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At 1:30 A.M. I returned to the line. The fellows were quite sober about everything for our buddies were giving their lives at this very hour. The pilots who were extras on tonight’s mission and were scheduled to fly later today were especially nervous. I wanted to be alone, so Sg.t Long drove me to the medical tents - my official station in battle. One of the ground officers and I talked about God, faith and home. We never mentioned hate or killing for God seemed the only thing -Person, I should say - that seemed worth talking about.

Long strings of planes were constantly flying toward the East. I was praying for those men, too, but our eyes were glued to the southwest straining to see a formation of lights coming our way. Finally, at about 2:15 A.M. - even before they were due - formation lights appeaared in the right place. Over the field they came and the leader “peeled off” for a landing. Major Harrity and I counted them - the first element of nine was there, the second, etc. In fact 82 ships came back and not one fired a red flare on the final approach to signal wounded were aboard. When I counted the extra ship, I thought God had performed a sure “nuff miracle.” He answered our prayers beyond our request.

Never have I seen such a jubilant bunch of men! Now they had completed their first combat mission. Most could not hold back tears as they said, “God was with us tonight, Chaplain.” others said; “God was my co-pilot, He was our Command Pilot,” “ I never prayed more seriously in my life,” and “God was good with us tonight.” It was a rowdy gang in the mess hall afterward for we all acted like a bunch of kids and I was the worst of the bunch.

Then to the chapel to thank God for the completion of a perfect mission and ask His care for our paratrooper friends and the boys who were to follow. I prayed for the folks at home also for I knew how the invasion news would affect them. Every parent and wife would feel their loved one was facing death - and many were dying! O, that the God of all comfort would be near each one of them.

It was now 4:40 A.M. and so to bed. This morning I was awakened by B-17s flying low. The radio was beaming out messages to Europe in all languaages saying that the liberation of Europe had begun.