D-Day

Today is the 81st anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of France.

The invasion force included over 7,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft. Approximately 129,400 soldiers landed at 5 beaches along a 50 mile stretch of the Normandy coast. Nearly 24,000 airborne paratroopers landed inland from the beaches. By the end of the day, 2,501 Americans were dead and thousands more were wounded.

At least 5 Edison Heroes were involved in the invasion.

Walter T. Anderson was a tank commander who landed on Utah Beach and was killed in action on 8Jun1944.

Paul Raupach was a paratrooper who parachuted into Normandy and was killed in action on 8Jun1944.

Casimir Karbowniczak was a paratrooper who parachuted into Normandy and was killed in action on 19Jun1944.

Roger Nielsen was a fighter pilot who supported the landings on D-day and was killed in action on 18Jun1944.

William Mueller was a fighter pilot who supported the landings on D-day and was killed in action on 18Jul1944.