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France Honors Liberators Who Landed at Normandy 80 Years Ago

On June 6, 1944, D-Day, Allied forces landed on Utah, Omaha, Juneau, Gold and Sword beaches in Normandy, France, to roll back German occupation. Today, monuments, museums and memorabilia at those beaches honor those liberators. 

A black and white photo shows military gear and people on a beach.
Utah Beach
Some captured German soldiers can be seen in a historic photo of Utah Beach in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Photo By: Army
VIRIN: 440606-O-D0439-002Y

U.S. forces landed on Utah Beach, where a number of German prisoners were captured. Today, Utah Beach looks serene.  

A few people walk on a beach,
Utah Beach
People walk along Utah Beach in Normandy, France, May 3, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240503-D-UB488-003Y

U.S. forces also landed on Omaha Beach. Today's calm belies the bloody battle that took place there.  

A black and white photo shows military gear and people on a beach.
Normandy Invasion
A historic photo shows Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Photo By: Navy
VIRIN: 440606-O-D0439-001Z
Shallow water pools on a sandy beach.
Omaha Beach
A photo shows a desolate patch of Omaha Beach Normandy, France, May 4, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240504-D-UB488-003Y

German fortifications, like this one, can still be found on Utah Beach, as can statues of the U.S. soldiers who went ashore on D-Day.  

An old fortification juts above the landscape.
Utah Beach
A German fortification from World War II can still be seen on on Utah Beach, Normandy, France, May 3, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240503-D-UB488-001Y

A statue of a sailor stands on a beach.
The Lone Sailor
“The Lone Sailor” memorial to U.S. sailors on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, commemorates the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944. This photo was taken May 3, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240503-D-UB488-006Y
Statue of a kneeling service member on a beach.
Utah Beach
A memorial on Utah Beach in Normandy, France, honors all who fought on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Behind the statue is a Higgins boat, which carried soldiers ashore. This photo was taken May 3, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240503-D-UB488-005Y

A statue of a uniformed service member holding a weapon stands between a U.S. flag and a French flag.
Utah Beach
A statue of Army Maj. Richard D. Winters of the 101st Airborne Division stands at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, near Utah Beach in Normandy, France. A placard on the statue reads, “Dedicated to all who led the way on D-Day.” Winters survived the war and died in 2011.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240503-D-UB488-004Y

U.S. military vehicles from World War II are still in use by Omaha Beach residents; cannons are on display, and memorials dot the landscape.  

People sit inside an old military vehicle.
Omaha Beach
U.S. military vehicles from World War II are often rented by tourists at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France, May 4, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240504-D-UB488-004Y
A cannon is parked outside on a grassy area.
Omaha Beach
A British-made 4-inch caliber Vickers cannon was found in the water off Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, in May 2014. The ship carrying it was sunk after striking a mine during World War II. This photo was taken May 4, 2024, at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240504-D-UB488-005Y
A D-Day memorial at a beach.
Omaha Beach
A memorial at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, honors all Allied forces who landed in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. This photo was taken May 4, 2024.
Photo By: David Vergun, DOD
VIRIN: 240504-D-UB488-006Y

Displays at the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mere-Eglise honor U.S. forces who went ashore at Utah Beach. 

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