Largest land battle on the Western Front during World War II and the largest engagement ever fought by the U.S. Army. In early December 1944, Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower planned major offensives in the northern and southern sectors of the Western Front. To ensure sufficient power for . . .

In Belgium, an exposed member of the 82nd Airborne Division scrambles for cover. December 24, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-197861)

Men had to dig foxholes in the frozen ground at the Battle of the Bulge.

An 81 mm mortar crew fires at German positions in France.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-194734)

Airborne troops are ferried to Holland for Operation Market Garden. September 17, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-198051)

On June 6, 1944, D-Day in the European Theater, a million and a half Allied troops embark on one of the greatest invasions in history: the invasion of France.

Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944, was the Western Allies' greatest operation of World War II and the finest hour of Anglo-American cooperation. Only the United States and the British Empire could have successfully undertaken the largest and most dangerous amphibious assault in history. The . . .

As seen from a Coast Guard landing barge, the first wave of American soldiers approaches the shores of Normandy, France, June 6, 1944

Source: National Archives (26-G-237)

American soldiers, under German artillery fire, disembark from a landing craft off the shores of Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion of France. June 6, 1944

Source: National Archives (111-SC-189906 ?)

The news of D-Day reaches across America

A landing craft packed with soldiers approaches the shores of Normandy, France. June 6, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-320901)

Citizens of Gravas, Holland welcome American paratroopers, part of Operation Market Garden. September 18, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-195311)

Dwain Luce was born April 25 1916, and grew up in Mobile. His father was in the lumber business. Luce graduated from high school in l934 and from Auburn in l938, with a reserve commission. After graduation he went to work at his family's cannery business in Mississippi. On December . . .

Mobile's Dwain Luce, left, with friends Hunter Marstan, Jack Manning and Stuart Waring. Luce, a glider pilot, would see action in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland as part of Operation Market Garden.

Source: Dwain Luce

Mobile's Dwain Luce and his wife Margaret. Luce, a glider pilot, would see action in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland as part of Operation Market Garden.

Source: Dwain Luce

Mobile's Dwain Luce poses for a snapshot. Luce, a glider pilot, would see action in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland as part of Operation Market Garden.

Source: Dwain Luce

American infantrymen fight the Germans one hedgreow at a time, here with a rifle grenade. Normandy, France. 1944.

Source: National Archives (208-AA-20N-7)

Infantrymen grab sleep where they can. Normandy, France, July 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-191444)

American GI's move cautiously through a breach in a Normandy hedgerow. France. July 25, 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-191997)

American tanks move through the ruins of St. Lo, France, July 1944.

Source: National Archives (111-SC-199771)