"As we approached the beach, the Germans continued spraying our boat with machinegun fire. We went as close as we dared, the ramp went down, and I was the third one out.
I was numb with fear of what I was about to encounter as I often tripped over several dead bodies. The beach was covered with smoke, flashes of light, rumbling explosions. Artillery, mortars bursting all around us, bullets whizzing by.
Sand and smoke sprayed upward as the explosions hit the beach. Bodies everywhere! The invasion continued. The indiscriminate slaughter continued.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me through the gauntlet of enemy fire. I went through a small opening that had been made in the wire; the path was marked by men who stepped on land mines.
I managed to reach a bluff with a slight overhang where others were hurdled. We were wet, scared, trapped, all in a state of shock. Nothing was said. We made room for each other, mirroring our fear, unable to encourage each other.
A Lieutenant made his way towards our little sanctuary of protection. Gasping for air he said: 'Men, this is Omaha Beach. You are the second wave. For what you've just been through..you men deserve a Purple Heart!'
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Pausing for a moment to contemplate, I realized the improbability of my ever going home again." - Pvt. Benjamin Alvarado, G. Co., 16th Inf., 1st ID, Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, June 6th 1944.
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