Anzio (CG 68) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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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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Ulian .and were xl of. kit Above: American war corespondent Ernie Pyle (sitting on front bumper of tank), is talk- ing to crew members of the 191st Tank Battalion on their M4A1 Sherman tank near the Anzio Beachhead. War corespondents brought the story back to the homefront, and also help raise the morale of the troops by showing that the people back home were watching. I $j $ Left: Members of an infantry squad pose for a group photo around their bunker in early March. Bun- kers like these would be home for the next 3 months as the fighting contin- ued along the beachhead till June. 61