Pete Wilson ’51 Fellows for Normandy Academy Present to Freshmen Class about D-Day

Imagine walking along the beaches of Normandy where the historical “D-Day,” also known as “The Turning Point” of World War II, took place. Picture seeing the bridges that were once captured by gliders of the 6th Airborne Division. How would it feel to see the WWII memorials, the American and German cemeteries, or even talk with a then-active member of the French Resistance? All of these were opportunities that three MICDS students, Aanya Tiwari ’23, Chloe Davis ’24, and Abby Wyckoff ’24, experienced this summer as the Pete Wilson ’51 Fellows for Normandy Academy. They walked in the footsteps of those who made history on June 6, 1944, and they shared much of what they learned with the MICDS community last week.

The National World War II Museum’s Normandy Academy is a 12-day educational journey that challenges students to learn from the choices made before and during the historic D-Day landings. Students visit New Orleans, Louisiana, and Normandy, France to delve deeper into the experiences of the Allied forces throughout the Battle of Normandy.

Through the generosity of St. Louis Country Day School alum Edward T. Baur ’64, these students were selected as the Pete Wilson ’51 Fellows for Normandy Academy. As such, they received full scholarships (including flights, tuition, meals, etc.) to participate in the Academy. Upon their return, the fellows shared what they saw and learned with the ninth-grade class which is currently studying World War II. Mr. Baur also attended the presentation.

In their presentation, Tiwari, Davis, and Wyckoff shared all about what D-Day was and its pivotal impact in liberating Northwest Europe from Nazi occupation. “Those involved in D-Day carried the burden of humanity on their shoulders,” they said. “All these individuals are the reason we are here today. We now take you through the story of how we got here. This is the story of D-Day and how we experienced D-Day through our trip this past summer.”

They described the events of that pivotal day, the strategy behind the invasion, the many sites of significance, and the people involved. A resounding theme was people: “The success of D-Day came from the unparalleled bravery of Allied soldiers…Each person involved treated this operation with such dedication, almost like they were taking on D-Day by themselves. War is always people.”

Throughout their presentation, the ninth graders figuratively joined the fellows on the five beaches of the Normandy Coast, in Horsa gliders delivering infantry and equipment, on Pegasus Bridge, at the memorial of Major John Howard who led the 6th Airborne division that captured the Caen Canal and Orne River Bridges, in Higgins Boats where Allies could bring men and equipment to the shores quickly, “Bloody Omaha” where the American casualty rate was much higher than at other landings, capturing Pointe Du Hoc against all odds, and more. Again, the fellows took note of the effort made on behalf of the people: “When it really comes down to it, Pointe Du Hoc was driven by the people that carried out such an operation,” they said. “Naturally, these forces could have given up and gone home considering the level and extent of difficulty at Omaha Beach, yet they persisted no matter what, echoing this patriotic spirit for their own nations and for the collective body of Allies.”

They detailed the deception involved: how the Allies knew the Germans were falling for their deceitful plans when mathematician Alan Turing cracked the German Enigma machine and how they fooled them with fake, massive airborne landings called “paradummies.” They described how the Germans were ultimately forced to retreat through a single opening known as the “Corridor of Death” where thousands of Germans were captured or killed. This brought about the Allies controlling the Normandy region, then Paris, and allowed them to be well on their way to recapturing control of France.

A highlight for all of the fellows was getting to meet and speak with 90-year-old Madame Colette Marin Catherine who was a 13-year-old member of the French Resistance at the time of D-Day. “She would put anti-German quotes and jokes in the pockets of German coats while they dined at restaurants and would jam their automobile engines by clogging them with sugar,” the presenters said. “It was refreshing to hear lighthearted stories like these for they brought out sheer innocence and a sense of youth amidst the war…Madame Colette became our new hero. She embraced her life and lived it to the fullest given the circumstances. She told all of us that it was never too late to help in making a difference or even be the reason for a difference. Moreover, she empowered all the girls on our trip and of the world by repeatedly enforcing that a woman could do anything and everything just as well as a man.”

They also visited several cemeteries including the American National Cemetery and the German War Cemetery, leaving the Academy students filled with different emotions. They also learned about many of the stories of some of the soldiers and other units.

Below are some reflections from the 2022 Pete Wilson ’51 Fellows for Normandy Academy who grew so much through this experience.

The Normandy trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Davis. “The experience of meeting American war veterans, a member of the French Resistance, and learning about D-Day through historical landmarks was incredible. Being immersed in information was also particularly stunning because I retained so much. On another note, practicing independence with new peers in a foreign country was also phenomenal: I really believe I have become a more genuine and outgoing person who is interested and eager to learn about the experiences of others. The Normandy trip has truthfully shaped the trajectory of my life through exploring a developing passion and sense of self.”