Marion in Smyth County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Lt. Col. Garland York

1923-1996 “The Omaha Kid”

— Marion History Walk —

Lt. Col. Garland York Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

1. Lt. Col. Garland York Marker

Inscription. A native son of Marion, and the youngest pilot with the 34th Photo Recon Squadron during WWII, York flew the Lockheed P-38 on heroic low-level missions throughout the European theatre. It was York's photograph of the Normandy beaches, detailing beach barriers, teller mines and other coastal defenses that provided the intelligence for the D-Day invasion.

Erected by Marion Main Street.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 36° 49.967′ N, 81° 31.186′ W. Marker is in Marion, Virginia, in Smyth County. Marker is at the intersection of West Main Street and South Church Street, on the right when traveling east on West Main Street. Marker is on the sidewalk in front of The Bank of Marion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 W Main St, Marion VA 24354, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mack Howard Sturgill (a few steps from this marker); Confederate Memorial (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Salt Kettle (within shouting distance of this marker); Laura Lu Copenhaver (within shouting distance of this

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marker); Marion (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyth County Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Smyth County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marion.

Also see . . . Dicing the Beaches. It was the youngest pilot in the squadron, 2nd Lt. Garland A. York, who provided the most vital information for the Allies prior to the invasion. Despite poor weather conditions, it was York who photographed the sections of beach destined to become known throughout history as "Omaha" and "Utah", the American landing sectors on D-Day. (34th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron Association) (Submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 22, 2022

2. Lt. Col. Garland York Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 8, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.