By Elijah Palmer
Hampton Roads Naval Museum Educator
During the Allied landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944, fire support from naval ships provided cover for the troops. Due to the failure of the initial Allied bombing of the beaches, the fortifications and obstacles were still largely in place on the morning of June 6. In addition, many of the amphibious Sherman tanks who were tasked with helping the soldiers get off the beach were swamped or otherwise lost on the approach to the beaches. It was up to the Navy to try to silence most of the guns in this part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, as well as opening up exits off the beach.
Hampton Roads Naval Museum Educator
During the Allied landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944, fire support from naval ships provided cover for the troops. Due to the failure of the initial Allied bombing of the beaches, the fortifications and obstacles were still largely in place on the morning of June 6. In addition, many of the amphibious Sherman tanks who were tasked with helping the soldiers get off the beach were swamped or otherwise lost on the approach to the beaches. It was up to the Navy to try to silence most of the guns in this part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, as well as opening up exits off the beach.
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| The Germans placed large guns like this one in fortifications along the Atlantic Wall. |
The Navy's small destroyers took position on the front line of this fire support. With their shallow draft, they were able to come closer to shore
than the heavier battleships and cruisers. Two of these destroyers, USS Herndon (DD-638) and USS Shubrick (DD-639), were built within
months of each other at the Norfolk Navy Yard during the early part of the war.
They were assigned to the same destroyer squadron and would fight near each
other during the D-Day invasion.
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| Herndon and Shubrick being built at the Norfolk Navy Yard. |
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| USS Herndon (DD-638) |
Both these ships, as well as dozens of others throughout the
whole operation, assisted the landings by helping knock out strongholds and allowing
the men to get off the beaches. Let us not forget the men in the “tin cans” who
did their part in securing a victory at D-Day.
My father, Raymond M. Runningen, was on DD638 - the USS HERNDON, on D-Day and for the following 3 Years. He told us that it was the only ship in the D Day invasion that didn't get hit by a single artillery shell. As a result it became known as "the Lucky H". It fought in North Africa against Rommel' troops, accompanied Roosevelt to Yalta, went through the Panama Canal en route to Tsingtao China, and finally brought McArthur's troops home after the War. It was a most distinguished ship with an outstanding crew.
ReplyDeleteMy great uncle, Joseph F. Buchanan served as a gunners mate aboard DD 638. He was proud of his service. He told how the 5" guns glowed red from heat as they poured shell after shell on German positions at Normandy. He later recalled his duties in the Pacific, calling her "the lucky Herndon". I still have his "Bluejackets Manual" .
ReplyDeleteMy father was also a gunners mate aboard the USS Herndon, he never really spoke of what he did in the war. It wasn't until a few days ago that I learned of his ship being at the Normandy invasion. My wife and I were in Normandy two years ago and were awe struck at what the troops had to deal with. Just knowing my father was there and what he did probably saved many mens lives makes me even prouder to be his son. I would like to thank all the Veterans for their service. There is a woman named Margaret Jamborsky who is trying to get photos of all the crew because she is taking the Herndon high School band to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of dday and she would like each member of the band to carry a photo of a crew member. Her address is 1112 Round pebble lane, Reston VA,20194.
ReplyDeleteMy father, LCDR Frank Byron Look, was the O.O.D. aboard the Herndon on D-Day June 6, 1944. He was modest, and I didn't know about the role of the Herndon until after his death when a veteran read the engraving on a humidor made from a shell off the ship. I will make sure to have a copy of his naval portrait scanned so that Margaret can take it to Omaha Beach for the 75th anniversary this year. Thank you to all who served the free world and to those who keep history alive.
ReplyDeleteSally Johnson, Waterville, Vermont.
Very impressive I was recently at VMI George Marshall research center they display there the flag which flew on USS Herndon on D-Day
DeleteHaving served on a destroyer (DD-786, The USS Richard B Anderson) during Vietnam I can only marvel at the skill of the officers and sailors aboard the USS Herndon during the D-Day invasion. The accuracy and effectiveness of their firepower given the rather crude nature of the fire control technology available at the time, by today's standards, was remarkable. Many thanks for sharing this article commemorating the USS Herndon and her valiant crew.
ReplyDeleteMy father John J. Supper was a radio man on USS Herndon. Like others he never spoke of D-Day. All I knew of his past was he was a radio man on a destroyer. Only well after he passed away we too received a call by Margaret Jamborsky for photos to carry in Normandy. I was shocked of his involvement in D-Day. Subsquently I found pictures of my father in some of the tributes. In one of the pictures there is a group shot. He is standing immediately to the left of who looks like the captian wearing hat and tie. I can't imagine the communications going between Lucky Herndon and the awaiting fleet while they softened the beach. I'm so proud to be his son. Also extremely proud of those who bravely served and even more so gave the ultimate sacrifice!
ReplyDeleteMy Dad was the sonar man on the USS Herndon during that same time and I am sure they both were acquainted with each other
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