From D-Day to Gameday: The Heroic Journey of Syracuse's Coach Ben Schwartzwalder

On June 6, 1944, during the D-Day invasion, U.S. Army Captain Floyd 'Ben' Schwartzwalder jumped from a C-47 Skytrain into the chaos of Normandy. As a member of the 507th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, he was among 13,500 paratroopers paving the way for the largest military invasion in history. Despite the challenges of scattered units and heavy German fire, Schwartzwalder led his men to secure key objectives, showcasing exceptional leadership that would later define his coaching career at Syracuse University. His bravery earned him the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and other accolades, cementing his legacy as both a war hero and a sports icon.