Invasion of Normandy

"D-Day"

In World War II, D-Day was used in reference to the day that a full force invasion would occur at Normandy by the allied forces comprised of four countries. It was the largest invasion force in the history of the world, comprised of 6,939 ships and allied forces of 156,000 personnel. The invasion would occur on the morning of June 6, 1944 and would mark the turning point of World War II in Europe. The sea invasion forces would land on five beachheads, Utah, Gold, Juno, Sword, and Omaha Beach. The Allied Invasion force was facing a superior force in personnel with a strength estimated at 380,000 personnel. Allied Invasion forces also consisted of a large airlift of soldiers that would parachute into the area behind the enemy defenses located on the beachheads. The invasion forces landing at Omaha Beach was comprised predominantly of American soldiers. The landings at Omaha Beach suffered the highest casualties than all of the landings combined, estimated at a loss of 5,000 lives. Other than actual film taken at the time of the invasion, most likely the best reenactment of the landing on Omaha Beach was seen in the movie, "Saving Private Ryan".

"The Soldier"

We are fortunate to have received a copy of "Wayne Baker - - WW II Experiences" from the Baker family in Lincoln, Nebraska. This document is a detailed diary of the experiences of my Great Uncle Wayne Baker accounting from the time he went into the Army in March 1942 to October 1945 when he returned home. His accounting traces the advancement of the Allied forces across Europe. On March 24th and 25th, 1945 he would cross the Rhine River into Germany. Great Uncle Wayne would enter the Army at age thirty eight, making him forty years of age on D-Day. Although, he wanted to be in the infantry, he was assigned to a medical unit. In August 1944 he left the 68th Medical Unit and joined the 30th Infantry Division as a medic for Company E, 117th Infantry. The "field medic" is perhaps one of the most dangerous jobs in an infantry company.

Wayne Baker (1957)

The complete diary is lengthy, I have taken the liberty to highlight some of the key elements. If anyone would like to read the entire transcript, which I would strongly recommend, you are welcome to share my copy. I never had the opportunity to meet my Great Uncle, but I would guess by his dictation he had a great sense of humor. In one particular instance, he tells of himself and buddy on Christmas Eve sneaking over a hill and stealing a jeep from the "jerries" and taking it for a joy ride. He also recalls the horrors of war. The diary also includes a "love story" without an ending. Wayne Baker was never married.

THE "WAR DIARY"

"June 1944: Landed on Omaha Beach, fought there, St. Lo, other places in Normandy"
"October 2, 1944: The 30th cracked the Siegried Line at Ubach"
"October 16, 1944: Directed to conduct a diversionary attack at Atchen. Only 7 of 42 survived, but the plan worked. Company won Battle Honors. Wayne received wounds for which he received the Purple Heart, but kept on going with no time off."
"November 1944: Proceeded to Aldorf, took towns of Maliadorf, Hongen, Warden, Kinzweiler, and others. Received wounds at Kinzweiler, got a Bronze Star for it. Kept on with no time off."
"December 1944: Left for the big battle (Bulge) in Belgium. Fought in deep snow in the Ardennes near Trois Point, Stavelog, Malmedy."
"March 1945: On a weekend (March 24-25). Crossed the Rhine into Germany, north of the Ruhr Valley. Was wounded in the second village across the Rhine (Spellen, near Wesel).
Taken to 94th General Hospital, 18 miles from Bristol."
"June 1945: Back to France via La Harve. To a camp at Mennecy near Paris."
"June 27, 1945: To Worms, Germany via Nancy, Saarburg, Heidelburg, Mannheim."
"July - August 1945": Neustadt Germany between Marburg and Kassel, never rejoined the 30th."
October 4, 1945: Troop transport ship docked at Boston, Massachusetts.

Wayne Baker Was Wounded In Action On Three Occasions
Honorably Discharged With 20% Disability

"MEDALS AND AWARDS"

Bronze Star
Purple Heart with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster
Good Conduct Medal
WWII Victory Medal
American Defense Service Medal
Medical Combat Badge
Unit Battle Honors
Unit Belgian Fourraguerre

Wayne Baker passed away on December 25, 1965 at Benedict, Nebraska and is buried at Pleasant Hill, York County, Nebraska. My father spoke very highly of his Uncle Wayne, I regret that I never had nor took the opportunity to meet him. An American and Alaskan flag will be placed at grave site the next time I am in Benedict, Nebraska