12-199 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

Paratroopers ended up being scattered from Carentan to Ravenoville while being dropped from planes on D-Day. Forrest Guth is pictured on the road to Carentan. Photo by Forrest Guth

In 1942, Guth was working for Bethlehem Steel making armor plates for the Navywhen the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. At that time, working for the defense industry meant that he was advised not to join as he was needed back at home producing steel plates, but he enlisted in the Army and volunteered for the paratroopers. He and two friends joined in 1942, and became part of the original Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Easy Company consisted of 132 enlisted men and 8 officers. Forrest went to basic training at Camp Toccoa, Georgia where the Regiment's motto was born: "Currahee," named after the mountain where the regiment were forced to run the 6-mile round trip up and down daily.After parachute training at Fort Benning, Guth made his qualifying jumps and received his Jump Wings.

Easy Co. embarked on September 5, 1943, and arrived at Liverpool, England. Guth was stationed in Aldbourne, Wiltshire.[7] Training was carried out according to the later Invasion of France, and numerous full equipment nights jumps were made. He and his unit were also involved in the pre D-Day Exercise Tiger at Slapton Sands, Devon.

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