George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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1944 - 1994 59

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June 6, 1944 - June 6 1994 The mournful sound of taps pierced the early morning silence of June 6, 1994, off the coast of Normandy, France as President Bill Clinton and D-Day Veteran Dean Rockwell placed a commemorative wreath into the sea. The emotional very waters. Today we honor them,” Secretary of the Navy John Dalton said. Following his remarks, he introduced Dean Rockwell, recipient of the Navy Cross for his heroic actions on D-Day. “It is of the utmost importance Mr. President, moment was the climax of the Memorial Service aboard George Washington commemorating the 50th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy. Poised at attention, the crew looked on from above as they lined the flight deck surrounding elevator one. Joined by the nation’s highest ranking military and civilian leaders, the 200 D-Day veterans watched as the President and First Lady honored those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom 50 years ago. “Fifty years ago Allied vessels brimming with determined warriors, uncertain of their fate, but clear in their purpose, sailed across these “We gather in the calm after sunrise today to remember that fateful morning... the pivot point in the war and perhaps the pivot point of the twentieth century. ” President Bill Clinton that we commemorate this date and event and not forget what was done,” Rockwell said. “We have a debt and obligation to those 9,386 Americans who lie under the white pcntamic crosses and Stars of David at the cemetery above Omaha Beach who paid the supreme sacrifice so that we might be free today.” AC1(AW SW) Darrell Hood, a George Washington wreath bearer, said, “Words can’t describe the feeling of pride that swept over me when I heard the Secretary of the Navy and Mr. Rockwell speak at the ceremony. It was more than pride. When the President spoke and I looked at the veterans sitting in front of him I kept telling myself not to cry... a lot of tears fell during the ceremony.” The emotional service brought to an end the two-day Presidential visit to George Washington, the country's flagship for the commemoration. Chief of Naval Operations ADM Mike Boorda introduced the Secretary-of the Navy John Dalton over the IMC just prior to his departure following the commemoration ceremony. In a surprise announcement. Dalton awarded the crew the Navy Unit Commendation for serving as our nation's flagship and for their meticulous planning and energetic hosting of the President and D-Day veterans. 58 1944 • 1994

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Painting project A MS AN Steve Hers hey and A T3 Gene Roberts spent a lot of extra hours preparing for the Normandy Celebration. They helped paint VA-34's planes with invasion striping to commemorate D-Day with original markings CVW-7 crewmen honored D-Day vets at high altitude As a tribute to those who served at Normandy, the plane crews of VA-34 painted their aircraft with the black and white invasion striping used by the allies during the Normandy operation to distinguish themselves from German planes. “With the time we had, it was a real challenge to get all seven planes ready,” AMS1 Edgar Derr said. “It was our tribute to all those who stormed the beaches of Normandy.” Derr was helped on the project by AMH2 Joey Madden, AT3 Gene Roberts and AM SAN Steve Hershcy. The idea for the historical striping came from conversations about history held between VA-34 pilots. Led by Lieutenant Jay Steadman, the project served as a lasting tribute to those who flew into harms way 50 years ago. “Several of us are history buffs and we started kicking around the idea while we were watching old war movies on the ship’s television,” Steadman said. “We decided VA-34 planes would look really great in invasion markings so I coordinated with Petty Officer Derr, got the paint and researched how the markings should look.” According to Steadman, there were more planes flying for the D-Day invasion than ever before. The Allied commanders wanted a quick, easy way to distinguish between Allied and Luftwaffe planes. Their concern was more about friendly fire than the Luftwaffe, which was much weaker in 1944. VA-34 flew six 60 GW Spirit