WASHINGTON – Ahead of today’s 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Senate passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and John Boozman (R-Ark.) commemorating the historic operation and honoring the U.S. Armed Forces and Allied troops responsible for carrying out the unprecedented maneuver that proved decisive in securing victory against Nazi Germany in World War II. Senators Coons and Boozman are Co-Chairs of the Senate French Caucus.
“The Normandy landings were more than a battle in World War II – they were a turning point in history when thousands of Allied soldiers gave their lives to help freedom and democracy triumph over fascism and darkness,” said Senator Coons. “Eighty years later, the Senate is proud to remember and honor the heroism and incredible bravery of those men who stormed the beaches of Normandy and began the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi oppression.”
“It is our duty to recognize the service and sacrifice of the Allied forces members who helped turn the tide of World War II and free Western Europe from Nazi occupation,” said Senator Boozman. “We will never forget the courage and heroism of those who took part in D-Day, including the thousands of individuals who gave their lives in support of this mission. I’m grateful the Senate approved the resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion so we can pay tribute to the brave members of the Greatest Generation who changed the course of history.”
In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, 31,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces and 153,000 of their counterparts in the Allied Expeditionary Force launched Operation Overlord by storming five landing areas on the beaches of Normandy, France. The first day of the operation, which became known as D-Day, saw approximately 10,000 Allied soldiers wounded or killed, including 6,000 Americans. Operation Overlord led to the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany and an end to World War II.
Click here to read the resolution.