Sainte-Mère-Église in Manche, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Clifford A. Maughan P.F.C.
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, August 19, 2012
1. Clifford A. Maughan P.F.C. Marker
F. Co., 505 PIR, 82nd Airborne
Born 1920 — Died 1990
This plaque is to commemorate
P.F.C. Clifford Maughan
who parachuted into the garden of this
house at approximately 01.45 hours
on the morning of 6th June 1944
He was taken prisoner by a German soldier
billeted in this house, who then in turn
surrendered to him. P.F.C. Maughan went
on to fight in Normandy, Holland and to
survive the war.
This is also to perpetuate the memory of
all the other men of the 2nd Platoon,
Mortar Squad of F. Company 505 PIR,
whose heroic actions that night helped
to change the course of history.
Truly their Longest Day
Lt. H. Cadish . . . . Pt. H. Bryant
Sgt. J. Ray . . . . Pt. L. Tlapa
PFC C. Blankenship . . . . Pt. R. Blanchard
PFC A. Van Holsbeck . . . . Pt. J. Steele
PFC P. Shearer . . . . Pt. K. Russell
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1944.
Location. 49° 24.484′ N, 1° 19.008′ W. Marker is in Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie (Normandy), in Manche. It is on rue Eisenhower, on the right when traveling east.
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Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Les premiers obus sont tombés sur Sainte-Mère-Église / The first shells fell on Sainte-Mère-Église (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Robert M. Murphy (within shouting distance of this marker); Le parachutiste de l'église : John Steele / The paratrooper of the church: John Steele (within shouting distance of this marker); In Remembrance of the Airborne Spirit (within shouting distance of this marker); Film « Jour le plus Long » / Film "The Longest Day" (within shouting distance of this marker); 82nd and 101st Airborne on D-Day (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, August 19, 2012
2. Wider View of the House and Garden
Regarding Clifford A. Maughan P.F.C.. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, paratroopers of the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions landed between midnight and 2 a.m. near the little town of Sainte-Mère-Église in Normandy, France. Many men, especially those of the 82nd Airborne's 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, landed directly in the town itself. They had flown across the English Channel in C-47 aircraft and jumped from an altitude of just 600 feet, leaving little time to maneuver on the way down. The mission was to seize the town and cut off resupply or escape routes that might be needed by German units defending the beaches of Normandy, and where large numbers of Allied forces were to arrive toward dawn that day.
Among Maughan’s comrades honored on this plaque is John Steele, whose parachute snagged on a spire of the church directly across the street from
Photographed by Roger W. Sinnott, August 18, 2012
3. The Church
A parachute and mannequin representing Pvt. John Steele hang from a spire of this church, similar to what happened to Steele on D-Day. (Click to enlarge.)
The paratroopers at Sainte-Mère-Église figure prominently in the film classic The Longest Day (20th Century Fox, 1962).
Also see . . . Clifford Maughan. Living Battlefield website entry (Submitted on March 19, 2024, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2012, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 2,427 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 24, 2012, by Roger W. Sinnott of Norwell, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
