WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio - The 75th anniversary of D-Day was commemorated June 6 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with a host of activities and D-Day and World War II veterans participating.
A wreath laying ceremony in the museum’s Memorial Park, preceded by a flyover of a pair of C-47 transport aircraft, kicked off the remembrance of the sacrifices made on June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France, site of the largest amphibious assault in history.
“Today we are gathered to honor the courage and sacrifice of the heroes who 75 years ago today blazed a path to victory in Europe,” said Maj. Gen. Carl Schaefer, deputy commander, Air Force Materiel Command. “Today we are honored to have D-Day and World War II veterans with their own stories.”
Air power was instrumental to D-Day’s success, he said.
“Through relentless determination and fierce combat over the skies of Europe, heavy bombers, transport, reconnaissance and fighter aircraft from the Army Air Corps broke the back of the German Luftwaffe, degrading its ability to strike Allied aircraft the morning of June 6, 1944,” Schaefer said. “The missions those Airmen flew in defense of freedom laid the foundation for the United States military of today, tomorrow and beyond.”
Much is owed to the men and women who gave their all, he said.
“Our nation is forever indebted to the 156,000 Allied for troops who sacrificed their youth, their time, and in many cases, their lives 75 years ago today as America led the charge for victory in Europe,” Shaefer said. “We can never repay them for their contributions, but I promise this: As long as the United States of America stands tall for all the world to see, so too will our values of freedom, equality and justice.”
David Tillotson III, NMUSAF director, pointed to the 13,000 members of airborne forces who fought on D-Day, almost half of whom became casualties.
“As you walk through the Memorial Park today, you will find more than 60 monuments and plaques we have marked with a D-Day symbol. Those honor just a few of the thousands who served on that vital mission. Take a moment and remember them. Think about all that took place that day,” he said.
D-Day veterans honored during the ceremony were:
- Marion Adams, a Navy Radioman, 1st Class (RM1c) on the USS LST-491. His ship landed at both Utah and Omaha Beach on D-Day, bringing in the 327th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne.
- Lawson Adkins, who landed on Normandy beaches transporting supplies to the front by truck, returned to the transport with the wounded.
- Robert Six, a Fire Control 2nd Class on the USS Corry, range finder lead destroyer at Utah Beach during the D-Day invasion. The Corry was bombed and Six spent six months in the hospital. He then was assigned to another ship in the South Pacific.
- Charles Henry. On D-Day, Charles was on the Navy destroyer USS New Jersey as a gunner.
Other WWII veterans present included Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jack Hampshire, a P-51 pilot; Gailard “Red” Ketcham, a B-17 ball turret gunner; and Baylor Kirk, a Navy Electrician Mate 3d Class; and Albert Varhola, a Merchant Marine aboard the U.S. Army Transport Ship Goethals, which delivered combat troops to support the 1943 allied campaigns in North Africa and Italy, as well as Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Having the presence of such veterans was very meaningful, said Jeff Duford, NMUSAF curator.
“The 75th anniversary is a significant milestone. It’s important to the country, it’s important to the Air Force but in many ways this is likely the last anniversary we will have D-Day veterans with us,” he said, “so it’s incredibly important that we show our deep and everlasting gratitude for what they did.”
Attending the ceremony was Allan Bardos, a retired C-141 crew chief who traveled from Memphis, Tennessee, to take in the commemoration.
“I had to come up for the 75th anniversary; I had family members who were involved,” he said. “We need to remember what we owe these people.”
Michael Staton, an Army veteran from Celina, was one of the Living History reenactors portraying the 101st Airborne Division, 502 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, B Company. His father served in World War II.
“The World War II veterans will tell you they are not heroes; obviously they are,” he said. “They were ordinary people who stepped up during extraordinary circumstances. They did what they had to do. Now they are here to make sure we don’t forget those who didn’t make it.”