– Charles Shay, a Native American WWII veteran who served as an army medic on D-Day at the age of 19.
– On June 6, 1944, Shay landed with American troops on Omaha Beach in Normandy. He treated many wounded and dying soldiers amid intense fighting and chaos on the beach.
– Despite the danger and horrors around him, Shay was prepared to give his life to save others if needed. He managed to rescue several critically wounded men from drowning by carrying them to safety.
– However, one of his friends, Pvt. Edward Morozewicz, died in Shay’s arms from a stomach wound that was beyond what Shay had the tools to treat on the beach.
– Shay continues to vividly remember the scenes of devastation and loss from that day, but pushed forward with his mission as a medic to help others.
– Now 99 years old, Shay has dedicated himself to promoting peace and understanding through sharing his experiences from D-Day and WWII over the past decades. He hopes to attend upcoming 80th anniversary commemorations in Normandy.
Source: APNews
