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Storming D-Day Beach

Storming D-Day Beach in Nebraska

Field review by the editors.

Columbus, Nebraska

If you've seen Saving Private Ryan (or any war movie with a beach invasion) you've seen Higgins Boats. Everyone calls them "landing craft," which means that most people don't know that a guy named Andrew Jackson Higgins invented them. He was born in Columbus, Nebraska, which is about as far from an invade-able beach as it's possible to be in America.

To call attention to its forgotten hometown hero, Columbus unveiled a memorial to Higgins in June 2000. It features a bronze statue of Higgins himself, plus a full-size Higgins Boat and three bronze GIs, storming ashore in an amphibious landing on sand collected from several actual invasion beaches.

Storming D-Day Beach.

Storming D-Day Beach in Nebraska

Pawnee Park

Address:
3420 Pawnee Plaza, Columbus, NE
Directions:
Pawnee Park. South edge of town. From US Hwy 81/Lincoln Hwy, just south of its intersection with 6th St., turn west into Pawnee Park. Once inside the park, turn left and follow the road paralleling the highway. You'll quickly see the flags of the memorial.
Admission:
Free
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