Additional information:
As for the landing, this is a story in itself. We disembarked from a British transport to an LCVP. We climbed down rope ladders to the landing craft that was bobbing up and down like a bouncing ball. This was a task that you wouldn't believe. The landing craft held about 35 or so men.We also realized that the water didn't change that much from the day before as we attempted to make the landing on June 5th but had to return because of the bad weather.
We were to hit the beach in waves, but we had to circle around first until our wave was loaded. The wave also had to be ready to head for the beach It wasn't long, with the salt spray coming over the side, for us to start getting seasick.
After a short time we became organized and started toward the beach. The waves got rougher and the wind blew harder. I became more seasick and very weak. My legs started shaking and I didn't think I would make it.
In the center of the deck was a hole about 8" or so in diameter. I used it when I was sick several times, as well as everyone else. We were issued 'puke sacks' by the Navy guys but they were a nuissance so we used the hole instead.
The landing craft was getting very hard for the sailors in the rear to control. The wind and waves were blowing it off course. We were soaked and cold and very seasick as the wind was blowing sheets of water across the landing craft.
We could hear the bullets and shrapnel hitting the sides and we didn't land in the sector where we were supposed to be. When we did finally reach the beach and the ramp dropped, we were next to a craft that overturned. We were bumping it also.
One of the sailors yelled for us hurry and get the hell out .
I lost some of my equipment including my helmet, but by sheer luck managed to retrieve them. I jumped off the ramp in about 4 feet of water.
Some of the guys weren't so lucky, some drowned. The plastic wrap was blown off my rifle and my gun had sand all through it. All you could hear was the sound of bullets hitting all around us and guys dropping.
The Lieutenant who was the first to get off yelled for us to move forward, not to stop to help anyone, but to keep moving. He said to move fast and head for the seawall. About that time he was hit. Some of the others fell also. The distance to the seawall was what seemed far away.
The tide was low and the obstacles were on top of the ground and had mines on top of them. Dead bodies were everywhere. You tried to run but couldn't because you were soaked and loaded with equipment. You just moved along as if in slow motion.
From letter written on June 10, 1996