MILITARY HISTORY TRAVELER

Article courtesy of American Airlines FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines proudly announces a historic endeavor to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. On May 31, American will fly 70 World War II veterans to France on a donated charter flight to honor them for their service and sacrifice. "We’re honored to play a part...

Charles Norman Shay: Hero of D-Day Unlike many divisions landing on D-Day on June 6, 1944, the U.S. First Infantry Division, nicknamed The Big Red One, was a battle-tested formation that had seen action in North Africa and Sicily. The Big Red One landed in North Africa in November 1942 as part of Operation Torch. In July...

Benjamin Berry, now 100 and living in Germantown, Pennsylvania, was a gung-ho teenager when he entered the U.S. Army during World War II, serving from 1943 to 1945. According to a 2024 article in the Chestnut Hill Local, written by Kristin Holmes, Berry grew up in the Crestmont section of Willow Grove. He graduated from Abington High...

Photo and article courtesy of Michelin. GREENVILLE, S.C., April 15, 2024 – Michelin North America, Inc., has partnered with the Best Defense Foundation and Delta Air Lines to arrange for 60 World War II veterans to return to Normandy, France, for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. “Michelin is honored to support this emotional milestone journey for World War II heroes,”...

While considered hallowed ground in many countries, the historic D-Day landing beaches in Normandy, France, have not been seriously considered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site...until now. Published reports indicate that the landing sites--Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword are being considered. Even though it is considered one of the largest, if not largest, World War II seaborne invasion...

Fourth in a series VII The 16th RCT was scheduled to come ashore at the same hour on the adjacent Easy Red, Fox Green and Fox Red sectors to the east. The earlier combat experience of many of the GIs in the Big Red One was of little help as their landing craft came under heavy fire. The boat carrying the...

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 soldiers from the United States and other allied nations invaded the coast of France to overthrow the Nazi regime. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of this historic event, questions still surround that day’s carnage, particularly at Omaha Beach. U.S. Army commander Gen. Omar Bradley, who could only imagine the death and destruction on...

Photos and video courtesy of Delta Airlines. From a Delta Airlines Press Release: For the third year in a row, Delta Air Lines is honored to fly 60 World War II veterans back to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that catalyzed the war’s end – marking only the third time a U.S. passenger airline will fly...

From a BAE Systems press release: Construction of a new visitors’ pavilion to commemorate the D-Day landings has begun in Normandy, France, following a £600,000 donation from BAE Systems. The new facility, called ‘The Winston Churchill Centre for Learning and Education’, is being built on the site of the British Normandy Memorial. It will open later this year to mark the...

Eating in Normandy… After reading Part I, you have landed in France, rented a car at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, have driven to Bayeux (stopping in Giverny), checked into your hotel or AirBNB. Now you are hungry and thirsty. Eating in France, particularly Normandy, that’s a big category — and in Bayeux, you have many options along Rue Larchee, on the same street...