Staff Reports
President Joe Biden recently delivered a speech at the Pointe du Hoc Memorial, echoing sentiments expressed by former President Ronald Reagan forty years ago. In his address, President Biden lauded the bravery of the soldiers who fought 80 years ago and underscored the United States' duty to promote and defend democracy globally.
The success of D-Day hinged on the efforts of 225 soldiers who scaled the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc. Amidst the invasion by 160,000 Allied troops on the Normandy beaches, they encountered intense artillery fire from the heights of Pointe du Hoc. Using ladders and ropes, these soldiers undertook the perilous climb, which took around 30 minutes. Upon reaching the top, they successfully located and destroyed five artillery guns that threatened the Allied forces.
The Boys of D-Day… 🇺🇸♥️💔🇺🇸
“These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.”
Average age of American troops on D-Day was just 21 to 22, our "Boys"…♥️ pic.twitter.com/Ii7Inbxr1n
— Doc… (@JHHolliday3) June 6, 2024
Their heroic efforts came at a high cost. Seventy-seven soldiers were killed, and 90 remained capable of fighting when they were relieved by troops from Omaha Beach on June 8. Their actions were crucial to the mission's success, as nearly 5,000 ships were within the range of German artillery.
Both Reagan and Biden's speeches emphasized the threat posed by Russia to democratic nations. Reagan addressed the challenges of the Cold War, while Biden spoke in the context of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Prior to his visit to Normandy, Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, reaffirming the United States' support for Ukraine.
President Biden's speech at the Pointe du Hoc Memorial honored the valor of the D-Day soldiers and highlighted the ongoing struggle for democracy and freedom, echoing the sentiments shared by former President Reagan.
