D-Day Lessons for Business and Future Service Members

As we commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, the heroic actions of those who served provide invaluable lessons for today’s youth and businesses striving to build a better future. D-Day, June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal moment in World War II when Allied forces launched a massive invasion of Normandy, France, to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Among the many lessons, two stand out: The importance of our youth in committing to serve a cause greater than themselves, and businesses that value the strategic importance of our national defense by encouraging military service and hiring veterans, which ultimately benefits their organizations and supports our democracy.

Army Engineers At Normandy

I recall speaking with a congresswoman in the White House who had just returned from the 70th Anniversary of the Normandy invasion. She asked, “Why were there so many headstones of engineer soldiers in Colleville Cemetery at Normandy?” At the time, I was the Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I explained the extremely dangerous tasks carried out by combat engineers. These units worked at the forefront of the assault, often in open areas which exposed them to intense enemy fire. During the Normandy landings, the 1st Engineer Battalion led assault forces by clearing extensive enemy mines, barbed wire, and anti-tank obstacles. These soldiers and all other service members at Normandy demonstrated extreme courage and selfless service.

The 1^st Engineer Battalion

Reflecting on historical events reveals crucial insights. Colonel William “Bill” Gara led the 1st Engineer Battalion during D-Day and through May of 1945. As a young officer, I had the remarkable opportunity to lead the 1st Engineer Battalion, the oldest and most decorated engineer battalion in the U.S. Army. In the headquarters building of the 1st Engineer Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas, displayed in the hallway are photos of each of the battalion’s past commanders. Each time I walked through that hallway as the commander of the battalion, I would stop at Bill Gara’s photo and think about all that the battalion had accomplished during WWII. I also thought about Bill’s age because he looked so young. I invited Bill to speak at our 1^st Engineer Battalion Dinner event, and I asked Bill how old he was at Normandy. He said, “Well, we fought in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. When I led the battalion onto Omaha Beach at Normandy, I was 27 years old and had over 1000 soldiers in the battalion.” While many know of the leadership of Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, and Patton, many young leaders were also essential to the overall success of WWII. Success in the military or business is not about age, either young or old. The key to success is how the military and businesses tap into and leverage the talent of all generations. When your business considers the youth in its organization, how much responsibility would you provide them? With the proper training and experience, young people can accomplish so much for businesses and in our world.

Business Contributions to the War Effort

Businesses made a significant impact on the success of Normandy. U.S. companies such as General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford converted their production lines to manufacture military vehicles and tanks. Boeing and Lockheed helped produce thousands of aircraft. Higgins Industries produced boats that transported troops and equipment. Businesses also played a crucial role by encouraging their employees to serve in the military through financial incentives, job security assurances, and support for service members and their families. Today, with the military services in need of young people to serve their country, what does your business do to encourage military service? The benefits to businesses are clear. Imagine re-hiring a young Bill Gara and the valuable leadership skills he would add to your organization. The military provides young people the opportunity to take on significant responsibilities to train and grow as leaders. They learn how to overcome adversity, maximize opportunities, and take the necessary risks to win.

Lessons from the Ehlers Brothers

In 1999, my unit, the 1^st Armored Division Engineer Brigade, had the extraordinary honor and privilege of conducting the 55^th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. There were many WWII veterans in attendance, including Walter Ehlers. Walter landed on Normandy beach with his brother, Roland, who was tragically killed shortly after the landings. Walter demonstrated exceptional leadership and intrepid heroism during the Normandy invasion for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Ehlers often mentioned that he would have preferred to have his brother back rather than receive the Medal of Honor. The Ehlers provide lessons on the profound impacts of war on individuals and families and the enduring values of courage and commitment. For business, their story provides lessons on the importance of leaders taking risks and making tough decisions for the greater good of the organization.

Encouraging Military Service Today

As we recognize the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, businesses must recognize the strategic importance of encouraging military service. Today, less than 1% of Americans serve in the military, yet this small percentage carries the weight of protecting our nation’s freedoms. Our military is becoming a family business such that 80% of service members have a family member who has served, and more than 25% have a parent who served. Supporting employees who choose to serve can bring significant benefits, such as enhanced leadership skills, resilience, and a strong sense of duty and teamwork. Companies can play a pivotal role by providing financial incentives, job security, and support for service members and their families. By doing so, businesses help sustain our democracy, and the veterans who return to their organizations will provide skills that are taught and learned only through military experience.

During the 55th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion, Major David Turner was my operations officer. We had just completed a year-long deployment in Bosnia, and as we were taking on the Normandy mission, we were also deploying part of our unit to Kosovo. I asked Major Turner to work with the U.S. Air Force to schedule a flyover for the June 6th ceremony at Colleville Cemetery. Major Turner reported that he was having a difficult time getting approval for the flyover since the military had ongoing operations in Bosnia and Kosovo. I told Major Turner not to spend any more time trying to schedule the flyover. Yet, during the actual event, as a bugler played Taps to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, U.S. Air Force jets flew over the cemetery. I looked over at Major Turner, and he simply winked. This moment illustrated how young military leaders take risks each day to accomplish the mission. Businesses can greatly benefit from this kind of experience and dedication.

As we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Invasion at Normandy, there are lessons for young people who choose to follow in the footsteps of the Greatest Generation. While serving a cause greater than themselves, they will learn prodigious leadership skills that will endure long after military service. The lesson for businesses: Value the strategic importance of our national defense by encouraging military service and hiring veterans, which ultimately benefits their organizations and supports our democracy.