D-Day

Airmen of the 552nd Air Control Wing quickly rise to offer a standing ovation as D-Day paratrooper Art Levine enters a wing auditorium June 6. Mr. Levine, who jumped as a private first class but earned a battlefield commission within 30 days, shared World War II experiences on the 64th anniversary of the historical day. (Air Force photo by Margo Wright)

D-Day

Invasion of Normandy veteran intrigues young Airmen

Published June 12, 2008
By Danielle Gregory
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- Playing a part in a major portion of the United States history is something all World War II veterans can say that they have done, but few get the privilege to meet and hear stories of those veterans.
   In honor of the 64th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy also known as D-Day, the 552nd Training Squadron sponsored a guest speaker. The focus of the speaker was on the youngest airmen to better inform them of the importance of June 6, 1944.
   Guest speaker Art Levine is one of the only remaining combat veterans who jumped with the 101st Airborne Division on D-Day. Mr. Levine began Operation Overlord as part of the overnight parachute landings designed to assist troops getting off the beaches. He belonged to the same division as the "Band of Brothers".
   "The 552nd TRS wanted to do something special to commemorate the 64th Anniversary of D-Day. We also wanted to increase our troop's awareness of our military heritage. The goal was to have troops hear from a soldier who was there," said Lt. Col. Greg Kent with the 552nd Training Squadron.
   Lieutenant Colonel Kent said that by partnering with the 45th Infantry Division Museum, the group was able to invite Mr. Levine to speak on his D-Day experience.
   Mr. Levine joined the Army in 1942 right after Pearl Harbor and took basic infantry training for 17 weeks and stayed after training to help with new recruits. That proved to be too repetitious for him so he then volunteered for the paratroops.
   "It was more money secondly I could get boots rather than leggings. Going into the paratroops was a great opportunity," said Mr. Levine.
   Not long after completing jump school Mr. Levine was sent to Europe in 1944 as a replacement in the 101st Airborne Division. The day of the Invasion of Normandy he said he jumped from the plane he was on at roughly 1,100 feet and he said he had approximately 80lbs. on his back and he weighed about 125lbs. and he had a 28 inch waist.
   Mr. Levine continued on telling several different stories of his time overseas while serving in the Army during the time of WWII.
In closing Mr. Levine told the group, "We've got the best military in the world, the best training and the best country in the world where else would you want to be."
   "Mr. Levine turns 86 soon and is the only WWII airborne combat veteran with the 45th Infantry Division Museum. Mr. Levine did a great job and created a lot of buzz around the squadron as troops discussed his stories and experience. These opportunities are going to become rarer as the greatest generation continues to get smaller," said Lieutenant Colonel Kent.