 Because sea conditions were so rough , the decision was made for the 116th RCT to carry the DD tanks of the 743rd tank battalion all the way to the beach , after 27 of the initial 29 DD tanks of the 741st tank battalion swamped while wading to shore . Coming in opposite the heavily defended Vierville draw , Company B of the 743rd Tank Battalion lost all but one of its officers and half of its DD tanks . The other two companies landed to the left of B / 743 without initial loss . On the 16th RCT front , the two DD tanks from the 741st tank battalion that had survived the swim ashore were joined by three others that were landed directly onto the beach because of their LCT 's damaged ramp . The remaining tank company managed to land 14 of its 16 tanks ( although three of these were quickly knocked out ) . 
