Local veteran witnessed D-Day Invasion and recalls his service

Saturday marks the 71st anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944.

It was a day the weather cleared enough to begin the Allied invasion of Europe, wrestling France away from Nazi control.

The taking of Normandy and other coastal areas in France marked a turning point in World War II.

A Coachella Valley man witnessed that historic day from the air and on the ground, and lived to share his combat story.

Ed Tunison, now in his 90’s, said, “It changed the course of the war.”

American and Allied forces landed at Normandy, France at first light.

An estimated 44-hundred would die that day in combat.

The Normandy invasion was Code-named “Operation Overlord,” the largest assault by sea in history.

It was an effort to gain a toehold in Nazi-occupied France.

Tunison’s C-47 had no tail gunner, and no other defenses. “We carried no armament of any kind,” Tunison said. “All we had was a 45 on our hip in case we were shot down, or a carbide in the plane” he added.

71-years later, Tunison is now a docent at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

He remembers that day as a 20-year old Staff Sergeant and Radio Operator with the 9th Air Force.

Tunison and his crew were vulnerable, but he says were also proud to carry out their assignment flying troops and supplies into France and hostile airspace.

“I could see tons of airplanes, these kinds of airplanes you’re witnessing here. Spitfires, P-47’s, B-17’s and English planes,” said Tunison. “The sky was filled with aircraft,” he added.

Tunison’s day started at 3:30 in the morning when he got into his C-47, the Plassid Lassie. He flew troops into combat then returned across the English Channel to England. There he picked up a load of gasoline. By 6:30 in the morning, he had a runway to land that gas on in France.

“I remember on my return trip seeing the U.S. Texas shooting salvos into the mainland,” Tunison said. “And all those poor devils trying to get into shore,” he added.

Tunison ultimately served 37-months in the armed forces, and now lives here in Palm Desert selling real-estate and spending his free time sharing his story at the air museum.

“I think it’s important young people recognize the things that people in the past have done for the country,” said Tunison.

All too often, he says he sees younger generations who are unaware. So he does his best to inform them at the air museum.

Tunison cherishes being reunited with his plane, the Plassid Lassie, last year and getting to fly the fully restored aircraft once more.

He says he hopes young people learn from our history because there are still people who want to hurt us.

KESQ would like to thank photographer Tom Woodhouse for sharing his video of the Plassid Lassie flying over the English Channel.