National Guard Monument
About National Guard Monument
The National Guard Monument stands on Omaha Beach at the exact spot where the 29th Infantry Division broke through German defenses on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Built atop the remains of German bunker WN72, this U-shaped concrete memorial honors National Guard units that served in both World Wars, with particular emphasis on the 116th Infantry Regiment from Virginia. The interior walls feature inscriptions describing the National Guard's role in 34 major campaigns and seven assault landings, including a quote from General Eisenhower. In 2014, the bronze "Ever Forward" statue depicting two soldiers from the 29th Division was added for the 70th anniversary of D-Day. The monument is owned by the National Guard Association of the United States and maintained by the National Guard Educational Foundation. Free access 24 hours a day, year-round, with parking available nearby.
Interesting Facts
Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment from Bedford, Virginia suffered nearly 80% casualties on D-Day morning - the highest casualty rate of any Allied unit that day. Bedford, with a population of just 3,200, lost 19 of its 35 soldiers in the first wave, giving it the highest per capita D-Day losses of any American community. This tragedy led Bedford to become home to the National D-Day Memorial.
Three original 116th Regiment veterans who landed on Omaha Beach in 1944 - Hal Baumgarten, Arden Earll, and Don McCarthy - returned 70 years later to unveil the "Ever Forward" bronze statue at dawn on June 6, 2014. The statue was created by artist Yannec Tomada and depicts two soldiers from the 29th Division in combat.
The three flags flying in front of the monument are donated in perpetuity by Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey and must be replaced every 60 days due to the constant strong winds blowing in from the English Channel.
Planning Your Visit
Opening Hours
Location & Practical Info
Address
12 Boulevard de Cauvigny, 14710 Vierville-sur-Mer, France
Day Routes
Explore all day routesThese carefully curated day itineraries include this attraction and show you exactly how to plan your visit, including transport, timing, and what else to see nearby.
Want to visit this attraction? These routes show you how to get here and what to combine it with.
Multi-day Itineraries
View complete itinerariesPlanning a longer trip? These multi-day itineraries incorporate this attraction into complete travel experiences with accommodation, transport, and daily schedules.
This attraction is featured in comprehensive multi-day trips with full logistics included.
