Peter V Waitkus

Pvt Peter Waitkus was killed in action on 06 June 1944, serving with Company D, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. Company D came ashore at Omaha Beach's Easy Red sector at 0920 hours on D-Day, taking cover against a low bank while engineers cleared the surrounding minefields. Soon after, the mortar platoon and second platoon moved into position and engaged enemy positions roughly 75 yards away before the company pushed inland through an exit cut by the Third Battalion. Reuniting with the 1st Battalion about half a mile inland, the company split its platoons among Baker, Charlie, and Abel Companies to help meet the day's fighting, including an anticipated enemy counterattack that evening. By the close of D-Day the company had reached a defensive position a mile and a half inland, having sustained twenty-five casualties from enemy fire on the beach, with four mortars and six machine guns still in working order. Pvt Waitkus was killed in action that day; the report does not specify the individual circumstances.