Missouri state officials and cadets from Missouri Military Academy gathered at the Missouri state capitol in Jefferson City to pay tribute to the 200 Missouri soldiers who died during Exercise Tiger, a World War II large-scale rehearsal for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. This commemorative ceremony marked the 80th anniversary of the tragic event. Watch news coverage of the event from WGEM.
“Because of our roots in Audrain County and our military educational model, Missouri Military Academy was especially honored to be involved in remembering our veterans at this event,” says Colonel Tom Pickle, MMA’s new deputy commandant for residential life. “We will never forget those who sacrificed their lives 80 years ago and the sacrifices that our military men and women and their families continue to make today.”
MMA cadets provide an arch of sabers as Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe enters the Thomas Hart Benton Gallery at the Missouri state capitol for the event.
Exercise Tiger, conducted in April 1944 on Slapton Sands, Devon, England, served as a crucial rehearsal for the impending D-Day invasion of Normandy. Primarily involving American forces, the exercise aimed to refine the assault techniques essential for the success of the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944.
MMA cadets unfurl a World War II era, 48 Star Navy Standard flag that will be flown at the Operation Exercise Tiger Memorial located at the Audrain County Courthouse on 28 April 2024.
Unexpectedly, the American landing craft fell prey to surprise attacks by German E-boats in Lyme Bay. This assault resulted in the sinking of numerous vessels and the tragic loss of approximately 749 American servicemen. Shockingly, the full extent of this calamity remained shrouded in secrecy during the war, overshadowed by the urgency surrounding the impending D-Day operation. It wasn't until the war's conclusion that the true scale of the tragedy came to light. Among the fallen were 202 Missouri soldiers, both men and women.
Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe stands center with MMA cadets and other distinguished guests.
The following cadets attended the event:
- Cadet Bradley Thumbi
- Cadet Ryan Miles
- Cadet Michael Middleton
- Cadet Alexander McBride
- Cadet Connor Moore
- Cadet Evan Batson
- Cadet Brayden Phelps
- Cadet Mason Brooks
- Cadet Justyn Daigle
- Cadet Miles Matthews
- Cadet Emilio Jose Gomez
- Cadet Connor Edwards
- Cadet Gabriel Rodriguez Sanchez
- Cadet Jose Gabriel Elizondo Villarreal
- Cadet Seydina Issa Diop
- Cadet Malachi Imrie
- Cadet Carlos Ontiveros
- Cadet Matthew Hallam
- Cadet River Punab-Mitchell
- Cadet Alexander Pro
- Cadet John Trippe
- Cadet Jacob Pehle
- Cadet Dallas Grantz
- Cadet Alvaro Gonzalez Farre
“For our cadets, it was a remarkable event and opportunity to visit the capitol and meet the governor,” Col. Pickle says.
Some cadets even received a challenge coin from the governor and had the opportunity to tour the Whispering Gallery in the capitol dome with a guided tour of the catwalk. The gallery's acoustics allow sound waves to travel alongside the curved walls, enabling visitors to hear whispered exchanges across the 100-foot divide of the open space of the dome.
Thank you to the United States Exercise Tiger Foundation for inviting our cadets to participate in this event.
View more photos here.