81 years ago today, paratroopers bound for Normandy. 🇺🇸

Paratrooper Harry Hudec, the boxing champ of the 508th PIR, poses for the camera all geared up with for 82nd Airborne Division. 🪂. Hudec made combat jumps into Normandy and Market Garden, receiving a Purple Heart for wounds in Normandy.🪖. @PieceJake on the color🎨

WWI soldier Herman Davis of Arkansas was renowned for his exceptional marksmanship. 🎯. Using only his Springfield rifle and open sights, he took out five enemy soldiers from a distance of 1,000 yards, humbly calling it."just a good shootin' distance." 🪖

Norman Rockwell’s iconic “Homecoming Marine” gracing the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. 🇺🇸

If you can place this photograph, you’re my kind of people. 😎

US Combat Engineers wearing USAAF flak jackets near the Siegfried Line in Germany. 🪖

The USS Mississippi in July of 1944….well on her way to her 8 Battle Stars earned during her time in the Pacific. ⚓️

In July of 1943, paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division enjoy Italian ice cream in Palermo.🪂. Pvt. Rice (on the left) wears a rare bazooka badge on his sleeve—just below the 82nd patch. 😎. These badges were authorized by then-Colonel James Gavin of the 505th PIR. 🪖

In July of 1944, Marine Private Thomas Underwood of the 4th Marine Division takes a well deserved sip of water from his canteen after extended fighting on the Island of Saipan. 🪖

In June of 1944, Captain William Hooper of the 79th Infantry Division escorts German POWs through the streets of Cherbourg, France. 🪖. Hooper was killed in action 81 years ago today, 1 week after this photo was taken. 🪦. @PieceJake on the colorization 🎨

In July of 1918, soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division man their machine gun in a trench in Belgium. 🪖

81 years ago today, Pvt. William Nakamura of the 442nd RCT single-handled destroys an enemy machine gun nest & later volunteers to cover his unit's withdrawal. 🪖. He was then KIA while attacking a 2nd machine gun which firing on his platoon. 🪦 . His DSC was upgraded to a MOH 🇺🇸

The C-47 Skytrain that led the airborne invasion of Normandy on D-Day, “That's All, Brother” 😎

81 years ago today, Pvt. Frank Ono of the 442nd RCT defended his position alone against an enemy counter-attack & braved intense hostile fire to aid wounded. When it became necessary to retreat, he alone covered his unit's withdrawal. 🪖. He would receive the Medal of Honor 🇺🇸

81 years ago today, soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division inspect a knocked out German 8.8cm Flak 36 in Cherbourg, France. 🪖

81 years ago today, medical personnel with the 2nd Armored Division pause to look at a sign made by local French citizens thanking them in Normandy, France on the 4th of July. 🇺🇸

Happy birthday, America 🇺🇸

Captain Thomas Garahan of the 100th Infantry Division raises an American flag that was made in secrecy by a local French girl in Bitche, France. Happy Independence Day 🇺🇸

81 years ago today, Japanese American soldiers of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team “adopted” orphans from St. Joseph’s Orphanage at the Red Cross 4th of July celebration in Lecco, Italy 🇺🇸 . The men made sure the children had plenty of sweets to eat that evening. 🍫

Nothing says 4th of July like the Big Red 1 waving the American flag in Washington D.C. 🇺🇸. Enhanced by @Erikhistorian 🎨

🚨NEW: Remains of Nebraska soldier identified 82 years after WWII death in POW camp. Pvt. Erwin Schopp was a member of the 59th Coastal Artillery Regiment when Japan invaded the Philippines in December 1941. 🪖. He died at the Cabanatuan POW camp. 🪦