D-Day Veterans - The Price of Peace
75 years after the the largest amphibious invasion in history, the few remaining American veterans of the D-Day landings can still recall the horrific invasion that ultimately led to the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation and the end of World War II. More than 156,000 troops were launched by sea and air on June 6th 1944, those alive today are still haunted. 75 years later it’s impossible to imagine the horror of that day, the personal memories of soldiers' sacrifices and the emotional cost of surviving engraved on their faces, the price of peace.
"We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each others children".
39th American President Jimmy Carter
American World War II and D-Day veteran Raymond Wallace (94 yrs old), a D-Day Veteran from Pennsylvania, a member of the 507th PIR 82nd Airborne Division.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Loren Kissick (94 yrs old), from Washington State, U.S. Army, 83rd Infantry Division, 483rd Automatic Weapon Battalion Machine gunner on half track.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Loren Kissick (94 yrs old), from Washington State, U.S. Army, 83rd Infantry Division, 483rd Automatic Weapon Battalion Machine gunner on half track.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Harold Himmelsbach (94 yrs old), 9th USAAF, 123rd Quartermaster Truck Company Aviation. His job was hauling the landing mats for the first fighter strip in Normandy, called A-1, which was the airstrip between Omaha Beach and Point du Hoc. He was on a ship on June 6, 1944. Following Normandy, he was in the U.S. Army 110th Infantry Division fighting through France and Germany.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Dennis Thompson (96 yrs old), a former B-24 and B-17 bomber pilot, who flew over 30 missions, including on D-Day.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Clifford Stump (95 yrs old), from Texas, a former member of the 82 Airbourne Division who dropped in behind enemy lines of June 6th 1944.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Willard LaCounte (96 yrs old), from Montana, a former member of the 118th anti aircraft division attached to the 9th Air Corps who landed at Omaha beach of June 6th 1944. Willard broke his hip on the journey to France to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and was realised from hospital in Cherbourg on a day release to join the small number of veterans to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6th 2019, 44 hrs after having a hip replacement!
American World War II veteran Ernie Lamson (97 yrs old), from Minnesota, A Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Joe Reily (98 yrs old), from Wisconsin, a member of the 101st Airbourne 501 division who landed at Utah beach.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Stan Friday (95 yrs old), from Pennsylvania, U.S. Army, 80th Infantry Division - scout, who landed on Utah beach. Stan fought through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria, including many night missions and was awarded the Bronze Star.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Joe Scida (97 yrs old), from Pennsylvania, a member of the Amphibious division who landed at Omaha beach.
American World War II and D-Day veteran Floyd Wigfield (101 yrs old), from Maryland, a former member of the 22nd Infantry 4th Division, who landed on Utah Beach on D-Day.
American World War II and veteran K.T Robbins (98 yrs old), from Mississippi, a former member of the U.S. Army, 95th Quartermaster Bakery Battalion.