Reflections of My Life by JL Byars – page 14

Almost every house had a Service Flag (red, white and blue with a white star), representing each person in service.  A gold star meant a soldier had lost his or her life serving his country.  Scurry County has a marker on the north side of the courthouse with 91 names of those who gave their lives in the war.

Security was very tight and only selected parts of news was published, so people at home had little knowledge of what was going on with their boys in battle.  Few people had telephones so when news of soldiers killed or wounded came; it was delayed reaching loved ones.  For instance, my platoon had 66 men in it and only 6 came home.  When Doris would hear of a death from a friend’s family, she would spend anxious days until she received a letter from me.

Not only did the men leave their homes and families and jobs to go to war, but also the women went to work in defense plants and other jobs that were necessary to keep the war and the home front going.  The song, “Rosie the Riveter” became very popular.  Women learned welding, machine work, mechanics and other jobs usually done by men.

Some men in the draft age were deferred because they held important defense jobs and they were classified 4-C and those physically disabled were classified 4-F.  A few used these classifications to get out of serving and were known as “Draft Dodgers,” but most all men were very willing and ready to serve.  I know any of us who have seen what war does to a country, its women and children, would still give our all to keep it from happening in America.  We do not appreciate our freedom, as we should.

We had to waterproof all vehicles and guns – getting ready for D-Day, not knowing how much water we would unload in.  Our scheduled day to cross the channel to France had many delays due to the weather.  Then came the day, June 18th or 19th to load our tanks on the LST.  LST’s were motorized barges which carried troops and equipment.  We loaded our tanks and other equipment – ready to cross the channel into France.  We were issued D and K rations, plus PX supplies, motion sickness pills, and vomit bags.  We left behind the green fields of England and looked ahead to the tall poplars of Normandy.   We were still waiting for a change in the weather.   It was not until on the 23rd that the first elements reached French soil at Omaha White Beach, below Isigny. We landed on shore the 28th.  The infantry and paratroopers had or were trying to clear the way for our tanks and other equipment.

Most of our 3rd Armored Division vehicles were able to get to dry land without any mishaps.  We were assigned to an area a short distance from the beach.  We spent the first few days in France removing waterproofing and preparing for our first combat action.