What happened on D-Day?
- Rosie Jayde Uyola
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Learning Objectives
I can explain what happened during the D-Day invasion using primary source evidence
I can define and apply key academic vocabulary related to war, combat, and strategy
I can analyze a first-person soldier narrative and explain how it contributes to our understanding of historical events
Standards
NYS Social Studies Framework 11.7a
C3 Framework D2.His.4.6-12
Hess Depth of Knowledge Matrix Level 4: Analyze personal narrative and compare historical perspectives using evidence
Materials
Warm-Up Prompt
Vocabulary and Context Handout
Primary Source: D-Day letter from soldier Joseph Vaghi (Library of Congress collection)
Close Read Annotation Guide
Timeline of D-Day (Visual reference on board or handout)
Exit Ticket
FFW (5 min; 10 sentences): Imagine you are a soldier arriving on the beaches of France during the D-Day invasion. What might you be thinking, feeling, or seeing in that moment?
Share out
Historical Context
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces launched the largest seaborne invasion in history. It was called Operation Overlord, but we know it as D-Day. Today, we will read the firsthand account of a U.S. Navy officer who landed with the first wave at Omaha Beach. We will use this primary source to analyze what soldiers experienced and what it reveals about this pivotal moment in World War II.
Vocabulary
Teacher reads each word aloud, defines it, and students write sample sentences.
Vocabulary and Context Handout – D-Day Narrative
Word | Definition | Example from Soldier Letter | My Sentence |
Invasion | An aggressive entrance into enemy territory | “The invasion had begun” | _________________ |
Chaos | Complete disorder or confusion | “There was unbelievable chaos on the beach” | ________________ |
Casualty | A person killed or injured in war | “We had many casualties even before reaching land” | _________________ |
Terrain | The physical features of a landscape | “The beach terrain made it hard to land safely” | _________________ |
Courage | The ability to do something brave in the face of fear | “What I saw that day was real courage” | _________________ |
Close Read of D-Day Letter
Students read and annotate independently. The teacher circulates to assist with vocabulary and comprehension.
Primary Source – D-Day Firsthand Account
“At dawn, the invasion had begun. Our landing craft dropped the ramp and chaos exploded around us. Machine gun fire was constant. Sand and blood mixed underfoot. I pulled three wounded men out of the surf before crawling to cover myself.
We had been told what to expect, but nothing prepared us for the real terrain. The beach was strewn with bodies and debris. Still, the men kept moving. I saw soldiers risk everything to pull a friend forward, drag equipment, or provide cover fire.
What I saw that day was real courage. No movie or speech can capture it. I will never forget the sound of that beach. It changed all of us.”
Close Read Annotation Instructions:
Number each paragraph
Underline descriptions of danger or confusion
Circle any vocabulary words used
In the margins, describe how the author shows emotion or bravery
Star the sentence you think is most powerful
Primary Source Analysis
Group Synthesis and Reflection
Students form pairs or small groups to complete two written tasks.
Use your annotations to complete the reflection FFW (5 min; 10 sentences): “What do we learn about the D-Day invasion from this soldier’s perspective that we would not learn from a textbook?”
Create a caption for one of the following ideas from the letter:
The landing
Chaos on the beach
Acts of courage
The terrain
Example: “Caption: ‘No movie or speech can capture it’ – Joseph Vaghi, U.S. Navy officer”
Constructed Response Writing
Students complete the Exit Ticket with the following prompt:
FFW (5 min; 10 sentences): How does Joseph Vaghi’s letter help you understand what happened on D-Day? Use at least one vocabulary word and one quote from the letter to support your response.
Today we read one soldier’s account of what happened on the beaches of Normandy. Tomorrow, we will examine another kind of source — a strategic map and the orders given to Allied forces. We will compare how different kinds of evidence help us understand historical events.