78 years later, veterans still recall the triumph, loss and horrors of D-Day

World War II and D-Day veteran David George, of St. James, can still remember the horrific sights and sounds on the beaches of Normandy 78 years ago. 

But the 100-year-old former Army infantryman thinks most about his “brothers” who didn’t survive the largest seaborne military invasion in human history and the turning point in the eventual defeat of Nazi Germany.

“I made buddies while I was in the service,” George recalled Monday during a D-Day service in Hauppauge where he received the Jubilee of Liberty Medal for his war efforts.

 “And I lost so many,” he said.

On June 6, 1944, more than 160,000 allied troops landed across a 50-mile area of the French coastline, heavily protected, to fight Nazi soldiers on the beaches of Normandy.

By the end of the day, more than 9,000 allied soldiers were wounded or killed. But through their efforts, the allies were able to begin making their way across Europe and eventually defeat Adolf Hitler’s forces.

At the ceremony, Suffolk officials honored the bravery and service of D-Day veterans and raised an American flag that County Executive Steve Bellone took to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of the battle in 2019.

“We know that they will not be with us forever,” Bellone said of D-Day veterans. “But we know how critical it is that we always remember what they did as individuals and who they serve with — their fellow Americans, many of whom did not make it home — for what they did to save the world.”

With nearly 90,000 veterans, Suffolk County is home to the largest veterans’ population in the state, Bellone said.

Army Cpl. David Wolman never set foot in France but he played a critical behind-the-scenes role from England as a control tower operator, helping guide flight after flight of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers on missions against German troops in support of the allied D-Day offensive known as “Operation Overlord.”

For three days, Wolman, 100, who lives at Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook, never left that tower, working round-the-clock to make sure every one of his fellow servicemen returned home safe.

Of the lives of Americans lost that day, Wolman said: “It’s very important. We can’t forget that.”

Nancy Wolman said her father was honored for his bravery during the 75th anniversary D-Day ceremony in Washington, D.C.

“I’m very proud of him,” she said. “They all deserve it.”

Speakers at the Suffolk event drew parallels between the rise of the Nazi’s during World War II and Russia’s invasion and ongoing aggression against Ukraine.

“We must continue to fight against all of the tyrants of the world,” said Capt. Bohdan Kopystianskyj, a Ukrainian American Vietnam veteran. “These soldiers, sailors and airmen are truly the Greatest Generation.”

Elsewhere Monday, the Museum of American Armor in Old Bethpage marked the somber anniversary as a wreath was placed on a landing craft, similar to the one that came ashore at Normandy.

“World War II still matters,” said Kevin Carroll, a spokesman for the museum. ” … It was an important day for World War II but also beyond. The political events today. The social events today. A lot of them have their roots in World War II. So it’s very important to remember.”

With Howard Schnapp

Robert Brodsky is a breaking news reporter who has worked at Newsday since 2011. He is a Queens College and American University alum.