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Coronado D-Day veteran parachutes out of plane over Normandy

Posted at 1:24 PM, Jun 05, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-05 16:24:25-04

(KGTV and AP) -- A Coronado parachutist jumped out of a plane over Normandy Wednesday, just as soldiers did 75 years ago, according to the Associated Press.

The parachutists were honoring the airborne soldiers who jumped into gunfire ahead of the June 6 1944 seaborne invasion.

97-year-old D-Day veteran Tom Rice was among the paratroopers who leapt out of planes that day.

According to the Associated Press, Rice jumped in tandem Wednesday into roughly the same area he landed on D-Day.

“It went perfect, perfect jump,” Rice said following the jump. “I feel great. I’d go up and do it again.”

On D-Day, Rice jumped with the 101st Airborne Division, landing safely despite catching himself on the exit and a bullet hitting his parachute.

Rice flew down Wednesday with the stars and stripes flag beneath him, landing with loud applause.

Other parachutists jumped with World War II souvenirs, some of which were worn by their grandfathers into battle.

Rice said following the jump that he feels he represents a whole generation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.