SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Nearly 81 years ago, on a stretch of sand in northern France, young men stepped into the cold surf, their rifles held high, their fate uncertain. They were the first wave at Omaha Beach, the vanguard of an invasion that would define the course of history.
On March 22, one of the nation’s foremost historians of World War II, Alex Kershaw, will stand before an audience at Springfield Technical Community College to tell their story. The lecture, free and open to the public, is part of a yearlong commemoration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day and Springfield’s recent designation as an American World War II Heritage City.
Kershaw, a journalist and historian whose books have chronicled some of the most harrowing moments of the war, will discuss The First Wave, his acclaimed account of the soldiers who spearheaded the D-Day invasion. His lecture is the first in a series hosted by the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, culminating in a May symposium featuring multiple historians and a closing event in August with military historian John McManus.
Springfield’s connection to the war is deeply rooted. The Springfield Armory, which operated from 1777 until 1968, was a vital hub of American arms production. During World War II, it produced the M1 Garand rifle, the standard-issue weapon of U.S. forces, manufactured in the thousands to supply the troops who would storm Normandy’s beaches.
Superintendent Kelly Fellner of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site emphasized the significance of Kershaw’s visit.
“To have Alex Kershaw with us is an honor,” Fellner said. “His work reminds us that history is not just about dates and battles; it’s about people—their fears, their sacrifices, and their determination. Springfield played an essential role in that history, and this lecture is a way to remember that.”
Kershaw’s work has taken him from the beaches of Normandy to the forests of the Ardennes, interviewing the last surviving members of what has come to be known as the Greatest Generation. His books, including The Longest Winter and Avenue of Spies, detail acts of heroism that might otherwise have faded into history.
As the number of surviving World War II veterans dwindles—fewer than 120,000 remain of the 16 million Americans who served—the urgency to document and share their experiences has grown. Kershaw’s talk in Springfield will offer a rare opportunity for the public to hear those stories firsthand, preserving the memory of the soldiers who landed in the first wave and carried the weight of history on their shoulders.
The event will take place at 1 p.m. at the Springfield Technical Community College auditorium. For more information, contact the Springfield Armory National Historic Site at (413) 734-8551 or via email at SPAR_Interpretation@nps.gov.
