My WWII vet dad grouses about the use of the term ‘D-Day’ for the Normandy invasion because “D-Day” is a place holder term widely used in the military-
it seems that when an operation order is written the date that it commences isn’t firm- so ‘D-Day’ is a place holder in the op order... the time that it will jump off is listed as ‘H-Hour’... the second day of the operation is ‘D+1’ and so forth.
So there’s a D-Day for every one of the hundreds if not thousand operations of the war.
I tell him he’s fighting a losing battle, that D-Day for June 6 looks likes it’s gonna stick in the public mind but I don’t think he will quit the fight.
Your are correct. But sometimes ordinary thinks take on extraordinary meaning by the magnitude and sacrifices associated with the term. D-day, H-hour, both standard terms in the manuals written about amphibious warfare.
But this D-day was like no other. Talk to someone knowledgeable about our Civil War, mention the terms “the Cornfield” or “the Wheatfield”, he will know exactly what your talking about. The words used in this case do not refer to just any corn field, or wheat field. These words are associated with great sacrifice and terrible combat. It is the same with D-day. There is only one like it.
He is technically correct and you’re lucky to still have him and I hope he still has his mind if not his health.
D-Day though, we all know has become The day of June 6, 1944. Not like Coke is generic for all soda.