French townspeople from Montebourg carry wreaths of flowers in a procession through the town honoring the sacrifices of the 4th Infantry Division, who liberated the town and surrounding region seventy-five years ago, in Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The procession ended at a monument to the 4th Infantry Division, where the wreaths were laid in a ceremony attended by Soldiers from the unit as well as French dignitaries from the region. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
French military veterans await the start of the march at the head of a procession in the town of Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The procession was to honor the 4th Infantry Division, who liberated the town 75 years ago from Nazi occupation, as well as the French civilians who died in the fierce fighting that took place there. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
French veterans salute during the playing of "Taps" at a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The town was liberated by soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division after the Allied militaries pushed into France following the successful landings at Normandy on D-Day. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
Col. Dave Zinn, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, gives remarks at a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the town of Montebourg, France, on June 8, 2019. The ceremony, which honored the sacrifices of the 4th Infantry Division as well as the French citizens who died as result of the fighting, featured Soldiers from 4 ID, French dignitaries from the region, and schoolchildren from the town. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
Soldiers from 4th Infantry Division pose in front of a memorial to that unit's liberation of the town of Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The town held a ceremony marking seventy-five years since the liberation, commemorating the sacrifices made by U.S. soldiers as well as remembering the French citizens who lost their lives during the fierce fighting. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
Lt. Gen. Theodore D. Martin, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, poses with members of the U.S. Army Europe Band at the conclusion of a ceremony commemorating 75 years since the 4th Infantry Division liberated the town of Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The ceremony, which honored the sacrifices of the 4th Infantry Division as well as the French citizens who died as result of the fighting, featured Soldiers from 4 ID and the U.S. Army Europe Band, French dignitaries from the region, and schoolchildren from the town. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
Lt. Gen. Theodore D. Martin, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, shakes the hand of a French veteran acting as honor guard at the conclusion of a ceremony commemorating 75 years since the 4th Infantry Division liberated the town of Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The ceremony, which honored the sacrifices of the 4th Infantry Division as well as the French citizens who died as result of the fighting, featured Soldiers from 4 ID, French dignitaries from the region, and schoolchildren from the town. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
French schoolchildren wave American flags during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner at a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of 4th Infantry Division's liberation of the town of Montebourg, France, June 8, 2019. The ceremony, which honored the sacrifices of the 4th Infantry Division as well as the French citizens who died as result of the fighting, featured Soldiers from 4 ID, French dignitaries from the region, and schoolchildren from the town. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Edward A. Salcedo)
73 years later, Iron Horse Soldiers continue D-Day legacy, commemorate service, sacrifice of WWII
3:03 PM6/8/2017
Render Honors.
MONTEBOURG, France--Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division, pays honor to Ivy Division Soldiers who served during World War II at a memorial dedication in Montebourg, France, June 3, 2017. Gonsalves joined the Deputy of the Manche Phillipe Gosselin and Mayor Jean-Pierre Mauquest to unveil the placard adorning a wall from the ruined 15th century fortress of St. Marcouf-Les-Gougins. The monument was set in the town center in honor of the U.S. Army Soldiers of the 4th Inf. Div. who liberated Montebourg June 19, 1944, after 15 days of fighting.Led by Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the Soldiers of 8th Inf. Regt. assaulted the northern coast of Normandy's Utah Beach, pushing through to Ste. Maire-Eglise, Montebourg and Cherbourg in 23 days. "The stories of their bravery, of their generoisty, and of their leadership is more relevant now than it has ever been," Gonsalves told the city's hosts Deputy of the Manche and the mayor of Montebourg, distinguised guests, veterans and compatriots. "It is up to us, today's generation, to carry that legacy into the future. Today, together, we pledge to do so and reaffirm our commitment as a free people that tyranny must be met with resolve, and that liberty is always the achievement of courage," said Gonsalves.
(U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams, MCE Public Affairs, 4th Inf. Div.)
73 years later, Iron Horse Soldiers continue D-Day legacy, commemorate service, sacrifice of WWII
2:57 PM6/8/2017
Montebourg World War II Memorial.
MONTEBOURG, France--Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves marked the 73rd anniversary of the 4th Inf. Div.'s D-Day landing with U.S. Army Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, during a dedication ceremony for Motnebourg's World War II memorial wall in the heart of the city center. Gonsalves joined the Deputy of the Manche Phillipe Gosselin and Mayor Jean-Pierre Mauquest to unveil the placard adorning a wall from the ruined 15th century fortress of St. Marcouf-Les-Gougins. The monument was set in the town center in honor of the U.S. Army Soldiers of the 4th Inf. Div. who liberated Montebourg June 19, 1944, after 15 days of fighting.Led by Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the Soldiers of 8th Inf. Regt. assaulted the northern coast of Normandy's Utah Beach, pushing through to Ste. Maire-Eglise, Montebourg and Cherbourg in 23 days.
(U.S. Army photo by Maj. Anthony Clas, 7th MPAD)
73 years later, Iron Horse Soldiers continue D-Day legacy, commemorate service, sacrifice of WWII
2:42 PM6/8/2017
March in remembrance.
MONTEBOURG, France--The commanding general of the 4th Infantry Division leads U.S. Army Soldiers deployed and serving in Europe marching to the World War II monument in Montebourg, France, to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of D-Day, June 3, 2017. More than 100 Soldiers, joined the commanding general, French compatriots and people of Montebourg, during a march from the town center to the memorial wall. Select Soldiers from the "Fighting Eagles" 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., participated in the march, the memorial dedication ceremony and dinner hosted by Montebourg civic leaders. "Today, we remember those sacrifices and honor the courage of the 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers and our Allies who fought here in Montebourg, the first significant objective off of Utah Beach, where nearly a yearlong advance began to liberate the continent," said Gonsalves, dedicating the memorial to the Soldiers who led the Allied-invasion into German-occupied Europe. Led by Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the Soldiers of 8th Inf. Regt. assaulted the northern coast of Normandy's Utah Beach, pushing through to Ste. Maire-Eglise, Montebourg and Cherbourg within 23 days.
(U.S. Army photo by Maj. Anthony Clas, 7th MPAD)
73 years later, Iron Horse Soldiers continue D-Day legacy, commemorate service, sacrifice of WWII
2:40 PM6/8/2017
Get in Step.
MONTEBOURG, France--First Sgt. Ernest Ramirez, center, first sergeant, Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, marches more than 100 U.S. Army Soldiers through Montebourg, France, following a ceremony honoring the 4th Inf. Div.'s role in the liberation of Normandy, June 3, 2017. Ramirez and the "Fighting Eagles" Soldiers of 3rd ABCT, attended a dedication ceremony for a memorial in the town's center with Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div., to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the 4th Inf. Div.'s assault at Utah Beach and the following liberation of Montebourg. Select Soldiers from 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div., participated in the march, the dedication ceremony at Montebourg's World War II memorial, and dinner hosted by township's civic leaders. The Soldiers of 3rd ABCT are currently deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, U.S. forces' commitment to the collective security of eastern Europe conducting bilateral training and multinational exercises with NATO Allies and Partners. The Soldiers were guests of honor at the ceremony, where Gonsalves and community leaders laid wreaths at the memorial.
(U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Brent M. Williams, MCE Public Affairs, 4th Inf. Div.)
73 years later, Iron Horse Soldiers continue D-Day legacy, commemorate service, sacrifice of WWII
2:37 PM6/8/2017
Berets and wreaths.
MONTEBOURG, France--More than 100 U.S. Army Soldiers, join the commanding general, French compatriots and people of Montebourg, France, during a march from the town center to the town's World War II memorial wall. Select Soldiers from "Fighting Eagles," 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., participated in the march to the memorial dedication hosted by Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general of the 4th Inf. Div., Monteburg civic leaders, French compatriots and veterans. The Soldiers of 3rd ABCT are currently deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, U.S. forces' commitment to the collective security of eastern Europe, conducting bilateral training and multinational exercises with NATO Allies and Partners. The last time the 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt. deployed to Europe the Fighting Eagle Soldiers landed at Utah Beach with the Assault Division on D-Day in 1944. The 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Regt., currently stationed in Romania, sent Soldiers who had recently earned the Expert Infantryman's Badge during testing earlier this year. The Soldiers served as guests of honor at the ceremony, where Gonsalves and community leaders laid wreaths at the memorial.
(U.S. Army photo by Maj. Anthony Clas, 7MPAD)
George Shenkle, World War II veteran and former U.S. Army Soldier with the Easy Company, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, reacts as U.S. Army Soldiers parachute over the historic La Fiere drop zone near Sainte Mere Eglise, Normandy, France, June 7, 2015, to commemorate the 71st Anniversary of D-Day. More than 380 U.S. service members from Europe and affiliated D-Day historical units participated in the 71st Anniversary air drop as part of Joint Task Force D-Day 71. The task force, based in Sainte Mere Eglise, France, is supporting local events across Normandy, from June 2-8, 2015, to commemorate the selfless actions by all the Allies on D-Day that continue to resonate 71 years later. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Brian Bahret)
