My grandfather was in D-Day.
His observations:
1) The Sea was red from the blood.
2) Body parts EVERYWHERE.
3) Crapping his pants from the shelling
4) Not eating or drinking for 18 hours.
5) Taking NO German prisoners..killed them All
6) Saving Private Ryan wasn’t even close to the real thing
7) If he survived the landing, he figured he would survive the war. He did.
This is one of the most overrated movies ever, and I'm glad your grandfather confirmed that.
My Dad was on Omaha Beach Day 2 I believe. He killed a German and came home in one piece.