4/9/2024 0 Comments Normandy beach world war 2Of the more than 2.5 million blacks who registered for the draft in World War II, about 909,000 served in the Army including Mr. Jett was on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day. “I never forgot where home was,” said Dix, “I’m a proud son and it’s an honor to be here tonight to recognize one of the men who trailblazed the way for those of us who came behind him.”Īccording to Dix, “The 66 th Infantry Division of the US Army, nicknamed the Black Panthers, served in Normandy, France, during 1944. Richard Dix, who grew up in another quiet Atlanta suburb near the church where he recognized Jett. The young man not only became a member of the US Army, he is now DLA Distribution commander Army Brig. Ironically, Jett had that same influence on another young man who watched him march in uniform through Lynwood Park, Ga. I looked up to them, respected them, and that’s what made me want to join the service.” He was injured during the war when a hot piece of shrapnel hit his leg while transporting troops of the 101 st airborne.Īs Jett, wearing his military-issued Army uniform, spoke to the crowded church of relatives, friends and honored guests, he recalled, “I was a shoeshine boy for the United States Naval Air Station when I was 13 years old. He drove through storms and unfriendly terrain from France to within miles of Berlin, and transported German prisoners of war from the border of Czechoslovakia back to France. Jett’s military occupation specialty was a deuce and quarter truck driver. He served in Europe three years, most of the time within a mile of the front lines. Jett held the rank of T5 in the 4043rd Quartermaster Truck Company, 66th Infantry Division of the United States Army in World War II. Jett was born 91 years ago in Chamblee, Ga., and entered the United States Army on March 11, 1943, at Fort Benning, Ga. with over a dozen medals and badges including the French A Ses Liberateurs Medal, Normandy, D-Day Comm, Belgium Comm, American Campaign, Transportation Medal, Driving Badge, Qualification Badge with bars, Infantry Badge, Belgium Fouraguerre, and French Fouraguerre. John King, presented a World War II veteran, Army Sgt. Richard Dix and Deputy Commanding General, National Guard Army Brig. suburb, DLA Distribution commander Army Brig. In a small church nestled in a quiet Atlanta, Ga.
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