Frank F DeBellis

Pfc Frank DeBellis was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. On the morning of 6 June 1944, the company came ashore near Colleville-sur-Mer at 0640, slightly behind schedule, and was met immediately by small arms, machine-gun, and mortar fire while wading some thirty yards through the surf. For roughly six hours the men fought to overcome enemy strongpoints covering the beach, with three sections landing in the neighboring 3rd Battalion's sector, where they helped silence beach defenses and took part in the capture of about fifteen prisoners before rejoining the company the next day. Around midday, the remainder of the company shifted 500 yards to exploit a breakthrough and pushed inland toward Colleville, though heavy losses among its officers left it attached to the battalion for reorganization and local security rather than continuing as an independent unit. Amid the chaos, men were noted for extreme courage—tending the wounded under fire and pressing attacks on fortified positions even after losing their flamethrowers and demolition charges—though the day's fighting cost the company three officers and twenty-three enlisted men killed. Pfc DeBellis was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.