SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE Soldiers, Sailors
and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark
upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.
The eyes of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company
with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other Fronts, you will
bring about the destruction of the German war machine, elimination of
Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for
ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your
enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight
savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi
triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans
great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has
seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage
war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming
superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal
great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free
men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full
confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We
will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good luck! And let us
beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble
undertaking.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Order of the Day
June 6, 1944