Beach Battalion Bulletin Board

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I JUST SEND A STORY OF THE COAST GUARD ABOUT THE LANDING ON TINIAN TO MWALLING, AS PER YOUR REQUEST. I WAS IN THE 8TH BEACH BATTALION AND THEN TRANSFERRED WITH MY PLATOON TO THE USS KNOX APA 46 WHERE WE LANDED ON SAIPAN, TINIAN LEYTE, LUZON AND IWO JIMA. DO YOU KNOW IF ANYONE HAS WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT THE BEACH PARTIES IN THE PACIFIC.??? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY RESPONSE.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO POST THIS ON THE BEACH BATTALION WEBSITE PERHAPS SOMEONE FROM THE USS KNOX APA 46 AND A MEMBER OF THE BEACH PARTY THAT I SERVED WITH WOULD CONTACT ME.

Would like to hear from anyone who was stationed on APA30. Interested in hearing about the channel crossing, what was the mood like how did the troops pass the time. Always wondered what the navy guys felt seeing the Army Troops going over the side knowing that the troops would be fighting. Also would like to see any artifacts from the ship. Stay Safe. Charlie Bury

Need to clarify my question: Navy Guys should mean ships crew (APA30 Thomas Jefferson)

Army Troops to include: ESB's and Beach Battalion Sailors.
My misworded question caught some flack from the Beach Battalion site. By the way if you havn't visited this page its a must:

http://www.4thbeachbattalion.com/

Letter from Bosnia
The ending is the best part!!!
An unauthenticated letter home from a marine with the multinational force in Bosnia:
But still a good chuckle ...

Dear Dad,
A funny thing happened to me yesterday at Camp Bondsteel (Bosnia):
(actually - Kosovo)

A French army officer walked up to me in the PX, and told me he thought we
(Americans) were a bunch of cowboys and were going to provoke a war in
Iraq. He said if such a thing happens, we wouldn't be able to count on
the support of France.

I told him that it didn't surprise me. Since we had come to France's
rescue in World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the Cold War, their
ingratitude and jealousy was due to surface [again] at some point in the
near future anyway. I also told him that is why France is a third-rate
military power with a socialist economy and a bunch of pansies for soldiers.

I additionally told him that America, being a nation of deeds and action,
not words, would do whatever it had to do, and France's support, if it
ever came, was only for show anyway.

Just like in ALL NATO exercises, the US would shoulder 85% of the burden,
and provide 85% of the support, as evidenced by the fact that this French
officer was shopping in the American PX, and not the other way around.

He began to get belligerent at that point, and I told him if he would like
to, I would meet him outside in front of the Burger King and whip his ass
in front of the entire Multi-National Brigade East, thus demonstrating
that even the smallest American had more fight in him than the average
Frenchman.

He called me a barbarian cowboy and walked away in a huff.

With friends like these, who needs enemies?

Dad, tell Mom I love her,

Your loving daughter,
Mary Beth Johnson
LtCol., USMC

Click to enlarge GI Joe display built from scratch by Charlie Bury. He made the LCVP and Mothership from balsa wood and poster board. The figures are 12" GI Joe's dressed in authentic gear. He has since added a Beach Battalion Sailor to the landing craft.

I hope I'm not out of place for posting this request here. My name is Charlie Bury I recently retired with 21yrs service from the 29th Infantry Divison in Maryland. as a living tribute to WW2 veterans I conduct (Free of Charge) presentations about the landings at local schools, senior centers and civic groups. My presentation covers DDAY and the role of the 29th on Omaha Beach. i have been to Normandy several times and hope to return next year for the 60th Anniv. during my presentations I portray a 29th Div Operations Sgt giving the troops (audience) a briefing on the mission. I also set up a huge display of authentic WW2 weapons and gear that was used on the beach. I would like to include items from the Beach Battalions that participated in the 29th Div Sector. If was wondering if any of you would have items you would like to donate to my cause to help tell the story of the Actions on Omaha Beach. I would be willing to buy some items. I would like to get a helmet painted as it were during the landings or any uniform parts and or paperwork linked to the landings. I have pledged that any item received would never, and I mean NEVER be sold for profit! When I'm finished with my collection it will be placed into a museum either the Maryland National Guard Museum or the DDAY Museum. I'm also the Historian for the 115th Infantry Regiment Association. i would also like to hear some stories from veterans of the Beach Battalion that landed in the 29th sector. should you decide to make a donation or send me a story please contact me at Bpdsec@aol.com. I can also be reached at the Baltimore County Police Dept 410-744-1584. Thanks You and GOD BLESS. Charlie Bury Jr

attached is a photo from one of my presentations

I'm wearing the dress uniform, subject in the combat gear is a student.
Charlie's Footlocker my web site.

115thRegiment.html Association Web site.

I’m looking for some information about a person by the name of (F. M. Sobczak) that was in the 2nd Battalion HQ CO. in WWII. I know that he was on Omaha beach during the D-Day Invasion. My father who served in WWII would like to know if he was injured or lost his life during the invasion. If you have any information, Please E-Mail me at (thejettes@comcast.net) Thank you, Dan Jette

Dear Dan,
The name isn't on the 2nd BB roster. Suggest you contact Frank Buckley,
(address withheld by webmaster)
Best regards, Jim Townley

(27 January 2003)

Rand,
I am trying to get high resolution images from my father's time in North
Africa, Italy and France. He was in the 8th BB but pictures from other guys
from the same time would be useful to me. I am especially interested in
getting pictures of the Italian prisoners in Algeria (my dad told me about
them and how they were ready to surrender) and German prisoners in France. I
have a few photos guys in the 8th BB sent me as well as some my dad had in
his war memorabilia. Any photos or leads as to where to locate them will be
very helpful. Thank you,

William Brown Hawkins, Jr.
mailto:hawkinb@bp.com

(22 January 2003)

Rand,

Many congratulations on the work you are doing.

It does not seem much from me, but I guess there are hundreds of guys in heaven right now, blessing you for telling their story.

Can you suggest where I may obtain information of the type of NBB units that would have served on shore during the Normandy landings.

By good fortune I obtained a set of USN wartime wool lined bib and brace overalls and as I will be spending a week in Normandy on the 6 th. June, with a group portraying 2 nd Rangers for displays and as part of the remembrance ceremonies, and in order to have a representation of USN , I wished to do something relating to the shore work, especially if duties would have taken guys inland.

Fire control spotters?

I would like to do this properly and obtain some facts on the subject so I can honour the guys in the correct manner.

Joe,

Edinburgh, Scotland.
mailto:ja011e0100@blueyonder.co.uk

=========================================

Hello Joe,

At about 5 & 1/2 feet tall, my father, Lt. J. Russell Davey, Jr., MC, USNR, was a medical officer with the 6th Naval Beach Battalion and was referred to as "little Dr. Davey" in New Yorker war correspondent A.J. Liebling's Cross-Channel Trip. His platoon traveled to Normandy aboard the USCG-manned LCI(L) 88 and went ashore "Easy Red" Omaha Beach at 7:35 A.M. 6 June 1944. Under the command of Navy Beachmaster Joseph P. Vaghi, Dr. Davey's C-8 medical team was responsible for providing aid and seaward evacuation for the initial assault troops of the First Infantry Division. By the end of D-Day, most of the USN corpsmen in platoon C-8 had become casualties. Although injured himself, Dr. Davey continued working on the beach but died of undetermined causes 5 June 1948.

Rear Admiral John L. Hall, commander of the XI Amphibious Force and Force "O" for Omaha Beach, wrote in his memoirs that he took his OVERLORD assignment seriously and did not want publicity for the U.S. Naval Beach Battalions in Europe. Hall explained that to reveal the NBB's mission and location would provide sensitive information for the enemy. In addition, there would be future invasions to fight. When WWII was over, and for the next half-century, the NBBs were left out of the history books.

The following publications provide a brief overview of the Sixth Naval Beach Battalion. Unfortunately, no "official" action report held by the Navy Department has ever been uncovered, a factor apparently shared by all the U.S. Naval Beach Battalions of WWII.

It is important to note that in 1992, the U.S. Navy commissioned a missile ship named the USS Normandy. Army D-Day veterans were understandably honored guests but "the USN completely ignored their own Naval Beach Battalions" at the event. This inspired Historian Jonathan Gawne to begin researching and writing about The Forgotten Sailors of the Invasion Beaches.

Interestingly, during ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of D-Day, the LCDR Joseph P. Vaghi (C-8 Beachmaster and my father's platoon commander) was asked to represent the U.S. Navy and laid a memorial wreath at the American Cemetery above the invasion beaches in France. The following year, 6th NBB veteran Vaghi was again asked to represent the U.S. Navy and joined President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in ceremonies commemorating V-E Day, the end of World War II in Europe.

In 1998, Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan provided a great deal of interest in the veterans of D-Day. The October 1999 issue of Naval History - "Sailors Dressed Like Soldiers" - identified NBB personnel approximately 12 minutes into the opening battle scene of the film. Additional copies of Sailors Dressed Like Soldiers are available at the U.S. Naval Institute (800) 233-8764.

Once Jonathan Gawne's Spearheading D-Day: American Special Units in Normandy was in print, the 2nd, 6th & 7th NBB were provided even greater exposure. Gawne's book is described by one historian as the best invasion book published since Cornelius Ryan's The Longest Day.

New Yorker war correspondent A.J. Liebling's "Cross-Channel Trip" covered the 6th NBB but the classic D-Day account was heavily censored by the U.S. Navy. Years later, Liebling wrote of the details left out of his war piece including the heroic death of three LCI(L) 88 Coast Guardsmen. The most recent publication of "Cross-Channel Trip" can be read in Reporting World War II - Part Two: American Journalism 1944-1946.

In preparation for OVERLORD, Captain Jerry S. Stover, Advance Headquarters for the U.S. Ninth Air Force, was responsible for selecting air-defense radar sites in France. On D+2, during the invasion landings, he met with Commander Eugene Carusi & Lt. William E. Matchett, 6th NBB communications officer. Fifty-six years later, Carusi's daughter sent Capt. Stover a theater endorsement document regarding a Proposed Unit Citation, written by Army D-Day commanders in 1944. When Stover submitted the award documents to Washington, the Navy Department stated the paperwork had never been received, as far back as the 1940s. Sixth Naval Beach Battalion veteran Frank Snyder provides an explanation!

In the fall of 2000, the 6th NBB was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by the U.S. Army as reported in the Nov./Dec. 2000 issue of Navy Medicine magazine (202) 762-3248. The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery article also reported that the Battalion had finalized plans to mount a bronze plaque onto the 5th Engineer Special Brigade Monument overlooking "Easy Red" Omaha Beach (see 6 June 2000 Stars & Stripes).

During the year 2001, coinciding with the plaque dedication in France, the 6th NBB "spearheaded" a Department of Defense documentary of D-Day. Navy Medicine at Normandy D-Day June 6, 1944 was produced by the Naval School of Health Sciences in cooperation with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery. Medical Historian Jan Herman and 6th NBB veteran Dr. Lee Parker returned to Normandy for on-location filming and identification of "far-shore" evacuation sites. In the masterful production, Director Jack Lewin combines onscreen interviews of D-Day veterans with 1944 invasion film gathered from the National Archives and other repositories.

Most recently, in the June 2002 issue of National Geographic, the 6th NBB was featured in the cover story "Untold Stories of D-Day." Click here National Geographic Media and author Tom Allen explains the making of his D-Day article. Then click here National Geographic at D-Day and listen to Beachmaster Joe Vaghi make a few remarks.

Other recommended NBB publications include World War II In Fort Pierce by Robert A. Taylor, Neptunus Rex edited by Edward F. Prados, Omaha Beach by Tim Kilvert-Jones, The Brigades of Neptune by Richard T. Bass, Breaching Fortress Europe by Sid Berger, Operation Rescue Report (1998) compiled by Joe Vaghi, the 6th NBB on the web and the official voice of the 6th Naval Beach Battalion Association, the Scuttlebutt by Ed & Betts Marriott. Reunion Coordinator Ed Marriott, who crossed the Channel with my dad, Carusi, Matchett, Vaghi and Liebling aboard the LCI(L) 88, is pictured below in discussion with a young man who reenacts the 6th NBB, with the correct D-Day attire.

Ken Davey

NBB History Department

(9 Sept 02)

Dear Mr Townley,

This is to confirm if Garwood Bacon is Mary's husband. Mary is my
father's first cousin.

Garwood was a bit of a song writer and appeared many times on American
bandstand.
He was in the battle of Normandy (D-Day). His last address that I have
is Hampton NJ.
His son is a doctor, our grandmothers were sisters.

Best
Guy Puglia
Australia
merl@hotkey.net.au

(8 Sept 2002)

Mr. Townley,

My name is Brett Johnson and I was wondering if you could help me. My
Grandfather was aboard the USS Leedstown in World War II. I was curious if
you could tell me how to find more information about my Grandfather. He
passed away in March 1979 and is greatly missed. It has taken me a very long
time to determine what ship he was aboard and I am unable to find anymore
information. If you have any ideas for me to locate any information about
him - I would be greatly indebted! I do not know his rank or enlistment
date. His name is Scott Winfield Johnson Sr. I do have his dog tags but do
not know how to interpret them.

Please help if you are able!

Thanks in advance,
Brett Johnson
bjaj@bright.net

(8 Sept 02)

Dear Mr. Johnson,

We have very little information about the Pacific theatre (where the Leedstown served her country) because the Beach Battalions were formed to fight in the European front.
Suggest you contact one of the agencies and associations listed at: http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourceFileView?file=associations_navy.htm
and request direction.
I have forwarded your inquiry to members of the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 8th Beach Battalions. Perhaps a member who was assigned to the Pacific after Europe may be able to help you.
Sorry that I was unable to assist. Good luck with your search.

Sincerely,
Rand Townley

(9 Sept 02)

Rand,

In reply to Brett Johnson's e-mail:

If he has his grandfather's dog tags he will see a 7 digit ID Number, usually spaced as 123 45 67. He can then write to:

                                          National Personnel Records Center
                                          9700 Page Boulevard
                                          St Louis Missouri 62132

He should inquire of them for Photostat copies of his grandfather's Service Jacket. Referring to his grandfather by the full name and serial number as embossed on the ID Tags. In his letter he should explain that he is seeking the Service records of his deceased Grandfather for family history purposes.

It may take up to a month for those records to be researched and photocopied. It may well be that pages will not be available, Send a follow up letter if there is no reply after 30 days.

For information about the ship and possibly surviving crewmen. The best way is to enter the ships name and hull number on any
good search engine. Naval History Website is a good source but not necessarily the best,

Please e-mail me if your correspondent needs any additional information or ask him to e-mail me directly.

keep up the good work!!!

Regards,

( 9 Sept 02)
TYPE IN "GOOGLE",
TYPE IN USS LEADSTOWN,
YOU WILL GET SOME INFORMATION
JACK

(9 Sept 02)
Rand:

Further to the inquiry about USS Leedstown.: at the website NavSources on line There is an entry for USS Leedstown (APA 56) and a link to excerpts from the War Diary of the ship.,size, armament , crew and possibly links to surviving ship's company.

The world wide web is the Godsend for researchers in any field.

Arnie

(9 Sept 02)

Rand: If it were me I would give his name,serial number off of his dog tags to my local member [house] of congress and let him look up his file in St Louis Fred

(23 May 2002)

From a former Special Forces officer:
While visiting Arlington National Cemetery with my wife and my father a couple of years ago, I stumbled upon Lee Marvin's grave (he's buried a short distance from the Tomb of the Unknowns and right alongside Joe Louis). You'd think he might have an impressive monument noting his achievements as a movie star and Oscar winner, but what I found was a standard, Govt-issue headstone identifying the occupant as "Lee Marvin, Private First Class, U. S. Marine Corps, World War II". I think the simplicity of his gravesite says a lot about the character of the man and how he felt about being a Marine.

Contributed by Jack Hickman at US 8th Naval Beach Battalion

(22 May 2002)

Dear Mr. Sands,

Would Mr. Flanagan by chance recall ever being aboard the USS LST-325? When the ship left the Mediterranean for England in November 1943 they carried a number of men from the 2nd Beach Battalion (mostly from C-9 platoon), and during a series of practice invasions in January 1944 off Slapton Sands, England, they again carried men from the 2nd. The LST-325 was the ship my father served on during the war, and the ship is now undergoing restoration near Mobile, Alabama, to eventually become a memorial ship for the men who served aboard LST's, and who, like the men who served with such honor and distinction in the Beach Battalions, have so often had their contributions over-looked.

Thank you,

David Bronson

Kalamazoo, MI

(21 May 2002)

Sir,

       My neighbor, Ed Flanagan, was with the 2nd Beach Battalion during the invasion of Sicily. He was a communications radioman as I understand it. I would like to surprise him with information about the unit and it's history. I wonder if you could help me in this effort?

       I was interested to note in a history of the invasion that the force, men and ships, was far greater than I had imagined. The US Navy had 580 ships transporting 1,124 shipborne landing craft while the British had 795 ships with 715 landing craft. It must have been a sight.

       Thanks for all your good work,
Ben Sands
Vienna, VA

(21 May 2002)

I am doing research on the USS HARRIS APA-2 and its service during WWII. I had an uncle on her from Nov. 1941-March 1946, he was then discharged as a Chief Boatswain's Mate. I have found through his service record that he was part of Naval Amphibious Forces and through some other people who knew him on the ship that he was a boat coxswain on all the invasions HARRIS made, a total of 13 for which he earned 10 Battle Stars. If anyone knew a Boatswain on HARRIS they called "Pinky" or "Red" Morris I would like to hear from you.

Thank you for putting this site up. My father told me about being in the
amphibious forces but couldn't remember his unit name. He told us how
shocked he was when in Oran they handed him a helmet, rifle and marine gear.
He told them he was a sailor and they told him he was now in the
amphibious forces. He was the best shot on the rifle team at the Med. Naval
HQ. He went to MEK and trained in landing craft. He was assigned to the
small boat repair team as a rifleman. He carried a springfield rifle and
told me that they painted USN on their helmets so no one would think they
were marines. My father's name is Kenneth G. McLeod. He had a best friend
named Ward.

My father was transferred from Med. Naval HQ duties to a NBB. He said that
men in his unit had made the invasion of N. Africa. He loaded ammo during
one of the invasions in the Med. and was sent back to OCS, at the University
of Michigan, just before his unit made the invasion of Southern France. He
says that his CO was Lt. Cmd Meter known as Big Yank.

Can anyone help me find out which unit he was in? I just want to mention
that a new book in the bookstores titled "Spearheading D-Day" by Jonathan
Gawne has an entire chapter about the Naval Beach Battalions, with photos
and history and organization. This is the first time I have ever seen
anything about the NBB in print.

Thanks again for putting this site up.
Rob McLeod
rmac165@hotmail.com

Thank God for this site. My Father was in the 5th Beach Battalion.
He trained at Fort Pierce Fla. He was then sent to APA-56 USS Leedstown.
After more training they were sent to the Pacific. He was trained with the 03-Springfield, His job on the ship was Gunners Mate.He earned six Battle Stars
for invasions in the Pacific. His first invasion was Kwajalein. His second invasion
was Guam. His third invasion was Peleliu. His fourth invasion was Leyte
Island in the Philippines. His fifth invasion was at Lingayen Gulf , Luzon,
Philippines. His last invasion was Iwo Jima. My Father and I were very close.
He passed away in 91. The amount of combat he was in, being in the first wave
of these invasions is hard to understand. My Father was always my Hero, and
will be for the rest of my life. I welcome any E- mail about any Beach Battalions.
Thank You for this site.
Sam West Jr.
SamChrisWest@aol.com

Bonjour
Je suis né à Fedala au Maroc en 1951. Mes parents ont vécus le
débarquement à Fedala de 1942. Depuis quelques années je navigue sur
Internet à la recherche d'informations concernant cette période de la vie
de mes parents, afin de pouvoir reconstituer leurs moments. Pouvez vous
me communiquer références de documents ou de photographies relatant cette
période et ce lieu géographique de Fedala.
Merci pour une réponse de votre part.
Jean Manuel Pascual.
Juan-Manuel_PASCUAL@coface.com

(28 October 2001)

Mr. Pascual,

Your recent e-mail to Rand Townley at the web site of U S Naval Beach
Battalions was circulated by him to a wide range of associates.I was among
those receiving a copy of that message.Although I have spent time in
Algeria and France, my knowledge of French and Arabic is limited. Please
excuse me if I answer in English.' My limited French indicates that you
were born in Fedala Morocco and that your parents were at Fedala during the
landings of the Allied Forces there. I think you desire reminiscences of the landings
and photographs, documents and other memorabilia.

Since the landings (debarquement) was 60 years ago the participants will be
few. There are however official US Army and Navy sources that may be able
to help you.

The landings were part of what the Allies called "OPERATION TORCH', The
landings at the Bay of Fedala were conducted by Force Brushwood which was
composed of elements of the 3rd Infantry Division, U S Army.on 7-8 November
1942.

I would like to suggest that you write via air mail (par avion) to the
following agencies:

                      United States Army Military History Institute
                      22 Ashburn Drive
.                    Carlisle,PA 17013 5008 USA
                      ATTN; Historical Services

and                U S Navy Historical Center
                     805 Kidder Breese SE
                     Washington Navy Yard
                     Washington DC 20374 5060 USA

and               3rd Infantry Division
                    Public Information Branch
                    101 W Buttman Ave.
                    Ft Stewart, GA 31304 4041

In your letter specify that for a family history you desire operation
orders, maps ,pre-invasion reconnaissance photos and any post-operation
reports and photos for Force BRUSHWOOD portions of OPERATION
TORCH. I was able to get this information from the United States Navy
Department before returning to France for the 50th anniversary of
OPERATION DRAGOON.

There may be fees involved in acquiring these documents.

I trust that you will be able to have this e-mail translated. A letter sent
in French to any of the above agencies should be easily translated by any
of their intelligence staff members.

If I can be of any further assistance do not hesitate to e-mail me.

Bonne Chance,
Arnold R Silverman
a.silverman@gte.net

Thank you Arnold
Merci beaucoup pour votre réponse très précise.
Efectively i was born in Fedala in 1951 and the day of landing in Fedala
beach, my fater was fishing in the harbor of Fedala. Sorry for my french
text but my inglish is too poor.
Je ne manquerais pas de vous tenir informé de la suite de mes recherches.
A très bientot -
Juan Manuel Pascual
Madrid Spain.

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MINISTÈRE DE LA DÉFENSE
SECRÉTARIAT D'ÉTAT À LA DÉFENSE, CHARGÉ DES ANCIENS COMBATTANTS

de reconnaissance de la France envers les soldats des armées alliées, engagés dans les combats du débarquement en Normandie et de la Libération 1944-1945

President du Conseil Regional dé Basse-Normandie
Sénateur du Calvados
(s)
René GARREC

Le Secrétariate d'État à la Defense
chargé des Anciens Combattants
(s)
Jean-Pierre MASSERET

My father Lt. jg Harold E. Walther USNR was also a member of the Beach Battalions. But if you could provide some additional information I would appreciate it. My father and his buddy LT.jg Martin W. DePlanque USNR were originally assigned to Naval Intelligence detachment Third Naval District which was located at 90 Church St. New York, New York. They were both involved in the German saboteur incident on eastern Long Island( U-boats landed spies on Long Island in 1942) as members of Naval Intelligence they were posted to the radio station on Fishers Island. They both went to Underwater Sound school at San Pedro California in Sept. 1943. Then they both received orders to ATB Oceanside California. My father was an officer in 31st Platoon Company A Beach Battalion F. (I have a yearbook/cruise book of beach battalion school and have names, photos, and address of record of personnel in following units: entire training cadre, ATB H.Q. staff, beach battalions B, D-3, F, 8th, boat pool, and "additional personnel. I can try to scan them and send them if you would like, but I won't part with the book.). After this he was sent to Salcombe, Devonshire, England and assigned to a unit know as DREW 5. Have you ever heard of this unit? Was this some kind of beach battalion officer replacement pool? Or did it have a different role? I know it was involved with the Beach Battalions because my father wound up writing a citation for BM 1/c James L. Mercer originally from Peacock, Texas. who received a Purple Heart "for wounds received in combat". Mercer dove into a foxhole on Normandy a couple of days after the invasion as a ME-109 strafed the beach. Mercer landed right on the helmet of a dead German and knocked out all his front teeth. From the records I have Dad was in Europe from about the 31 May to at least Oct 1944 (this is the date of the DREW 5 photo).
After Normandy, Dad went to the Pacific via Demolition School at Maui. He retired from the Naval Reserve in 1970 as a LCDR. He passed on in July 1983
Any info you can pass on would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for you time,
HAROLD E. WALTHER Jr. LTWALTHER2@aol.com

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Hi
My name is John Bell, my father was assigned to LCT 140 during the landings
at Anzio & Salerno. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has any
information on it or a picture of it they would sent it to me by e-mail. My
dad's name is John Bell (nick name Bud) also and is from Baltimore, MD. As
with many Vet's he did not talk much about the war, which I can understand
being with the Air Force myself and spending time in Nam. Which lucky for me
was nothing close to what you guys went through. I have been doing some
research on my dad for the grand kids and really think its a shame there is
so little in-depth information out on the actual landings and what happens to
the navy during and after. Seems like they are forgotten about as soon as the
army moves out. Well, anyway as I said any Pictures or information would be
greatly appreciated. Thanks & God bless all of you.
John mailto:JBELL44965@aol.com

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Didier SAMSON
Deputy Consul
One Biscayne Tower, Suite 1710
2 South Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, Florida 33131

Thank you for your reply to my letter requesting the “Thank You America” certificate for my father, Leland Stanford, Jr., a naval veteran who served in France on Omaha Beach.

I am writing to let you know that I don’t agree with the policy to present the certificate “only to living veterans who served in France in 1944 to 1945.” I believe that this certificate should also be presented to the families of the men who served in France during that time, but have since passed away.

These men, although they are not here with us now, deserve as much recognition as those veterans still living. Merely because they are not alive now does not mean that they should not be recognized. They were there during World War II, which is what this certificate is for.

It would mean a lot to me to receive this certificate in my father’s honor. He fought well and bravely at Omaha Beach on D-Day during the first waves ashore. I would like your country to award him this certificate in recognition of his service in your country. The Beach Battalions have not received the recognition they deserve, and deciding to award this certificate posthumously to combatants would be a small step towards this so-well deserved recognition of their service.

I am requesting that you rethink not awarding these certificates posthumously, and respectfully request that you award this certificate to me in my father’s honor.

Mr Townley, would you have any information on the USS Delta? My Father-in-law was stationed on board that ship during WWII. His name was Kelt Thomas McClendon and we would like to contact anyone who may have been his shipmates during the war. He passed away in 1995 having given us very little information about his Naval career. He had a flag from the USS Storm King that he had given my husband and we are curious as to how he came by this flag. Thank you for any help you can give.
Suzanne M. McClendon SMcclen610@aol.com

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Thank you for the compliments on the web page. It's a product of the veterans, not the webmaster! I'mproud to offer my contribution. My father served in the 4th NBB and still edits the newsletter THE SAND-WITCH on a quarterly schedule. Is it okay to post your message and photo on the 4th NBB Bulletin Board? I'll also forward your note to the members on my e-mail list.
Thanks again, and I wish for you and your family a joyous holiday season !

Buck and I are working on putting together an aid station, if you will, for our displays next season and I'd be more than happy to send pictures of how it looks once we're done. Usually we're at events in the Indiana-Illinois-Ohio area and if anybody is in the area we'd love to have them stop by and see us. When I first started thinking about a Beach Battalion impression I was hoping to have it ready in time for the opening ceremonies for the D-Day Museum in New Orleans, but unfortunately the plans fell through and we couldn't attend. Would have like to have represented the NBB's there, they certainly deserve more recognition than they get!

Thanks again for offering to post my message and for passing it on to the others.

WEBMASTER'S NOTE: For many years members of the Naval Beach Battalions have been asking for nothing more than the recognition they deserve and earned during World War II. I'm posting a letter sent to
Senator William V. Roth, Jr. (Delaware) from Col. Pamela S. Mitchell U.S. Army