Normandy Town Names Square for Memorial Founder

A square located in La Besnardière in Vire Normandy now bears the name “Square Bob Slaughter,” in recognition of the late John Robert “Bob” Slaughter, founder of the National D-Day Memorial.

Hailed as one of the town’s liberators in 1944, Slaughter was wounded in Vire after surviving Omaha Beach as a young sergeant landing with the 116th on D-Day.

A French couple, Claude and Jacquline Poupion, proposed naming the square after Slaughter. The Poupions first met Slaughter while visiting Roanoke, Virginia in 1998. Taking interest in Slaughter’s wartime service, they retraced his career. On a 2004 visit to Vire, Slaughter took the couple’s daughter to the place where he was injured. The square is located in front of the Poupions’ home.

“It will be a recognition to one of our liberators,” said Claude Poupion. “But also, and above all, to all those young soldiers killed to free us.”

The square’s dedication marked the 80^th anniversary of the liberation of Vire.