
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994                   TAG: 9406090175
SECTION: THE GREAT CRUSADE                    PAGE: DDAY10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FIRST WAVE--FROM VIRGINIA TO OMAHA BEACH

The 116th regiment of the 29th infantry division was one of the two first assault regiments on Omaha Beach, scene of the bloodiest fighting.

This virginia unit was the only National Guard contingent to land on D-Day. All the others were regular Army units which were composed of men from scattered parts of the United States. this meant that the men of Virginia who landed together suffered devastating casualties. It meant that the impact of World War II suddenly hit himes across Virginia.

by CNB