American troops disembark from landing crafts during D-Day on June 6, 1944, after Allied forces stormed the beaches in Normandy, France.

Coming ashore

The Thunderbirds (the 45th Infantry Division) was a National Guard unit composed of enlistees from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. They fought in the battle of Anzio, Italy, which lasted 135 days (22 January – 5 June 1944) and saw daily attacks by German forces. On June 4th, 1944, the unit captured Rome, a major moment in the Italian campaign.

Members of the 45th Infantry Division

Many didn't believe women should be war reporters. So when Ruth Cowan (AP) met General George Patton, the naysayers expected a clash. Patton asked, "What is the first law of war?" Cowan replied, "You kill him before he kills you". Patton said - "She stays"