page_title: Carleton F. Bryant
section_title: World War II
hierarchical_section_title: Carleton F. Bryant / World War II
caption_attribution_description: English: Rear Admiral Carleton F. Bryant, USN (left) and Captain Charles A. Baker, USN, Commanding Officer, USS Texas (BB-35) On board Texas with a German 240mm (9.4) dud shell that hit the ship during the bombardment of Battery Hamburg, east of Cherbourg, France, on 25 June 1944. Photographed while Texas was undergoing overhaul at the New York Navy Yard on 12 October 1944.
context_page_description: Carleton Fanton Bryant was a highly decorated officer in the United States Navy with the rank of Vice Admiral. He distinguished himself as Commander of the Gunfire Support Group of the Assault Force "O" during the amphibious invasion of the coast of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.
  Bryant later led Center Support Group of the Western Naval Task Force during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August 1944, before returned to the United States for duty as Commander Fleet Operational Training Command, United States Atlantic Fleet.
context_section_description: In April 1941, Bryant assumed command of battleship USS Arkansas and participated in the escort of the Marine Forces to occupy Iceland. Following the United States entry into World War II, Arkansas participated in the convoy duty of troops and supplies to Iceland, United Kingdom and later to Casablanca, Morocco during the invasion of North Africa in late 1942. Bryant transported approximately one milion servicemen during this service.
  Bryant was promoted to Rear admiral in May 1943 and assumed command of Battleship Division 5, Atlantic Fleet. While in this capacity, he continued in escort of fast troop convoys throughout the enemy waters infested with German U-Boats until spring 1944 and received Legion of Merit with Combat "V" for his service.
  He then participated in the planning of Operation Overlord, the invasion of German-occupied Western Europe and was tasked with the command of the Gunfire Support Group of the Assault Force "O" during the amphibious invasion of the coast of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. His support group consisted of battleships Arkansas and Texas; four light cruiser (two British: Glasgow and Bellona; and two french Montcalm and Georges Leygues); and twelve American and British destroyers and was tasked with support of V Corps under Major general Leonard T. Gerow. Bryant distinguished in this capacity and received his second Legion of Merit and also Distinguished Service Order by British.
  Bryant then assumed duty as Commander of the Center Support Group of the Western Naval Task Force during the amphibious invasion of Southern France in August 1944 and his units provided shore bombardment during the assault landings of elements of the U.S. Seventh Army over selected beaches along the Coast of Southern France. For his service in Southern France, Bryant was decorated with third Legion of Merit and also received second Distinguished Service Order. The Government of France bestowed him Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre.
  In September 1944, Bryant returned to the United States and assumed duty as Commander Fleet Operational Training Command, United States Atlantic Fleet with headquarters at Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia. While in this capacity, Bryant was subordinated to Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet, Admiral Jonas H. Ingram and was responsible for providing initial training to ships of the Fleet and keeping them abreast of new developments. He excelled in this assignment and received Navy Distinguished Service Medal for his service.
caption: Bryant (left) and Captain Charles A. Baker, Commanding Officer, USS Texas on board Texas with a German 240mm (9.4) dud shell that hit the ship during the bombardment of Battery Hamburg, east of Cherbourg, France, on June 25, 1944.
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