Dwight D. Eisenhower Signed D-Day Order, 1948

Presented is a signed printing of Dwight Eisenhower’s D-Day “Order of the Day,” addressed to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force ahead of their Normandy invasion. The rousing “Order of the Day” was first printed and distributed to the 175,000-member expeditionary force on the eve of the June 6, 1944 landing. This particular printing of the speech was excised from Eisenhower's limited edition printing of his memoir Crusade in Europe, published by Doubleday in 1948. The page is signed at the conclusion in black fountain pen, "Dwight D. Eisenhower." 

The inspiring speech reads in full:

"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!

Good Luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”

"Dwight D. Eisenhower".

Well ahead of the operation, Eisenhower began drafting this order in February of 1944. He also recorded a spoken version on May 28, which was ready to be broadcast on British and American radio on D-Day. The order served as a powerful morale booster, crafted to inspire confidence among the Allied troops about to face the daunting challenge of invading Nazi-occupied France. His words reminded soldiers that the “hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people” around the world were with them and emphasized Allied unity, highlighting the shared commitment and cooperation of the United Nations to defeating tyranny. 

The D-Day landing of June 6, 1944, was the largest seaborne invasion in history. Allied forces launched a massive amphibious assault on a fifty-mile stretch of the Normandy coast of German-occupied France. Codenamed Operation Overlord, the invasion involved more than 156,000 troops from the United States, Britain, Canada, and other Allied nations, supported by thousands of ships, landing craft, and aircraft. Paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines during the night to disrupt German defenses and seize key bridges and roads. In the early morning, naval and aerial bombardments softened German fortifications before the main infantry landings. The assault targeted five beaches: Utah and Omaha, where American forces landed; Gold and Sword, where British troops came ashore; and Juno, assigned to Canadian forces. Fighting was especially fierce at Omaha Beach, where rough seas, strong currents, and fortified German positions caused heavy Allied casualties. Despite the intense resistance, the Allies secured the beaches by nightfall and began pushing inland, establishing a crucial foothold in Western Europe. 

CONDITION:

1 page. Printed with the "Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force" and crest at top, followed by text of the Order. Eisenhower signed the page in black fountain pen at the bottom. Signed “Dwight D. Eisenhower.” Signature is legible, without smears or fading. Toning to paper margins, but otherwise very clean and healthy paper. 

The signed page is artfully framed in a black frame with gold star accents, white 8-ply matting, and a black and white photograph of General Eisenhower visiting the 101st Airborne on June 5, 1944. 

Framed Dimensions: 17" H x 21 1/4" W x 1" D.

Accompanied by our company's letter of authenticity.