The Americans at D-Day: The American Experience at the Normandy Invasion

June 6, 1944, was a pivotal moment in the history of World War II. On that day the climactic and decisive phase of the war in Europe began. Those who survived the intense fighting on the Normandy beaches found their lives irreversibly changed. That day ushered in a great change for the United States as well, because on D-day America began its march to the forefront of the Western world.

By the end of the Battle of Normandy, almost one out of every two soldiers involved was an American, and w...