Thread: In memory on D-Day

Originally Posted by PaulFLUS

In memory of my Dad who was part of the Normandy invasion.


Here he is in late 1943 - early 1944 fresh out of basic, probably still 17 years old. His father signed a release letting him join the Navy early.

Operation Overlord took place 2 months and 10 days after his 18th birthday. He was really just a kid. His ship (LST 6) can be seen sitting on Omaha beach right in the middle of this picture.


Some of the Higgins boats seen in the first few minutes of Saving Private Ryan were loaded full of men from his ship. He told us (reluctantly) that they were not taking fire on his ship but were close enough to "see them taking hell up on the beach." That event shaped the rest of his life.

Later that year on a trip back from Rouen to Portland his ship struck a mine and sank at the end of the Seine River.


After that he was sent to Tampa to be reassigned which is where he met my mother. He was the ship's mailman and she worked in the Navy mailroom.

Once reassigned he went to Korea and China and was en route to Japan for the Invasion when VJ Day was announced.

Two months and 12 days after his 90th birthday (2 days after the D-Day anniversary) he died at the palliative care facility at the local VAMC.


...and was buried in the the National Cemetery in Jacksonville


Rest well old salt. I love you and miss you.

It was a different time for sure.
He looks so young, very sad he did not get to enjoy his youth in the same way most did.
Their sacrifice was immense.
Glad he got to live a long life despite what he had to endure.