Invasion boat shot full of holes, but Brooklyn sailor, 30 others escape
An invasion port – (June 8, delayed)
Coast Guard Spc. Thomas Conk of 800 Rogers Avenue, Brooklyn, returned today in an infantry landing craft full of holes. The crew of 31 was unhurt despite the fact a German 88mm shell had made an 18-inch hole in the ship’s armor and exploded on the deck.
The crew stuffed blankets in cracks in inner compartments and bailed furiously all the way back.
Conk said:
We almost sank a dozen times. How we made it, I’ll never know. I guess our number just wasn’t up.
Prayers answered, says mother
Mrs. Mary Conk, the sailor’s mother, who has been praying at mass daily for the safety of her three sons in service, said today she was “positive” her prayers were answered in the miraculous escape of her son. “I attend 9:00 a.m. mass every day at Holy Cross Church,” she said, “to pray for all boys in addition to my three sons.”