Honor and Country

Although ostensibly the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment during World War II as part of the 101st Airborne Division, the majority of this unit landed by sea on Utah Beach the afternoon of D-Day, June 6, 1944, due to a shortage of glider tow planes. The 327 suffered a few casualties going ashore by enemy fire and were strafed by enemy aircraft. Near Ste. Come DuMont (southeast of the village), the 327 was camped right next to German paratrooper, separated by thick hedgerows. German speaking 327 soldiers engaged in taunting the enemy. The 327 took several casualties by enemy mortars. By June 8 the 327th had entered the front line, largely in reserve of the 506 until crossing the Douve River near Carentan. First and Second Battalions guarded Utah Beachhead's left flank northeast of Carentan. The 327 suffered heavy casualties while advancing on Carentan via what is now the city Marina from a northeast directly. G Company lead the attack on the west bank of the marina canal. A Company of the attached 401 was on the east bank of the canal. Concealed German machine guns and mortars inflicted the most casualties. The 327 played a pivotal role with the 501st and 506th of the 101st in taking Carentan. The 327th marched through the town and East to be possibly the first unit of the Utah Beachhead to link up with the Omaha Beachhead around the four-villages area of le Fourchette, le Mesnil, le Rocher and Cotz. It was then directed South between the bulk of the 101st and the 75th Infantry Division of the Omaha Beachhead.


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