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Faria, Clarence Perry, T/Sgt.
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Contact Info
Home Town Honolulu
Last Address Martinez, CA
Date of Passing May 09, 2011
Location of Interment Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (VA) - Dixon, California
Clarence Faria Resident of Martinez Clarence Perry "Smiles" Faria, passed away peacefully at his home in Martinez, CA, surrounded by his family on Monday, May 9, 2011. He was born November 20, 1918 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years Rosemarie C. Faria; a sister Ramona L. Faria; his children Fred E. Faria (Jeanine), Joanne R. Friese (Daniel), and Brad J. Faria (Julie); and his seven grandchildren Galadriel, Isaac, James (Mariela), John, Andrew, Kerry (Rob), Christina, and one great-grandchild Luke Moran Faria. His funeral service will be Monday, May 16, 2011. Viewing at 10am; Rosary at 10:40am; and Funeral Service at 11am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 606 Mellus St., Martinez, CA. He will be buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Dixon, CA following the service. Family and friends will gather at the American Legion Hall on Ward and Court St., Martinez, CA from 4 to 6pm. Contributions can be made to the American Legion, Martinez Post 29 or St. Catherine of Siena School Education Fund.
Published in Contra Costa Times on May 15, 2011
WWII - European Theater of Operations/Normandy Campaign (1944)/Operation Overlord/D-Day Beach Landings - Operation Neptune
From Month/Year
June / 1944
To Month/Year
June / 1944
Description The Normandy landings (codenamed Operation Neptune) were the landing operations on 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II. The largest seaborne invasion in history, the operation began the invasion of German-occupied western Europe, led to the restoration of the French Republic, and contributed to an Allied victory in the war.
Planning for the operation began in 1943. In the months leading up to the invasion, the Allies conducted a substantial military deception, codenamed Operation Bodyguard, to mislead the Germans as to the date and location of the main Allied landings. The weather on D-Day was far from ideal, but postponing would have meant a delay of at least two weeks, as the invasion planners had requirements for the phase of the moon, the tides, and the time of day that meant only a few days in each month were deemed suitable. Hitler placed German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in command of German forces and of developing fortifications along the Atlantic Wall in anticipation of an Allied invasion.
The amphibious landings were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment and an airborne assault—the landing of 24,000 British, US, and Canadian airborne troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armoured divisions began landing on the coast of France starting at 06:30. The target 50-mile (80 km) stretch of the Normandy coast was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword Beach. Strong winds blew the landing craft east of their intended positions, particularly at Utah and Omaha. The men landed under heavy fire from gun emplacements overlooking the beaches, and the shore was mined and covered with obstacles such as wooden stakes, metal tripods, and barbed wire, making the work of the beach clearing teams difficult and dangerous. Casualties were heaviest at Omaha, with its high cliffs. At Gold, Juno, and Sword, several fortified towns were cleared in house-to-house fighting, and two major gun emplacements at Gold were disabled using specialised tanks.
The Allies failed to achieve all of their goals on the first day. Carentan, St. Lô, and Bayeux remained in German hands, and Caen, a major objective, was not captured until 21 July. Only two of the beaches (Juno and Gold) were linked on the first day, and all five bridgeheads were not connected until 12 June. However, the operation gained a foothold that the Allies gradually expanded over the coming months. German casualties on D-Day were around 1,000 men. Allied casualties were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead. Museums, memorials, and war cemeteries in the area host many visitors each year.
