Bugle Played on Utah Beach, D-Day

Title: Bugle, Utah Beach
Accession #: NHHC 1964-357-A
Circa: 1944
Size:
Medium: Brass
Location: Headquarters Artifact Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command
One military-issued service bugle. Brass or copper alloy body painted olive drab. The body has a double twist shape and a white metal mouthpiece. The bell is stamped “BUGLECRAFT INC./L.I. City, N.Y./U.S.”
This bugle sounded colors when the American flag was first raised on Utah Beach during the D-Day landings. RADM James E. Arnold, the Naval Officer in Charge of Utah Beach (NOIC), reported that the raising of the flag “was a combined celebration of mine and Brigadier General Jim Wharton. The affair was not too well attended because Jerry [the Germans] was still mad and furnished some fireworks for the occasion!”

