Death on D-Day
Battle of Normandy
The United States Army fought on Omaha beach of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. This day is now remembered as D-Day. 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division was traveling on six boats to Normandy. When one of the boats reached the beach of Normandy, it was about 1500 yards off of its target landing spot. Upon landing, the captain was immediately killed from an explosion. The rest of the men on the boat jumped overboard. The German soldiers began shooting at 116th Infantry Regiment as they were in the water, killing the 1st Sergeant. The soldiers, probably about half making it, arrived on land approximately thirty minutes after jumping from the boat. The 116th Regiment had lost their heavy weapons in the struggle to reach land.
Another boat set down its ramp approximately 150 yards from the beach. So far, no one had been injured. These men remained in the water for about 90 minutes and suffered many casualties. Their ammunition did not make it to shore.
The next ship, carrying the first section of the first platoon, had to be taken on another boat. The soldiers' weapons sank with the landing craft that they had been in. This boat went to Dog Green Beach and was allowed in when it got rid of some of the craft that was holding TNT. This section suffered no casualties at that time. Later on, this section of soldiers captured about 12 Germans and then joined the C Company.
Another boat, the second section of the first platoon, was almost swamped with water but kept going until it hit something in the water and began to sink. The men on this boat set out for the beach, and many of those who arrived were killed on the land. This section of soldiers left the beach after approximately one hour and then joined the 2nd Battalion.
Yet another boat, the first section of the second platoon, was shot at about 400 yards from the beach. Most of them arrived at the beach unharmed, but many were shot once there.
Finally, the second section of the second platoon was forced to transfer half of their soldiers to a boat leaving the beach, because their boat was moving too slowly. One of these two ships hit an obstacle but still managed to make it to the beach. Only about eight or ten soldiers from the two boats reached the beach.
Another boat set down its ramp approximately 150 yards from the beach. So far, no one had been injured. These men remained in the water for about 90 minutes and suffered many casualties. Their ammunition did not make it to shore.
The next ship, carrying the first section of the first platoon, had to be taken on another boat. The soldiers' weapons sank with the landing craft that they had been in. This boat went to Dog Green Beach and was allowed in when it got rid of some of the craft that was holding TNT. This section suffered no casualties at that time. Later on, this section of soldiers captured about 12 Germans and then joined the C Company.
Another boat, the second section of the first platoon, was almost swamped with water but kept going until it hit something in the water and began to sink. The men on this boat set out for the beach, and many of those who arrived were killed on the land. This section of soldiers left the beach after approximately one hour and then joined the 2nd Battalion.
Yet another boat, the first section of the second platoon, was shot at about 400 yards from the beach. Most of them arrived at the beach unharmed, but many were shot once there.
Finally, the second section of the second platoon was forced to transfer half of their soldiers to a boat leaving the beach, because their boat was moving too slowly. One of these two ships hit an obstacle but still managed to make it to the beach. Only about eight or ten soldiers from the two boats reached the beach.
116th Infantry Regiment on D-Day
Fallen Soldier
Bennett was part of the 116th Infantry Regiment and, therefore, must have been on one of those six boats. He died on June 6, 1944 at the battle on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. He was 28 years old. The Normandy invasion claimed his life on that gloomy day, as it did the lives of many other brave soldiers. He lived his last moments protecting his country and he will be remembered for the courage he had to do that. He is currently buried at the Normandy American Cemetery in Normandy, France. His grave can be found at Plot 1, Row 5, Grave 21.
Bennett's Place of Burial