AFTER D DAY

Following additional training in Southampton, England, the 28th Infantry Division, aka Pennsylvania National Guard, (Started by Benjamin Franklin in 1774, it was originally called the Keystone Division.

Their original complement of soldiers in WII were PA national guards, but they filled to a fighting division by using enlistees from all over. Enlistees like my father-in-law, John O’Boyle of Cottage Grove, Minnesota.) landed in Normandy, France, on 22 July 1944, 30 days after D Day.

And 38 days later, they marched through Paris.

Following their landing in Normandy, which still contained a multitude of Germans and tanks caused the 28^th to fight their way out in a hurry. The 28^th then advanced across western France, finding itself in the thick of hedgerow fighting through towns such as Percy, Montbray, Montguoray, Gathemo and St. Sever de Calvados by the end of July 1944. The fury of assaults launched by the 28th Infantry Division led the German Army to bestow the Keystone Division soldiers with the title “Bloody Bucket” Division.

In a movement north toward the Seine in late August, the Division succeeded in trapping the remnant of the German 7th Army through Vorneuil, Breteuil, Damville. Conches, Le Neubourg and Elbeuf before be orders to detour through Paris to join in its liberation. This from a request of Charles DeGaulle, erstwhile leader of the Free French Forces, who was in exile in England, after refusing to accept the French capitulation to Germany. DeGaulle wanted this victory march as a sign to the French and the world that France would indeed be free shortly.

This intrusion was not met with smiles. First off, it would take away from their real liberation objectives, and a would involve a day’s march out of their way. The Allied forces never freed Paris nor did DeGaulle’s Free French Forces. The many arms of the French Resistance in Paris finally decided to join together and the day they did, the German Commander was only so happy to leave and not have to set off the dynamite under Paris landmarks like The Louve, and the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Not to mention the cost of hand-to-hand fighting in that large of a city.

(There is an excellent movie, Is Paris Burning, that details the Paris Liberation.)

And of course there is the famous Life Magazine photograph of the American troops, 1st Battalion, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry, marching in parade formation down the Champs Elysees, with Napoleon’s Arc de Triomphe in the background. My father-in-law is in the second row.

 With a little time off to replace equipment and personnell, the Division then marched to join in fighting some of the bloodiest battles of the War. The advance continued through the Forest of Compeigne, La Fere, St. Quentin, Laon, Rethel, Sedan, Mezicres, Bouillon and eventually across the Meuse River into Belgium. The Keystone soldiers averaged 17 miles a day against the resistance of German “battle groups.” The city of Arlon, Belgium, fell to a task force as the Division fanned out into Luxembourg in early September. On September 11, 1944, the 28th claimed the distinction of being the first American unit to enter Germany.

After hammering away in assaults which destroyed or captured 153 pillboxes and bunkers, the Division moved north toward the Siegfried Line, clearing the Monschau Forest of German forces. After a brief respite, the Keystone soldiers made another move northward to the Hürtgen Forest in late September and did not end until December. One of the longest and most ll conceived battles of the war. Many more battles followed and the Division had the ‘honor’ of having the most casualties, both killed and wounded in WWII.

After the war, DeGaulle, now President DeGaulle, awarded the men of the 28^th Division, the Division that landed on Normandy way after D Day the Croix de Guerre. To the men of the 28 Infantry Division.

This story of Jaycee and Senator takes place after the presentation medal to my father-in-law

one of the men who landed on Normandy well after D Day.

The above picture is Jaycee at the event.

The Old Hand of Oakdale

Published BB i St Paul Dispatch

My father-in-law was presented, belatedly, with the

French Legion of Honor

for his service in the liberation of France during WWII.

The medal was presented by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar.

After the official ceremony there was picture taking and hand shaking. The place was packed. Some of us went out in the lobby where Jaycee, our three year old granddaughter was enjoying herself by sliding across the smooth marble bench. That’s Jaycee with the cap to go along with her ensemble and toenails.

Senator Klobuchar walked by.

‘Hey,’ Jaycee shouted, and stood in front of the Senator, ‘Your shoes are really pretty.’

‘Thank you,’ said Senator Amy. ‘Your sandals are pretty also.

And look, your toenail polish matches your outfit.’

‘I know,’ said Jaycee. She shrugged her shoulders and extended her arms, palms up.

‘That’s why I painted them that color.’

Then she went back to polishing the bench with her butt. 

A three year old and a U.S. Senator. – Just two girls talking fashions.

Published BB 7/8/13

On the 80th Anniversary

of the D Day Invasion