WATCH: PIT Honors D-Day Veteran Warren Goss

99-year-old observing 80th anniversary of D-Day with Normandy visit

By Rocco Pacella & Adam Bechtold & Julie Bercik

Published June 3, 2024

Read Time: 3 mins

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On June 6, 1944, Warren Goss landed on Utah Beach as part of the D-Day invasion, the beginning of the end of World War II. He earned a Bronze Star for carrying a wounded soldier to safety from behind enemy lines.

Eighty years later, at the age of 99, he is returning to the beaches of Normandy. He’s an American hero – but don’t tell him that.

“Everybody was a hero then. I’m not the hero,” said Goss, who said it was the entire country who pitched in and pulled together. “All the fellas that carried the supplies, all the fellas working in the mills at home and all the mothers and fathers [who] prayed everyday are the heroes.”

Last Thursday, May 30, Pittsburgh International Airport hosted a proper send-off for Goss, who lives in the Ohio Township area of the Pittsburgh region, as he embarked on his journey back to Europe with one of his daughters and a nephew. Organized with the Veterans Breakfast Club, the ceremony included local dignitaries, media representatives, members of the Veterans Breakfast Club, PIT team members and Goss’ family.

Travis McNichols, chief operating officer at PIT, began the event with an overview of Goss’ service eight decades ago.

“Eighty years after D-Day, not many of the witnesses to history that day are still with us, which is why it’s critical to hear from people like Warren,” McNichols said.

“It is a real honor to be here, in my district, to see the airport make this effort to honor Mr. Goss,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-17th District). “It truly is an honor to me, Mr. Goss, veteran to veteran, to thank you for your service to this great country of ours and to wish you safe travels.”

“On behalf of all the 1.25 million people of Allegheny County, I want to wish you safe travels and I want to thank you for your service,” Allegheny County Councilman Sam DeMarco said.

State Representative Valerie Gaydos (R), whose uncle served in World War II and took part in the D-Day invasion, said, “it was ingrained in me the importance of this operation, because to this