The U.S. Coast Guard at Normandy

The U.S. Coast Guard at Normandy

June 6, 1944 and After

'The Jaws of Death' at Omaha Beach.
"The Jaws of Death."  
A photo by CPHOM Robert F. Sargent, USCG.  A Coast Guard-manned LCVP from the U.S.S. Samuel Chase disembarks troops of Company E, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division on the morning of 6 June 1944 at Omaha Beach.  Coast Guard Photo No. 2343.

General Information:

  • Coast Guard Heroes: A select listing of the Award Citations of Coast Guardsmen who were Decorated for bravery in action during the Normandy invasion

Oral Histories & Other First-Person Accounts: 

  • "LCI's Are Veterans Now."  A  war-time article written by an officer who served with Flotilla 4/10.  In it he describes the Flotilla's experiences during the invasions of Sicily, Italy, and France.
  • "Everything Was More Than Reality."  A 40th anniversary Washington Times article covering the D-Day experiences of the commanding officer of LCI(L)-85, LTJG Coit Hendley.  In it he describes, in moving detail, his D-Day experiences, which included the combat loss of his command.
  • Excerpts from a Diary.  Read what it was like to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day from excerpts from the diary of Motor-Machinist's Mate First Class Clifford Lewis, a crewman of LCI(L)-94.
  • LCI(L)-94 at Normandy: An account written by the son of one of the passengers delivered to Normandy aboard the LCI(L)-94 on D-Day.
  • A Letter Home: An uncensored letter written by a Coast Guardsman in which he describes Flotilla 4/10's operations prior to D-Day.
  • A Letter Home: A letter from a veteran of Flotilla 4/10 to his minister in which he describes life in the Flotilla before the Normandy invasion.

Official Documents, Including Action Reports, Loss of Ship Reports & Other Primary Sources:

  • Official Action & Loss of Ship Report: The report written by LTJG Coit Hendley, commanding officer of LCI(L)-85, about his vessel's participation in and loss during the landings at Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944.
  • Action Report: RM 3/c Leroy C. Bowen of LCI(L)-83 wrote to his commanding officer about the carnage that was Omaha Beach on D-Day.
  • Official Award Recommendation: The award recommendation for Seaman 1/c Gene C. Oxley, a crewman on board the LCI(L)-85, that details his incredibly heroic actions on D-Day.
  • Official Action Report: The original report written by the commanding officer of the Coast Guard-manned LCI(L)-88 about his vessel's participation in the landings on the Normandy beaches, 6 June 1944.
  • Official Action Report: The original report written by the commanding officer of the Coast Guard-manned LCI(L)-91 about his vessel's participation in & loss during the landings at Omaha Beach, Normandy, 6 June 1944.
  • Official Loss of Ship Report: The original report written by the commanding officer of the Coast Guard-manned LCI(L)-91 about the loss of his vessel in combat on D-Day.
  • Official Casualty Report: The original report written by the commanding officer of the Coast Guard-manned LCI(L)-91 concerning the D-Day casualties among his crew.
  • Official Award Recommendation: The original award recommendation request submitted by the commanding officer of LCI(L)-91 for members of his crew for their actions on D-Day.
  • Official Award Recommenation: The original award recommendation for the commanding officer of LCI(L)-91, LTJG Arend Vyn, that details his heroic action on 6 June 1944.

    Omaha Beach secured
    Omaha Beach, secured.

Omaha Beach secured
Omaha Beach, secured.

Last Modified 1/6/2010