3 June 1943, the beginning of "The Greatest Adventure of their Lives."

Seventy-five years ago today, 3 June 1943, the men of the 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, boarded the ships that would take them to the Old World and into battle.

“It was on June 3, 1943, that troops of the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division, under the command of Colonel Chas. M. Ankcorn, boarded the ships that were to take them on the greatest adventure of their lives.

“The week preceding had been spent at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, their Port of Embarkation, and the men were not unhappy to leave. Since their arrival May 25-26 from Camp Pickett, Virginia, where for five months they had undergone rigorous training for combat duty overseas, the troops had been engaged in securing new equipment, taking brief physical examinations, repairing board walks, zeroing rifles, witnessing training films and making speed marches. They had been limited to special areas within the camp, had lived in overcrowded quarters and had been bored generally.

“So it was with something of renewed interest in life that the men boarded the invasion-bound crafts that were to carry them to foreign shores. Close of Embarkation day found the regimental ships anchored in Hampton Roads harbor.”

Photo: "USS Charles Carroll (APA-28) docked at Pier 6, Newport News embarking soldiers of 157th Infantry, 45th Division, 3 June 1943." The Library of Virginia, US Army Signal Corps Photograph Collection.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/03/100302810.jpg


Dave

 

Very interesting, thanks and thanks a bunch for that link!