MEDIA ALERT: NEW DISPLAY CASE: COMMEMORATING 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 31, 2019

 

NEW DISPLAY CASE: COMMEMORATING D-DAY 75TH ANNIVERSARY

FEATURES ARTIFACTS OWNED BY MILWAUKEE NATIVE AND NAVY RADIOMAN MARTIN F. GUTEKUNST, WHO SERVED IN NORMANDY LANDINGS, ON JUNE 6, 1944 ON UTAH BEACH.

MADISON — At 9 a.m. on Thursday, June 6, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum will host a public unveiling of a display case commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

On June 6, 1944, the pivotal campaign of WWII took place along the coast of Normandy, France.

Known almost universally as D-Day, Operation Overlord was the largest seaborne invasion in history. The museum will feature the collection of Milwaukee native Martin Gutekunst, who took part in the historic event 75 years ago. Gutekunst, only 27 years old at the time, served as a radioman with the 2nd Naval Beach Battalion on Utah Beach. His display case at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum includes his D-Day rain gear, Army-issued M1 helmet, and the boots he wore on Utah Beach on June 6, 1944.

Gutekunst’s collection is remarkable, for both its rarity and completeness. You can learn about Gutekunst D-Day experience through his artifact display case until June 30th, 2019.

What: The Wisconsin Veterans Museum new display case will exhibit items worn by Navy radioman, Martin F. Gutekunst on June 6, 1944 on Utah Beach, opens to the public on June 6, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Interviews available with representatives from the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs

When: June 6, 2019 at 9:00 a.m.

Where:Wisconsin Veterans Museum, 30 West Mifflin St., Madison, on Capital Square

 

For more on the Museum’s main gallery exhibits, collections and events, visit on to www.WisVetsMuseum.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Karen Burch | WVM Senior Marketing Specialist |608-264-6086 |

 Karen.Burch@dva.wisconsin.gov

Wisconsin Veterans Museum · 30 West Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703