More than 1,300 paratroopers from six countries took part in a commemorative jump into Normandy on June 9, 2024. (Jennifer French/U.S. Army)
Among the 1,300 paratroopers from six nations who jumped into Normandy on Sunday were two Americans whose family members helped liberate France 80 years ago.
Spc. Logan Crawford’s great-grandfather, Jack Schuyler Gray, fought in the Battle of Metz during World War II. He was injured while serving as a medic and lived with shrapnel in his leg for the rest of his life.
“He was stationed just an hour away from where I am today,” Crawford said from Saint-Mere-Eglise. “This means the world to me, even being able to talk to men who were in the 95th Infantry, the same unit my great-grandfather was in. I’m really honored to get chosen to come out here.”
Spc. Logan Crawford, right, and his great-grandfather Jack Schuyler Gray, who served in WWII and was stationed just an hour from where Crawford is based today. Crawford said his great-grandfather’s service is part of what inspired him to join the military. (Logan Crawford; Jennifer French/U.S. Army)
Sgt. Dakota Matlock also had a great-grandfather who served in World War II, as did his great-great-uncle. While searching for family history, Matlock discovered that the great-great-uncle, Edward John Sharp, was part of the initial unit that stormed Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
“It’s incredible to be not only somewhere where there’s so much history, but to be somewhere where I know I had a family member who walked on the beach and was able to make it back home and start a family and live a full life.”
Sgt. Dakota Matlock, right, had a great-great-uncle, Edward John Sharp, who was part of the initial unit to storm Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. (Dakota Matlock; Jennifer French/U.S. Army)
Crawford and Matlock are both members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Crawford is assigned to the 91st Cavalry Regiment, and Matlock is with the 503rd Infantry Regiment.
Each said they were inspired by their family history to join the military. Besides Matlock’s family connection to World War II, his mother served in Afghanistan, his stepfather was in the Navy in Panama and his grandfather fought in Vietnam.
Crawford and Matlock jumped Sunday from C-130 planes flying over Sainte-Mere-Eglise, the first village liberated by the Allies on June 6, 1944. They parachuted along with colleagues from the U.S., France, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada and Germany, in honor of the more than 13,000 American paratroopers involved in the D-Day landings.
The aircraft followed the same route along the English Channel that soldiers took on D-Day, military officials said.
More than 1,300 paratroopers from six countries took part in a commemorative jump into Normandy on June 9, 2024. (Jennifer French/U.S. Army)
