Uploaded August 2011 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the battle on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France is still considered to be the bloodiest battle since Antietam during the American Civil War. Dr. Warren Breniman was there that day and shares his story in this shortened version of his interview. A presidential citation is included at the end.
From an online newspaper: In 1964, on the 20th anniversary of D-Day, CBS newsman Walter Cronkite – who as a young UPI reporter had landed behind enemy lines that night in a troop-carrying glider – interviewed Eisenhower on Omaha Beach. Gazing at the coastline, the former allied commander and retired president recalled why that mammoth invasion was different from famous battles in ancient history:
“It’s a wonderful thing what those fellows were fighting for and sacrificing for, what they did to preserve our way of life. Not to conquer any territory, not for ambitions of our own. But to make sure that Hitler could not destroy freedom in the world. I think it’s just overwhelming. To think of the lives that were given for that principle, paying a terrible price on this beach alone. But, they did it so the world could be free. It just shows what free men will do rather than be slaves.”
In a column, written on June 12, 1944, correspondent Ernie Pyle said: “I want to tell you what the opening of the second front entailed, so that you can know and appreciate and forever be humbly grateful to those both dead and alive who did it for you.”
#veterans #army #soldier #military #veteran #army #dday #veteransday
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, the battle on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France is still considered to be the bloodiest battle since Antietam during the American Civil War. Dr. Warren Breniman was there that day and shares his story in this shortened version of his interview. A presidential citation is included at the end.
From an online newspaper: In 1964, on the 20th anniversary of D-Day, CBS newsman Walter Cronkite – who as a young UPI reporter had landed behind enemy lines that night in a troop-carrying glider – interviewed Eisenhower on Omaha Beach. Gazing at the coastline, the former allied commander and retired president recalled why that mammoth invasion was different from famous battles in ancient history:
“It’s a wonderful thing what those fellows were fighting for and sacrificing for, what they did to preserve our way of life. Not to conquer any territory, not for ambitions of our own. But to make sure that Hitler could not destroy freedom in the world. I think it’s just overwhelming. To think of the lives that were given for that principle, paying a terrible price on this beach alone. But, they did it so the world could be free. It just shows what free men will do rather than be slaves.”
In a column, written on June 12, 1944, correspondent Ernie Pyle said: “I want to tell you what the opening of the second front entailed, so that you can know and appreciate and forever be humbly grateful to those both dead and alive who did it for you.”
#veterans #army #soldier #military #veteran #army #dday #veteransday
