NAMESAKE

The USS NORMANDY is just the ship, but she’s comprised of a team of professionals that truly bring her to life. As a team, we ensure we carry out our nation’s tasking, big or small, and protect national interests abroad. Named after the arduous landing at Normandy, we are undoubtable faithful to our heritage and maintain a direct connection with Normandy, France. No other time in history has honor, courage, and commitment been so exemplify than that day on June 6, 1944. The landing operations and associated airborne operations were a part of Operations Overlord, which through the largest amphibious landings in history allowed for the allied forces to begin a long, arduous battle towards the liberation of France. Ultimately, it would be the first in a very long series of operations that would liberate the rest of Western Europe and secure Allied victory on the Western Front. The landings were preceded by extensive aerial and naval bombardment, not to mention landing 24,000 American, British, and Canadian troops shortly after midnight. Allied infantry and armored divisions began landing early in the morning. The target was a 50 mile stretch along the Normandy coast divided into five beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Troops landed under heavy gunfire and emplacements overlooking the beach while the shore was mined and covered with obstacles to include wooden stakes, metal tripods, and barbed wire. These were only the beginning of the struggles soldiers faced while storming the beach, as the machine gun nests, major artillery pieces, and countless other fortifications rained continuous gunfire. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on D-Day with 1,213 warships providing the necessary firepower to secure victory. By the end of June, 875,000 soldiers, sailors, and airmen had disembarked onto France. Less than a year later on May 8, 1945, the Allies defeated Nazi Germany and bring an end to the war in Europe. Commemorated in many films, TV shows, and books, the Normandy landings have been commonly associated as a turning point in history. Their bravery and courage is what NORMANDY sailors strive to embody every day during every moment.