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The 47 immortals of Omaha Beach
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1960/11/first-wave-at-omaha-beach/303365/ ^

Posted on 06/07/2019 6:05:54 AM PDT by Nicojones

Excerpt - "Taylor is a luminous figure in the story of D Day, one of the forty-seven immortals of Omaha who, by their dauntless initiative at widely separated points along the beach, saved the landing from total stagnation and disaster. Courage and luck are his in extraordinary measure."

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: History; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS:
I've posted this on previous D-Day anniversaries with no luck. Does anyone have a listing of the "47 immortals" referenced by Marshall in this linked article that saved the Omaha beach landing from disaster? It really is sad that it has taken less than 75 years for us to have forgotten this important part of our history and can't even honor all of their their names. This seems like a great research project for some young historian. At least we know Lieutenant Walter Taylor of Baker Company was one of them. I tip my hat to you and the 46 others that saved the day.
1 posted on 06/07/2019 6:05:54 AM PDT by Nicojones
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To: Nicojones

Marshall appears to be better viewed in the category of historical fiction, and the number 47, especially in the context of stories about brave warriors, has literary (and historical) precedent in the story of the Forty-seven Ronin. It could be an intentional or even unconscious reference to that - It was certainly the first thing I thought of when I read the phrase “forty-seven immortals”


2 posted on 06/07/2019 6:28:45 AM PDT by Trapper6012
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To: Trapper6012

Great story, but I cast the net much further than 47.

There were thousands of immortals that day. And by sunset, they were indeed immortal, safely in the arms of Jesus in Heaven.


3 posted on 06/07/2019 6:46:16 AM PDT by Alas Babylon! (The media is after us. Trump's just in the way.)
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To: Trapper6012

“There are two kinds of people who are staying on this beach: those who are dead and those who are going to die. Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

~ Colonel George A. Taylor, Commanding Officer, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, First U.S. Army


4 posted on 06/07/2019 6:47:08 AM PDT by littleharbour ("You take on the intel community they have six ways from Sunday at getting back at you" C. Schumer)
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To: Trapper6012

Also The 47th Samurai, by Stephen Hunter.

Good read, by the way.

Peach


5 posted on 06/07/2019 6:50:01 AM PDT by CarolinaPeach
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To: Trapper6012

Also The 47th Samurai, by Stephen Hunter.

Good read, by the way.

Peach


6 posted on 06/07/2019 6:50:22 AM PDT by CarolinaPeach
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To: Nicojones

In the final analysis it was the US Navy, not the US Amry that saved the day on Omaha Beach.


7 posted on 06/07/2019 11:52:10 AM PDT by jmacusa ("If wisdom is not the Lord, what is wisdom?''.)
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To: Nicojones

Why were the nazi bunkers not being bombed an hour before the invasion?


8 posted on 06/07/2019 1:39:31 PM PDT by mowowie
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To: mowowie

They were. Bomb accuracy sucked in WW2.


9 posted on 06/07/2019 1:40:55 PM PDT by mad_as_he$$
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To: littleharbour
“There are two kinds of people who are staying on this beach: those who are dead and those who are going to die. Now let’s get the hell out of here.”

In "The Longest Day", it was Major General Norman Cota, played by Robert Mitchum, that said that.

10 posted on 06/07/2019 1:42:03 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: mowowie

Hindsight is 20/20.

I can’t remember who said it, but “War is a series of calamities, that result in victory.”


11 posted on 06/07/2019 1:43:06 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: mowowie

They were. But the concrete bunkers just rode it out.
It was as useless as softening up Tarawa.


12 posted on 06/07/2019 1:59:53 PM PDT by sparklite2 (Don't mind me. I'm just a contrarian.)
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To: Nicojones

thank you for this.
unbelievable..


13 posted on 06/07/2019 2:03:15 PM PDT by mowowie
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To: Nicojones

bump


14 posted on 06/08/2019 8:28:24 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. --Douglas MacArthur)
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To: Nicojones

bump


15 posted on 06/08/2019 8:28:25 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it. --Douglas MacArthur)
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