D-Day hero Charles Shay, who rescued lives on Omaha Beach, passes away at 101 in France

PARIS Charles Shay, a celebrated Native American U.S. Army medic who was just 19 when he landed on Omaha Beach during D-Day and risked his life to save others, has died at the age of 101. He passed away at his home in Bretteville-L'Orgueilleuse, Normandy, according to his longtime friend and caregiver, Marie-Pascale Legrand.

Shay, a member of the Penobscot tribe from Indian Island, Maine, was awarded the Silver Star for repeatedly wading into the surf to carry critically wounded soldiers to safety, preventing them from drowning. In 2007, he was also honored with Frances highest distinction, the Legion of Honor.

Since 2018, Shay had lived in France near the Normandy beaches where, on June 6, 1944, nearly 160,000 Allied troopsincluding Americans, British, and Canadiansstormed the coast. This pivotal battle contributed to the rapid defeat of Germany less than a year later.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loved ones, Legrand said. The Charles Shay Memorial group, dedicated to honoring roughly 500 Native Americans who participated in the Normandy landings, shared on Facebook that Shay has returned home to the Creator and the Spirit World.

The statement continued: He was a devoted father, grandfather, father-in-law, and uncle, a hero to many, and an extraordinary human being. Charles leaves a legacy of courage, service, love, and dedication that will continue to inspire.

For years, Shay performed a sage-burning ceremony to honor those who died at Omaha Beach, at the site where a monument now bears his name. In 2022, he passed the responsibility for this remembrance to Julia Kelly, a Gulf War veteran from the Crow tribe.

On D-Day, the Allied forces suffered 4,414 fatalities, including 2,501 Americans, with over 5,000 wounded. German forces also endured significant losses. Reflecting on his experience in a 2024 interview, Shay said, I was prepared to give my life if necessary, but I focused on completing my duty. There was no time to dwell on the riskI simply did what I had to do.

Author: Connor Blake