"Jiggs" presented with the Presidental Unit Citation on September 27, 1944

"Rear Admiral C. H. Cotter, Pacific Budocks Director, made a trip to the Mirianas to personally present the Presidential Unit Citation to Edward E. Weston, BM1c, of Anna, Illinois. Weston earned the Citation in the invasion of Normandy, as a member of a crack Seebee demolition unit."

The Citations reads: "For outstanding performance in combat during the invasion of Normandy, June 6th, 1944. Determined and zealous in the fullfillment of an extremely hazardous mission, the Navy Combat Demolition Unit of Force "O" landed on the "Omaha Beach" with the first wave under devastating enemy artillery, machine-gun and sniper fire. With practically all explosives lost and with their force seriously depleted by heavy casualties, the remaining officers and men carried on gallantly, salvaging explosives as they were swept ashore and in some instances commandereering bulldozers to remove obstacles. In spite of these grave handicaps, the Demolition Crews succeeded initially in blasting five gaps through enemy obstacles for the passage of assault forces to the Normandy shore and within two days had sapped over 85 percent of the "Omaha Beach" area of German placed traps. Valiant in the force of grave danger and persistantly aggressive against fierce resistance, the Navy Combat Demolition Unit rendered daring and self-sacrificing service in the performance of a vital mission, thereby sustaining the high traditions of the United States Naval Service."

(This demoltion unit substained 53% casualties in the Normandy Invasion.)

OUR STODDARD FAMILY

The STODDARD arms are: Sable three estoiles and bordure gules
The STODDARD Crest is: A ducal coronet and a demi-horse salient ermine
The STODDARD Family Motto is: "Festina lente", translated is "Act in haste, but do not hurry".
During this time in history, many military leaders made decisions without thinking through the consequences of their actions. Our family choose this motto to remind others that although quick action was often required, those actions must be/should be sound and represent the best strategy for the present challenge.



The name of Stoddard is derived from the office of standard bearer and was orginally written as "de la Standard".
William Stoddard, a knight and standard bearer, came in the train of his cousin, William the Conqueror, during the Norman invasion of England about 1066.
William Stoddard and his family prospered. His descendant, Ruckard Stoddard, owned an estate of four hundred acres in Kent, only seven miles from the London Bridge. That estate remained in the family until the death of Nicholas Stoddard, a bachelor, in 1765.
Our direct ancestor, John M. Stoddard was born in England in 1620. He and his wife, Mary Foote, are listed in the history of Wethersfield, Connecticut as early settlers.
We have many prominent military and naval officers in this family line in England and the United States.
One member of this family, Luther Stoddard, served in the revoluntionary war.
Luther entered the war as a young lieutenant; he was promoted to captain and raised one of the first "Light Horse" companies. Luther later served in the 6th Company, Connecticut Battalion. He was promoted to major and served there until the end of the war.


Luther Stoddard is Christine's 4th great-grandfather.