Major Thomas D. Howie Memorial, Shelby and St. Lo, France

Inscription: Plaque: A / LIVING / MEMORIAL / TO / MAJOR THOMAS DRY HOWIE / APRIL 12, 1908 – JULY 17, 1944 / ONE OF THE MOST GLORIOUS STORIES OF BRAVERY / BEYOND CALL OF DUTY IN WORLD WAR II IS THAT OF / MAJOR THOMAS DRY HOWIE / THE GALLANT MAJOR OF ST. LO WHO LED A / SUICIDE MISSION WHICH CLEARED THAT BARRIER / TO THE NORMANDY BEACH HEAD, BUT NOT TILL, HE / HAS GIVEN HIS LIFE DIRECTING THAT SUCCESSFUL / ATTACK. HIS DEVOTED MEN PRESSED ON VICTORIOUSLY / AND CARRIED HIS BODY INTO THE CITY / AT HEAD OF THEIR COLUMN. It is thought that the character of Captain John Miller played by Tom Hanks in the movie “Saving Private Ryan” was based on Major Howie. Thomas D. Howie, his resting place in July 1944. Covered with the American flag, the body of Maj. Thomas D. Howie, commander of the U.S. Army 3rd Battalion, 116 Infantry, rests amid the ruins of Saint Croix Church in St. Lo, France, while his men keep holding position behind their machine gun, July 19, 1944. (AP Photo/Harry Harris)