Thomas F Di Nicola

S/Sgt Thomas Di Nicola was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. On the morning of D-Day, M Company's men, divided into five boat sections plus the battalion command boat, went ashore on Fox Green Beach as part of the third assault wave, though heavy mortar, artillery, machine-gun fire, and beach obstacles delayed every section well past its planned landing time. Several boats were lost or capsized offshore, forcing men to swim or wade the final stretch under fire, and casualties were taken both in the water and while crossing the exposed beach toward the embankment. Despite the scattered and improvised landings, the company's officers and men reorganized on the beach, brought machine guns and mortars into action against the pillboxes pinning down the assault, and supported the advance of I, K, and L Companies up toward the ridge and inland toward Le Grand Hameau. By day's end, elements of the company had pushed forward with the rest of the battalion to help secure the high ground and the town, while the command post moved up to receive incoming replacements. S/Sgt Di Nicola was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.