| | '''Operation Overlord''', also known as the '''Normandy Invasion''' or simply '''D-Day''', was the code name for the Allied invasion of northern [[Europe]] in [[World War II]]. It began with the landings on the beaches of [[Normandy]] in northwestern France on June 6, 1944, and accomplished the largest amphibious invasion in the history of mankind, using 5,000 ships, 9,000 planes, and 200,000 men. | | '''Operation Overlord''', also known as the '''Normandy Invasion''' or simply '''D-Day''', was the code name for the Allied invasion of northern [[Europe]] in [[World War II]]. It began with the landings on the beaches of [[Normandy]] in northwestern France on June 6, 1944, and accomplished the largest amphibious invasion in the history of mankind, using 5,000 ships, 9,000 planes, and 200,000 men. |
| − | While Native American troops took part in the invasion force, the United States military remained [[segregation|segregated]] until 1947, women were excluded from combat roles until the 1970s, and [[homosexual]]s were [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell|barred from military service until 1993]]. Of the 10,000 casualties on the first day, 175 were Native American. By far, the vast majority of the invasion force were straight white males. | + | While Native American troops took part in the invasion force, the United States military remained [[segregation|segregated]] with Blacks excluded from front line combat roles until 1947, women were excluded from combat until the 1970s, and [[homosexual]]s were [[Don't Ask, Don't Tell|barred from military service until 1993]]. Of the 10,000 casualties on the first day, 175 were Native American. By far, the vast majority of the invasion force were straight white males. Three-quarters declared a religious affiliation<ref>[https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=history_etds p. 11]</ref> and cited [[prayer]] as their source of motivation.<ref>[https://www.libertyinstitute.org/document.doc?id=306 p. 6]</ref> |