Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Sean Spratt | D-Day veterans listen during the Utah Beach Memorial Ceremony in Normandy, France, June 4, 2016. More than 380 service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units are participating in the 72nd anniversary as part of Joint Task Force D-Day 72. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sean Spratt) see less
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By MC1 Sean Spratt, U.S. Navy Public Affairs
UTAH BEACH, France – A ceremony commemorating the 72nd anniversary of D-Day was held in remembrance of the sacrifices of WWII veterans at the Federal Monument of the United States of America June 4, 2016.
D-Day veterans along with U.S., French and German soldiers were in attendance as ceremonial wreaths were laid at the base of the monument.
Quotes:
“Those brave men that hit this beach on that morning, and those survivors that stand before you today in this front row and the millions of others throughout the allied cause who served in support of them sacrificed more for our collective freedom than we can ever repay.”
- Gen. Mark Milley, chief of staff of the U.S. Army
Quick Facts
- The Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 was the largest amphibious landing in history.
- Operation Overlord was the code name given to the Allied invasion of northwest Europe.
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower added Utah Beach to Operation Overlord, so the Allies would be within striking distance of the port city of Cherbourg.
- Utah Beach was the code name given to the westernmost landing beach for the invasion of Normandy.
- The attack began at 6:30 a.m. and was comprised of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division and elements of naval demolition teams.
- U.S. forces landed 23,250 troops on Utah Beach.
- U.S. forces suffered 197 casualties and 60 missing.
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