DATE: Thursday, July 31, 1997               TAG: 9707300529

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

COLUMN: At Sea 

SOURCE: BY ENSIGN JULIE McCARTHY 

                                            LENGTH:   47 lines

CARTER HALL PAYS RESPECT TO MEMORY OF 861 WHO FELL

A mist was in the air on Aug. 15, 1944, as paratroopers floated into a vineyard in southern France.

It obscured the vision, as did the mist that filled the eyes of today's freedom fighters on a visit to the cemetery where many of the paratroopers now lie.

A contingent from the Norfolk-based dock landing ship Carter Hall, during the ship's deployment to the Mediterranean, came to pay respect to the fallen.

It was a solemn experience.

``We who lie here died that future generations might live in peace.'' That inscription, on the memorial at the entrance to the cemetery, reminded the Carter Hall entourage of the reason they sail for the U.S. Navy.

The vineyard owner, who was a young girl when the paratroopers landed, gave an animated and emotional account of what she saw. The stories of honor, courage, sorrow and bravery on the part of the Americans held the crew riveted in place.

``We really appreciate your taking care of the Americans during those trying times,'' a crewman said.

Just two months after D-Day and the invasion of Normandy, the Allies were moving farther into Europe. From all sides, Hitler was being pounded.

The 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion landed in the Le Muy region of southern France, part of a new battlefront that headed north.

Within days, Americans would make a rapid advance up the Rhone River Valley, heading for Germany. A report at the time described the advance: ``The Allies have barnstormed across the southern coast, from Marseilles to Nice.''

But some remained behind, in the vineyard.

To honor the 861 soldiers who lie in the cemetery, the sailors brought a national ensign, flown from the mast of the Carter Hall. It was presented to the cemetery's proprietor.

With home so distant, and the Fourth of July so recent, the cemetery visit was especially poignant. The Carter Hall crew came together as a family to pay tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

``It puts things into perspective,'' said Lt. Clint Phillips, the Carter Hall's supply officer. ``In 1776, many Frenchmen died for our freedom as a new nation. In 1944, these 861 soldiers and sailors died so that France could be free.'' MEMO: Ensign Julie McCarthy is a public affairs officer for the Carter

Hall.

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