06/07/2025
🗓 ON THIS DAY//JUNE 6, 1944: More than 160,000 Allied troops land along a 50-mile stretch of beaches at Normandy, France. Two Ohio National Guard units, the 112th Combat Engineer Battalion and 987th Field Artillery Battalion, were involved in the D-Day invasion. The 112th would land at Omaha Beach, in support of the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, where it would receive the Presidential Unit Citation. The following day the 987th Field Artillery Battalion landed at Gold Beach in support of the British 50th Division.
PRESIDENITAL UNIT CITATION: The 112th Engineer Combat Battalion is cited for outstanding performance of duty in action: The 112th Engineer Combat Battalion attached to the 1st United States Infantry Division, took part in the invasion of France on 6 June 1944 and landed with the assault waves in the vicinity of St. Laurent-sur-Mer and Vierville-sur-Mer. The battalion was given specific missions of clearing a beach exit, sweeping the road of mines, clearing a vehicle transit area, and supporting the 121st Engineer Combat Battalion in engineering work and in their common defense. Burdened with heavy loads of equipment, elements of the unit landed during the early hours of the assault and despite heavy casualties and continuous enemy fire, proceeded to clear the beach of underwater obstacles mines and barbed wire. Because of the efficient, courageous add rapid work of the advance parties, supporting infantry was able to land vehicles and weapons on the right flank of the task force. This mission was accomplished under the most extremely difficult and hazardous conditions. The speed with which personnel accomplished assigned tasks minimized loss of weapons and vehicles to the combat groups and greatly aided the efforts of the 116th Infantry. The extraordinary heroism of the officers and men of the 112th Engineer Combat Battalion and their foresight and technical skill under difficult and hazardous conditions were a contribution to the establishment of a firm beachhead on the Continent of Europe.
