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Eighty years ago, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had to make a decision that would send thousands of men to their deaths but liberate millions. The Allies had gathered together over 160,000 servicemen primarily from the United States, Britain, and Canada to start the largest seaborne invasion in history.
This decision to go forward with the invasion was not made easily. The weather conditions were terrible, and in fact it was thanks to the ferocious climate that Eisenhower felt confident that the Germans would not be expecting an invasion.
The D-Day landings proved strategically successful but costly. The Allied Forces suffered approximately 10,000 casualties on that first day of the invasion, with the German losses estimated to be anywhere from 4,000 to 9,000 killed and wounded. French citizens died in even greater number amid the bombings and general fighting.
However, the Allied invasion resulted in the eventual liberation of France, and consequently the rest of the occupied countries in Western Europe.
A brave decision
The decision to send these very young men into battle was not easy, of course. The landings could have gone horrifically wrong, as Eisenhower was well aware. And in fact, as he shared with his driver Kay Summersby: “I hope to God I’m right.”
Taking every eventuality into account, the general, sitting in a cottage, prepared the following speech on the eve of the invasion, that he thankfully never had to deliver, as reported by NPR:
Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.
The short but impactful note clearly shows the character of the man. As he was sending these young men into battle, he knew the risks he was taking. He was prepared to take full accountability for his decision.
As NPR also states, the future 34th President of the United States did date the speech for July 5, one month after the decision was made. However, bearing in mind the stress he was under, such an error is understandable.
A lesson in accountability
As NPR rightly points out, his use of “my decision” and “if any blame or fault attaches to the attempt is mine alone” shows the extent to which Eisenhower was willing to take responsibility for the potential loss of so many more lives.
This precious piece of World War II history can be found in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, and it is a worthy reminder to us all that when we make a decision we have to own it. We have to bear the consequences.
Thankfully, we will likely never face a choice as grave as Eisenhower’s, upon which thousands of lives and the fate of a continent depend. Still, we can all learn much from this episode: When we do have to make difficult decisions, the way we manage the situation if everything goes wrong will speak even more about us than if things go according to plan.
And today we celebrate...