Work Text:
Prologue.
t was June 9th, 1944. Three days after the invasion of Normandy otherwise known as
Operation Overlord or, more commonly, D-day (June 6th, 1944.) the day before, June 8th, the
newspapers had begun to report on said invasion. Over 4,000 casualties were reported. At the
time, I didn’t thank much more about it then it was sad for the families of the dead, but the Allies
had succeeded in their effect, and that was something to be celebrated; not too long later I
would think of that day as the worst in my entire life.
Seven days later, (June 16th) I was cooking dinner for my children when I heard knocking
at the door. I told, my oldest daughter, Jenifer (17) to answer for me. It was two uniformed
soldiers known as “Notification Officers” these two men had been sent to tell me of my
husband’s death.
Sargent Thomas Blake, my husband, was killed in action during the invasion of
Normandy. He apparently died a “Hero.” But that’s not what I was thinking at the time, I didn’t
think it mattered if he died a hero, or died a traitor, either way he was dead. But, I was obligated
to listen to what happened, so I said nothing.
When the battle was well underway my husband’s CO (commanding officer) and half of
his unit, 412, was blasted away by a tank shell. Thomas apparently took charge of the remaining
soldiers and lead them though the rest of the battle. When it was all over, or so they thought,
unit 412 started to make their way towards the newly set up camp; however, an enemy officer
appeared quite suddenly. He was holding a grenade, the pin already pulled, ready to throw at the
unsuspecting soldiers. Thomas, the only one to see the danger, called out a warning, but it was
too late, the explosive was already flying toward them. With no other options Thomas jumped
forward and caught the grenade then jumped to the side, saving everyone.
After the battle was over, Thomas was granted a posthumous promotion to Master
Sargent. The days after were some of the hardest of my life, but I managed. Thomas’s unit came
to visit me and our children some weeks later; that is when I grew to appreciate what my
husband did for them.