Posted on 06/06/2025 5:54:23 AM PDT by Leaning Right
As most of us know, today is the 81st anniversary of D-Day. Bing marks it on their homepage (good for them). Google has nothing.
Anyway, if you have a D-Day story of a sort, feel free to post it here.
As your link mentioned, David Niven received the Legion of Merit Medal for his military service in WW2. Interestingly enough, Niven was also “awarded” a German Iron Cross.
https://mailonline.pressreader.com/article/282419878154691
My grandpa Stanley landed on Utah Beach as a member of 4ID. He was wounded inland and was propped up against a fence until he could be attended.
He had instructed told to stay upright— he told us all he wanted to do was lie down (shattered pelvis, elbow/arm)— but apparently those that were more survivable were identified as being upright and got care. So, by doing so, likely saved his life. He was able to return in 1995 for the 50th anniversary.
The Amazon series, "Man in the High Tower," did go off the DEI rails after a couple seasons, but first few seasons were done well, and operated on the premise that the nazis were able to nuke D.C and takeover the eastern half of the U.S. while the Japanese took the Pacific coast.
It was chilling and as you say, a stark reminder of what the bravery, sweat and blood of those men saved the world from.
Wow! Were there tears in the room? Just wondering about the reaction. Thanks.
I think that id D Day had failed, we would have used the A-bomb on Germany.
No doubt...............
> Were there tears in the room? Just wondering about the reaction. <
No tears in that campus police room. And I didn’t expect any. After all, most people there (including me) were young and stupid.
But I was surprised by what was in that briefcase. You betcha I was.
The campus cops who teased old Bill were certainly surprised, too. But they didn’t say anything. It would have been nice had they later apologized to Bill for their poor behavior.
I don’t know if they did or not.
Quiet, kind, and very tolerant boss, Bob H. - U.S. Army Ranger at Point du Hoc - I have wondered? But cannot yet confirm.
Brother-in-law of mine, age 17, landed at Normandy in 3rd week of June 1944. Fought all the way across France. Later in Austria. After German surrender, returned to France. Thence New York, close to 19th birthday.
I asked what did he remember the most?
“The dead bodies in roadside drainage ditches all across France.”
He had walked all the way. Until Christmas Eve, when somebody realized that he had not had a break. Sent him by transport, from eastern France, toward Paris. Transport stopped. Sent back toward the front.
After the war, quiet, kind, tolerant salesman.
Da-da-da-daaaaa...
I think I’ll watch The Longest Day and Saving Private Ryan today!
Two other friends at Normandy. One each, at different airstrips that were quickly built near the landing areas. Charlie G. mostly worked on P-47s. George S. worked on P-38s.
The father of a friend of mine was a WW2 army infantryman who served in France (but not on D-Day). His unit served near a unit of Free French.
One of his strongest memories was how the French treated captured Germans. The French would march them behind the lines, then shoot them. SS, Luftwaffe, young conscripts - it didn’t matter.
I have no idea how widespread that behavior was.
By the way, the father hated Patton. Evidently he was on a work detail when Patton rode by. The father was not wearing a tie. Patton busted him one grade on the spot.
About fifteen years ago I met an older man who was a D-Day minus one vet.
He was with Navy UDT. He and a few others swam five miles to Omaha Beach, planted some time bombs at some of the steel hedgehogs them swam back to their ship.
He took a bullet on the Higgins boat later in the day. After recuperating he spent the rest of the war in the pacific theatre.
Nice post.
Thanks for the ping/post Albion Wilde. RIP Bill Warner and Bud Newingham. Thanks men,
Thank you for the post.
Thank you very much for the ping. Great post!
GREAT - Thanks for posting...worth saving!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.