Théoule-sur-Mer, France (NNS) – Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) participated in numerous events in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Operation Dragoon during a scheduled port visit in Théoule-sur-Mer, France, August 14, 2019.
Operation Dragoon, known as the “Forgotten Invasion,” was the Allied landings in southern France on August 15, 1944. A total of 450,000 sailors and soldiers participated and removed German forces and immediately liberated Marseille and Toulon. Casualties included 3,000 American service members and 10,000 French service members. Allied forces included: US, UK, Canada, Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa, and Madagascar.
“As a modern naval warfighter, it is important to remember those who came before us,” said Cmdr. Kelley T. Jones, the commanding officer of Donald Cook. “Along with our allies here in France, we remember the sacrifices they gave for the liberation of Marseille and Toulon.”
Donald Cook Sailors performed an at-sea wreath laying ceremony and participated in a parade in commemoration. Operation Dragoon remains a historic reminder of how the dedicated resolve of allies with a common purpose and shared vision builds proven partnerships that endure.
“Our relationship with our allies shows our dedication to and enduring partnership,” said Cmdr. Jones. “France is a country with a long history of partnership with the U.S., and that partnership lead to liberation and will lead to future cooperation between us.”
The U.S. Navy participates in this important ceremony every year. USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) visited Théoule-sur-Mer in August 2014 to participate in the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Operation Dragoon, which led to the liberation of southern France by Allied forces during World War II.
This is Donald Cook’s ninth forward-deployed naval forces patrol since arriving at Naval Station Rota, Spain, in February 2014.
While on patrol, Donald Cook is scheduled to continue naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa.
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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| Date Taken: | 08.15.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2019 06:26 |
| Story ID: | 336150 |
| Location: | THEOULE-SUR-MER, FR |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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