MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – June 6 marks the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy during World War II.
The morning of June 6, 1944, off the coast of Normandy, is when Operation Overlord began. This was a major battle that changed the entire course of the war and will always be known as D-Day. It was also the largest military invasion by sea in history.
In Madison, commemorative displays have been placed at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum to honor the day and the Wisconsinites who fought. A shop window displays a map of the Normandy coast, where the landings took place on the morning of June 6. There are flag markers on the screen indicating where Wisconsinites played a role in the battle.
“We wanted to see how every Wisconsinite who was there had a unique perspective and a unique view of what happened,” said Kevin Hampton, the museum’s curator of history.
Hampton said that many times people think of history as just statistics and narratives on maps, adding, “Sometimes we forget the humanity behind history.” She says that is why they chose to highlight the experiences of these young people on this famous day in history.
The screen is easy to use and includes a QR code on the side of the widow. When you scan the code, you will be directed to an interactive map where you can take a closer look and read writings from some of Wisconsin’s veterans. The flags marked with numbers on the bottom of the screen will correlate with the numbers on the website. It is there that you will learn the names, titles and backstories of the survivors and those who were killed that day.
The coast map shows the names of 46 Wisconsin men killed there on June 6. More than 2,500 American soldiers paid the ultimate price that day.
While the museum currently has forty-six flags in the collection, they are still looking for more to add. Hampton says, “We know there are dozens, if not hundreds, of other D-Day stories coming from Wisconsinites.” They are encouraging anyone with a story to reach out to them.
A little further inside the museum doors are some artifacts that the men were carrying the same day they stormed the beaches. On display is a navy blue jersey, worn by Donald Fisher of Beloit. Fisher was on one of the first ships off the coast of Normandy, clearing the way for other ships to disembark. Another artifact on display is a jersey worn by George Alley of Sturgeon Bay. Alley was one of the first 100 jumpers in the air on the night of June 5, 1944.
The last piece on display is a helmet worn by Martin Gutekunst of Milwaukee when he landed with the 2nd Beach Battalion on Utah Beach. Gutekunst was 27 years old at the time.
The D-Day exhibit will be open through August to commemorate the entire Battle of Normandy that ended on August 30, 1944. For more information about the exhibit, visit the Wisconsin Veterans Museum online.
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