Normandy Utah Beach A 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion Story
The 87th Chemical Mortar Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division landed on Utah Beach in the early dawn of June 6. Howard Collins of Clen Moore Boulevard recalls the political choice to assign the 4th Division first, and describes front-line chaos, fear, and losses as mortars fired under German fire. George Joseph, also from Clen Moore Boulevard, drove ammunitions and mortars at night, survived a basement fire with shrapnel, and endured hospitalization until 1948. Both men faced danger, loss, and the urge to protect others amid the invasion chaos and its aftermath.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Utah Beach
Howard Collins
Clen Moore Boulevard
France
Collins
Normandy
87Th
George Joseph
Joseph
England
Utah
Cologne
Germany
D-Day Ranger Shoaf recalls cliff assault and losses
Union Township private first class Guy C Shoaf of the 2nd Ranger Battalion recalls landing on Pointe du Hoc on D-Day. He describes the near disaster of four dukws, heavy enemy fire, and 90 of 300 men surviving by day’s end. Shoaf, wounded thrice and decorated, notes his impending retirement.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Guy C. Shoaf
Shoaf
Union Township
U.S. Army
Ranger
Sheaf
Pointe du Hoc
France
Isle of Wight
Dover
England
Every outfit important says Normandy Ranger John Tervo
John H. Tervo of 612 Raymond St served with the Army 5th Ranger Battalion on D-Day. He recalled cliff training at Point du Hoc and joining Omaha Beach where his squad breached a 4 foot sea wall and crossed barbed wire. He credits Sgt Hodges for saving his life and received a Bronze Star on December 3, 1944 after aiding a heavy mortar defense. He described the war’s worst sound as bombs whistling overhead.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Normandy
John H. Tervo
Raymond St
Tervo
Army
5Th Ranger Battalion
2Nd Ranger
Point du Hoc
France
Col. Snyder
Omaha Beach
B Co
Hodges
Invasion Dawn Over England to Omaha Beach Landing
A firsthand account from June 6 1944 describes massive aircraft formations over Bristol and England signaling the D Day invasion. Troops sail to Plymout h and board ships, then advance 18 miles past Isigny toward St Lo amid hedgerows, tanks, and artillery with daily hardships and improvised shelter during the Normandy breakout.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Omaha
Uncle Sam
LCI
Isigny
Charley
St. Lo
New Castle Sailor Describes Normandy Smoke Screen Plan
Dick Morganti of Lake Drive served with a Navy unit that crossed the Channel on June 7 and landed on Red Beach. They prepared smoke pots over three feet tall to mask an evacuation if needed, waiting 30 days as battle raged nearby. He recalls the chaos, fear, and the sense of duty at nineteen, amid memories that linger now.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Normandy
New Castle
Dick Morganti
Lake Drive
English Channel
Red Beach
Morganti
Also Mentioned on This Page
Japan
United States
Bristol
Channel
Plymouth
Sas
Craighill
Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces
2Nd Armored Division
Charles Glorios
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