U.S. Soldiers, including Jake McNiece, right, assigned to the 101st Airborne Division apply war paint to each other's face in England June 5, 1944, in preparation for the invasion of Normandy, France, the next day. The morning of June 6, 1944, Allied forces conducted a massive airborne assault and amphibious landing in the Normandy region of France. The invasion marked the beginning of the final phase of World War II in Europe, which ended with the surrender of Germany the following May. McNiece led a demolition group called the Filthy 13, whose exploits were credited with the inspiration of the film "The Dirty Dozen."