On June 6, 1944, two brothers from Kansas landed at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. They promised to meet on the beach after the fighting was done—a promise that would remain unfulfilled.
Marguerite Frances Hunold, a pioneering aerologist in the US Navy’s WAVES program during World War II, became the first woman in her field to serve in Alaska, where she helped shape naval aviation forecasting in one of the world’s most challenging weather environments.
Woody Williams, a veteran of several campaigns with the 3rd Marine Division, landed on Iwo Jima in the days after D-Day. On February 23, 1945, Woody acted with "conspicuous gallantry" in eliminating Japanese pillboxes on Iwo Jima with his flame thrower. For his actions that day, Woody was awarded the Medal of Honor.
Learn how this unique field modification came to be.
Private First Class Ferris LeBlanc served his country honorably during World War II. But the credit due to him was denied thanks to the tragic circumstances of his death in the Up Stairs Lounge fire in 1973.
The Institute for the Study of War and Democracy presents a special evening with veterans of the storied Merrill’s Marauders.
This program is presented by The Institute for the Study of War & Democracy with generous support from the Strake Foundation.
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Saving Private Ryan, The National WWII Museum’s Institute for the Study of War and Democracy is proud to host a one-day symposium featuring D-Day scholars, film historians, and production insiders.