hubner is thinking ahead. by the time they are in the position of going ashore, you have been crosstrained. you are a mortar gunner, and you know the loader's job. you are a squad leader, you need to know the platoon leader's job. might expect, many of the veterans resented getting the honor of going in. why is the big red one chosen? it is a successful unit with a lot of combat experience. it was one of only two divisions that general bradley, the , thatan ground commander had any combat experience at his disposal. he would later say i cannot spare the first division. they knew going in that omaha beach was going to be a tough not to crack because of the terrain and minds and obstacles -- mines and obstacles. 29th's role is a little more culturally famous because it is portrayed in saving private ryan. it is in the longest day and whatnot. the first division felt it would have been nice to have someone else have the honor of doing this, but it is what it is. there is a little sad back story to this. there was