stronghold.437
Dawson was offered a full commission in the regular army after the war, but chose instead to return to civilian life. He said, “I was a civilian that was granted the opportunity to defend my country.”438 In writing about his actions on D-Day he displayed great reverence and humility over his success and survival:
It is awesome, even now, to me to see how we could possibly have survived, because the terrain there is remarkable in that it has the high ridge overlooking the beach itself, in such a dramatic way… It was only just the luck of God that allowed me to find a little opening which permitted us to get off of the beach. I’ve always felt a degree of humility as well as thanking God for having had the opportunity for making a break which allowed us to proceed off of Omaha.439
The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
October 19
George Davison was one of many black American soldiers to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day. He was a member of a barrage balloon battalion responsible for protecting the invasion beaches from air attack. These soldiers had to go in under fire and operate from foxholes on the beach. Their balloons were tethered to cables designed to keep enemy aircraft above strafing altitude along the shoreline.
Davison was a very religious man, and his spiritual strength came through in letters to his wife, Mary, and son, Richard. He told them, “I have been to church and Sunday school and asked for forgiveness of everything I (have) ever done to anyone and prayed… After laying in my hole in the ground and listening to bullets go over my head bursting beside me, not more than reaching distance away, I have come to the conclusion that there is one with more power than the walking, would stand by me and see me home again.”440
He especially felt God’s hand supporting him at the crucial moments when he approached the beach in a landing craft filled with ammunition:
As a truck went down the ramp, I grabbed on to the racks and this truck went out of sight so I let go… So there I am in that water, with too much weight, so I shrugged my shoulders and off went my musette bag… all the time this was happening the enemy was putting down a steady stream of cross fire, we were let off in to deep waters. I believe the Lord was on my side because if he would have let just one of those tracers hit those 105 howitzer shells it would have been all over. You could have taken the skillet off the stove cause the gas would have been gone!441
It is inspiring to hear the story of a soldier’s simple faith during a dangerous time. His belief in a caring God sustained him on the beaches of Normandy and is the kind of faith that will sustain each of us through any crisis.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens… Our God is a God who saves; from the sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
October 20
After the excitement of serving on a landing craft during the assault on Omaha Beach, Albert Berard’s life settled into a dull routine offloading supplies in the port of Cherbourg. When convoys started running to Paris, he and some friends saw a chance to relieve the boredom. Without asking anyone, they left their unit and hitched a ride on a truck headed east. Late that night they were dropped off on the outskirts of Paris, where they did in fact begin quite an adventure. Fortunately for the group, Berard spoke fluent French and quickly made friends everywhere he went. He and his friends were welcomed as conquering heroes. One family in particular adopted the sailors and held a banquet in their honor. The mother of the family wrote a letter to Berard’s mother with a heartfelt message:
We are pleased to have with us this evening your son, Albert, along with three of his comrades. We would like to compliment you on the pleasant manner in which he speaks French, in a manner which is correct, well-bred, and educated. Not knowing you, we hope that you will receive good news from all your children that might be in harm’s way and that all return in good health. This evening this French family is experiencing a very good time and sincerely holds you in our thoughts… May God protect you always.442
The hospitality shown these young Americans was warm and genuine. After years of Nazi occupation, the French people were grateful to their allies for their liberation. These bonds of affection have continued to the present day, despite occasional political disputes on the national level. On a personal level, most French men and women have a soft spot for any American who shows a willingness to try to speak their language. Such an effort is always pleasing to God, as he blesses any attempt to reach out to others while trying to understand their point of view.
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
October 21
Lt. Jim Penton’s tank destroyer unit moved into Vire at dusk. His men dug in among the ruins of the French village as German artillery fire continued to fall all through the night. As the sun came up they surveyed the damage done to their vehicles and equipment. They also noticed a convent to the rear of their position when the amazing sound of morning bells chimed, joining the wail of the German 88s. They then saw an even more amazing sight. A solitary nun began moving through the village feeding and watering the livestock, milking the cows, and collecting eggs. She worked serenely through the morning even while the German artillery kept the soldiers huddled in their foxholes. Lieutenant Penton described his reaction:
I know that our most argumentative and skeptical atheist was duly fascinated and impressed by that display of the power and force of that Sister’s faith and complete fearlessness… It was not the sudden, stimulated and short-lived courage which drives a man to risk hot lead on a daring dash to aid a buddy, to me, it was far more than that… It was the picture of a mellowed and complete faith it was serenity of mind and soul amidst man’s savagery of arm and spirit.443
