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Valley veteran remembers Omaha Beach
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| Frank Fulbrook |
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By Wendy Post
It was D-Day, June 6, 1944, when the 84-year old valley resident landed on Omaha Beach with the F Company, 16th Infantry, 1st Division.
According to Fulbrook they were called “Big Red 1”; and the patch Fulbrook now displays on his original uniform shirt signifies the name.
According to recordings in history, what happened at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 has been immortalized in recent films and books, most notably the epic opening sequence of “Saving Private Ryan.”
That Omaha was a bloodbath is certain; that it could have been avoided is a matter of debate.
But one thing that Fulbrook knows is that he has memories of that day as if it was last month, and he also has several scars to remind him.
As a flamethrower and infantryman in the United States Army, Fulbrook’s job was to push from the front lines. “We used the flamethrower mainly in attacks on bunkers,” said Fulbrook.
Fulbrook further described his experience and began from the point when they were dropped in the water near the beach. “It was cold,” he said.
“They dumped us in four feet of water, but waves knocked us under.” He further explained how they were grouped together and started to cross the beach. It was low tide, so the beach was 200 feet.
Because the Germans had placed concrete bunkers in the bluffs that were at the higher portion of the beach, the soldiers were under attack without warning.
“When we got on the beach there was absolutely nothing there,” said Fulbrook. “The enemy was dug into the hillside.”
Fulbrook knew that he would be able to maneuver better without the heavy equipment.
“The flamethrower only went 40 feet and was heavy,” said Fulbrook. “I knew I wasn’t going to get that close, so I got rid of it and picked up a Browning automatic rifle,” he added.
Fulbrook also noted that the rifle was acquired after another soldier set it on a land mine and lost his hand.
Also, while crossing Omaha Beach, Fulbrook sustained his first injuries when he was caught by enemy fire and took a bullet in the arm and another in the leg.
But with medics nearby, they bandaged Fulbrook up and sent him back to the front lines.
Fulbrook only remained an additional three days and was sent to a medic facility when his arm began to swell up. “Back then you had a better chance of losing things than today because of the medical facilities,” added Fulbrook.
But once his wounds were cared for, Fulbrook was sent back to the front lines again.
His next injury came on Nov. 19, 1944 when a mortar shell was dropped into his foxhole; this time causing injuries that resulted in a partial loss of both his feet, and shrapnel that entered into his shoulders, kidneys and liver.
In June of 1945 Fulbrook was medically discharged because of his extensive injuries; he had entered the service in May of 1943.
Fulbrook eventually moved to Litchfield, Pa. in 1963, and then relocated to Nichols, N.Y. in 1964. Last year Fulbrook and his wife Charlotte relocated to Sayre, Pa.
At this location, Fulbrook is closer to the VA Clinic, but still travels to spend time at the American Legion in Nichols; an organization he has been an active member of since his discharge from military service.
As Fulbrook looks back from today, he can see how things are considerably different for today’s soldiers.
“Today they take care of the wounded much quicker, so survival rate is higher,” said Fulbrook.
As far as tactics, Fulbrook also thinks things have changed, but added that the objective is still the same.
Fulbrook talked about Iraq and his opposition to the invasion.
“I feel Iraq was a mistake,” he said.
His wife agreed, stating that we attacked under wrong assumptions, but felt that Afghanistan was justified.
“Our main objective was to get Osama bin Laden,” Fulbrook added.
When he compared the current wars to the war he fought in, Fulbrook spoke of Hitler, and how the leader’s primary objective was world domination. “It was a different world back then,” he added.
Even regarding weaponry, things are much different today on the battlefront. Fulbrook talked about the increase in fire power of today’s weapons. “A Browning Automatic Rifle fired 550 rounds per minute,” said Fulbrook. “Today they’re firing over 1,100 per minute.”
Weapons are also much lighter; and pale in comparison to the heavy artillery that Fulbrook had to secure on the battleground.
And now Fulbrook is ready to share some of this first-hand history with school students. On Nov. 10, Fulbrook will share his story with middle school students in Owego as part of an on-going program in Tioga County, N.Y.
When asked what he will try to teach students, Fulbrook said that he will tell them not to take peace for granted. “There are numerous people in this world that would like to take our freedoms from us.”
Fulbrook will be displaying his American flag on Veteran’s Day 2008.
According to Fulbrook they were called “Big Red 1”; and the patch Fulbrook now displays on his original uniform shirt signifies the name.
According to recordings in history, what happened at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 has been immortalized in recent films and books, most notably the epic opening sequence of “Saving Private Ryan.”
That Omaha was a bloodbath is certain; that it could have been avoided is a matter of debate.
But one thing that Fulbrook knows is that he has memories of that day as if it was last month, and he also has several scars to remind him.
As a flamethrower and infantryman in the United States Army, Fulbrook’s job was to push from the front lines. “We used the flamethrower mainly in attacks on bunkers,” said Fulbrook.
Fulbrook further described his experience and began from the point when they were dropped in the water near the beach. “It was cold,” he said.
“They dumped us in four feet of water, but waves knocked us under.” He further explained how they were grouped together and started to cross the beach. It was low tide, so the beach was 200 feet.
Because the Germans had placed concrete bunkers in the bluffs that were at the higher portion of the beach, the soldiers were under attack without warning.
“When we got on the beach there was absolutely nothing there,” said Fulbrook. “The enemy was dug into the hillside.”
Fulbrook knew that he would be able to maneuver better without the heavy equipment.
“The flamethrower only went 40 feet and was heavy,” said Fulbrook. “I knew I wasn’t going to get that close, so I got rid of it and picked up a Browning automatic rifle,” he added.
Fulbrook also noted that the rifle was acquired after another soldier set it on a land mine and lost his hand.
Also, while crossing Omaha Beach, Fulbrook sustained his first injuries when he was caught by enemy fire and took a bullet in the arm and another in the leg.
But with medics nearby, they bandaged Fulbrook up and sent him back to the front lines.
Fulbrook only remained an additional three days and was sent to a medic facility when his arm began to swell up. “Back then you had a better chance of losing things than today because of the medical facilities,” added Fulbrook.
But once his wounds were cared for, Fulbrook was sent back to the front lines again.
His next injury came on Nov. 19, 1944 when a mortar shell was dropped into his foxhole; this time causing injuries that resulted in a partial loss of both his feet, and shrapnel that entered into his shoulders, kidneys and liver.
In June of 1945 Fulbrook was medically discharged because of his extensive injuries; he had entered the service in May of 1943.
Fulbrook eventually moved to Litchfield, Pa. in 1963, and then relocated to Nichols, N.Y. in 1964. Last year Fulbrook and his wife Charlotte relocated to Sayre, Pa.
At this location, Fulbrook is closer to the VA Clinic, but still travels to spend time at the American Legion in Nichols; an organization he has been an active member of since his discharge from military service.
As Fulbrook looks back from today, he can see how things are considerably different for today’s soldiers.
“Today they take care of the wounded much quicker, so survival rate is higher,” said Fulbrook.
As far as tactics, Fulbrook also thinks things have changed, but added that the objective is still the same.
Fulbrook talked about Iraq and his opposition to the invasion.
“I feel Iraq was a mistake,” he said.
His wife agreed, stating that we attacked under wrong assumptions, but felt that Afghanistan was justified.
“Our main objective was to get Osama bin Laden,” Fulbrook added.
When he compared the current wars to the war he fought in, Fulbrook spoke of Hitler, and how the leader’s primary objective was world domination. “It was a different world back then,” he added.
Even regarding weaponry, things are much different today on the battlefront. Fulbrook talked about the increase in fire power of today’s weapons. “A Browning Automatic Rifle fired 550 rounds per minute,” said Fulbrook. “Today they’re firing over 1,100 per minute.”
Weapons are also much lighter; and pale in comparison to the heavy artillery that Fulbrook had to secure on the battleground.
And now Fulbrook is ready to share some of this first-hand history with school students. On Nov. 10, Fulbrook will share his story with middle school students in Owego as part of an on-going program in Tioga County, N.Y.
When asked what he will try to teach students, Fulbrook said that he will tell them not to take peace for granted. “There are numerous people in this world that would like to take our freedoms from us.”
Fulbrook will be displaying his American flag on Veteran’s Day 2008.
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