99-year-old veteran remembers Normandy on D-Day
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — June 6 is the 80th anniversary of D-Day, which marks the day Allied troops invaded Nazi-occupied France.
The images and stories of the terrible loss of life as the Allies stormed the beaches in Normandy that day is well known. But a Grand Rapids veteran also wants people to know about the dangers thousands faced, even before the invasion.
“I was assigned to be the first boat in the first wave on D-day,” said WWII Veteran Henry Pelak.
But a few weeks earlier, the World War II Navy veteran was in England in a practice run for the planned D-Day invasion. At 19 years old, he was assigned to be the motor machinist on a landing craft.
During the training, a German boat attacked an Allied convoy.
“Operation Tiger 749 lives were lost practicing for D-day,” said Pelak.
Pelak showed pictures from that time. He’s been compiling information and putting it in a book.
“It took me 80 years to get the pieces together of what happened on Operation Tiger,” Pelak said.
The survivors, including Pelak, later headed to Normandy.
“It was a special assignment because they put us in a boat carrying soldiers. We carried combat demolition squad,” Pelak said. “(Most of them) didn’t make it, because of the explosives, machine and fire and everything.”
During the invasion, Pelak was able to help rescue some of his comrades.
“There are two sailors. They’re running toward us because we are still there. We got them in the boat, managed to save those two sailors,” Pelak recalled.
Others couldn’t be saved.
“I had to pick him up, and I took him and held him. Here I got this soldier and look what’s happening, it’s really terrible, you know. McGregor died in my arms,” said Pelak.
The 99-year-old veteran is grateful he survived D-Day.
“You’ve got to count your blessings,” he said.
He’s surrounded by family and friends at his favorite place, Scott Lake Golf & Practice Center, where they salute him.
“Joys of my life is what, golfing, watching people enjoy themselves,” he said.
After almost a century of living, Pelak relays a message of kindness.
“Try or do something nice to everybody you meet. You should practice that every day of your life, you know why? Because it’s the best medicine in the world,” Pelak said.
He will turn 100 on July 24.
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