came in over the radio on the ship and wished us Godspeed.
At about 05:30 a.m. we went down rope ladders into LCVP’s, circled in the channel for about half an hour until the other LCVP’s were ready to head to shore. It was very rough and we slammed into the side of the ships as we went down the rope ladder. I don’t remember for sure who our platoon leader was but I think it might have been a 1st Lieutenant by the name of Dallas. Our Company commander was Captain Hawks. Neither one of them made it to shore.
The officers were in the front of the boat and when the coxswain let the ramp down in water that was about 30 feet deep, 5-6 men went into the water and I’m sure drowned because of the heavy filed packs, ammunition, etc, they were carrying. As soon as those in front saw what was happening they called out: "Raise the ramp" which was done but those who were trying to get out had their arms, feet, legs, hands and other parts of their bodies crushed in the ramp, which I think about 10 or 12 men.
There was one officer who made it to shore, a 2nd Lieutenant by the name of Swartz. He was what we called a 90 days wonder because they only had about 4 weeks of training before being shipped over to England to join our Division. He was killed that afternoon.
H-hour was at 06:30 when we landed on the beach at Omaha Dog Green, which we later referred to it as Omaha Bloody Red because of the blood shed from killed, dying and wounded men, mostly young boys like myself. We jumped into the water which was about level with my mouth and tried to make it to shore which was a real struggle. We were so exhausted from being seasick we just wanted to lie on the sand to recover. The beach where we landed was about 1000 yards to the north of where we were supposed to land. There were lots of tanks, bulldozers, trucks, jeeps and bodies in and out the water.

Posted: July 16, 2011
Copyright: Laurent Lefebvre

Robert G. Lowry - June 2009