Although the assault on Utah Beach ultimately became one of the most successful military operations of World War II, its outcome was anything but certain. Not only was Utah the most isolated of the five D-Day beaches, but the airborne assault was of unprecedented size and complexity. Despite the perils, American troops confidently cascaded into that far corner of Normandy and contributed decisively to the Allied triumph on D-Day. With verve and authority, Balkoski describes how that victory was won.

Includes maps of: Strategic Situation, June 1944; SHAEF vs. COSSAC Overlord Plan; Contentin Peninsula - German Deployment, June 1944; Force U - Exercise Tiger, April 28, 1944; Force U - Passage to Normandy, June 5, 1944; Force U - Utah Beach Bombardment, June 6, 1944; 82nd and 101st Airborne Division Drop Zones; IX Troop Carrier Command, June 6, 1944; 502nd Parachute Infantry - Morning, June 6, 1944; Drop Zone C - Morning, June 6, 1944; Drop Zone D - Morning, June 6, 1944; 505th Parachute Infantry - Morning, June 6, 1944; 507th and 508th Parachute Infantry - Morning, June 6, 1944; Utah Beach and Iles St. Marcouf - H-Hour, June 6, 1944; Utah Beach - Second Wave, 7:30 A.M., June 6, 1944; Utah Beach - Third Wave, 8:00 A.M., June 6, 1944; Utah Beach - Later Waves, 9:05 A.M., June 6, 1944; Utah Beach - Inland Penetrations, 10:00 A.M., June 6, 1944; 501st Parachute Infantry - Afternoon, June 6, 1944; 502nd Parachute Infantry - Objective XYZ; 82nd Airborne Division - Afternoon, June 6, 1944; Task Force Raff and Evening Glider Missions, June 6, 1944; 12th and 22nd Infantry - Afternoon, June 6, 1944; Utah Beachhead - Close of Day, June 6, 1944.

An unsound operation of war -- Steadfast and loyal -- Overture to Overlord -- Night of nights -- Hitting the silk -- All-Americans -- So this is France -- Get in there and take chances -- Something to behold -- Proud of you -- The first day of a long struggle.