HISTORY OF THE U.S. 7TH NAVAL BEACH BATTALION
as related by Julius Shoulars from members and Naval records.
In 1943 a group of 10 to 12 men were transferred from Fort Pierce, Florida by train to Camp Bradford, Norfolk, Virginia. A short time later, 14 men were transferred from the 3rd Naval Beach Battalion to Camp Bradford. On October 5, 1943, the two groups of men helped to commission the 7th Naval Beach Battalion. Many men were transferred to the 7th Battalion from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Battalions to form the unit. Most of these men were regular Navy who had obtained rates such as first class Bos'n Mates, Motor Mac's, Carpenters Mates, Pharmacists Mates, and Shipfitters. The Communications men were transferred to the 7th from Communications schools and JASCO Units. Then there were the Officers who came from all Departments of the Navy, and of course, we cannot forget the Seamen 2nd class who filled the jobs of the Hydrographic Section; also, some UDT men were transferred to the 7th about 3 weeks before the Normandy Invasion. These men were not on the February 4, 1944 roster I purchased from the Navy Department. After getting the Battalion's quota filled, we were sent to Fort Pierce, Florida for Invasion practice landings.
The Battalion's roster was composed of a Beach Master, an Assistant Beach Master, and a Doctor (all Officers). The Hydrographic Section contained approximately 19 men; the Boat Repair Section had a quota of 8 men; the Communication Section had 8 men (signalmen and radiomen); the Medical Section had 8 men. The total number of men for each platoon was approximately 42. The Battalion consisted of the Staff, Company A-1, A-2, A-3, B-4, B-5, B-6, C-7, C-8, C-9. The complete Battalion consisted of approximately 450 men.
After returning to Camp Bradford, Virginia from Florida before Christmas, we were all given a short leave. In early 1944, we were transferred to Lido Beach, Long Island, New York to a staging area before going overseas. Lt. Sam Byrd, who was a Broadway actor and a member of the Lambs Club, and a member of the 7th NBB invited all from the 7th who wanted to go to the Lambs Club for a night of entertainment.
In early 1944, we sailed for Scotland on the former Cunard Liner, HMS Acquitania. We landed in Green Rock, Scotland. All of the Battalion boarded a train for Southern England except the Transportation members. They stayed in Green Rock waiting for the Battalion's vehicles and equipment to arrive (which was about 3 weeks). Upon their arrival, they drove through the narrow streets of Scotland and England to Salcombe, Devon, England, our home base. While traveling to Salcombe, as we passed through the towns, the streets would be lined with people waving flags, and giving the "V" for Victory sign. We tossed the kids chewing gum and candy.
In the Spring of 1944, after extensive training in and around Salcombe and including Slapton Sands, we began to be transferred to our staging areas around the Southern ports of England prior to the Invasion of France. Part of the Battalion landed on Omaha Beach on the morning of June 6th, 1944 D-Day ! The remainder of the group arrived on the beach at staggered intervals. Some of the Battalion did not get into the beach until June 7th as the Beach Master delayed their landings due to the litter and confusion on the Beach. Most of the Battalion was on the Beach for 21 days. Some of the Communications fellows volunteered to remain for 3 months. The first group to leave went back to Salcombe, England to prepare for a second Invasion of France. This Invasion did not happen, so we were shipped back to Boston, USA aboard the USS Wakefield, a former Cruise ship, manned by the Coast Guard. Then we were transferred to New York City by train and on to Long Island, NY. After debarking from the train, we walked to Lido Beach with our sea bags on our shoulders as there was no train station at Lido Beach.
The Battalion was decommissioned and most of the fellows received traveling orders to Oceanside, California. We were given 20 or 21 traveling days to do this. After completing amphibious training there, we were transferred in small groups to different stations with the majority going aboard different APAs as the Beach party. About 25 men from A-1 Platoon were transferred to the USS Karnes, APA 175. We in the Battalion felt a closeness which most men do not cultivate. We now hold reunions each year with the personnel from the USS Karnes, APA 175. It is really a great sight to see friends and comrades who have not communicated with each other for 50+ years embracing each other with tears streaming down their faces, in most instances. There is a renewing of experiences of the past and it all flows into one solid oneness of past years.
There are a lot of stories to be told about our men's bravery and deeds accomplished on the Normandy Beach. I do not have the room here to tell about them, but we have several Memoirs written by our men available to those who wish to read them. We welcome anyone who wants information on our reunions to contact us via the e-mail address below.
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Last Updated: 06/02/2010