US Army 552 Military Police Escort Battalion landed on June 6, 1944, at Omaha Beach 80 years ago today. Let me talk to you about our Dad, Bob Johnson. We all knew that he had a farm, loved to hunt, fish and drove about 25 mph. If you drove faster, you might miss something. But, did anyone know PFC Robert Johnson was a US Army World War II veteran? He was an 18-year-old from Eagle Rock, Virginia who landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy France on June 6. He was ready to fight the Germans - he and his battalion were all loaded up in their amphibious vehicle, but the vehicle would not start. They were pulled back to the ship for repairs, which I am eternally grateful for. Over 2200 lives were lost that day on those bloody beaches. Dad said the waters were full of soldiers who never got a chance to fight. He survived by being a country boy, keeping his head down and looking out for his buddies, more than a few didn’t make it. He went on to fight at the Battle of the Bulge where conditions were so bad for the American troops that he froze his feet. One of the most heartbreaking stories was liberating a concentration camp in Dachau. He said the prisoners who were left were all walking skeletons. All the GI’s emptied their rations so the prisoners could eat. He served on two firing squads killing German Officers accused of war crimes. They told them that only three would have live rounds. He said we all had rounds in our guns which they didn’t know till it was done and over. Dad didn’t talk about this much, but selected only a few that he told. He attended a reunion every year with the Army 552 until his passing. They got together and acted like 18-19 year olds again. I don’t believe any of them are still living. His memories of this war kept him from visiting the Bedford D-Day Memorial. He said I lived. I don’t want to see it again. He eventually came back to Virginia and married and raised his family, but to Gayle and myself, he will always be our hero. Remember the price our soldiers paid for our freedom on this 81st year of D-Day, we do…
