Log of the USS BLESSMAN 3 June 1944

ON 3 June 1944, the BLESSMAN departed Belfast for Bale de la Seine, France, as escort for the Bombardment group of the European Assault Force. As the task force entered the English Channel, it was met by the heavy weather which turned them back and postponed D-Day. Twelve hours latter, however, General Eisenhower gave the "go ahead signal" and all ships again turned their bows towards France. Off Portsmith, the BLESSMAN was assigned to screen the USS ANCON on which were embarked the commanding generals and admirals who were directing the invasion, and proceeded to the Normandy beaches. The surrounding channel waters swarmed with the thousands of ships, large and small, which were carrying the men who were to liberate Nazi dominated Europe. Off Portsmouth, the BLESSMAN was assigned to screen the USS ANCON on which were embarked the commanding generals and admirals who where directing the invasions, and proceeded to the Normandy beaches. The surrounding channel waters swarmed with the thousands of ships, large and small, which were carrying the men who where to liberate Nazi dominated Europe. Overhead droned flight after flight of bombers on there way to soften to up the enemy for the foot soldier. The dawn of D-Day, 6 June 1944, found the invasion successfully begun and the BLESSMAN assigned to the anti-submarine, E -Boat screen to seaward.