The hum of aircraft roared overhead through the last of the storm clouds while waves crashed against the landing craft underfoot. Sea spray kissed the faces of men staring down the approaching battle that had been planned for months. Weather had caused delays in enacting the operation on time. Roughly 175,000 Sailors and Soldiers from the Allied countries boarded over 5,000 ships and landing craft to storm the beaches of Normandy, France. Dubbed “Operation Overlord,” the famous day known as “D-Day” dealt a heavy blow to the German forces during World War II.

June 6, 2019 marks the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the world’s largest amphibious operation to date. While those who lived through it are gone, their efforts are still honored by those that serve today.

“A significant day in our history, the events of D-Day were executed by a collective group of military armed forces that believed in each other,” said Master Chief Operations Specialist Robert Laird Jr., from Philadelphia, departmental leading chief petty officer for USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) operations department. “They executed the largest amphibious military assault with deception and precision that lead to the freedom of so many.”

Originally planned for a few days prior, weather did not permit the successful amphibious landing. Allied forces had to continuously plan around the enemy and their own individual operational schedules to find the best time to enact such a large-scale maneuver. The night of June 5, 1944, thousands of Allied paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines. They completed their task of cutting off supply and communication lines, a crucial part of the plan. Laird said that the operation showed that with proper planning and collaboration with our allies, we can accomplish anything and that preparation doesn’t stop during peacetime.

“We as Sailors must be ready to answer the call of our nation at any time,” said Laird. “We as Sailors must continue to understand our past so that it can better prepare us for our future. We are a better military force today because of the events that occurred on D-Day. We must understand that we are Warship 78 and that we will give it our best every day to ensure that we are ready to answer the nation’s call."

The events of that fateful day marked a turning point and scored the Allies a major victory for the War in Europe. Later, Allied forces would go on to liberate Paris, fight German forces again in the Battle of the Bulge, and force them to retreat across the river Rhine in March 1945. The German forces surrendered later that year on May 7, 1945.

While the military recognizes the tactical significance of storming the beach at Normandy, it’s crucial to recognize the sacrifices of those whole lost their lives that day. Out of the thousands that landed on the beach, 4,000 allies perished in the battle, half of which were Americans.

“The events of D-Day impacted WWII and the victory at Normandy had the Germans hands tied and had them surrender,” said Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Atwood, from Livonia, Michigan. “The pride, honor, and sacrifice those individuals made is a big reason why I raised my right hand and signed the bottom line. We need to take pride when we put that uniform on and know that you are serving for a greater purpose, to show everyone that you are proud of what you do and the choice to serve was the right one.”

While those who stormed the beach have gone like clouds overhead, they are not forgotten to those aboard Ford.

“Those individuals paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting our country and made the world a better place so that everyone can sleep soundly at night knowing our military has the United States’ back,” said Atwood.

Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years. Ford is currently undergoing its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding.

For more news from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN78 or www.facebook.com/USSGeraldRFord

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