D-Day 74-years ago, they fought fascism in Axis-occupied Europe (and Asia)

B17 gunner SSGT Wilbur Richardson flew
2 missions on D-Day

"Operation Overlord" was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings (Operation Neptune, commonly known as D-Day)

French Consul General to California, Hon. Axel Cruau, inducted Californian D-Day fighters into Legion of Honor.



World War II veteran airmen recount D-Day invasion of Europe and engagement against Imperial Japan over the Pacific. Gunner SSGT Wilbur Richardson recalls how Gen. Eisenhower rescheduled their original June 5th launch.



French Consul General Christophe Lemoine commemorates the 100th anniv of US entry to WWI- by welcoming WWII veterans of liberating France to their 2017 Bastille Day celebration. 



Canadian-American businessman and historian, Eric Weider, discusses Canada's role invading Normandy and fighting Nazis to liberate Europe in World War II. Recorded at the French Consul's residence.



Mrs. Eric Weider is wowed by the World War II achievements of Knight of the French Legion of Honor, Jerry King, who was involved in Sainte-Mère-Église, a 10 Battle-Star earner. 



Michael Reagan on U.S. veterans; his father Pres. Ronald Reagan's legacy in Normandy; dismay at millenials' ignorance about Allies fighting to free Europe from fascism.



Filmmaker, Doug Stebbleton, discusses his documentary, "Heroes of the Second World War" at L.A. screening for veterans, including many World War II vets, in Los Angeles. He mentions their screening at the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandy.

Living history: WWII heroes recognized in documentary and dinner by Thousand Oaks Republican Women Federated

Veterans' advocate Bob Donovan introduces Larry DeCuir to Michael Reagan

A number of World War II veterans of Southern California received recognition early this summer, when California's Thousand Oaks Republican Women Federated (led by Beatrice Restifo and Rosemary Licata) hosted a dinner "Honoring the Heroes of World War II."

Reagan Foundation leader, Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, and his colleagues, producer Jay Hoffman and director Doug Stebbleton screened and discussed their documentary film "Heroes of World War II." Some of the Normandy Invasion and the South Pacific vets told their stories in the movie. Their stories and those of other vets there were read aloud to applause. (Please step through the clips in this video-playlist)



Michael Reagan on U.S. veterans, Pres. Ronald Reagan's legacy in Europe.

WWII US Pilot Elmo Maiden relates his story of "The Heroes of World War II."

Vietnam vet Bob Donovan on "Honoring Heroes of WWII" event with Michael Reagan.

US' Nagasaki bomb-fuser, Larry DeCuir, 95, looks back (and forward) at 72nd commemoration.

Pastor Barney Leone, Navy fueling veteran of Iwo Jima, Pearl Harbor, Okinawa, and the Philippines.

USAF Brigadier General Dan Pemberton narrated the stories of the veterans' history.

Veterans of D-Day invasion of France (and a French spy who landed them) look back on the 70-year anniversary in Los Angeles

D-Day B-24 airmen Elmo Maiden, Bill Baird, and Wilbur Richardson (l-r)

The Heritage League of the Second Air Division (USAF) and Jane and Bert Boeckmann of Galpin Ford  enabled D-Day and WWII Veterans, friends and  families to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of D-Day at the 94th Aero Squadron in Van Nuys, California on  Friday, June 6, 2014. 

Bill A. Jones served as the Master of Ceremonies.  Special guest speakers included Marthe Cohn, the WWII French Nurse who Spied against the Nazis (who authored "Behind Enemy Lines"); Hon. Axel Cruau, Consul General of France, and Hon. Sabrina Yoong, Consul for the Consulate General of Canada.  

Interviewed here: USAF B-24 Pilot Lt. Col. Elmo Maiden, Staff Sgt. Gunner Wilbur Richardson; Capt. Bill Baird, a B-24 Pilot in the 13th Air Force who flew in the Pacific.   



Also interviewed in this playlist (advance with buttons on left), Mrs. Marte Cohn, a German-speaking French nurse who divulged Nazi secrets to Allied planners to enhance the effectiveness of the D-Day invasion of France. She documented her story in the book, "Behind Enemy Lines."

Engine-failure forced B-24 Pilot Lt. Col. Elmo Maiden and crew down in Europe