D -day veteran
The hero of D -Day receives a posthumous honor after 81 years
The main correspondent for Fox News, Greg Palkot, spoke with the family of the staff sergeant William Owens, who posthumously received the distinction of service for his heroic actions during the invasion of D-Day. (Still: James J. Ricci Family.)
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The 81st anniversary of the famous LED in the United States Invasion of D -Day From Normandy, in France, has recently been commemorated.
The battles are less known during the days and weeks which followed in Normandy, which helped to secure the massive bridgehead, so that the allies can continue and defeat Nazi Germany in the world II.
One of these clashes was at a bridge over a small river near the town of Sainte-Mère-Église. Paratroopers of the 82nd airborne division landed near the morning of June 6, 1944.
They had to hold the post against the Germans threatening the American forces who came to the ground in Utah Beach, one of the main landing sites.
Journalist’s notebook note: remember courage for the 81st anniversary of D -Day
Medal ceremony, June 5, 2025, Sainte-Mere-Eglise (With kind permission: Greg Palkot / Fox News)
One of them was the 31-year-old American army staff of the 31-year-old American army. William Owens. For three days, as his unit was reduced to combat from 45 to 12 men, he courageously helped to fight the Germans.
He drew from three different machine gun positions, launched hand grenades, ordered from Bazooka teams and moved from Foxhole to Foxhole, coordinating the action. The actions of him and his men finally eliminated four German tanks, killed 275 German soldiers and arrested the Nazis who died in their footsteps. He was praised by historians as a key battle for the invasion of Normandy.
The staff sergeant William Owens, 1943. (Gracieuse: James J. Ricci family collection)
A recent day along the river in the now green and peaceful campaign, after years of research and lobbying in Pentagon and Congress, Owens was recognized for its valor during a ceremony during which its honors were improved on the distinguished service cross, the second most important medal that the army can grant.
Chris Donahue, General Commander of the American Army in Europe and Africa, said that Owens’ actions in Fox News were “incredibly important. What Owens has done is the exact model we are all trying to live”.
Owens died at the age of 54 in 1967. Her youngest daughter, Susan Marrow, British raised, said: “I have no words to describe how full my heart is and how much it means for me.”
His great-grandson, Harris Morales, was also proud to be there, saying: “Without a doubt,” Owens was a courageous guy. As for Owens’ new recognition, he added: “It means everything, and I still don’t believe it. It’s still not real for me.”
Greg Palkot and General Christopher Donahue, Commander of the US military in Europe and Africa. (Annie Butterworth / Fox News)
This happens at a time when the world remains in Ukraine disorders in the Middle East and beyond. While 81 years old seems to be a long time ago, heroism and inventiveness displayed by Owens are then still considered relevant today.
“It’s important,” said Morales. “I don’t think 81 years old or at any time are too long.”
Speaking from a military point of view, General Donahue noted: “We are in the midst of a transformation, and we will continue to do so so that we are up to what they did.”
A posthumous medal ceremony for the army staff sergeant. William Owens on June 5, 2025, Sainte-Mère-Église, France. (Greg Palkot / Fox News)
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As for the lessons learned then, Owens’ daughter had a simple answer, saying, “Make others as you would do on you.”
Sometimes, as in the case of the staff SGT. William Owens, the dangerous behavior of “others” means acting with the greatest and sometimes brutal brutal.
