Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata honored the memory of Henry Saaga, a soldier from American Samoa who fought in the Normandy invasion, as the United States commemorates the anniversaries of D-Day and the Battle of Midway, according to a June 3 announcement.
Amata said, “As Samoans, we commemorate D-Day with our own shining example of bravery among our Toa o Samoa. Henry Saaga, born and raised in Utulei Village, here in American Samoa, survived the fighting in the great invasion of Normandy, but was last seen battling with courage in the famous, deadly hedgerows of France. As we honor his memory and sacrifice, it is good to know that he is held in high honor in France, where his name is etched on the Wall of Honor, visited by many thousands yearly.”
Henry Saaga earned both the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for his service. He was also known as a singer and musician who played multiple instruments and participated as a three-sport athlete. The announcement noted that Saaga knew Uifa’atali Peter T. Coleman at the start of World War II while both were in Oahu; both men were from Ma’oputasi District.
The statement explained that on June 6 each year D-Day is commemorated to mark when Allied forces under General Dwight Eisenhower stormed Normandy’s beaches during Operation Overlord to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany. General Eisenhower’s message to troops stated, “The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.”
It also recalled that two years earlier on June 4-7, 1942, U.S. Navy forces engaged Imperial Japan at Midway—a large-scale sea and air battle that shifted momentum for Allies in the Pacific theater.
“On these honored dates,” Amata said, “we commemorate the heroism of those who fought for country and freedom, and we thank God for their success in these two great endeavors… Generations later these victories still matter, becoming part of building more democratic governments including our modern partnerships with Japan and Germany.”
