Tin Can Sailor Navy vet recalls invasion of Normandy

"I was just a seaman," stated 83-year-old Herb Billingsley of Derry, as he proudly pulled out an old picture. "My battle station was pointer on a quad 40mm."

The simple black and white photo he holds depicts a group of boys, barely men, posing on the deck of a destroyer. "That's me in the front — the one in the headlock."

On July 20, 1943, after graduating from Lowell (Mass.) High School, he decided to join the Navy because "I like water and a clean bed."

But despite his claim to being an ordinary seaman, Bill, as he was called by his shipmates, wasn't ordinary. He sailed on the USS Walke DD 723, 2nd Division, a Sumner-class destroyer that participated in five World War II campaigns: the European theatre, the South Pacific, the Okinawa Campaign, the China Campaign and Japanese mainland strikes. Not only did he see plenty of action, but he documented his incredible story in a journal, now yellow with age, that tells a tale of commitment, bravery, fear and luck.

On May 14, 1944 at 0700, the USS Walke left New York harbor and headed toward the English Channel. Thirteen days later, they were the last convoy into Plymouth, England, readying for the invasion of Normandy at Utah beach. Like many servicemen, Billingsley chronicled the events of his tour of duty in a journal.

May 28 Laying in Plymouth- Getting ready for big push. Had liberty. Place in ruins.

The Walke participated in shore bombardment exercises and according to Billingsley was "Firing damn good." By May 31, the Walke was joined in Plymouth by four additional destroyers: the USS Laffye, USS O'Brien, USS Merideth and the USS Barton.

June 3 Laying in port. Tension getting stronger looks like invasion tonight. First job is convoy to France. Everyone excited.

Underway at 0300. G.Q. (General Quarters) until 0630. Beautiful day. Sure wish I was in Lowell. Invasion tomorrow. More ships than one can count. Running into floating mines. Hope the Jerries don't expect us. Sill crossing the English Channel 2340 saw the bombing of France. Planes flying over our convoy. 0100 three battlewagons and 3 cruisers passed on our starboard side in the darkness. Quincy, Tuscalousa, Augusta, Texas, Arkansas and Nevada. More action about 0200. One plane shot down on the beach. 2130 Planes bombed beach, just off from us.

0330 Battlewagons letting loose with big guns on shore installations. Paratroopers landing from planes. 0610 A smoke screen layed. 0630 First wave of troops started landing and continued approximately every 30 minutes. Still at G.Q. sandwich and soup. Plenty of fire works around 2300 and 2400. On beach 4 planes shot down.

"There were planes as far as the eye could see, and it was loud," Billingsley recalled. "It was lit up like a church in Kearney square with 30 to 40 ships all firing at the same time."

2100 about 200 planes with gliders pass over. Our planes incidentally. Still at G.Q. big guns fired intermittently all night. 0620 about 300 planes and gliders with escorts came over our heads. Landed on the beach in sight. Around noon we were called to shell the beach. Moved in and picked our target. Cleaned out ammunition dumps and Pill Boxes, few houses. 0500 Reports USS Meredith DD 726 has abandoned ship.

By June 9, the Walke sailed back to Plymouth, England, for much-needed rest and supplies but were right back into the action.

At 0240 alert. 0244 a German plane dropped a bomb at us which landed 600 yards from us. Too close for comfort though. Piece of shrapnel was found on the forecastle. Hearing bombing all around. P.S. My knees are shaking but fast. Plenty of firing and searchlights. Flare dropped on beach side of us. We were lit up like a Christmas tree. Thought sure we would get hit this time.

Starting June 22, the Walke began protecting mine sweepers off Cherbourg, France, and Bill found out just how lucky he was.

Jerries opened fire on us. G....O....S....H was I scared for awhile anyway. Steaming along peaceful and calm- suddenly something went wrong....boom. Explosions, shells from shore battery let loose. Hitting within 30 to 40 feet. Shrapnel falling on deck. We commenced firing. 255 rounds in 15 minutes which is damn fast. Picked up a piece of shrapnel on my seat which I had abandoned. Thank God!

Billingsley holds out his hand with the brown chunks of German bomb that could have killed him.

The USS Walke departed European waters on July 3, 1944 and made her way back to the Boston Navy Yard for repairs. After repairs, the Walke steamed to Pearl Harbor for training and by November 1944 had arrived at Ulithi, an island of coral in the Western Pacific. Here, the Walke joined the war against Japan, where she supported the invasion of Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands, Dec. 7, 1944. She continued with her support mission until Jan. 2, 1945, when she left for the invasion of Luzon. Luzon, also located in the Philippine Islands, was a strong hold for the Japanese. The Walke was sent to protect the mine sweepers and provide antiaircraft defense. On Jan. 6, 1945, enemy planes dove on the Walke. The gunners opened fire and downed two planes, but the third hit home, crashing into the Walke's bridge. A fourth continued on its suicide run, but the 20mm and 40mm guns downed the plane and saved the ship.

"I'll never forget that day. From where I was sitting I saw a man running completely engulfed in flames. And then he just disappeared," Billingsley said. "We never found him."

The extensive damage required repairs, and they were sent to Mare Island Naval Shipyard. They then departed San Francisco on April 4, 1945 for Okinawa.

"Going under the Golden Gate bridge was a sight for sore eyes," wrote Bill. "Some of the fellows dropped pennies in the shadow of the bridge for luck. I also joined in on the affair."

The Walke retraced her course through Pearl Harbor and Ulithi and then proceeded to Okinawa, where they joined the campaign to capture the island. "It was one of the busiest places I've ever been in. They were always having raids by the well known 'Suicide Boys.'"

"I remember one night, it was just before sunset, we were on picket duty," said Billingsley, recalling the action. "I was looking around and saw some planes which were flying around us off in the distance. I thought they were our planes giving us protection, but I was wrong. I took a pair of glasses that the signal men use, trained it on the approaching planes.

"Sure enough they were Japanese planes lined up 1-2-3-4-5 order across coming in for a strike. Reported the planes as Japanese fighters and our friendly planes were sent out to intercept the oncoming planes. They turned away and we saw a real show. They were all shot down plus three more which were hiding behind one of the islands. Think I wasn't nervous? You're wrong — I shook like a leaf in a hurricane. Any man who served on a destroyer off Okinawa will tell you that they were the worst days of his life."

Billingsley's memoirs conclude this way: "We operated with them (third fleet) and then the long awaited word came, "The End of the War". Everyone on the ship was happy. Today is Sept. 5, 1945 and we are about 105 miles off the Japanese coast serving as a guide for planes to and from Tokyo. My only wish at the present time is that I get a real good look at this place they call Tokyo or even Japan itself."

Billingsley's Navy service ended February 1946. He could have re-enlisted but chose not to.

(Editor's Note: This is the 13th in a series of stories spotlighting the men and women of Londonderry, Derry and Chester who served their nation proudly during the World War II era. Some saw action on the front lines, while others provided support behind the scenes so crucial to a successful war effort. Still other served on the home front, keeping the home fires burning and doing the jobs that needed to be done. This series of stories has been compiled by the Creative Women's Writers Group.)

Photos

Last September, Herb Billingsley of Derry, right, had the opportunity to meet Republican presidential candidate and Arizona Sen. John McCain. Billingsley shook hands and spoke briefly with his fellow Navy veteran during McCain's visit to Londonderry. Billingsley served aboard the USS Walke during World War II. File photo