As far as I know, our H Company's stick of troopers led by LT Victor Grabbe were the only airborne paratroopers who sang their way across the English channel, prior to jumping out over Normandy on D-Day.

All was quiet for a time while we were flying over the channel. It was very dark in the C.47. Most of us, like myself had our thoughts on our loved ones, and no doubt feeling sorry for ourselves as we knew we might not make it home. I wondered how many of us would survive.

Somehow LT Grabbe sensed the tension and he loudly shouted, "HEY FELLOWS, HOW ABOUT SOME SONGS?"

That broke the silence.
 

Someone started with "LET ME CALL YOU SWEETHEART," then another "DON'T SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE WITH ANYONE ELSE BUT ME," then "DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS," and so it went on.

We sang many more oldies for the next ten minutes or so. It was great, as it relaxed us and took our minds off ourselves and the coming danger.

The red light soon came on, and we stood up, hooked up, and shouted our equipment checks.

Then the green light came on and out we went amidst the upcoming German flak.

The rest is history.
 

Unfortunately LT Victor Grabbe was seriously wounded later in June, 1944, and died in an English hospital.

As a survivor I will never forget the intelligence and smart thinking of our Lieutenant, nor will the other survivors of his platoon.