- Researcher Camille Noel urges remembrance of the five Utah soldiers killed on D-Day.
- The “D-Day Five” include Melvin Cowdell Oscar Cleaveland and Verl Nelson.
- Noel aims for formal recognition of their sacrifices on D-Day’s 82nd anniversary.
SANDY — On the 82nd anniversary of D-Day on Saturday, a researcher is hoping others will remember the five Utah soldiers killed on June 6, 1944, during the Allied invasion of Normandy.
Camille Noel said the stories of the five men — which she refers to as Utah’s “D-Day Five” — have been largely forgotten, including that of Pvt. Melvin C. Cowdell, whose remains now rest at the Sandy City Cemetery.
“Melvin was a member of the 16th Infantry (Regiment) of the 1st Infantry Division,” said Noel as she stood by Cowdell’s headstone on Friday afternoon. “His unit stormed Omaha Beach.”…