Thousands of Floridians, and men from other states who had trained in Florida, took part in the largest amphibious military operation in human history on the Normandy coast of France 76 years ago on this date in 1944. Over 150,000 Allied troops participated in what was nicknamed Operation Overlord. Many Americans trained for the amphibious landing at Florida bases, including Camp Gordon Johnston and Camp Blanding, as well as a number of naval air stations, army airfields, and naval bases. By 1942 there were more than 170 military facilities in Florida. Although the invasion was a success, thousands of soldiers lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy, and the war in Europe dragged on for another year until victory was declared in Europe on May 8, 1945.
(Florida Historical Society)
