60th Anniversary Of D-Day
Beaches Of Normandy
World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
The war cemetery is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel in Colleville-sur Mer, France. It covers one hundred and seventy two acres and contains the graves of 9,386 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the landings and ensuing operations of World War II.
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| Aerial View Of CemeteryClick Image to enlarge | Colonnade style memorialClick Image to enlarge | Bronze Statue at centre of colonnade titled "Spirit of American Youth"Click Image to enlarge |
The inscription around the top of the inside of the colonnade reads:
"This embattled shore, portal of freedom, is forever hallowed by the ideals, the valour and the sacrifices of our fellow countrymen."
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Robert J. Niland SGT 505 PRCHT INF 82 ABN DIV NEW YORK JUNE 6 1944 Click Image to enlarge |
Preston T. Niland 2 LT 22 INF 4 DIV NEW YORK JUNE 7 1944 Click Image to enlarge |
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The graves of two Niland brothers which inspired the plot of the Steven Spielberg film "Saving Private Ryan". The plot was inspired in part by the true story of Fritz Niland, one of four brothers from New York state who saw action during the war. Two Niland brothers were killed on D-Day, while another was missing in action in Burma and was presumed dead, although he actually survived. Fritz was located in Normandy by an Army chaplain, Reverend Francis Sampson, and taken out of the combat zone. |
| The graves of a father and son |
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Ollie W. Reed COL 175 INF 29 DIV KANSAS JULY 30 1944 Click Image to enlarge |
Ollie W. Reed JR 1 LT 363 INF 91 DIV MISSOURI JULY 6 1944 Click Image to enlarge |