104-year-old Ohio World War II veteran remembers the beaches of Normandy
We spoke with Stewart in 2023, as he revisited the beaches of Normandy and remembered the battle against the German army that was a turning point in World War II, the Battle of Normandy.
This year, photographer Liz Dufour checked in with Stewart ahead of the D-Day anniversary. He returned to Normandy in 2024 to accept the French Legion of Honour from France's President Emmanuel Macron during the U.S. ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the World War II "D-Day" in Normandy.
Stewart, a Lincoln Heights resident, is now 104. He remembers working in the field, inspecting a line when a bomb hit.
'The earth shook, as if an earthquake had hit us,' he told Dufour.
During the war, the U.S. military segregated African Americans from their White counterparts, and they were assigned noncombat roles. 'They underestimated us,' he said.
Stewart's unit served in France, Belgium and Germany until he was discharged Nov. 13, 1945.
As he reflects on his wartime experience, he said, 'I'm so thankful. The Lord took us over and the Lord brought us back.
"And I'm still here.'
Read more about Stewart here.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Lincoln Heights veteran remembers D-Day battle on 81st anniversary
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