Operation Varsity 75th Anniversary
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Episode #620 of Hometown Heroes, airing March 19-23, 2020, marks the 75th anniversary of Operation Varsity with memories from three men who were involved in that massive airborne assault on March 24, 1945. The radio airing of this episode pointed ahead to a live stream of the commemoration of the 75th anniversary in Washington, D.C. on the facebook feed of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. Because of COVID-19 concerns, that ceremony was much different than most of the 75th anniversary events. See for yourself in the video below, from the morning of March 24, 2020:
Julian Mazuka’s first combat jump with the 17th Airborne Division came on March 24, 1945 as part of Operation Varsity.
On this episode, you’ll hear memories from glider pilots Morris Bennett and Mel Pliner, who both brought their powerless crafts down under enemy fire in Operation Varsity, as well as paratrooper Julian Mazuka, who was making his first combat jump there.
For archival footage from the largest airborne assault ever to take place on a single day in a single location, watch the video below:
