June 5, 2025 – The Georgia World War II Heritage Trail proudly commemorates the 81st anniversary of D-Day, one of the most pivotal moments in world history. On June 6, 1944, more than 156,000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, in the largest amphibious assault ever launched, signaling the beginning of the end of Nazi tyranny in Europe. Among those who served valiantly in this historic campaign were thousands of brave men with deep ties to Georgia—pilots, paratroopers, infantrymen, and sailors whose courage and sacrifice helped turn the tide of World War II.
Across the Trail, sites will honor this anniversary. At Camp Toccoa at Currahee, visitors will walk in the footsteps of the paratroopers who trained on its rugged hills before jumping into Normandy with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. The camp’s famed alumni, including Easy Company of “Band of Brothers” fame, were among the first to land behind enemy lines in the early hours of June 6.
D-Day was a truly collaborative effort among the Allied nations, and Georgia’s contributions were essential to its success. The Eighth Air Force, established in Savannah, flew strategic bombing missions deep into German territory to weaken the enemy’s defenses ahead of the invasion. These missions came at a high cost, with thousands of airmen killed or captured in the months leading up to the assault.
Meanwhile, on the Georgia coast, thousands of civilians worked around the clock in shipyards at Savannah and Brunswick to build Liberty ships—vital cargo vessels that transported troops, tanks, ammunition, and supplies across the Atlantic to support the invasion. Thomaston-Upson County supplied three of the nation’s most critically needed wartime products through textile production and mica mining. These men and women of the Home Front played a critical role in ensuring the logistical success of the Allied effort.
In the heart of the state, Fort Benning served as one of the nation’s premier training facilities for infantry troops, many of whom would storm the beaches of Normandy under withering fire. At the same time, pilots trained in Douglas, Georgia, prepared for combat in the skies over Europe, including those who provided crucial air support during and after the landings.
“These stories are not just history—they are part of Georgia’s living legacy,” said Ed Coleman, Chair of the Georgia WWII Heritage Trail. “D-Day represents the courage, unity, and resolve of the Greatest Generation. The Trail’s mission is to preserve and share the stories of the 120,000 Georgians who served during World War II, ensuring that future generations understand the price of freedom.”
Visitors are encouraged to explore all twelve Trail sites this summer to learn more about Georgia’s deep and diverse contributions to the Allied victory in World War II. Through museum exhibits, restored aircraft, living history programs, and guided tours, the Georgia World War II Heritage Trail brings to life the extraordinary efforts of those who served both overseas and on the Home Front.