Remarks from our D-Day +75 Exhibtion Preview

On June 5th, 2019 we hosted a members-only preview of our new exhibit D-Day +75 where Dr. Rob Havers and 2 D-Day Veterans made remarks.

D-Day +75 is a flashback to June 1944, when the world waited in anticipation to learn the outcome of the invasion of France. Told in chronological order, from planning and preparation, to the landing, and aftermath, this new exhibit from the Pritzker Military Museum & Library tells the story of D-Day beyond the events of that single day in history. 

Dr. Richard C. Rung was drafted in 1943 at the age of 18 and chose the United States Navy . After training at bases in Geneva, NY and Richmond, Virginia, he was sent to London and waited for his orders. As part of Landing Craft Tank 539, Run and the crew participated in D-Day in the assault on Omaha Beach. His boat was responsible for locating and sending ammunition supplies to troops. After D-Day he spent two months in Europe and was then sent to the Pacific theater where his ship escorted the first American troops to Hokkaido, Japan.

PFC Ray Wagner was drafted into the United States Army in the spring of 1943 at the age of 19. After basic training in Oklahoma he was shipped to England to prepare for D-Day. Wagner’s division participated in the assault of Omaha Beach. On D-Day, heavy winds created waves as high as five feet tall and Wagner’s duck boat sank. He was able to hold on to a spare tire and switch board until he was rescued. After landing on Omaha Beach, Wagener was hit in the knee by shrapnel from a German Artillery shell. Wagner is the recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal for his actions later in the war and in 2011, was awarded the highest level, “chevalier” of the Legion d’honneur, awarded by the French government to U.S. Military personnel who served in campaigns that resulted in the liberation of France. Mr. Wagner, thank you for you service.