Continued from July 27.
Things were settling down and it was time to set up "home."
"There was a wall standing where a fortified house was prior to D-Day. Here we dug our slit trenches just at the base, about three and a half feet deep and long enough for two, for we slept in pairs. 2X4's and 2X6's leaned against the wall and made swell supports for sandbags and gave added protection.
"Understand that you don't build for protection from a direct hit, but from shrapnel and AA flack falling down, and there was plenty of this at night.
"After we settled in our 'home' things were about the same each day. From the medical supplies picked up from the beach (we lost all of ours except our personal pouches) we set up a dispensary on the other side of the wall and worked as one, except every once in a while when someone got off a trail and hit a mine.
"Well, this is my story and I've said enough. I am mighty proud to have worked with the bunch I did and believe I did my job well. Take care of things at home and yourselves, for you are in my thoughts-- always.
"Your Loving Son, Dick."
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
Showing posts with label Borden Richard Winstead. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Borden Richard Winstead. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 9: After the War He Continued in the Medical Field
From the obituary for him:
"Dr. Richard W. Borden, 87, of Newport, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2012, at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern.
"He was born October 29, 1925, in Goldsboro, the son of Paul Lambert and Martha Gold Winstead Borden. After serving his country as a Navy Corpsman in WW II, he pursued his medical training at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. He practiced first in Goldsboro and later in Morehead City.
"He was an avid outdoorsman and had a lifelong involvement in Scouting.
"In 2004 he and 99 other veterans of WW II were invited to France by the French government to participate in the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Days before his death he was awarded by the U.S. Army the Bronze Star and Medical Combat Badge for his service in the Normandy invasion.
--GreGen
"Dr. Richard W. Borden, 87, of Newport, passed away Thursday, December 20, 2012, at Carolina East Medical Center in New Bern.
"He was born October 29, 1925, in Goldsboro, the son of Paul Lambert and Martha Gold Winstead Borden. After serving his country as a Navy Corpsman in WW II, he pursued his medical training at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. He practiced first in Goldsboro and later in Morehead City.
"He was an avid outdoorsman and had a lifelong involvement in Scouting.
"In 2004 he and 99 other veterans of WW II were invited to France by the French government to participate in the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. Days before his death he was awarded by the U.S. Army the Bronze Star and Medical Combat Badge for his service in the Normandy invasion.
--GreGen
Monday, July 25, 2016
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 7: "There Was Hell Everywhere"
That was a nice break when he got to board the Navy ship. But, that thing called D-Day was fast approaching.
"The morning of the invasion we watched the pre-invasion bombardment from the deck of the ship, and wished luck to the First Division as it went over the sides. I must admit things looked good from the ship. We landed on the same day, (D-Day), and lost quite a few men.
"Jerry had his 88's mortars and machine guns zeroed all along the beach and they worried us quite a bit. We were never bothered by or even saw a Jerry plane by daylight.
("Jerry" was a nickname for German soldiers and was less than complimentary.)
"Our (the corpsmen's) work was heaviest D-Day and D-1 as many expected, and there was Hell everywhere! About day 3 we were evacuating casualties smoothly and began to set up a 'home.'"
--GreGen
"The morning of the invasion we watched the pre-invasion bombardment from the deck of the ship, and wished luck to the First Division as it went over the sides. I must admit things looked good from the ship. We landed on the same day, (D-Day), and lost quite a few men.
"Jerry had his 88's mortars and machine guns zeroed all along the beach and they worried us quite a bit. We were never bothered by or even saw a Jerry plane by daylight.
("Jerry" was a nickname for German soldiers and was less than complimentary.)
"Our (the corpsmen's) work was heaviest D-Day and D-1 as many expected, and there was Hell everywhere! About day 3 we were evacuating casualties smoothly and began to set up a 'home.'"
--GreGen
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 6: Back in the Navy Again-- Ice Cream!!
Dick Borden has finally gotten back on a Navy ship and is mighty happy to be back with his own folks. Unfortunately, this was only a few days before D-Day, so all that didn't last long.
" They were mighty nice to us aboard ship. We ate with Ship's crew and were able to buy ice cream at their Ship's Service. We were in the Navy again-- well, for a day or so at least."
We All Scream for.... --GreGen
" They were mighty nice to us aboard ship. We ate with Ship's crew and were able to buy ice cream at their Ship's Service. We were in the Navy again-- well, for a day or so at least."
We All Scream for.... --GreGen
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 5: Preparing for D-Day
A letter home.
"When we arrived in England last January we came directly to this spot. The huts had just been completed and mud was everywhere. We soon got straightened out and later helped the C.B.'s build the chow hall and drain the place.
" After about seven weeks we were moved up to ______________ Wales where we joined the Army _________. From there until now we ate and lived with the army.
(The blanks suggest that he was not allowed to giver certain details because of censorship.)
"There were several maneuvers and after about two months we moved into what they call 'Concentration Area' which was a camouflaged camp where we had all our equipment and were restricted.
"From this camp we had one very large maneuver, the last 'dry run.' Then came a briefing that is studying maps, models, photos, etc. Then we moved to the marshalling area, then aboard the troop transport, where we got Navy chow!"
--GreGen
"When we arrived in England last January we came directly to this spot. The huts had just been completed and mud was everywhere. We soon got straightened out and later helped the C.B.'s build the chow hall and drain the place.
" After about seven weeks we were moved up to ______________ Wales where we joined the Army _________. From there until now we ate and lived with the army.
(The blanks suggest that he was not allowed to giver certain details because of censorship.)
"There were several maneuvers and after about two months we moved into what they call 'Concentration Area' which was a camouflaged camp where we had all our equipment and were restricted.
"From this camp we had one very large maneuver, the last 'dry run.' Then came a briefing that is studying maps, models, photos, etc. Then we moved to the marshalling area, then aboard the troop transport, where we got Navy chow!"
--GreGen
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 2: Awarded Bronze Star
From the June 12, 2016, Goldsboro (N.C.) News-Argus. "Dick Borden sailed ocean blue, walked the fields of battle, too" by Sherwood Owl Williford.
BRONZE STAR MEDAL AWARDED TO GOLDSBORO MAN
Probably from a local newspaper from the time period.
"U.S. Naval Forces in Europe--
"Richard Winstead Borden, pharmacists' mate, third class, USNR, son of Paul Lambert Borden of 305 West Mulberry Street, Goldsboro, N.C., has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, in the name of the President of the United States.
"His citation reads:
"'For meritorious duty above that normally expected while a member of the medical section of the beach battalion, United States Navy, Normandy, France, in action against the enemy on June 6 and 7, 1944.
--GreGen
BRONZE STAR MEDAL AWARDED TO GOLDSBORO MAN
Probably from a local newspaper from the time period.
"U.S. Naval Forces in Europe--
"Richard Winstead Borden, pharmacists' mate, third class, USNR, son of Paul Lambert Borden of 305 West Mulberry Street, Goldsboro, N.C., has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Admiral Harold R. Stark, USN, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, in the name of the President of the United States.
"His citation reads:
"'For meritorious duty above that normally expected while a member of the medical section of the beach battalion, United States Navy, Normandy, France, in action against the enemy on June 6 and 7, 1944.
--GreGen
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 4: A Letter Home "Instantaneously Jump At Sharp Sounds"
Dick Borden's brother, Paul, died almost a year later.
Sometime after D-Day, Dick wrote a letter home to his parents.
'We have almost gotten situated here, the place from which I sent the pictures. You have no idea how swell it is to be back in this peaceful, quiet spot, and be able to relax, although I must admit that most of us are still a bit jumpy.
"For we instantaneously jump at sharp sounds and sort of flinch at first when we step off a path into tall grass, or bushes, for, 'over there' we had to watch carefully for mines. Give us a week or two though and I think we'll all be normal.
"I know you want to know just as much as possible, so here goes. I hope you will understand that some things will have to wait, and some are better not mentioned at all."
--GreGen
Sometime after D-Day, Dick wrote a letter home to his parents.
'We have almost gotten situated here, the place from which I sent the pictures. You have no idea how swell it is to be back in this peaceful, quiet spot, and be able to relax, although I must admit that most of us are still a bit jumpy.
"For we instantaneously jump at sharp sounds and sort of flinch at first when we step off a path into tall grass, or bushes, for, 'over there' we had to watch carefully for mines. Give us a week or two though and I think we'll all be normal.
"I know you want to know just as much as possible, so here goes. I hope you will understand that some things will have to wait, and some are better not mentioned at all."
--GreGen
Saturday, July 23, 2016
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 3: Action at D-Day
Continuing with his Bronze Star Medal citation:
"'Borden performed his duties in tending and evacuating the wounded under direct enemy artillery shelling, disregarding his own personal safety, in such an outstanding fashion that he has not unquestionably saved many lives but also gave such an example of coolness and efficiency to his shipmates that he contributed materially to the success of this phase of the operation on his sector of the beach.
"'The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Borden on this occasion were in keeping with the best traditions of the United States naval service.'"
Dick Borden was just 18-years-old at the time.
--GreGen
"'Borden performed his duties in tending and evacuating the wounded under direct enemy artillery shelling, disregarding his own personal safety, in such an outstanding fashion that he has not unquestionably saved many lives but also gave such an example of coolness and efficiency to his shipmates that he contributed materially to the success of this phase of the operation on his sector of the beach.
"'The gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by Borden on this occasion were in keeping with the best traditions of the United States naval service.'"
Dick Borden was just 18-years-old at the time.
--GreGen
Friday, July 22, 2016
Richard Winstead Borden-- Part 1: General Eisenhower's Words to the Forces Before D-Day: "Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen..."
One of the Americans hitting the beaches June 6, 1944, was Goldsboro, North Carolina's Richard Winstead Borden.
The words addressed to the Allied forces about to hit the beaches of Normandy June 5, 1944.
"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
"You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you... in company with our Allies you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine.
"Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely ... the free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
"I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle.. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
Words to Charge Ashore. --GreGen
The words addressed to the Allied forces about to hit the beaches of Normandy June 5, 1944.
"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
"You are about to embark on the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you... in company with our Allies you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine.
"Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely ... the free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
"I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle.. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
Words to Charge Ashore. --GreGen
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