On June 6, 1944, the world witnessed the beginning of the end of Nazi tyranny in Europe as Allied forces launched Operation Overlord — the largest amphibious invasion in military history. This monumental assault on Nazi-occupied France was years in the making, and Connecticut servicemen were among those who stormed the beaches of Normandy, forever etching their names into the legacy of freedom. Their bravery, sacrifice, and the grief carried by families back home left an enduring mark on the state and the nation.

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The Road to D-Day: A Historical Prelude

The seeds of D-Day were sown in the dark early years of World War II. Following the fall of France in 1940 and the harrowing evacuation at Dunkirk, Hitler’s stranglehold on Western Europe grew increasingly brutal. The United States officially entered the war after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and by 1942, the Allies knew that defeating Nazi Germany would require a massive military push onto the continent.

The Tehran Conference in late 1943 confirmed Allied commitment to opening a Western Front in Europe. Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower began assembling a colossal force of over 150,000 troops — drawn from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and other Allied nations — along with over 5,000 ships and landing craft, and 11,000 aircraft. The invasion would target the beaches of Normandy, France, where five sectors were designated: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

Months of deception operations — notably Operation Bodyguard — misled German forces into believing the invasion would strike at Pas de Calais. Meanwhile, U.S. troops trained in southern England and along the English coast. Connecticut soldiers, sailors, airmen, and medics, having been drafted or enlisted in 1942 and 1943, were among them.

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Connecticut’s Sacrifice on D-Day

Among the American forces who crossed the English Channel on that fateful morning were scores of men from Connecticut. Many were attached to the 1st Infantry Division (“The Big Red One”), the 29th Infantry Division, and the elite 2nd Ranger Battalion — which was tasked with scaling the 100-foot cliffs of Pointe du Hoc under fire to destroy German artillery batteries.

The 2nd Rangers suffered staggering losses — nearly 60% of their force — and included four Connecticut men who perished that day:

• Pvt. James E. Donovan (New Haven County)
• Pvt. John S. Gourley
• Sgt. Charles E. Rich
• Pvt. Joseph J. Sadowski

Their names are memorialized among the thousands who never returned from France.

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Personal Stories of Valor

Angelo “Al” Prece – Hamden

Angelo “Al” Prece of Hamden was among the first wave of troops to hit Omaha Beach — the most heavily defended sector. As machine gun fire tore across the shoreline, Prece was wounded but pressed forward. The chaos of war marked him deeply, and he would later speak about the men who didn’t make it off the beach. His survival was hard-earned and came with the lifelong burden of memory.

Ben Cooper – West Hartford

Ben Cooper, a combat medic from West Hartford, landed in Normandy shortly after the initial waves. His responsibility was to stabilize the wounded and evacuate them under fire. Cooper’s actions, tending to fallen comrades amid the thunder of artillery and cries of pain, reflected the selflessness that defined the medical corps. His service helped save countless lives.

Walter Burke – Terryville

Walter Burke served with the 28th Infantry Division — the “Bloody Bucket.” Though not part of the first wave, Burke landed in France in the aftermath of D-Day, fighting through the hedgerows of Normandy where brutal close-quarter combat claimed many lives. In the Fôret de St. Sever, his unit lost over 700 men in a single day, including their commanding officer. The campaign left scars, but Burke’s bravery never wavered.

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Impact on Connecticut Communities

The telegrams began arriving within days of the invasion. In small towns and cities across Connecticut — from Hartford to New London, Stamford to Torrington — families opened their doors to find somber military officers bearing news that their sons had been killed in action.

Gold Star mothers hung flags in their windows. Churches held prayer services. Communities grieved — and rallied. Scrap drives, war bond rallies, and support groups helped homefront families channel their anguish into purpose. The loss of local heroes united towns in solemn purpose, and many returning veterans were greeted not with parades, but with the quiet understanding of those who had also endured loss.

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From the Battlefront to Memory: Preserving the Legacy

Efforts to preserve the voices of Connecticut’s World War II veterans have taken root across the state. The Veterans History Project at Central Connecticut State University has captured the testimonies of hundreds of veterans, including many who fought on D-Day and in the Normandy campaign. Their oral histories, photos, and letters are archived for public education and remembrance.

In May 2025, the State of Connecticut held a major ceremony at the Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory to honor the remaining World War II veterans. Among them were D-Day participants, many in their late 90s or over 100, who were presented with commemorative medals and thanked publicly for their sacrifice. The ceremony served as both a celebration and a solemn reminder that these living witnesses to history will soon pass into memory.

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Conclusion

D-Day was not just a military operation — it was a human story of unimaginable courage, of young men who stepped into the jaws of death with the hope of liberating a continent. Connecticut’s sons were among those who braved the beaches, scaled the cliffs, and bore the weight of the world’s freedom on their shoulders.

Their names, faces, and sacrifices are not abstractions. They were sons of Manchester, New Haven, Waterbury, and Windsor. Their stories endure in letters, in family memories, and in the silence of Arlington’s white headstones. As we mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day in 2025, we do not merely recall a date on a calendar — we honor the enduring debt we owe to Connecticut’s D-Day heroes.