News Release

D.C. National Guard’s O’Neill Competition Highlights
June 7, 2025 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed participants through a multi-level series of challenging military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944. It's part of Annual Training, ensuring all Soldiers are prepared for challenging, relevant, and realistic missions to fight and win... MORE

D.C. National Guard’s O’Neill Competition Commemorates D-Day Heroism and Warrior Ethos
June 6, 2025 — Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed more participants through a multi-level series of challenging military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944... MORE

Members of the District of Columbia Army National Guard participate in the O’Neill Competition at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA, on June 6, 2025. The event pushed more than 250 participants through a grueling day of military fundamentals—from ruck marches and weapons qualification to medical tasks and vehicle maintenance—designed to unify and strengthen the Warrior Ethos. The competition was a tribute to D-Day (Operation Overlord) and the legacy of LTC John C. O’Neill, a World War II combat engineer and D.C. Guardsman who helped breach enemy defenses on Omaha Beach in 1944.

80th Anniversary of D-Day: D.C. Guardsmen among the first Allied forces in Normandy invasion
June 6, 2024 — June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal shift during World War II. It’s the day nearly 160,000 Allied forces invaded the beaches of Normandy and laid the foundation to liberate Nazi-occupied Western Europe. Of the eight District of Columbia National Guard units mobilized for service in Europe, the Pacific and at home, at least three landed on Omaha Beach and fought in what we remember today as the Battle of Normandy or Operation Overlord (D-Day)... MORE

A collection of World War II artifacts is on display in the District of Columbia National Guard Museum highlighting the contributions of eight mobilized units in support of the war in Europe, the Pacific and at home, June 5, 2024. Three units landed on Omaha Beach and fought in the Battle of Normandy or Operation Overlord (D-Day): The 29th Military Police Platoon (MP PLT), Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) of the 29th Infantry Division (29ID), and the 121st Engineer Combat Battalion (ECB).