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From the Archives: East Texas veterans who served on D-Day

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EAST TEXAS (KLTV) – As the world pauses to reflect on the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy that changed the course of World War II, the passage of time highlights another somber reality. The personal stories of those who served during this turning point in the war will soon fade into history.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, fewer than 119 thousand of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II are still living. In fact, these statistics show 131 WWII veterans die with each passing day. The National World War II Museum’s information shows 5,842 of the remaining WWII survivors are from Texas.

Even fewer are the number of living veterans whose service had a direct connection to the landings at Normandy France in June 1944. This includes the soldiers who landed on Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, as well as the those involved in the air bombardment, paratrooper drops, and those serving aboard ships positions along the coastline.

Of the 140 thousand American service members involved, the National D-Day Memorial in Virginia estimates about a thousand are still living. The youngest, who were in their teens in 1944, would now be approaching 100.

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Over the course of journalist Joan Hallmark’s 44 years at KLTV, one of her lasting contributions was documenting the stories of countless veterans, many of whom served in World War II.(Source: KLTV staff)

The stories of many East Texas veterans who served at Normandy were documented through KLTV’s long-running ‘Freedom Fighters’ series, reported by journalist Joan Hallmark, who retired in 2018.

These first-hand accounts preserve vivid details about their combat service and perspectives.

The following videos from the KLTV archives are a selection of nearly two dozen East Texas veterans who served during the D-Day invasion.

Gordon Barker | Hideaway, TX

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Gordon Barker was one of only a handful of servicemen to be at both D-Day and the signing of the peace treaty with Japan. Original airdate: July 19, 2013.
Gordon Barker was still a teenager when he witnessed some of the most important events in our nation’s history. Original airdate: July 26, 2013.

Royce Peacock | Troup, TX

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From the time Royce Peacock landed on Normandy Beach the week after D-Day, he was battling the enemy. Original airdate: March 19, 2010.
Ron Ruff | Pittsburg, TX

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War was erupting around the world when Ron Ruff joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940. Original airdate: September 8, 2014.

Bill Spurgeon | Carthage, TX

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Bill Spurgeon arrived in Normandy on D-Day and went on to fight in the biggest battle of the war, the “Battle of the Bulge.” Original airdate: June 4, 2010.

Jesse Casady | Tyler, TX

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During his 95 years of life, Jesse Casady made history for our country in both war and in peace. Original airdate: February 13, 2015.

Bill Prindible | Hideaway, TX

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Although Bill Prindible trained as a fighter pilot, his role in WWII was changed to transport aircraft for the big invasion. Original airdate: October 9, 2009.

Bud Taylor | Tyler, TX

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Bud Taylor went on the fight in the Pacific and to bombard the French coast on D-Day. Original airdate: December 7, 2012.
Chuck Bice | Tyler, TX

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As a member of the 300th Combat Engineers, Chuck Bice helped build both the first and last bridges of WWII. Original airdate: June 6, 2014.

Charles Monroe | Athens, TX

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Charles Monroe was 18 when he arrived in France on June 13, D-Day 7 of the Normandy Invasion. Original airdate: January 16, 2015.

Ted Heller | Bullard, TX

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Ted Heller became part of history on June 6th of 1944 as he piloted a group of paratroopers into France. Original airdate: June 11, 2010.

John Jennings | Mount Pleasant, TX

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John Jennings was a gunner on an LCI landing craft delivering troops to Omaha Beach in the Normandy invasion. Original airdate: January 2, 2015.

Bud Williams | Garrison, TX

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Bud Williams was one of five brothers to fight in World War Two. Original airdate: June 3, 2011.
Bud Taylor, James Barrett, and Bud Williams

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Bud Taylor, James Barrett, and Bud Williams served on the French coast during the D-Day invasion. Original airdate: June 1, 2012.

Jack Reynolds | Henderson County, TX

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Jack Reynolds arrived on Normandy’s Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, “D-Day.” Original airdate: March 7, 2014.

Jack Jackson | Tyler, TX

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Jack Jackson was barely out of his teens when he became one of the first pilots to fly into enemy territory on D-Day. Original airdate: November 21, 2014.

James D’Zelle | Hawkins, TX

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James D’Zelle arrived on the Normandy coast on D-Day plus 2 of 1944. Original airdate: September 17, 2010.

Homer Garrett | Tyler, TX

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Homer Garrett served during D-Day in World War II. His LST hit a mine just before landing at Utah Beach in June of 1944. Original airdate: May 30, 2014.
John Flowers | Smith County, TX

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John Flowers was a gunners mate aboard the USS Rockaway, on June 6,1944, “D-Day”. Original airdate: May 16, 2014.

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