Just re-watched The Longest Day and for my two cents, General Norman Daniel "Dutch" Cota, Sr., who landed on Omaha Beach in the 2nd wave, was by all accounts the major reason the invasion there succeeded. His above the call of duty leadership and fighting spirit on Omaha and the battle inland are the stuff of legend. He should have been awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.
Which, by the way, would have made him the holder of all the US Army combat medals for bravery because he has already been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and the Purple Heart.
Watched it last night myself.
Unfortunately for him, as commander of the 28th Division, Ike, Hodges and Bradley decided Cota would take the fall for their disastrous plan for the Hurtgen Forest operation. Even though he told the chain of command about concerns about the plan before the operation.
Quote agree. Add to the list of those with a hand in saving the day the captains of the destroyers who, against previous orders, moved in to hazard their vessels and knock out resistance on the right flank of Omaha.