National D-Day Memorial (VA)
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D-Day Memorial Entrance
The beautiful walkway leading up to Victory Plaza from the south.
This is a recasting of a World War 1 monument in Normandy, France that was damaged by shrapnel (the face was blown off) during the Normandy invasion.
Commemorating the 12 Allied nations who participated in Operation Overlord.
This monument is 44 and 1/2 feet high and stands above Victory Plaza. The colors on the upper part of the monument symbolize the markings of Allied aircraft during the invasion.
Below Victory Plaza is the Landing Memorial. Numerous statues depict different aspects of the landing while erratic spouts of water erupt around them, symbolizing bullet strikes.
Landing Memorial - Higgins Boat
A bullet seems to hit the water in this view down the ramp of the Higgins Boat.
Landing Memorial - "Through the Surf"
This statue shows a soldier making his way towards the beach as bullets hit nearby. The steel obstacle is called a "hedgehog." They were set in the surf by the Germans as obstacles to landing craft.
Landing Memorial - "Death on the Shore"
This statue depicts the high cost of victory on D-Day.
Landing Memorial - "Across the Beach"
This figure commemorates the heroism of so many soldiers as they struggled up the beaches.
Landing Memorial - "Scaling the Wall"
These figures represent the teamwork of the U.S. Rangers as they stormed the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc.
This plane was not actually used in the Normandy invasion but represents the Allied air forces that took place in the invasion.
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) Garden
The the central garden is a representation of the shoulder patch of the SHAEF. The monument beyond displays a statue of General Eisenhower.
Eisenhowers Letter to Soldiers
Every soldier who participated on D-Day received a copy of this letter from Commanding General Dwight D. Eisenhower
At the very north end of the memorial is this statue of Allied Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Looking back south from the SHAEF Gardens toward the Victory Arch.