Anzio (CG 68) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 63 text:

TO Anzio Are they going to march! ' .aptain Balisle greets Colonel Hall with Anzio s mayor looking on. ■ - H I; ■ i ' ' (IS T ' flff i Mayor Tarisciotti gives thanks to the vets. The honor guard displays the beachhead flag. The Beachhead Veterans were in attendance at the town reception. Gathered at the War Memorial. 59

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BEACHHEAD VETERANS RETURN QM3 Adams listens to the telling of a tale. Colonel Hall (Ret.) and Chaplain Stamm visit the War Memorial. Several of the Anzio Beachhead Veterans came back to Anzio, It- aly, to participate in the first visit to the city by its name sake, USS ArlZIO CQ68. The celebration was a tribute to those men who 50 years ago came upon the beaches at Anzio not as friends but as lib- erators. The visit to Anzio was a passing of the baton from the liber- ators to the peace keepers. The welcome that the crew enjoyed at Anzio would not have been possible if not for the sacrifice these men made, veterans and crew, both young and old. 58

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The Battle At Anzio 22 January to 4 June 1 944 The battle at Anzio was one of the most important battles in the Italian Campaign of World War II. While being the driving thrust to R ome, and diverting German troops and material destined for Normandy, there were also actions of bravery and self sacrifice both recognized and unheard of. There were more Congressional Medals of Honor awarded for Anzio than any other battle in World War II. A total of 22 men were recognized with this honor for their heroism during some of the bloodiest fighting of the war. The heart and dedication of all the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who fought at Anzio have given the USS ANZIO her motto, Stand and Fight . All of us were in (he same boat. We were to stay or die... I have never seen anything like if in two World Wars of my expirience. There was at Anzio a confidence in unity, an unselfish willingness among troops to help one another, that I never saw again. Maj. General Ernest N. Harmon Combat Commander at Anzio Below: Three DUKWs head for the beach during sporadic shelling of the harbor basin. Amphibious trucks like this brought supplies in from Liberty ships off the coast. I 60