June 6, 2024, marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, a pivotal moment in World War II that led to the liberation of Europe. Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy, including 100 servicemen from Colorado who are laid to rest at the Normandy American Cemetery or listed on the Wall of the Missing.
A delegation from Denver Sister Cities International on a journey to our sister city, Brest, France, walked the historic beaches and memorials of Normandy. This visit was a tribute to the Colorado soldiers who gave their lives for our freedom and will be happening again this summer. Thank you to the passionate guides at the Normandy American Cemetery for sharing the stories of these courageous individuals. To highlight a few:
Philip E. DeSilva, W.O.M. (1923-1944), Denver, Colorado Pfc. DeSilva, known as Eddie, was born in Ft. Collins but raised in Denver. He attended the University of Nebraska, where he met and married Margaret Capron. His son, Philip Jr., was born in September 1944. Tragically, Pfc. DeSilva’s body was never found.
Alfons George Kuntz, C-9-9 (1916-1944), Otis, Colorado Born in Otis, Colorado, Alfons Kuntz served with the 90th Infantry Division. He landed in France on D-Day and was killed in action on July 3, 1944, at the age of 27.
Albert Lee Manley, W.O.M. (1924-1944), Crested Butte, Colorado Albert Manley, valedictorian of his high school class, was born in Crested Butte. He was the oldest of five children. His body was never found, and he is commemorated at the Normandy American Cemetery.
John D. Halls, C-10-32 (1922-1944), Mancos, Colorado Private First Class John Derrick “Cowboy” Halls, a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne, was killed on D-Day. He is buried at the Normandy American Cemetery and was portrayed in Steven Spielberg’s HBO series “Band of Brothers.”
522,116 other soldiers lost their lives in the European theater during World War II, a figure that does not include the countless others who were missing, the nurses, the WACS, the WAVES, the journalists, photographers, spies, and infiltrators. Let us always remember with gratitude these brave men and women. To commemorate this historic day, you can watch the 80th anniversary of the D-Day livestream on YouTube.
