WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the dedication of the Charles Shay Indian Memorial in Normandy, France today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) released the text of a letter he sent to the memorial’s namesake, Mr. Charles Shay, of Indian Island, Maine.

“This park, overlooking Omaha Beach, is a tribute to all Native American soldiers who bravely advanced in the defense of the free world, despite grave peril and under tremendous enemy fire. The United States, and the world at large, are eternally indebted to this bravery, which established a strategic foothold in France and lead to Allied victory on the Western Front,” Senator King wrote in his letter. “While no words can truly thank you for the courage you showed as a medic on that beach, please know that this park will act as a timeless reminder to generations to come that democracy triumphed over tyranny—that good triumphed over evil—because soldiers, like you and your Native American comrades, selflessly served and sacrificed in the face of great odds in the D-Day invasion.”

In Normandy today, on the 73^rd anniversary of D-Day, a memorial overlooking Omaha Beach was named after Mr. Shay, who, as a then-19-year old medic, was in the first wave of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944 where he saved several of his wounded comrades. Mr. Shay, now 93, was later awarded a Silver Star for his actions. A plaque at the memorial reads in part:

            “In honor of Charles Norman Shay and in grateful memory of the 500 American and Canadian Indian soldiers who participated in Operation Neptune for the liberation of Normandy on D-Day, June 6^th, 1944. About 175 American Indians invaded Omaha Beach. Some were medics, others fought as seamen, scouts, snipers, radio operators, machine gunners, artillery gunmen, combat engineers or forward observers. A member of the Penobscot Indian Nation, 19-year old Private Shay was a combat medic from Indian Island, Maine. Soon after dawn, he came ashore near here as a member of an assault platoon. Repeatedly plunging into the treacherous sea, he carrier critically wounded comrades to safety under heavy fire. For his unselfish heroism on this beach, he was awarded the Silver Star and he continued to save the wounded until the war ended.”

The complete text of Senator King’s letter to Mr. Shay can be read HERE and is below:

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Dear Charles,

On this hallowed day in our history as a Nation, I am humbled to join with voices in France and across the United States to honor your heroism on the occasion of the dedication of the Charles Shay Indian Park in Normandy, France. This park, overlooking Omaha Beach, is a tribute to all Native American soldiers who bravely advanced in the defense of the free world, despite grave peril and under tremendous enemy fire. The United States, and the world at large, are eternally indebted to this bravery, which established a strategic foothold in France and lead to Allied victory on the Western Front.

While no words can truly thank you for the courage you showed as a medic on that beach, please know that this park will act as a timeless reminder to generations to come that democracy triumphed over tyranny—that good triumphed over evil—because soldiers, like you and your Native American comrades, selflessly served and sacrificed in the face of great odds in the D-Day invasion. The contributions of members of the Penobscot Nation and other Indian tribes who participated in this Allied invasion will never be forgotten. This park is a testament to your heroism and to the valor of your fellow servicemembers who fell in the line of duty, and I humbly join all those at the dedication, today, to express my deepest gratitude. 

Photo 1: Shay Indian Memorial in Normandy, France

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