Close Menu
  • News
  • Health
  • Lifetsyle
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • World
  • contact
What's Hot

Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park

July 31, 2025

NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united'

July 31, 2025

Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior

July 31, 2025

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park
  • NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united'
  • Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior
  • Navy calls off search for missing sailor assigned to USS George Washington near Australia
  • Mets acquire Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley as they continue to bolster bullpen before MLB trade deadline
  • Shohei Ohtani leaves Dodgers game as pitcher vs Reds, but returns to bat
  • Trump fears loom over Commanders execs over Redskins nickname pressure as stadium vote nears: report
  • Newlyweds' honeymoon trip ends in fiery crash that kills husband and baby daughter
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
NEW YORK TIMES POST
Demo
  • News
  • Health
  • Lifetsyle
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • World
  • contact
NEW YORK TIMES POST
Home»World»Reporter's Notebook: Recalling an American WWII hero who helped fight off Nazi forces during Normandy invasion
World

Reporter's Notebook: Recalling an American WWII hero who helped fight off Nazi forces during Normandy invasion

nytimespostBy nytimespostJune 17, 2025No Comments2 Views
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email


D-Day hero receives posthumous honor after 81 years

Fox News senior correspondent Greg Palkot spoke to the family of Staff Sergeant William Owens, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic actions during the D-Day invasion. (Still: James J. Ricci family.)

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The 81st anniversary of the famous U.S.-led D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, was recently commemorated.

Less well-known are the battles during the days and weeks that followed in Normandy, which helped secure the massive beachhead, so the allies could go on and defeat Nazi Germany in World II.

One of those clashes was at a bridge over a small river near the town of Sainte-Mère-Église. Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division landed near there early on the morning of June 6, 1944. 

They had to hold the position against Germans threatening American forces who came ashore at Utah beach, one of the main landing sites.

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: REMEMBERING COURAGE ON THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

Medal ceremony, June 5 2025, Sainte-Mere-Eglise  

Medal ceremony, June 5 2025, Sainte-Mere-Eglise   (Courtesy : Greg Palkot/Fox News)

One of those was Iowa-born 31-year-old U.S. Army Staff Sgt. William Owens. For three days, as his unit was cut down in combat from 45 to just 12 men, he bravely helped fight off the Germans.  

He fired from three different machine gun positions, threw hand grenades, commanded bazooka teams and moved from foxhole to foxhole, coordinating action. The actions of him and his men eventually knocked out four German tanks, killed 275 German soldiers and stopped the Nazis dead in their tracks. It was hailed by historians as a key battle of the Normandy invasion.

US war hero William Owens

Staff Sergeant William Owens, 1943.  (Courtesy : James J. Ricci family collection )

On a recent day alongside the river in the now green and peaceful countryside, after years of research and lobbying at the Pentagon and in Congress, Owens was recognized for his valor in a ceremony during which his honors were upgraded to Distinguished Service Cross, the second most important medal the Army can bestow.

Chris Donahue, the commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa, told Fox News Owens’ actions were “incredibly important. What Owens did is the exact model that all of us try to live up to.”

ON 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, ONE US NAVY VETERAN’S SON IS THE FIRST AMERICAN POPE

Owens died at the age of 54 in 1967. His youngest daughter, British-raised Susan Marrow, said, “I don’t have words to describe how full my heart is and how much it means to me.”

His great-grandson, Harris Morales, was also proud to be there, saying, “without a doubt,” Owens was a brave guy. As for the new recognition of Owens, he added, “It means everything, and I still don’t believe it. It’s still not real for me yet.”

Greg Palkot and Gen. Christopher Donahue

Greg Palkot and Gen. Christopher Donahue, Commander of the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa. (Annie Butterworth/Fox News)

This comes at a time the world remains in turmoil from Ukraine to the Mideast and beyond. While 81 years seems like a long time ago, the heroism and inventiveness displayed by Owens then is still seen as relevant today.

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

Speaking from a military standpoint, 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.”

medal ceremony in France

A posthumous medal ceremony for Army Staff Sgt. William Owens June 5, 2025, Sainte-Mère-Église, France. (Greg Palkot/Fox News)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

As for lessons learned then, Owens’ daughter had a simple answer, saying, “Do unto others as you would have them do onto you.”

Sometimes, as in the case of Staff Sgt. William Owens, the dangerous behavior of “others”  means acting with the greatest and sometimes brutal gallantry.

Greg Palkot serves as a London-based senior foreign affairs correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in 1998 as a correspondent.

American fight forces helped hero invasion Nazi Normandy Notebook Recalling Reporter039s WWII
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email

Related Posts

Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior

July 31, 2025

Woman saves husband's life with bear spray during grizzly attack in wilderness

July 30, 2025

Sophie Cunningham opens up on ex-team's treatment of Caitlin Clark, and infamous fight that chipped her tooth

July 30, 2025
Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

The Latest News
  • Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park July 31, 2025
  • NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united' July 31, 2025
  • Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior July 31, 2025
  • Navy calls off search for missing sailor assigned to USS George Washington near Australia July 31, 2025
  • Mets acquire Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley as they continue to bolster bullpen before MLB trade deadline July 31, 2025
  • Shohei Ohtani leaves Dodgers game as pitcher vs Reds, but returns to bat July 31, 2025
Economy News
News

Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park

By nytimespostJuly 31, 20251

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Arkansas Department of Public Safety announced…

NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united'

July 31, 2025

Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior

July 31, 2025
Top Trending
News

Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park

By nytimespostJuly 31, 20251

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Arkansas Department of…

Sports

NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united'

By nytimespostJuly 31, 20251

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The NFL released its…

World

Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior

By nytimespostJuly 31, 20254

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Two men have been…

Subscribe to News

Get the latest sports news from NewsSite about world, sports and politics.

Advertisement
Demo
Demo
Top Posts

Former Houston appointee claims flood-ravaged Camp Mystic is 'Whites-only' in viral video

July 6, 2025278

Massachusetts police officer shot by colleague during service of restraining order

July 1, 2025257

Deadly social media trend threatens kids, homeowners defending themselves: 'children are going to get killed’

July 5, 2025229

Trans athlete wins USA Cycling women's event as female opponents protest and speak out

July 2, 2025174
Don't Miss
News

Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park

By nytimespostJuly 31, 20251

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The Arkansas Department of Public Safety announced…

NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united'

July 31, 2025

Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior

July 31, 2025

Navy calls off search for missing sailor assigned to USS George Washington near Australia

July 31, 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from SmartMag about art & design.

Demo

NEW YORK TIMES POST

 

Categories
  • Business
  • Culture
  • Fashion
  • Food
  • Tech
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • Nature
NEW YORK TIMES POST
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

About Us
About Us

Your source for the lifestyle news. This demo is crafted specifically to exhibit the use of the theme as a lifestyle site. Visit our main page for more demos.

We're accepting new partnerships right now.

Email Us: info@example.com
Contact: +1-320-0123-451

Facebook X (Twitter) Pinterest YouTube WhatsApp
Our Picks

Arkansas man charged with capital murder after killing parents in front of daughters at Devil’s Den State Park

July 31, 2025

NFL releases statement after mass shooting at league headquarters in NYC: 'Resilient and united'

July 31, 2025

Passengers removed from plane, arrested for alleged vodka-induced drunk and disruptive behavior

July 31, 2025
Most Popular

Former Houston appointee claims flood-ravaged Camp Mystic is 'Whites-only' in viral video

July 6, 2025278

Massachusetts police officer shot by colleague during service of restraining order

July 1, 2025257

Deadly social media trend threatens kids, homeowners defending themselves: 'children are going to get killed’

July 5, 2025229
© 2025 NEW YORK TIMES POST. Designed by EREN.
  • News
  • Health
  • Lifetsyle
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
  • World
  • contact

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.