62 years ago

D-Day

The 82nd Airborne was there too-

While the 82nd was in England, a decision was made to add a parachute regiment to the airborne divisions for the upcoming invasion of Normandy. With the 504th still in Italy, two regiments were needed. The 2nd Airborne Brigade, containing the 507th and 508th Parachute Infantry Regiments, was sent from Fort Bragg to join the Division. Early in the morning of 6 June 1944, the 505th, 507th, and 508th, along with artillery and engineers, parachuted into Normandy to being Operation NEPTUNE, the assault phase of OVERLORD. The mission of the Division was to seize the town of St. Mere Eglise and crossings over the Merderet River. By dawn, the 505th had secured St. Mere Eglise and a bridge over the Merderet at La Fiere. Gliders carrying the 325th and antitank guns began to arrive and join the fighting. Some of the heaviest fighting occurred on 9 June as the Division seized the causeway at La Fiere. During the action, PFC Charles DeGlopper of C Company, 325th GIR, earned the Medal of Honor. The 82nd continued fighting in Normandy for 33 days, leading the Allied advance west across the base of the Cotentin Peninsula. The Division earned the Presidential Unit Citation, two French Croix de Guerre, and the French Fourragere of the Croix de Guerre. The 82nd was relieved in Normany on 8 July and returned to England to prepare for future airborne operations.
from-82nd Airborne Division History

as was the 407th BSB-

When the Division went into Normandy, the 407th arrived there with the glider forces and the seaborne forces. The 407th also participated in the glider assault into Holland. For these two operations, the 407th is credited with two arrowheads (initial assault) on its battle streamers.
from 407th BSB History

UPDATE- I love when new people comment and I get to see their blogs. Check out the D-Day entry on Cop the Truth. Also, here's BLACKFIVE's roundup of D-Day posts.

Tags-D-Day