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		 My father was on a U.S. Coast Guard Destroyer Escort off Normandy Beach.  They were close enough to shore that they were within range of German field artillery on shore, and had a number of near-misses from shells from the Cruisers and Battleships further from shore that fell short.  Of all the experiences he had during the war, I only heard him talk about that day once.  Apparently they were close enough for some of the carnage from the landings to wash back by them. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
		
	
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