I was reading yesterday that the combat engineers (of which Major Richards was one) took horrific losses on D-Day as they were responsible for clearing the beach obstacles, which were booby-trapped and open to direct fire from the cliffs. RIP to him and his comrades.
I wonder what Maj, Richards would think if you told him that 75 years after his death thousands of people from all over the world would know his name. Maybe those same people would even give his life a few moments of consideration.
Major William Richards decorated for bravery on 6th June for "extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 112th Engineer Combat Battalion, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. Major Richards' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army." He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Incredible.
Edit - "During the course of clearing the Les Moulins draw at Exit D-3, between Dog Red and Easy Green, a burst of artillery fire killed the 112th ECB commander, Maj. William A. Richards." From this article.
Their casualties were 37 KIA/MIA and a further 45 wounded, 37 seriously.
Photo of Major Richards
God Bless Him. May they all R.I.P. I cry when I think of what they went through. Some never made it off of those boats when the firing started.I am so glad my Dad made it home. He often thought of those that he served with that didn't come home.
ReplyDeleteLinda thank you for the Card and I heard you singing.
He was a true hero. So many of those brave men never came home and saw their families again. "Many men will go to battle, and many men will not return"....so true.
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