An American man is hoping to find the young French boy from a photograph he took during D-Day celebrations in Normandy, 2015.
Fred James, 79, lives in Bellingham in the state of Washington, USA. He wrote to The Connexion to share his story.
“Ten years ago, on June 6, my wife and I were in Normandy watching the D-Day celebrations. People were dressed in World War Two uniforms doing re-enactments, driving jeeps and half-tracks, and jumping out of planes in memory of the heroism shown on that day in 1944.
We were waiting in Arromanches, standing in the sand less than 20 feet from the English Channel. At exactly noon, a couple of World War Two fighter planes, a P-51 and a Spitfire, were due to fly over Arromanches and carry out a few manoeuvres for the crowd below.
“At about 11:50, a little French boy, dressed in a full 101st Airborne army uniform, with a plastic helmet and a small plastic pistol, tugged at my sleeve.
He said to me, “American?”
I looked at him in his little suit and replied: “Yes, I'm American.”
“At this, he straightened up, turned on his heels and walked about nine paces then turned back to face me. He was now standing in about two inches of water in his polished combat boots. He saluted then paused, waiting for me. I stood up straight in front of him and saluted back. He lowered his arm precisely.
I was very moved by this boy. He was not thanking me for helping to drive the Nazis out of Normandy, but he was thanking the Americans, the British and the Canadians for giving their lives for his mother's and ultimately for his freedom.
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I felt honoured but guilty because I was born over a year after D-Day.
“His mother was with him but neither of them spoke English. I was able to use words and gestures to ask her if she could get him to salute again so that I could photograph him. She understood and the image, which I value as the most important thing that has happened to me in 10 or 20 years, was captured.
On 6 June, 2025, my son, a friend and I will be back at Arromanches for this very important day, to see the re-enactments again and soak up the warmth of the French people who live there.
I wondered if I might be able to ‘find’ the little French boy who saluted at me. He must be a young man of about 18 or 20 now. I do not know his name and he does not know mine either. All I have is this precious image and the story behind it.”
If you recognise the boy in the photograph, let us know by contacting feedback@connexionfrance.com
