Raymond H Kitts

Pfc Raymond Kitts was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. On the morning of June 6, 1944, Company K, serving as the reserve company of the 3rd Battalion, left H.M.S. Empire Anvil in landing craft before dawn and made for "Fox Green" beach near Colleville-sur-Mer, coming ashore around 0700 into a storm of machine-gun, mortar, and artillery fire that pinned the men down at the water's edge. Leadership losses were severe and rapid, with the company commander and executive officer both mortally wounded within the same shell burst and other officers killed or badly hurt as they tried to organize the men under fire. Despite this, small groups rallied, fought their way inland, linked up with neighboring companies, captured enemy soldiers, and helped secure a defensive position by nightfall in the village sector near Cabourg. By day's end the company had suffered 51 casualties, the great majority of them sustained on the beach itself. Pfc Kitts was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.