Sam Elliott Recites WWII Veteran's Personal Account Of D-Day At Memorial Day Concert

Dec 06, 2019 by apost team

The Allied invasion of Normandy, usually known as D-Day, is remembered as one of the most triumphant moments of World War II. Coming from the sea and air, Allied soldiers began the long-awaited liberation of France from Nazi tyranny. While the Allies won the battle and the war, it is important to remember that it came at great cost.

In a stirring moment at PBS’s Memorial Day Concert, legendary actor Sam Elliott read the account of Sergeant Ray Lambert on that most famous day of days.

Sergeant Lambert, who was a medic assigned to Omaha Beach, begins his account by telling of meeting his brother Bill on the ship bound for France. The two promise to take care of each other’s families if one of them doesn’t make it through the engagement. Climbing aboard the Higgins boat, Sergeant Lambert describes the intense machine and artillery fire the men on his boat endured before they even reached beach.

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Upon landing, the Germans strafed the men with fierce machine gunfire. Of the 31 men in Sergeant Lambert’s boat, only 7 made it out unscathed. Wounded in the arm, Sergeant Lambert told of how he still did his duty to the best of his ability, telling his audience, “You did the job you were trained to do. If you didn’t, you died.”

Sergeant Lambert then describes the horrific carnage he witnessed on the beach. One soldier’s grievous injuries had a particular impact on Sergeant Lambert. The now 98-year-old medic told of how he found the young man drifting in the surf, his arm nearly completely torn-off after being riddled with bullets. The young infantryman died in Sergeant Lambert’s arms as he struggled with the little equipment he had to save him. Sergeant Lambert then received two more wounds in his leg. Undeterred, Sergeant Lambert put a tourniquet around his leg and went to help another soldier wading through the surf.

It was at that moment that disaster struck. Another Higgins boat came up and its landing ramp hit Sergeant Lambert, crushing two of his vertebrae. As Sergeant Lambert drifted into unconsciousness, he remembers his last thoughts being a prayer to God for help.

The next thing Sergeant Lambert remembers was being on a medical boat bound for England. Astonishingly, Bill was right beside him, also wounded in the engagement. The two brothers recovered from their wounds and went on to live happy lives. Sergeant Lambert closes his account by reminding his audience that it is important to remember D-Day for the men who never came home.

After reading Sergeant Lambert’s account, a visibly emotional Elliott went to the now elderly medic and thanked him for all he did for the world, saying that it was an honor to bring his words to life.

What do you think of how Sam Elliott brought Sergeant Lambert’s account of D-Day to life? Tell us in the comments and pass this story on to your friends and loved ones so we never forget.