While researching for the “Stories Yet to Be Told” blog, it soon became clear that many of our Framingham men and women were gallant citizen-warriors and, in some cases, had demonstrated this heroism in the same battle-space as other town citizens. Our first example is from WWII. While considering this, remember the 1940 population of Framingham was 23,214, of which 3,000 men and women would serve. Eighty-seven would make the ultimate sacrifice.
The 16th Infantry Regiment heads for Omaha Beach, 06 June 1944
The Normandy Invasion, aka Operation Overlord, was the largest amphibious assault in the history of warfare. The invasion was conducted in two main phases - an airborne assault and amphibious landings. Shortly after midnight on the 6th of June, over 18,000 Allied paratroopers and glider-borne soldiers (US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the British 6th Airborne Division) were dropped into the invasion area to provide support for infantrymen who would soon come ashore on a 50-mile stretch of Normandy's coast. Ground troops landed across five assault beaches - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Naval forces were responsible for escorting and landing over 132,000 men on these beaches. By the end of the day, the Allies had established a foothold along the coast and could begin their advance into France. The Allies suffered over 10,300 total casualties (killed, wounded, or missing), of which approximately 2,400 were on Omaha Beach.
Robert Irvine
Image: U of Maine
In 1941, Framingham's Robert M. Irvine was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment (16th IR) of the storied First Infantry Division (1st ID, the “Big Red One"). With the 16th IR, he fought in the Invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch, November 1942) the Tunisian Campaign (November 1942-May 1943) and the Battle of Sicily (Operation Husky, July 1943-August 1943) where he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. On D-Day (06 June 1944), on Omaha Beach, he won a Silver Star for gallantry and was again wounded in action. As a reminder, the Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the US Military.
The 1st Infantry Division in Operation Torch
Image: WW2 US Army Medical Research Center
Earl E. Bailey
Image: FHS
In August of 1942, Framingham resident Earl E. Bailey, an Army Medic arrived in England with the 16th IR. Earl also participated in Operation Torch, the Tunisian Campaign and Operation Husky. He was awarded a Silver Star for consistently risking his life to aid and evacuate wounded soldiers in North Africa and Sicily. He was also present with the 16th on Omaha Beach, where he would receive his second Silver Star for gallantry. The D-Day citation indicates he repeatedly crossed open terrain under heavy enemy fire to treat and rescue wounded soldiers.
While we have no evidence to suggest that Irvine and Bailey met on the beach on that “day of days,” we do know both men went above and beyond to lead and save men in an extremely dangerous and desperate circumstances.
As it turns out, there was yet another Framingham native who was awarded a Silver Star and Purple Heart in Normandy, but this time posthumously.
On 04 November 2025, a member of the Framingham Veterans Council will place a wreath on the Normandy, France grave of Captain Edward A. Peters of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (101st Airborne Division) in honor of his gallantry and selfless leadership and sacrifice after dropping into the Norman countryside near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Peters will also be celebrated at this year’s Framingham Veterans Day Ceremony.
(https://framinghamsource.com/index.php/2025/10/01/framingham-veterans-council-to-honor-captain-edward-a-peters/)
Captain Edward A. Peters, US Army
Image: www.ww2-airborne.us
Silver Star Medal Purple Heart
Images: Public Domain
While American units landed behind and on Omaha and Utah beaches, British troops assaulted and landed behind Sword and Gold. Canadian Forces attacked Juno. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) had 42 operational squadrons in Europe on 06 June 1944. Of these, 39 took part in combat operations either on D-Day or during the subsequent Normandy campaign. The RCAF’s 403 Squadron, flying British Spitfire aircraft, patrolled over the British and Canadian beaches on the day of the invasion and provided ground support as the infantry moved inland.
Image: Framingham High School Image: Neitz Family
Framingham’s Flight Sergeant Richard C. Neitz was a member of 403 Squadron. “Dick” was born in Swindon, England in 1918, but would spend most of his life as a citizen of Framingham. In fact, he graduated from Framingham High School (FHS) in 1935 with US Spitfire/P-51 “Double Ace” Norm MacDonald. As a British citizen, Dick could easily enlist in the RCAF. In August of 1942, at the age of 24, he headed north to Nova Scotia to do just that. After his initial flight training, he transitioned into the sleek British Spitfire fighter. Dick and the 403rd participated in Allied operations over France (including on D-Day), Belgium, Holland, and Germany. In early 1945, he was promoted from Flight Sergeant to Warrant Officer. Dick returned to Framingham after the war.
Dick Neitz and His Spitfire
Images: Neitz Family
Next time, we will look at the Framingham men who fought on and around Guadalcanal and the Solomon Islands in 1942.
As always, if you have a Framingham relative or friend who distinguished themselves during a time of peril, feel free to reach out to me at storiesyettobetold@gmail.com.
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