Seventy years ago, more than 100,000 U.S.-led allied forces invaded the French coastline of Normandy to battle Nazi Germany. Before the invasion, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower told the troops, “I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!”  

The invasion, known as “The Great Crusade,” was the largest air, land and sea operation in history. Thousands of ships and planes supported the mission. And while, Eisenhower’s prediction of a victory came to be true, it was not without significant costs. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed or wounded that day.  

Boeing salutes the bravery and courage of the allied troops on this 70th anniversary and pays homage to the fallen.  

Listen to the accounts of some of those who were there that day: