The National Guard Monument
France
The National Guard Monument sits on the spot (WN72) where the 29th National Guard Division broke through German defenses on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The monument and the original bunker which it sits atop are maintained by NGEF to preserve the legacy and pay honor to all National Guardsmen who have fought in the European theater.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1The National Guard Monument
Welcome to the National Guard Monument, a uniquely powerful memorial situated on the bluffs of the Vierville-sur-Mer sector of Omaha Beach. This monument serves as a profound tribute to the 'Citizen Soldiers' of the United States…
Listen in the app2The Bronze Guardsman — A Study in Determination
Standing prominently atop the bunker is the centerpiece of the memorial: a larger-than-life bronze statue of a National Guardsman in full battle gear. As we analyze the sculpture, notice the meticulous attention to detail in the…
Listen in the app3The Granite Slab — The Ledger of Sacrifice
Adjacent to the statue is a large, polished granite slab that serves as the official record of the National Guard units that fought in the Normandy campaign. This is where the scholarly detail of the monument truly shines. …
Listen in the app4The bunker Foundation — Repurposing the Atlantic Wall
The most profound architectural feature of this monument is the fact that it sits directly on top of a German reinforced concrete bunker. This was part of Resistance Nest sixty-two, one of the most lethal points on Omaha Beach. …
Listen in the app5The Vierville Draw Overlook — The Tactical Gateway
If you look to the west from the monument, you can see the 'draw' or valley leading up from the beach into the village of Vierville-sur-Mer. In military terms, these draws were the primary objectives for the troops on Omaha Beach. …
Listen in the app6The Path to the Bluffs — The Soldiers' Ascent
Behind the monument, there is a path that leads further up into the bluffs and toward the plateau above the beach. This path allows us to consider the physical reality of the soldiers' advance once they moved off the sand. …
Listen in the app7The 29th Division Plaque — The Blue and Gray Heritage
Within the monument complex, there is a specific plaque dedicated to the twenty-ninth Infantry Division. This plaque features the division’s famous insignia: a circular patch with a blue and gray 'yin-yang' symbol. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our visit to the National Guard Monument, I invite you to take a final look at the bronze soldier standing atop the German concrete. This image encapsulates the entire meaning of the site: the victory of the…
Listen in the app
What is The National Guard Monument?
The National Guard Monument is a place in France with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | France |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 49.3753, -0.8925 |
| Last updated |
