After landing on the beaches of Normandy on the 8th of June, the 357th fought along with the rest of the 90th Division in their initial actions during the breakout from the landing beaches. One of the first major engagements for the 357th was at the small town of Beaucodray, as described in the 357th's Regimental History
"On the 5th, the 357th was committed and began its advance on Beau Coudray, a small town whose capture was to develop into one of the toughest engagements to the entire war. It was located forward of strategic high ground which dominated the entire area and served as a excellent observation post for the crack German paratroop defenders. The ensuing six days saw the type of slugfestwhich is so costly to both sides. The Germans had mined and registered in with mortar and artillery fire all the approaches to the town. Any movement brought down pulverizing barrages, and any coordinated assault was invariably followed by savage enemy counter-thrusts. Often the assaulting troops found themselves face to face with counterattacking enemy armor and infantry before they had had time to consolidate their gains and prepare any type of defense. During the 6th and 7th when the enemy launched a series of particularly heavy counterattacks which almost succeeded in carrying through to the rear areas, the mortar platoon of Company “M” alone fired over 6000 rounds of ammunition. Cooks, drivers, anti-tank and service personnel were organized into a provisional company and put into the line to plug up gaps between the seriously depleted battalions. By dark of the 7th, the combined remnants of companies “C” and “K” had repulsed a total of 14 counterattacks supported by tanks during the day. Hand to hand fighting was raging in the “I” and “L” Company areas. These companies were surrounded and cut off from the rear and were being attacked from all sides. Lack of ammunition finally forced the surrender of the major part of these units."