A centre of cultural and historical transmission, the Museum of the Landing of Utah-Beach is enthroned in front of the immensity of this beach on which, on June 6, 1944, tens of thousands of soldiers came to deliver France and Europe from the Nazi yoke. Developing a museography alternating unique pieces and strong emotions, the place also honors the heroes, maintaining their memory. Below you will discover five of these memorable figures, many of whose descendants have close ties with the museum
Captain James E. Arnold was an American naval officer in charge of the Utah-Beach landing zone from D-Day until September 1944. His solid experience, acquired during the First World War, made him a key element, called in 1943 to England for the preparation of the operations. His mission: to set up cooperation between the engineers and the navy to allow a rudimentary port area, while waiting for the liberation of the great port of Cherbourg, 40 kilometres away. He succeeded brilliantly and was transferred to Le Havre a few months later to restore the facilities. His war diary is on display in the museum. Promoted to Rear Admiral, he died in 1971, and is buried in Arlington American Cemetery
Major David H. Dewhurst shelled the German coastal defences only a few minutes before the arrival of the Allies on Normandy soil. He was a veteran of many missions, including some of the most dangerous, his plane having been hit in 1943 over Dunkirk - without any damage to him. On June 6, having to follow a precise and risky air route, he destroyed the last coastal defences. Back in Kansas, he joined a training course to fly heavier bombers. Unfortunately, he died tragically in a car accident in 1948, at the age of only 30. His sons, coming to the museum decades later, discovered their father's story. Since then, they have been among the key players in the museum's evolution
Colonel Eugene M. Caffey had a strong military background in 1944, having served in Latin America and the Philippines. On June 6 of that year, as the transport barges drifted further south than expected, he managed to restore the data, allowing them to reach the exact landing point. Once there, he immediately organized the deployment of 23,000 men and 1,700 vehicles on the first day, and remained at Utah-Beach for five months. Promoted to Judge Advocate General of the Army, he died of illness on May 30th 1961
Rear Admiral Donald P. Moon 's career was strewn with tragedies. Having lived through the attack on the Allied supply convoy PQ 17 in 1942 - during which many of his comrades perished - one of his convoys was targeted by German speedboats, five weeks before D-Day. Under great pressure, he developed an extraordinary energy during the preparations for the D-Day, bringing together 865 ships. Some of them sank on 6 June, which weakened the Rear Admiral, who killed himself on 5 August 1944 on one of his ships. He is buried in the American military cemetery of Arlington
The eldest son of the American President, Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. distinguished himself in France during the First World War, being wounded in the knee and leg. As soon as the United States entered the war in 1941, he was there. On June 6, he was at the side of his men, even though his rank did not oblige him to do so: " The kids will be reassured to know that I am with them " he said. As soon as he arrived, despite the difficulties, he left for the marshes to join the parachutists. Facing Carentan, which the SS tried to retake five weeks later, he died of a heart attack. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest American military award, and is buried in the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, a few miles from Utah Beach
These stories, and many more, can be found at the Utah-Beach Landing Museum. In addition, this museum space offers you to relive the landing through 10 chronological sequences. You will discover a real B26 bomber and will attend an incredible cinematographic projection "the beach of the victory". Unique !
Utah Beach Landing Museum
50 480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
www.utah-beach.com
Museum open every day from 9:30 am to 7 pm from June1st to September 30th, and from 10 am to 6 pm from October1st to May 31st. The ticket office closes one hour before the museum closes
Adult rate: 8 €
Children's rate (6-15 years old): 5 €
Less than 6 years old : free
