A WWII memorial in Graignes, France

The worst misdrop on D-Day happened to the Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. They were to be dropped near Amfreville, France, but ended up 18 miles southeast, in a town called Graignes. Behind enemy lines and unsure of the situation, the leadership made a decision to stay were they were and defend that land. As luck would have it, the 170 Soldiers and 10 Officers landed in the mayor’s field. A town meeting was held and all decided they would rally with the Soldiers and provide support in the form of food, water, shelter and even their own lives for the defense of their town against the Germans. On June 5, 2015, service members with Joint Task Force D-Day 71 took part in a ceremony in Graignes, France, to honor the lives of all lost during the battle that waged here June 6-12, 1944. The 507th PIR was represented, as well as the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), Commander, Naval Forces Europe, and the Dutch Army and Band. Over 380 service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units are participating in the 71st anniversary as part of JTF D-Day 71. The Task Force, based in Saint Mere Eglise, France, is supporting local events across Normandy, from June 2-8, 2015 to commemorate the selfless actions by all the allies on D-Day that continue to resonate 71 years later. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Saska Ball, USACAPOC(A) PAO)