x
Breaking News
More () »

95-year-old Warner Robins veteran played crucial role for D-Day invasion

75 years ago, George Mayo worked around the clock helping build gliders and preparing for that surprise landing.

George Mayo has some photos that he took while serving in World War II.

“We had a lot of people die in World War II. People don't know how big the battles were,” said Mayo.

One of the biggest battles on the beaches of Normandy, a battle fought by water, earth, and air.

“We worked all night and all night the next day -- we didn't sleep, we worked around the clock,” said Mayo.

Mayo says he helped fix and build dozens of gliders before the Allies took to the beaches.

“You would work when you could and you couldn't,” said Mayo.

The Museum of Aviation has a replica of one of those gliders. They’re each made of wood and canvas but have no engine, so they’re easy to crash.

During D-Day, nearly 600 gliders were dropped in Normandy.

“They had no landing gear, so they had to crash-land,” said Mayo.

15 of those gliders crashed on landing, injuring many soldiers.

The D-Day Center says, “if it were it not for the courage and skill of the British and American glider pilots that day, the invasion may have taken a different turn.”

“We lost a lot of good men. A lot of them was young men just out of college,” said Mayo.

75 years later, at 95 years old, he still shares his war stories and people gather around to listen.

“I did what I was told to do -- when you ask a military man in the military, you did what you were told to do,” said Mayo.

RELATED: 'Once a Marine, always a Marine:' Marshallville man who joined the Marines in 11th grade remembers World War II

RELATED: D-Day 75: Nations honor veterans, memory of fallen troops

RELATED: WWII veteran returns home after 75 years

RELATED: 'Some things should never be forgotten:' WWII veteran's advice to the next generation

Before You Leave, Check This Out