“The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.”
– Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944
On April 20, 2024, the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College and the Dwight D. Eisenhower Society will host a one-day symposium to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy. The event features remarks and lectures from distinguished experts on General Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Second World War, including David Eisenhower, Susan Eisenhower, Dr. Craig Symonds, and Dr. John C. McManus.
Limited rooms are available at the Gettysburg Hotel for Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20. Rooms must be booked by March 22.
Schedule
All events will take place in Masters Hall, Mara Auditorum unless otherwise specified.
8:15 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast, Masters Hall, Gettysburg College
9:00 a.m. Welcome, Introductions and Sponsor Thanks - Tracie Potts, Director of the Eisenhower Institute, and Carol Hegeman, Executive Director, Dwight D. Eisenhower Society Mara Auditorium, Masters Hall
9:15 a.m. The Americans at D-Day – Dr. John C. McManus
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Perspectives on D-Day Panel Discussion
- Early Planning for Operation Overlord – Important but Little Remembered Leadership Decisions - Susan Eisenhower
- Operational Dilemma: The German Defense of Normandy – Dr. Doug Douds, Col (USMC, Ret)
- Allied Airborne Operations in Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944 – General William Matz
Questions and Answers
11:45 a.m. Lunch at the Atrium, Gettysburg College Dining Hall
1:00 p.m. “The Navy Saved our Hides”: U.S. Naval Gunfire Support on D-Day – Dr. Craig Symonds
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. Triumph and Tragedy: D-Day and Beyond – David Eisenhower
3:15 p.m. Wrap Up and Thank You – Tracie Potts and Carol Hegeman. Book signing in Mara Lobby
3:30 p.m. Optional Program – Mara Auditorium
D-Day at Pointe Du Hoc narrated by David McCallum – Tim Gray and Col. John Fenzel
3:45 p.m. Optional Program – Gettysburg National Cemetery
“The Great Crusade": D-Day Casualties in Gettysburg National Cemetery – Park Ranger Dan Vermilya
Our thanks to additional sponsors:
Destination Gettysburg
Eisenhower National Historic Site
Robert M. Lauman Charitable Foundation
World War II American Experience Museum
World War II Foundation