With him were soldiers from the US Army's 1st Infantry Division, cold and soaked from the choppy waters.
It is one of the most widely reproduced photos from the Normandy landings, which laid the foundation for the Allied defeat of Germany in World War II.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in history.
There were many Allied casualties that day — around 4,440 Allied troops were confirmed dead, according to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, with more than 5,800 troops wounded or missing.
"The coast of France this morning was certainly no photographer's party," he told Winship.
Persons:
Robert F, Sargent, Higgins, Thomas Winship, Samuel Chase, Winship
Organizations:
US Coast Guard, US Army's 1st Infantry Division, Coast Guard Combat, Commission, Allies
Locations:
Normandy, France, Germany