ABC News' David Muir documents the journey of WWII heroes back to Normandy.
ABC News' 'World News Tonight with David Muir' anchor sits down with World War II veterans Jake Ruser, Andrew “Tim” Kiniry, Irving Locker, Alan Kinder and Onofrio Zicari.The sun was yet to rise over the beaches of Normandy when, on June 6, 1944 -- 80 years ago this week -- thousands of American sons and Allied troops began what would become the largest amphibious assault in history.
World War II veteran Irving Locker looks back on the invasion of Normandy ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.Irving Locker is 99 years old, but in 1944 he was a 19-year-old staff sergeant in charge of 65 men. Drafted right out of high school in 1943, he went on to be in the First Army, 4th Infantry Div., 116th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.
"Seeing all of these boys that was killed, and just layin’ there on the beach," Claiborne told ABC News in 2019. "It was just ... tough for a little old kid to handle."Claiborne died on September 28, 2023. His family told ABC News this year, he was proud to have served, and to have spent his last years talking about the war to younger generations.World War II veteran Andrew"Tim" Kiniry looks back on the invasion of Normandy ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Not a day goes by he doesn’t think about the men lost during the invasion. Now 80 years later, he’s going back to Normandy for the first time since he first landed there. "People say, 'How did you get off that boat and go in on that beach?' There was a job had to be done," he said, holding back tears. "Somebody had to do it. We did it."'You always went with the idea you were gonna make it through.'
He remembers how the country came together when word got out that American troops had landed in France. And the scene when he got to Utah beach in the middle of the night.Kinder now grateful he gets to share his story, saying talking about it with his grandson, Justin, a history teacher, has brought them closer."Being able to come here and experience this with him, it's – words can't describe it," Justin said. "It's amazing.
Kinder, who has not set foot back on that beach until now, said he is grateful to be here. This is also the first time he has seen Utah Beach in the daylight.
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