Jack Claiborne Navy D - Day

[caappy]

Jack Claiborne, 95, of Dyersburg, Tennessee. Claiborne was 19 and in the Navy aboard Landing Craft Infantry (LCI) 492 with 202 men from the Army’s 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One,” waiting to storm Omaha Beach.

“The night before, the cook served the infantry all the biscuits and gravy they could eat,” Claiborne recalled. “They wanted to send them into France with a ‘home cooked meal.’ I talked to the Army guys, but I couldn’t befriend them, for I knew what was going to happen. It would make it more painful.

“At 7:30 a.m., we headed to the shore. We were looking for mines in the water. We encountered rough waters as our flat bottom craft made its way forward. I saw another landing craft hit an explosive and split in half. I’m not going to lie. I was scared to death. I was a gunner with a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun, and once we landed with the troops, we were about 100 yards from the shore. We could see everything on Omaha Beach that a 19-year-old boy shouldn’t have to see.

Claiborne said he saw duty at Omaha Beach for 58 days and eventually started escorting ships back to England. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think of Omaha Beach, the boys from LCI 492, and all the Americans who gave their lives. They are the true heroes. As long as I live I won’t forget June 6, 1944, but I’m thankful that I had a part in protecting freedom.”

Later he served on LSM 444 (Medium Landing Ship).

Sent him 2 photos on 12 Jun and got them back 25 Jun.

Mr Jack Claiborne
1917 Lake Rd.
Dyersburg, TN. 38024

[admin]

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