Bedford’s Rich Military Heritage
As the calendar creeps closer to Memorial Day, we wanted to take a moment to recognize Bedford’s military heritage and the importance of remembering our fallen service members. Let’s pause the barbecue, reflect, and take a moment to learn more about the D-Day Memorial and The Bedford Boys.
What is the D-Day Memorial?
The National D-Day Memorial is a memorial located in Bedford, Virginia, United States. It commemorates the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, during World War II, commonly known as D-Day. The invasion was a crucial turning point in the war and marked the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany's control over Western Europe.
Bedford was chosen as the site for the memorial because it suffered the highest per capita D-Day losses of any community in the United States. The town lost 19 of its soldiers on that fateful day, better known as “The Bedford Boys”, which represented a significant loss for a small, close-knit community.
The National D-Day Memorial was officially dedicated on June 6, 2001 with President George W. Bush, and covers an area of approximately 88 acres. According to the National D-Day Memorial's website, it attracts thousands of visitors each year.
It features a variety of elements, including a large plaza with bronze sculptures depicting soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy, a reflecting pool, a semi-circular arch with the names of the Allied forces involved in the invasion, and a beautiful English Garden. There are also several educational exhibits and interpretive signs throughout the memorial to provide historical context and information about the events of D-Day.
The memorial serves as a place of remembrance and reflection, honoring the courage and sacrifice of the soldiers who participated in the D-Day invasion. It attracts visitors from around the world who come to pay their respects and learn about this pivotal moment in history.
Who were the Bedford Boys?
The Bedford Boys were a group of soldiers from Bedford, Virginia, who served in Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment, part of the 29th Infantry Division of the United States Army during World War II. The Bedford Boys gained recognition due to the high number of casualties they suffered during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, also known as “D-Day”.
Bedford, Virginia, with a population of around 3,200 at the time, lost a remarkable number of soldiers from the small town during the war.
Company A, composed largely of men from Bedford, was among the first wave of troops to land at Omaha Beach. In the intense fighting that followed, nineteen of the Bedford Boys died on D-Day itself, while others were injured or killed in the subsequent weeks of the Normandy campaign.
The losses suffered by the Bedford Boys had a profound impact on the town and its residents. Bedford became known as the "Town That Lost Sons" due to the high per capita casualty rate.
The sacrifice of the Bedford Boys, along with those of other communities across the United States, highlighted the tremendous toll that World War II took on small towns and their residents.
In 2001, the memorial was dedicated in Bedford to honor the Bedford Boys and all those who served in the Normandy campaign. It serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice of the men who fought and died on D-Day.
