Remembering an American WWII Hero: His Bravery in Normandy Against Nazi Forces

The 81st anniversary of the renowned U.S.-led Normandy invasion in France was recently observed.

Often overlooked are the subsequent battles that took place in Normandy, crucial for solidifying the beachhead and enabling the Allied victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

One such battle occurred at a bridge spanning a small river near Sainte-Mère-Église, where paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division landed in the early hours of June 6, 1944.

Their mission was to defend the position against German forces threatening American troops landing at Utah Beach, a key invasion site.

Among these soldiers was Iowa native Staff Sgt. William Owens, 31. For three days, despite his unit dwindling from 45 to just 12 men, he bravely resisted the German onslaught.

He operated from three different machine gun posts, deployed grenades, directed bazooka teams, and moved between foxholes to coordinate the defense. His and his men’s efforts resulted in the destruction of four German tanks, the deaths of 275 German soldiers, and a halt to the Nazi advance. Historians consider it a pivotal battle in the Normandy invasion.

Recently, alongside the river in the now serene countryside, Owens was posthumously honored for his bravery in a ceremony that upgraded his commendation to , the Army’s second-highest award, following years of research and advocacy with the Pentagon and Congress.

Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, stated that Owens’ actions were “incredibly important” and “the exact model that all of us try to live up to.”

Owens passed away in 1967 at the age of 54. His youngest daughter, Susan Marrow, who was raised in Britain, expressed, “I don’t have words to describe how full my heart is and how much it means to me.”

His great-grandson, Harris Morales, also shared his pride, affirming that Owens was “without a doubt” a courageous man. Regarding the enhanced recognition, he added, “It means everything, and I still don’t believe it. It’s still not real for me yet.”

This recognition arrives at a time when global unrest persists . While 81 years may seem distant, Owens’ heroism and ingenuity remain relevant today.

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

From a military perspective, 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.”

When asked about the lessons learned from that time, Owens’ daughter offered a simple answer: “Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.”

Sometimes, as exemplified by Staff Sgt. William Owens, the dangerous behavior of “others” necessitates acting with the utmost and, at times, fierce courage.

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