Cincinnati WWII veteran travels to Normandy for anniversary of invasion

Published : 2 years ago by wdc news 6 staff in

A local Army veteran is the oldest and one of just a few African American veterans who will travel to the beaches of Normandy for the 79th anniversary of the invasion.At age 102, Richard Stewart started his journey to France on Tuesday.”I’m excited about it and not excited at the same token,” Stewart said.Stewart served in World War II and was stationed in Europe on D-Day. Due to segregation at the time, African-American soldiers were not allowed to fight alongside white soldiers. After the invasion, Stewart’s unit was called to Normandy to string communication wires throughout the war-torn area.”We were out in the field inspecting the line, and a bomb hit close by,” Stewart said. “It felt as if the earthquake had hit.”Nearly eight decades later, Stewart will get another perspective of the beaches in Normandy.”They did not let us see any equipment or anything being destroyed,” Stewart said. “All we saw was the dead.”Stewart will travel back to the battlefield with his son Samuel.”For him to go back after all this time, to see what’s transpired over the years, it will be amazing,” Samuel said. “It’s going to be amazing for me because it’s my first time seeing it, and I’m going to be in awe.”At the age of 102, Stewart’s biggest worry is knowing how to use a smartphone to take pictures and document the trip. He will be there for ten days, including the 79th anniversary of the invasion on June 6.Before Stewart caught his flight, he was honored at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. At the ceremony, Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearny read aloud a proclamation making May 30, 2023, “Richard V. Stewart Day” in the city. Stewart was also given a Challenge Coin by Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army.The Best Defense Foundation and its partners, including Delta Airlines, are sponsoring the trip.

CINCINNATI — A local Army veteran is the oldest and one of just a few African American veterans who will travel to the beaches of Normandy for the 79th anniversary of the invasion. At age 102, Richard Stewart started his journey to France on Tuesday. “I’m excited about it and not excited at the same token,” Stewart said. Stewart served in World War II and was stationed in Europe on D-Day. Due to segregation at the time, African-American soldiers were not allowed to fight alongside white soldiers. After the invasion, Stewart’s unit was called to Normandy to string communication wires throughout the war-torn area. “We were out in the field inspecting the line, and a bomb hit close by,” Stewart said. “It felt as if the earthquake had hit.” Nearly eight decades later, Stewart will get another perspective of the beaches in Normandy. “They did not let us see any equipment or anything being destroyed,” Stewart said. “All we saw was the dead.” Stewart will travel back to the battlefield with his son Samuel. “For him to go back after all this time, to see what’s transpired over the years, it will be amazing,” Samuel said. “It’s going to be amazing for me because it’s my first time seeing it, and I’m going to be in awe.” At the age of 102, Stewart’s biggest worry is knowing how to use a smartphone to take pictures and document the trip. He will be there for ten days, including the 79th anniversary of the invasion on June 6. Before Stewart caught his flight, he was honored at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. At the ceremony, Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearny read aloud a proclamation making May 30, 2023, “Richard V. Stewart Day” in the city. Stewart was also given a Challenge Coin by Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army. The Best Defense Foundation and its partners, including Delta Airlines, are sponsoring the trip.

Topics: Cincinnati, Ohio

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