"At the core, the American citizen soldiers knew the difference between right and wrong, and they didn't want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So, they fought, and won, and we, all of us, living and yet to be born, must be forever profoundly grateful."
--Stephen Ambrose, author of the books “D-Day” and “Band of Brothers”
General Eisenhower giving a pre-invasion prep-talk to 101st Airborne Paratroopers
Today marks the 81st Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. "Operation Overlord," its code name, was the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. The invasion was conducted in two main phases - an airborne (paratroop) assault and amphibious landings. Shortly after midnight on the 6th of June, over 18,000 Allied paratroopers were dropped into the invasion area to provide support for infantrymen who would soon come ashore on a 50-mile stretch of Normandy's coast. Ground troops landed across five assault beaches - Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. Naval forces were responsible for escorting and landing over 132,000 ground troops on these beaches. Almost 7,000 ships and boats were needed to accomplish this task. Naval combat ships also provided artillery support for the invading troops. By the end of the day, the Allies had established a foothold along the coast and could begin their advance into France. The Allies suffered over 10,300 total casualties (killed, wounded, or missing), of which approximately 2,400 were on Omaha Beach. Overlord didn't bring an end to the war in Europe; it did open a "second front" and began a costly and long campaign in northwest Europe that would ultimately lead to the demise of Hitler's Third Reich.
Images Courtesy of The National WWII Museum
One of Framingham’s finest distinguished himself on Omaha Beach. Robert M. Irvine was raised on Linden Street. He was a graduate of Framingham High School (FHS). Following FHS, he attended the University of Maine. He graduated in 1941 and was shortly thereafter commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and assigned to the storied First Infantry Division (the “Big Red One"). With the “Big Red One,” he first fought in the Tunisian Campaign (November 1942-May 1943). He commanded an infantry company (approximately 200 men) in the Battle of Sicily (July 1943-August 1943) where he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. On D-Day (06 June 1944), he was again a Company Commander. On Omaha Beach, he won a Silver Star for gallantry and was again wounded. He went on to win a Bronze Star for bravery and two additional Purple Hearts (for a total of four) as he and the First made their way across Europe. Following the war, he dedicated himself to teaching secondary school, mostly in Vermont.
Silver Star
Purple Heart
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