"The first machine-gun
platoon, attached to I Company in the fourth wave, disembarked from
a transport on D-Day, forming a four-bout group. We joined the Eighth
Regiment's third battalion, who were to rendezvous and act as a
reserve battalion.
We circled about, awaiting
further orders, and finally proceeded to make a four abreast landing
on the northeast side of the pier. We approached under intense enemy
fire opposition from Red Beach Three. The enemy's gunfire consisted
mostly of 20 and 40 millimeters, light and heavy machine guns, and
scattered mortar fire.
The LCVP4
was hit, forcing Sergeant Kenneth
W. Seymour [Fredericksburg, Virginia] and his men to abandon
the boat and work their way along the burning and sniper-infested
pier. During their trek towards the beach, the men knocked out several
sniper nests on the pier.
Upon gaining a foothold
on land, Private First Class Wilbur C. Mattern [Oelwein, Iowa] was
killed by machine-gun fire. Corporal
Robert F. Clement [Marshfield, Wisconsin] and Private
First Class William W. Erwin were wounded."
