Editorial: The valor of D-Day, 75 years later
Of all the words spoken and written about D-Day - the courageous Allied invasion through the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago today - the reflection by President Barack Obama 10 years ago may have captured its import most eloquently:
"It was unknowable then," Obama said, "but so much of the progress that would define the 20th century, on both sides of the Atlantic, came down to the battle for a slice of beach only six miles long and two miles wide."
As described in the National Archives and Records Administration, by May 1944, almost 2.9 million Allied troops were amassed in England, with an armada of 4,000 Allied ships and an air force of 1,200 planes.
On June 5, Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower made the decision to go. He hand-wrote a note taking responsibility for the decision to invade and accepting blame if the invasion were to end in failure.
He followed that with this Order of the Day for June 6, distributed the night before to the 175,000 expeditionary force:
"Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:
"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
"Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
"But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!
"I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
"Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
Seventy-five years later, we live in the freedom born from that valor and that sacrifice.
And we give thanks for those who delivered it.