63 Summer 2025 Proceedings North Atlantic as part of the American Neutrality Patrols. During Walsh’s assignment, Campbell also served on the Lisbon station to protect U.S. citizens in Portugal, threat- ened at the time by the spread of war in Europe. In November 1941, just before the United States’ entry into the war, Walsh received yet another assignment as navigator. This time, he served on board the famous Coast Guard-manned troop transport Joseph T. Dickman, ferry- ing British troops from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Bombay, India, now known as Mumbai. The Dickman also sup- ported amphibious training with U.S. Marines on the North Carolina coast and landed troops in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Bermuda. Walsh left the Dickman in September 1942 and, after less than a year in the States, he received orders to the staff of commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Europe, located in London. As a member of the staff, Walsh gained full knowledge of Phase Neptune, the amphibious operation associated with Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Europe. This landing would prove the largest amphibi- ous operation in world history and Walsh had to formulate plans to restore operations in liberated French ports to expedite the resupply of Allied armies by ship. In addition to planning post-D-Day port operations, Walsh received orders to form a unit to carry out his plans. His extensive naval background and leadership ability served him well as he formed Navy Task Unit 127.2.8 out of 50 Navy Seabees, men from the Navy’s construction battalion units. Seabee personnel were the best possible choice for Walsh’s mission because they came equipped with combat training in addition to their expertise in con- struction, engineering, and heavy machinery operation. Walsh’s task unit would serve with VII Corps of GEN Omar Bradley’s First Army. After an initial postponement due to poor weather conditions, the D-Day invasion took place on Tuesday, June 6, 1944. Walsh and his men landed on Saturday, D+4, at Utah Beach and advanced westward toward the port of Cherbourg, France. Walsh’s mission was to secure the har- bor and prepare the port facilities to receive shipments of troops and supplies as soon possible. When Walsh’s unit entered the city on Monday, June 26, as part of the Army’s Aerial reconnaissance provided this high-altitude photograph of Cherbourg Harbor in Cherbourg, France. Notice the extensive port facilities and harbor defenses. Navy photo
