[Charlie765]

I recently reconnected with an old man from my past. He was a local Scoutmaster and friend of my father's when I was in Scouts in the 70's. Just another old Scoutmaster.

I reconnected with him at our local Ranger/SF breakfast. He was invited by one of our members who was acquainted with his daughter-in-law. She knew of our buddy's background and told him he needed to talk to her father-in-law.

Turns out this old Scoutmaster was a member of the Gap Assault Teams that hit Normandy Beach ahead of the main landings. The Navy Combat Demolition Units cleared the obstacles up to the waterline. From there the GAT's took over. Each was responsible for clearing a 50 meter wide gap across the beach. Of the 29 men in his team, he was the only survivor.

I knew this old guy for years and never heard a hint about his war experience. His son, who brought him to the breakfast, said he rarely spoke about any of it.