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Remembering D-Day

Locals among those who stormed the beaches of Normandy

Robert L. Wolverton

ELKINS — Today marks the 75th anniversary of D-day, the June 6, 1944 landings of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, the largest seaborne invasion in history.

Several local residents were among the soldiers who fought on the beaches of Normandy that day.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Lee Wolverton of Elkins was among the verified 2,499 Americans to perish during Operation Overlord in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

Leading the American 3rd Battalion, 506 Parachute Infantry Regiment, Wolverton was known to put the needs of his men first, making him widely loved by those under his command, according to public accounts.

The West Point graduate addressed the soldiers in his unit, urging them to join him in prayer before literally jumping into battle.

William L. Durham

His prayer went as follows:

“Men, I am not a religious man, and I don’t know your feelings on this manner, but I am going to ask you to pray with me for the success of the mission before us. I would like you to get down on your knees and while you do this do not look down, but look up, with heads held high to the sky.

“God almighty! In a few short hours we will be in battle with the enemy. We do not join the battle afraid. We do not ask favors or indulgence but ask that, if you will, use us as your instrument for the right and an aid in returning peace to the world.

“We do not know or seek what our fate will be. We only ask this, that if we must, that we die as men would die, without complaining, without pleading and safe in the feeling that we have done our best for what we believed was right. Oh, Lord! Protect our loved ones and be near us in the fire ahead, and with us now as we pray for you.”

Alongside his men, Colonel Wolverton descended from the plane into the heavy stream of gunfire surrounding him. He was dead before ever reaching the ground, according to published accounts.

Vincent F. DiBacco

Local veterans William L. Durham and Vincent F. DiBacco both fought on the beach during D-Day. They are both currently residents at Cortland Acres in Thomas.

The Inter-Mountain’s Unsung Heroes series of articles details the stories of the military careers of local veterans. DiBacco was featured in an Unsung Heroes article last year, while Durham will be the subject of an upcoming article.

German casualties on D-Day have been estimated at 4,000 to 9,000 men. Allied casualties were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead.

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