The American paratroopers who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944, were seen as heroes by the people of France. The town of Sainte Mere Eglise in Normandy continues to honor these brave soldiers 80 years after D-Day. The church in the town square features a dummy paratrooper hanging from the steeple, commemorating Pvt. John Steele, who survived the night hanging from the church after his parachute got stuck.
The church also features stained-glass windows depicting American paratroopers in their combat gear, surrounded by parachutes falling from the sky. The symbolism in the artwork pays homage to the airborne saviors who liberated the town. The residents of Sainte Mere Eglise formed a bucket brigade to battle a fire that broke out in the town square, revealing parachutes falling from the sky as the paratroopers landed.
The paratroopers’ heroic story was well-known, and they were celebrated upon their return for the 25th anniversary of D-Day in 1969. Another stained-glass window was installed in the church to mark the occasion, featuring Saint Michael the Archangel, who leads the army of God in Catholic tradition.
In the nearby village of Angoville au Plain, another church pays homage to American paratroopers with stained-glass windows. One window shows three paratroopers descending into the town, while another features the bald eagle and the Statue of Liberty surrounded by parachutes. The names of U.S. Army medics Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright appear at the bottom of the window, honoring their bravery and service.
Moore and Wright turned the church into a mini-hospital for the wounded and dying on D-Day, providing aid to both Allied and German soldiers. They cared for wounded civilians caught in the crossfire of the battle, earning the admiration of local residents. The church serves as a testament to the horror and heroism of D-Day, with some pews still stained with blood from the wounded.
The stained-glass tributes in these churches stand as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the American paratroopers who landed in Normandy on D-Day. The artwork immortalizes their bravery and serves as a symbol of gratitude from the people of France.