WIESBADEN, Germany —
The U.S. military will honor the legacy of D-Day, also known as Operation Overlord, during the 81st anniversary commemoration June 3-8 in Normandy, France. Events will pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for freedom in World War II.
“We commemorate D-Day to remember the courage and sacrifice of those Americans who fought here, to remind successive generations of the cost of freedom and the strength that comes from tremendous purpose,” said Gen. Christopher T. Donahue, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF). “The men and women who wear our Nation's uniform are the inheritors of this legacy, we carry it forward into everything we do and it is the standard to which we must aspire.”
More than 600 U.S. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from roughly 17 units historically linked to D-Day make up Joint Task Force 81 and will participate in over 90 commemorative events throughout the Normandy region.
Key events include a ceremony on June 5 to posthumously award a congressionally-approved distinguished service cross to a WWII hero from the 82nd Airborne, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Owens, for his actions at the La Fiere causeway; a U.S.-hosted ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery on June 6 and a commemorative airborne operation on June 8, 2025.
The Allied invasion of Normandy remains the largest multinational amphibious assault in history and one of the largest airborne operations in history, a turning point that marked the beginning of the end of WWII in Europe.
For more information, please visit the USAREUR-AF D-Day 81 website at https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/DDay. For questions and media RSVPs, please send an email to D-DayMedia@army.mil.