Fighting for Freedom

From 1939 to 1945, more than 30 countries fought in World War II. It was the deadliest war in history. More than 70 million people were killed.

The United States entered the war after Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, a U.S. military base in Hawaii, on December 7, 1941. American troops fought on two main fronts— against the Germans in Europe and the Japanese in the Pacific.

Frank DeVita: I was 17. I had to get my mom’s permission. I enlisted because I remembered Pearl Harbor. I wanted to fight for my country. 

FD: I was scared. Everybody was scared. The Germans had 33 machine guns where the water meets the sand. And they were firing at us.

My job was to drop the ramp on the front of the boat. But I didn’t want to because the bullets were bouncing off it. I knew once the ramp was open, the bullets would come in. I dropped the ramp, and just like I thought, the [bullets] came into the boat, and 14 to 15 guys died.

FD: It was pandemonium. The bullets were like a swarm of bees around your head. Somehow, they missed me. I was fortunate.

DeVita went back and forth 14 more times that day, ferrying troops between his ship and the shore. Despite the large loss of life, the invasion was a success and a turning point in the war. The Germans surrendered in May 1945. Japan surrendered that September.

FD: No, no, no. In Normandy, right above Omaha Beach, is a big cemetery. And in that big cemetery there are 9,400 people who died in Normandy. Those are my heroes. I’m not a hero. I’m a survivor.

FD: What we were fighting for was freedom. Kids have to understand there is nothing better than your freedom. When you’re free, the whole world is at your fingertips.

^{Museum Note: The interview was edited and condensed by the editors of Scholastic News.}

1. What was D-Day, and why was it important?

2. What details does Frank DeVita share that only a person who was at D-Day could provide?

3. What does DeVita mean when he says, “I’m not a hero. I’m a survivor”?