Army troops wade ashore on "Omaha" Beach during the "D-Day" landings. They were brought to the beach by a Coast Guard manned LCVP. (June 6, 1944)

This day in 1944, 160,000 Allied troops hit the sands on a 50-mile long stretch of sand in Normandy, France. The operation was supported by nearly 13,000 aircraft (close to 9,000 of those American), and more than 5,000 ships.

9,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded.

U.S. Army divisions involved in the ground assault were:
1st Infantry Division (The Big Red One)
2nd Infantry Division
4th Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division
8th Infantry Division
9th Infantry Division
28th Infantry Division
29th Infantry Division
30th Infantry Division
35th Infantry Division
79th Infantry Division
83rd Infantry Division
90th Infantry Division
2nd Armored Division
3rd Armored Division
4th Armored Division
6th Armored Division
82nd Airborne Division
For a detailed list of all involved units, go here

The U.S. Navy, in Operation Overlord, participated in the largest amphibious landing in history. Allied Naval forces did more than just transport troops -

- Minesweepers combed the waters for anti-ship mines.

- "Frogmen" - demolition swimmers - swam ashore in order to destroy obstacles that would harm landing craft.

- Transports carried troops to the pre-landing area, and landing craft took them to the beaches.

- Cruisers, Destroyers, and Battleships bombarded German fortifications.

- Naval beach battalions braved fire to handle logistics and tend to the wounded.

The U.S. Air Force was multi-tasking, too:

- The 8th U.S. Air Force deployed 1,729 bombers, dropping 3,596 tons of bombs. It suffered three losses.

- Heavy bombers also struck choke points near the beaches.

- 900 aircraft, and 100 gliders, dropped the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions behind enemy lines.

- Forward air controllers landed with U.S. Army Infantry units in order to direct bombers.

- 8th and 9th Air Force p-38's provided air cover for convoys approaching the beaches.

- B-26's and fighters attacked transporation targets and airfields, and supported heavy bombers attacking the shore defenses.

U.S. Marines were there - although perhaps not as big a part of common knowledge, U.S. Marine officers helped in the planning stages of the invasion, and they did a few other things, too.

And the U.S. Coast Guard? They participated as well. 4 US Coast Guard landing craft (LCI's) were destroyed on D-Day. They helped to land the Big Red One on Omaha beach. Four Coast Guard-manned LST's carried British troops and equipment to Juno, Sword, and Gold beaches.

Links
D-Day - General information
The National D-Day Memorial Foundation
Survivors Share Memories Of D-Day
The National D-Day Museum

Army
D-Day

Air Force
USAAF Chronology - D-Day
The United States Army Air Forces in WWII - D-Day
The Mighty Eighth

Navy
Navy Art Gallery Exhibit - The Normandy Invasion
D-Day Information at the Naval Historical Center

Marines
GyG's Old Corps Legends, Myths, etc.

U.S. Coast Guard
The U.S. Coast Guard at Normandy

D-Day on the Blogs
Blackfive
Echo9er (with a list of links)
Soldiers' Angels Germany
Arrggghhhh!!!

Must-See WWII Movies:
The Big Red One
The Guns of Navarrone
Saving Private Ryan
The Dirty Dozen
Memphis Belle
Band of Brothers
Patton
The Great Raid
The Great Escape


Must-Read WWII Books
by Gerald Astor

"The Greatest War, Volume I - From Pearl Harbor to the Kasserine Pass"
"The Greatest War, Volume II - D-Day and the Assault on Europe"
"The Greatest War, Volume III - The Battle of the Bulge to Hiroshima"

Also out now is "Beyond Band of Brothers" by Major Dick Winters

Please add your book / movie suggestions / links in the comments section!

Sergeant H is an Army Veteran and musician, who has several songs available for perusing at his site. Sgt. H served, among other places, in Somalia in 1993 - the "Blackhawk Down" period. From his site:

During his 16 years on active duty, he continued to be promoted within the sergeants ranks with his highest grade being that of Sergeant First Class and served in various increasingly responsible positions to include, infantry squad leader, platoon sergeant, company acting 1st sergeant, S2 NCOIC and operations sergeant.

Give a listen - you can order a CD there, too. Picked mine up this morning.

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Susan Wiseman - a Christian musician who has two songs on her site that were inspired by her son, David, an Army Hero. Her music is largely instrumental, new age-ish, but also includes vocals. Visit her site here, and look for "It is the Soldier" and "I Can't Wait ('Til You Come Home to Me)"

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Also, you've likely seen my posts about Cliff Knizley, who's CD "Letters to Baghdad: A Tribute to Our Troops" had me crying in my Christmas cookie batter. News from Cliff is that he's extended a buy-two-get-one-free special on "Letters to Baghdad" that's running until July 4th. He had previously offered a special for Soldiers' Angels, and now he's opened a great deal up to everyone - no ordering code necessary. Just make an online purchase, and Cliff will take care of the rest. It's a great opportunity to pick up a great CD. Got dial-up? No worries - Cliff's got a non-Flash (HTML) version of the site, too.

And Cliff's not gathering any moss, either - when he's not touring, or recording, he's skewering Moonbats:

Bursting the liberal bubble

By CLIFFORD KNIZLEY

Special to the Sun
June 05. 2006 6:01AM

Richard Burt's May 21 Speaking Out titled "Bush is the ultimate Nihilist" is the latest installment in a series emanating from the exalted halls of local academia. True to form it is full of inaccuracies, distortions and hyperbole.

A nihilist rejects traditional values and morals. Apparently for Professor Burt a nihilist is one who doesn't think like him...

Read the Rest here

Pfc. Shayne Sanderson, from the 1st Armored Division, peers through an M-4 carbine scope while providing overwatch security in Tal Afar, Iraq. Photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob Bailey.

Friends,

I have some AWFUL news to report, and it requires us to take IMMEDIATE action.

One of the top talk radio stations in this nation, KFBK 1530 Sacramento - yes, the very same station that launched the Rush Limbaugh Show - has FIRED their pro-troop talk radio host, Mark Williams, and replaced him with a left-wing, anti-war radical.

The move is shocking, especially since Williams' show beat out his competition in the ratings, and especially since the liberal who is replacing Williams is a man who has announced his strong support for the tactic of having anti-war protestors target the funerals of military personnel.

Mark Williams in contrast helped lead, organized and then traveled with the "Voices of Soldiers" tour with Move America Forward to Iraq. He won a Mark Twain Journalism Award from the Associated Press for his incredible live reports from Iraq. Williams also helped to launch the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" caravan we led across the nation to
Crawford, Texas to rally support for our troops. Mark Williams has led and organized and promoted countless pro-troop rallies. Mark has helped us to send over 15 TONS of coffee and cookies to our troops. And there has been NO stronger voice for securing our borders then Mark Williams.

Mark has ALWAYS been there for our cause, and now we must stand up and speak out in his defense. I've been notified that military support groups have started a campaign to call, email and FAX the radio station and their parent company. It's time for all of us to stand side by side with these military families.

Here's what we need to do - we need to SPEAK UP. I need you to send an email, make a phone call and send a FAX. Let's light up the phone lines of KFBK and their parent company, Clear Channel, and let's tell them that we won't sit back and say nothing as they replace a pro-military talk show hosts with someone from the Air America crowd.

1) FIRST: Send an email to these people and let them know you are saddened by the news that Mark Williams has been fired and replaced with an anti-war liberal. I've also included the email addresses for 2 reporters covering this issue - include them on the same emails. We need them to hear our voices!

jeffholden@clearchannel.com
markpmays@clearchannel.com
apeterson@radioandrecords.com
smcmanis@sacbee.com

2) SECOND: Place a telephone call and politely and calmly state that you are calling to have them add your name to those who are disappointed with the decision by KFBK to fire pro-military talk show host, Mark Williams.

The number to call: (916) 576-2223

We need them to get TENS of THOUSANDS of phone calls. So, please, if the line is busy when you call, try back a few minutes later.

3) THIRD: Please also send a FAX and let the management at KFBK know how thoroughly displeased you are to see this station switch from being a proud sponsor of our troops and their mission, and becoming a mouthpiece for an anti-war, left-wing agenda.

The FAX number is: (916) 921-5555

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

...So, please let's get this information posted on all the military support group websites. If you have a pro-troop email list, perhaps you can send this out to them?

Thank you!

Melanie Morgan
Chairman, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org

Ospreys in flight
Two Air Force CV-22 Ospreys prepare to land at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., on Friday, May 26, 2006. These Osprey are two of only three in the Air Force inventory. The Ospreys and their crews are taking part in the filming of the movie, "Transformers." (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Russell Scalf)
Full Story

SECURITY DUTY —A convoy passes by U.S. Navy Seabees in a humvee as the Seabees provide security for a road repair project in Fallujah, Iraq, May 20, 2006. The Seabees, from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40, are providing support to multinational coalition forces throughout Iraq. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class John P. Curtis

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Gunmen kill 11 Iraqi students - Video
Kidnappers challenge new Iraq government

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Pilot Detained for Violating Airspace Over Washington
More arrests possible in Canada terrorism sweep
Islamic militia seizes Somalia's capital

Welcome Home!!
USS Oak Hill Returns Home From Deployment

Immigration / Border Control
Utah Guard unit patrols U.S.-Mexico border

Worldwide Wackos
Iran incentives to include Boeing parts: report
Abbas eyes referendum date as Hamas showdown looms - Video

Politics / Goverment
Bush Pushes Gay Nups Ban
Senate takes up gay-rights ban amid criticism - Video
House race highlights busy day of voting

In the Courts
Court to decide race in school admissions - Video

Hurricane Season
New Orleans finally resumes criminal jury trials

U.N. News
Security Council arrives in wary Sudan

Oddities
It's "Mandy" vs the hotrods

Other News of Note
Missing Texas Newborn Found Alive and Well
Cops take suspect into custody

Fox News
Famed Former MLB Umpire Eric Gregg Dies After Stroke
Cops Chase Bikini Slay Leads
Stocks to Watch: DSW
One Student Killed in California School Shooting
Wie Fails to Make U.S. Open
Report: Indy Massacre Victim Pulled Gun on Burglars
Space Center
Video Gaming Center

Reuters: Top News
US warns OAS about the "pied pipers of populism" - Video
"Planemos" could spawn mini-planetary systems
Sony to launch digital SLR in Japan in July
Intel eyeing sale of part of comms chips unit: report
Avoid canned tuna, magazine tells pregnant women
Older sperm becomes more defective: study
Proceeds from Pitt-Jolie baby pix to go to charity
Sandler loves fatherhood
Fed must be vigilant even as economy slows: Bernanke
BAA and Ferrovial agree on revised offer: sources
Intel eyeing sale of part of comms chips unit: report
Goldman Sachs-led group raises BAA offer -source
Carphone year profit up 36 pct, sees good prospects
Warner Music invests in Japan mobile services firm
Vonage shares rise but analysts say outlook bleak - Video
FDA allows MS drug Tysabri back on market
Bob Evans posts profit as costs fall
Escala Group in SEC probe, shares fall
US stocks tumble as Bernanke warns on inflation
Reuters Summit: Mining & Steel
Ten new U.S. nuclear plants expected
Kinross CEO: Very bullish on gold prices
Kinross: Rise in 2007 exploration budget
Powerscreener 3.0 - free 30 day trial!
Reuters Select Stock Screens

AP World News
S. Korea fails to get rail test with North
Judge promises life in prison for ex-cops
Dow finishes down almost 200 points
Brind'Amour's late goal lifts Hurricanes
Duke to bring back lacrosse team
Thai activists block elephant transport
Hingis reaches French Open quarterfinals

Military.com
DoD to Continue H-1 Program
New Army Manual Omits Part of Geneva Ban

CENTCOM: News Releases
6th IRAQI ARMY DETAINS 19 IN MORNING RAID

COALITION FORCES KILL WANTED TERRORIST, DETAIN ANOTHER

Department of Defense
Pace: World Recognizes Terrorist Threat - Story - Travels With Pace
Forces Kill, Capture Terrorists in Raids - Story
Decisions Reflect Values, Casey Tells Troops - Letter
Investigations Check 'Moral Compass'

ON THE GROUND
Afghan Troop Graduates With U.S. Soldiers - Story
New Clinic, Schools Open in Ethiopian Villages - Story - Photos
Eye Protection Saves Soldier From IED Blast - Story
Oil-Stained Mechanics Keep Infantry Moving - Story - On Assignment

IN IRAQ
Iraqi Training Proceeds in Anbar Province
Marine Adviser Builds Iraqi 'Super Company'
Soldiers See Army Success as 'Ticket Home'
Coalition Mission Delivers Meals to Sadr City

IN AFGHANISTAN
‘Lava Dogs’ Hand Off Ops to ‘Chosin Few’
Afghan Army, Coalition Celebrate New Bridge
Engineers Improve Bagram Pedestrian Route

FACE OF DEFENSE
Academy Javelin Star Breaks Records

AMERICA SUPPORTS YOU
Virginia Reservist Helps Troops - Story

TOP NEWS
IRAQ
Investigation Clears Forces
Allegations Don't Reflect Majority
U.S. Soldier Killed
Accident Kills Civilians
Iraqi Scouts Raid Car Bomb Cell
Renewal In Iraq
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Suicide Bomber Strikes in Kandahar
Bomb Maker Captured
Insurgents Bomb Yaqubi Bazaar
Symposium Topic: IEDs
Convoy Accident Incites Unrest
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Nordic Ambassadors Visit EUCOM
Rumsfeld Thanks Sailors for Service
Rumsfeld: Cooperation 'Critical'
Midshipmen Affirm Commitment
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualty - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut
An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1523 - Gustavus I becomes king of Sweden (Swedish National Day)
1639 - Massachusetts grants 500 acres of land to erect a gunpowder mill
1813 - US invasion of Canada halted at Stoney Creek (Ont)
1816 - 10" snowfall in New England, the "year without a summer" (Krakatoa)
1844 - Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) founded in London
1862 - Battle of Memphis-the city is surrendered
1882 - Cyclone in Arabian Sea (Bombay India) drowns 100,000
1882 - Electric iron patented by Henry W. Seely, NYC
1889 - Great Fire in Seattle destroys 25 downtown blocks
1911 - Nicaragua signs treaty turning over customs to US (not ratified)
1914 - 1st air flight out of the sight of land (Scotland to Norway)
1918 - Battle of Belleau Wood, 1st US victory of WW I
1924 - S Belyavskij discovers asteroid #1031 Arctica
1925 - Walter Percy Chrysler founded Chrysler Corp (Iacocca was 8 months old)
1931 - G Neujmin discovers asteroid #1210 Morosovia
1932 - US Federal gas tax enacted
1933 - 1st drive-in theatre opens (Camden, NJ); US Employment Service created
1934 - Securities & Exchange Commission established
1936 - Aviation gasoline 1st produced commercially Paulsboro NJ
1941 - 1st navy vessel constructed as mine layer Terror launched
1942 - 1st nylon parachute jump (Hartford CT-Adeline Gray); Japanese forces retreat, ending Battle of Midway; Nazis burn village of Lidice Bohemia, as reprisal of killing Heydrich
1944 - D-Day: 150,000 Allied Expeditionary Force lands in Normandy, France; Theodore Roosevelt Jr receives congressional medal of honor
1953 - J Churms discovers asteroid #2025
1966 - Activist James Meredith shot in Mississippi
1967 - 6 day war between Israel & Arab neighbors begins
1971 - Air West filght 706 collides with Navy Phantom jet over LA, 50 die; Soyuz 11 takes 3 cosmonauts to Salyut 1 space station
1972 - Explosion at world's largest coal mine kills 427 (Wankie Rhodesia)
1975 - British voters decide to remain in Common Market; Provisional Revolutionary Government of South Vietnam established
1977 - Supreme Court tossed out automatic death penalty laws
1978 - Proposition 13 cuts California property taxes 57%
1982 - 30,000 Israeli troops invade Lebanon to drive out PLO
1984 - 1,200 die in Sikh "Golden Temple" uprising India
1985 - Body of Nazi criminal, Dr Josef Mengele located & exhumed; Soyuz T-13 carries 2 cosmonauts to Salyut 7 space station
1988 George Bush makes campaign promise to support reparations for WW II
Japanese-American internees (promise broken, May 1989)
1991 - Dana Plato receives 6 yr suspended sentence for robbing a video store
2012 - Transit of Venus (between Earth & Sun) occurs

Birthdays
1436 - Regiomontanus (Johannes Mller) prepared astronomical tables
1755 - Nathan Hale hanged patriot, had but one life to give for his country
1756 - John Trumbull, US painter (Declaration of Independence)
1850 - Karl F. Braun codeveloped wireless telegraphy (Nobel 1909)
1868 - Robert Falcon Scott, leader of ill-fated south polar expedition
1872 - Alexandra, last Russian tsarina (1894-1918)
1875 - Walter Percy Chrysler, found Chrysler Corp (1925)
1901 - Sukarno Java, PM of Indonesia (1945-67)
1928 - George Deukmejian (Gov-Cal)
1932 - David R. Scott, Col USAF/astronaut (Gem 8, Apol 9, 15)
1935 - Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet's Lamaistic Buddhists

Passings
1862 - Gen Turner Ashby, killed near Harrisonburg, VA
1967 - Edward G. Givens, Jr., astronaut, dies in an auto accident at 37
1968 - Robert F. Kennedy (Sen-NY), assassinated in LA by Sirhan Sirhan
1976 - J. Paul Getty, oil magnate, dies at 83 in London

Reported Missing in Action
1964
Klusmann, Charles F., USN (CA); RF8A shot down, escaped August, 1964 - alive and well as of 1998

1967
Son, Ha Van, Vietnam Commando; released February, 1989 - alive and well as of 1998

1968
The following USMC personnel reported MIA when their CH46A was shot down, all KIA:
Burgard, Paul E. (OR); remains recovered June, 1968

Harper, Ralph Lewis (IN); BNR

LaPlant, Kurt Elton (KS); BNR

Palacios, Luis Fernando (CA); BNR

Sanchez, Jose R. (NY); BNR

1972
Fowler, James A., USAF (ND); F4D shot down (w/Seuell), believed KIA

Seuell, John W., USAF (MO); F4D shot down (w/Fowler), believed KIA