Utah Beach

This is a very rural area. There is no direct access along the coast from the other beaches.. The Americans who landed here suffered fewer casualties than their comrades on Omaha



A contingent of Free French Forces landed here along with the Americans

Visitors can walk among the remains of the defenses






This Memorial honors the Navy men who supported the assault



In August 1945 President Truman travelled to the Potsdam Conference aboard this ship. My Dad's cruiser, the USS Philadelphia served as escort	For perspective, the Ranger assault on the cliffs was to the east

St. Mere Eglise, the first French town liberated, remembers the 82nd Airborne


Before the assault on the beaches American paratroopers jumped into the interior to secure strategic locations. Some of the 82nd Airborne unit landed in the town where they were easy targets. One soldier landed on the church tower and only survived by pretending to be dead. This event was included in the 1962 film, "The Longest Day" where actor Red Buttons portrayed Pvt. John Steele.
These 2 stained glass windows were designed by a local artist Paul Renaud who was 14 at the time of the D-Day invasion.
Below the Virgin Mary and child stands above the burning town surrounded by planes and paratroopers At right is St Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of paratroopers