"Company E, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division was one
of the first waves to land on D-Day." -US Coast Guard
After tricking the enemy into believing they would invade at Calais, the more convenient location closer to England, the Allies prepared to attack at Normandy. Weather was an issue and thus the mission was postponed by one day. The plan was for the US to invade at Omaha and Utah Beaches, the British forces at Sword and Gold, and the Canadians at Juno. Omaha Beach ended up being the most heavily defended.
D-Day H+1min.
"Lt. Leroy E. Jacobson landed on H plus 1 minute: 6:31am, on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944. As if this weren't already the most unfavorable set of circumstances imaginable,
E Company lost their radio communication and many of their weapons were jammed with sand."
E Company lost their radio communication and many of their weapons were jammed with sand."
Lt. Leroy E. Jacobson landed on H plus 1 minute: 6:31am, on Omaha beach June 6, 1944. This means that he landed one minute after the initial attack. As if this weren't already the most unfavorable set of circumstances imaginable, his company, E company, lost their radio communication, and many of their weapons were jammed with sand. Some boats sank, some men drowned, and others saw many of their men lost from enemy, or even friendly, fire. We still do not know what exactly happened to Jacobson, but that doesn't matter. We know what matters, and as a platoon leader, he encouraged his men to go on, even though he eventually could not.
Leaders set examples for others. When leaders fall, others must take initiative, and ought to have learned from previous example. I am certain that Leroy Jacobson’s sacrifice is not in vain. His family's sacrifice was also not in vain, and I am incredibly grateful and forever indebted to them as well.