D-Day: A Turning Point for World War II

Sixteen days after D-Day, President Roosevelt signed the “GI Bill of Rights” into law. This stated that education and training benefits were required to be given to soldiers, to thank them for their help. According to the Daily Freeman, Jack Schlegal was a paratrooper in the Normandy invasion. A street is named in his honor. He also received a Purple Heart (a purple heart is given to soldiers wounded in battle).

More than sixty years after the attack, the French government honors him again. He received a letter saying that he has been named a knight of the French Legion of Honor. The letter said,

“This award testifies to the President of the French Republic’s high esteem for your merits and accomplishments. In particular, it is a sign of France’s true and unforgettable gratitude and appreciation for your personal, precious contribution to the United States’ decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II. The French people will never forget your courage and your devotion to the great cause of freedom.”

A ceremony is planned for him to receive this great honor. Jack himself commented, “It’s the highest honor a combat veteran can get. I feel that I am receiving this for every single guy I served with.” On June 6, 2004, King Harald V of Norway, President Vladimir of Russia, President Bush with First Lady Laura Bush, Queen Elisabeth II with Prince Phillip of England, and President Jacques Chirac with First Lady Bernadette Chirac of France honored veterans from D-Day. President Bush went to the cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. In that cemetery, 9,387 American troops are buried. A twenty-one-gun salute was given at Omaha Beach, because it was the spot of the worst battle of all five beaches. A veteran from the battle commanded it. President Chirac thanked President Bush for the sacrifices our country made to help defeat Adolf Hitler. President Chirac said,

“France will never forget. It will never forget those men who made the supreme sacrifice to liberate our soil, our native land, our continent, from the yoke of Nazi barbarity and it’s murderous folly. Nor will it ever forget it’s debt to America, it’s everlasting friend.”

President Bush replied, “Our great alliance of freedom is strong, and it is still needed today. America would do it again for our friends.” Fourteen veterans were honored with the French Legion of Honor reward. Soldiers from fourteen countries, including the six Allie countries, numbering 1,300, marched to their national anthems. Planes from six countries, which were America, Belgium, Britain, Holland, Norway, and France, flew overhead. The dead were also honored. It is estimated that between 2,500 and 5,000 died. James Coleman stated that, “It’s gratifying that people remember.”

The effects of D-Day are amazing, because France was freed and Americans were able to get closer to Germany. It helped the Allied forces eventually attack, and ultimately takeover, Germany. Without D-day the war may have turned out differently. This day was very important in our history. It saved the lives of many French people. Veterans should be more honored then they are, because of their amazing sacrifice. Who knows? Maybe than Hitler would have conquered the world if those brave men and women hadn’t sacrificed their lives for the freedom of America, for the freedom of France, and for the freedom of the countries oppressed by Adolf Hitler. June 6, 1944: a major turning point for World War II.