By the late spring of 1944, Hitler still controlled most of the European continent, and the Allied high command knew that defeat of the Third Reich hinged on an all-or-nothing assault from the sea on occupied France. Hitler sensed the Allied intentions and committed all the men and guns he could muster to defend his western "Atlantic Wall."

The long-expected invasion opened on June 6 — D-Day — when waves of airborne and amphibious troops struck along a 50-mile-wide stretch of the Normandy coast. Some of the attacking units encountered only light resistance, but others suffered terrible casualties, especially the paratroopers landing behind enemy lines and the infantry who led the way at Omaha Beach. But by the end of that fateful day, the Allies had established their beachhead on the continent.

Right on the heels of the first wave came many thousands of reinforcements and support troops — to exploit the breach in Hitler's "wall," to care for the wounded, and to bring forward the supplies that would sustain the drive inland. The liberation of France and the end of Nazi Germany were now only a matter of time.

Listen to the stories of some who experienced D-Day.

Samuel M. Gibbons As a paratrooper, Sam Gibbons was one of the first soldiers to invade Normandy. Landing behind enemy lines and separated from his fellow soldiers, Gibbons sets out to form an ad hoc unit to complete his mission.

Tracy Sugarman "Everybody was seasick," remembers Tracy Sugarman, as his boat made its way to Utah Beach. But once ashore, things got immeasurably worse.

Evelyn Kowalchuk Serving as a nurse with an aeromedical evacuation squadron, Evelyn's unit braved harrowing cross-channel flights and dangerous Normandy airstrips to bring planeloads of wounded soldiers back to hospitals in England.

Edward B. Farley Fighting for freedom as a black soldier, Edward Farley witnessed the injustice of segregation and racism. He begins his story with a poem he wrote about that time.

John R. (Bob) Slaughter Hitting Omaha Beach on D-Day, Bob Slaughter had several near misses. He eventually joined up with a sergeant whose quick actions saved many lives.

Lucille Boggess She was in her teens, but she will always remember the dark days in July when the telegrams arrived.