Neptunus Rex

Seventy years ago, more than six thousand Allied ships carried more than a million soldiers across the English Channel to a fifty-mile-wide strip of the Normandy coast in German-occupied France. It was the greatest sea-borne assault in human history. The code names given to the beaches where the ships landed the soldiers have become immortal: Gold, Juno, Sword, Utah, and especially Omaha, the scene of almost unimaginable human tragedy. The sea of crosses in the cemetery sitting today atop a bluff overlooking the beaches recalls to us its cost. Most accounts of this epic story begin with the landings on the morning of June 6, 1944. In fact, however, D-Day was the culmination of months and years of planning and intense debate. In the dark days after the evacuation of Dunkirk in the summer of 1940, British officials and, soon enough, their American counterparts, began to consider how, and, where, and especially when, they could re-enter the European Continent in force. The Americans, led by U.S. Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall, wanted to invade as soon as possible; the British, personified by their redoubtable prime minister, Winston Churchill, were convinced that a premature landing would be disastrous. The often-sharp negotiations between the English-speaking allies led them first to North Africa, then into Sicily, then Italy. Only in the spring of 1943, did the Combined Chiefs of Staff commit themselves to an invasion of northern France. The code name for this invasion was Overlord, but everything that came before, including the landings themselves and the supply system that made it possible for the invaders to stay there, was code-named Neptune. Craig L. Symonds now offers the complete story of this Olympian effort, involving transports, escorts, gunfire support ships, and landing craft of every possible size and function. The obstacles to success were many. In addition to divergent strategic views and cultural frictions, the Anglo-Americans had to overcome German U-boats, Russian impatience, fierce competition for insufficient shipping, training disasters, and a thousand other impediments, including logistical bottlenecks and disinformation schemes. Symonds includes vivid portraits of the key decision-makers, from Franklin Roosevelt and Churchill, to Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, and Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who commanded the naval element of the invasion. Indeed, the critical role of the naval forces--British and American, Coast Guard and Navy--is central throughout. In the end, as Symonds shows in this gripping account of D-Day, success depended mostly on the men themselves: the junior officers and enlisted men who drove the landing craft, cleared the mines, seized the beaches and assailed the bluffs behind them, securing the foothold for the eventual campaign to Berlin, and the end of the most terrible war in human history.

Private Journal From a Religious Program Specialist in the Navy. Historical Record of the Final Voyage of the USS HALSEY CG-23. 1992-1994.Deals with mature subject matter. Struggles of a Christian in the US NAVY.

Run of the Battleships Down to the West Indies—The "Sweet Sixteen" Quick to Get Down to Business After the Sentiment of the Good-by—Formation of the Fleet—Difficulties of Maintaining the Proper Distances—Naval Routine—Gospel of Neatness—Neptune's Preparations for Celebrating the Crossing of the Line—Arrival at Trinidad. On Board U.S.S. Louisiana, U. S. Battle Fleet, Trinidad, Dec. 24. "I call 'em 'Sweet Sixteen', sir," said the bos'n's mate to the Sun correspondent as Admiral Evans in the flagship Connecticut led the battle fleet past the capes of the Chesapeake out to sea just before noon on December 16 and the gentle swells lifted and lowered the bows of one ship after another to nod their own farewells to the Mayflower at anchor near the Tail of the Horseshoe. The officers and men had stood at attention to receive the good-by and godspeed of the President, and they had thundered their farewells to him from the throats of the 3-pounder barkers that spat fire and snorted out great puffs of smoke, but when each ship began to find herself she too made her good-by as only a dignified ship could make it, taking no orders from Admiral or Captain as to when and how often she should bow to the ship that carried the President.

Michigan Military - Michigan Pride is filled with short veteran's stories about their unique military experience. The book also includes interesting tidbits of history and show many of the wartime posters and pictures of WW II. Why do we sell Poppies on Veteran's Day? What was meant by the "Magic Carpet" brigade? What did "Hollywood Stars" think of the war? Why did a Polish woman bury glass jars at the base of a tree? Why do the "guards" at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier have "wet" gloves? Who were "Ripley's Raiders?" Why were sailing ships used during WW II? What is an "ash can?" What president of a major food company paid for a full eight course dinner for four sailors on leave? These and many other questions are answered in the book! Read about the "airman" who became a "guest" at Stalag I 7B and how he coped with the situation. Read about the eye-opening experience a medical corpsman experienced when he crossed the equator! Read about "Operation Detachment" and the terrifying experience of the taking of Iwo Jima, culminating in the famous "raising of the flag" picture on the cover of this book. Read some of the poignant VVW Il poetry penned by a lonely G.l. Read about the Vietnam Memorial wall and a veteran's visit that brought healing to him and his fellow veterans. Michigan Military - Michigan Pride is designed to honor veterans and active service people throughout America. Admiral Chester Nimitz, CINCPAC, WVV Il stated: "Among the Americans who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue." That sentiment can be ascribed to all who have fought to retain America's freedom and independence. It is important we remember that "Freedom - is not free!" It is also important to remember - "Our Military - Keeps America Freel"

This adventure/autobiography begins with the dream of a fourteen-year-old boy to build a fishing schooner and sail around the world. It starts with the collection of all possible money, then the purchase of a secondhand hard pine from the old textile mills. Eleven years along in the construction with the total support of his family, he quit his full-time job, took out a promissory note from the bank. Earle used a great deal of improvisations to keep the costs down. Regardless of that, the money was spent in one year. His chapters go on to mention the interesting characters, the ups and downs, the ever-present all-around strain on the family, which propelled the vessel onto its completion in fourteen years! You the reader will be captivated with the details of building the schooner, the humorous situations, and all the other underlying themes involved!