You're now observing an exhibit that stands as a tribute to the courage of American soldiers who landed at Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. In the mural before you, the striking scene is depicted where these brave young men, scarcely more than boys at 17, 18, or 19 years old, are seen plunging into the water, 70-pound packs on their backs, rifles in hand. The harsh reality was that the landing crafts couldn't reach the beach due to underwater obstacles, compelling the soldiers to wade through a lethal crossfire. This grim circumstance was largely due to an unfortunate combination of poor weather and miscalculations, which resulted in our bombers overshooting their targets and leaving the German defenses intact. The enemy's MG 42 machine gun, notoriously known as Hitler's Buzzsaw, laid down deadly fire across Omaha Beach.