Close Menu
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Truth Republican
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Guns & Gear
  • Healthy Tips
  • Prepping & Survival
  • Videos
Newsletter
Truth Republican
You are at:Home»News»Reporter’s Notebook: Recalling an American WWII hero who helped fight off Nazi forces during Normandy invasion
News

Reporter’s Notebook: Recalling an American WWII hero who helped fight off Nazi forces during Normandy invasion

Buddy DoyleBy Buddy DoyleJune 14, 2025No Comments3 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr WhatsApp
Reporter’s Notebook: Recalling an American WWII hero who helped fight off Nazi forces during Normandy invasion
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The 81st anniversary of the famous U.S.-led D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, was recently commemorated.

Less well-known are the battles during the days and weeks that followed in Normandy, which helped secure the massive beachhead, so the allies could go on and defeat Nazi Germany in World II.

One of those clashes was at a bridge over a small river near the town of Sainte-Mère-Église. Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division landed near there early on the morning of June 6, 1944. 

They had to hold the position against Germans threatening American forces who came ashore at Utah beach, one of the main landing sites.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: REMEMBERING COURAGE ON THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

One of those was Iowa-born 31-year-old U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Owens. For three days, as his unit was cut down in combat from 45 to just 12 men, he bravely helped fight off the Germans.  

He fired from three different machine gun positions, threw hand grenades, commanded bazooka teams and moved from foxhole to foxhole, coordinating action. The actions of him and his men eventually knocked out four German tanks, killed 275 German soldiers and stopped the Nazis dead in their tracks. It was hailed by historians as a key battle of the Normandy invasion.

US war hero William Owens

On a recent day alongside the river in the now green and peaceful countryside, after years of research and lobbying at the Pentagon and in Congress, Owens was recognized for his valor in a ceremony during which his honors were upgraded to Distinguished Service Cross, the second most important medal the Army can bestow.

Chris Donahue, the commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, told Fox News Owens’ actions were “incredibly important. What Owens did is the exact model that all of us try to live up to.”

ON 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, ONE US NAVY VETERAN’S SON IS THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE

Owens died at the age of 54 in 1967. His youngest daughter, British-raised Susan Marrow, said, “I don’t have words to describe how full my heart is and how much it means to me.”

His great-grandson, Harris Morales, was also proud to be there, saying, “without a doubt,” Owens was a brave guy. As for the new recognition of Owens, he added, “It means everything, and I still don’t believe it. It’s still not real for me yet.”

Greg Palkot and Gen. Christopher Donahue

This comes at a time the world remains in turmoil from Ukraine to the Mideast and beyond. While 81 years seems like a long time ago, the heroism and inventiveness displayed by Owens then is still seen as relevant today.

“It is important,” Morales said. “I don’t think 81 years or any time is too long.”

Speaking from a military standpoint, Gen. Donahue noted, “We’re in the middle of a transformation, and we’re going to continue to do that so we live up to what they have done.”

medal ceremony in France

As for lessons learned then, Owens’ daughter had a simple answer, saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.”

Sometimes, as in the case of Staff Sgt. William Owens, the dangerous behavior of “others”  means acting with the greatest and sometimes brutal gallantry.

Read the full article here

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleFinally!! – TGC News!
Next Article Trump juggles China framework trade deal, LA’s anti-ICE riots and Israel’s Iran strike in 21st week in office

Related Articles

FLASHBACK: Zohran Mamdani says ‘Israel is not a place’ and ‘not a country’

FLASHBACK: Zohran Mamdani says ‘Israel is not a place’ and ‘not a country’

July 31, 2025
JONATHAN TURLEY: Democrats pulled the greatest political con job ever on Americans. It’s finally unraveling

JONATHAN TURLEY: Democrats pulled the greatest political con job ever on Americans. It’s finally unraveling

July 31, 2025
Cincinnati assault: Hear 911 call after viral mob attack

Cincinnati assault: Hear 911 call after viral mob attack

July 31, 2025
Media Matters shoulders  million in legal fees as it struggles to fend off lawsuits from FCC, Musk: Report

Media Matters shoulders $15 million in legal fees as it struggles to fend off lawsuits from FCC, Musk: Report

July 31, 2025
More Americans are turning to AI for health advice

More Americans are turning to AI for health advice

July 31, 2025
Who is Mike Donilon, the longtime Biden aide appearing in Comer’s cover-up probe?

Who is Mike Donilon, the longtime Biden aide appearing in Comer’s cover-up probe?

July 31, 2025
Trump congratulates Ivy League school after M deal to restore federal funding: ‘Woke is officially DEAD’

Trump congratulates Ivy League school after $50M deal to restore federal funding: ‘Woke is officially DEAD’

July 31, 2025
Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs could hit a snag in court today. Here’s what to know

Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs could hit a snag in court today. Here’s what to know

July 31, 2025
Mamdani, Cuomo clash over who is better at supporting law enforcement after Manhattan mass shooting

Mamdani, Cuomo clash over who is better at supporting law enforcement after Manhattan mass shooting

July 31, 2025
Don't Miss
Trading blows: Trump and Hawley make up, but GOP anger continues over stock trade ban

Trading blows: Trump and Hawley make up, but GOP anger continues over stock trade ban

GOP senators rally around effort to end ‘radical wokeness’ in HHS task force

GOP senators rally around effort to end ‘radical wokeness’ in HHS task force

FLASHBACK: Zohran Mamdani says ‘Israel is not a place’ and ‘not a country’

FLASHBACK: Zohran Mamdani says ‘Israel is not a place’ and ‘not a country’

Russia Attacked A Ukrainian Defense Facility

Russia Attacked A Ukrainian Defense Facility

Latest News
Biden to headline National Bar Assn gala despite son Hunter’s disbarment, along with Crockett, Tish James

Biden to headline National Bar Assn gala despite son Hunter’s disbarment, along with Crockett, Tish James

July 31, 2025
JONATHAN TURLEY: Democrats pulled the greatest political con job ever on Americans. It’s finally unraveling

JONATHAN TURLEY: Democrats pulled the greatest political con job ever on Americans. It’s finally unraveling

July 31, 2025
More than 100 JCPenny stores sold off through B post-bankruptcy deal

More than 100 JCPenny stores sold off through $1B post-bankruptcy deal

July 31, 2025
Rare tick-borne virus causing neurological symptoms diagnosed in Northeastern state

Rare tick-borne virus causing neurological symptoms diagnosed in Northeastern state

July 31, 2025
Feds could pull police cash over illegal immigrant hires in new House bill

Feds could pull police cash over illegal immigrant hires in new House bill

July 31, 2025
Copyright © 2025. Truth Republican. All rights reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.