June 6, 1944

Parachuted over Normandy on June 6, 1944, John Marvin Steele found himself hanging from the bell tower of Sainte-Mère-Église before being taken prisoner by the Germans and later escaping. The movie *The Longest Day* immortalized his misadventure, forever linking the soldier in the public’s mind to this situation that was both tragic and comical. Yet, from Italy to the Netherlands, John Steele’s journey would lead him to participate in numerous battles across various theaters of operation during World War II, earning him various wounds and several decorations.

A charismatic figure who transformed his dramatic yet colorful wartime experiences into smiles and optimism, John Steele is now the hero of a comic book—the first ever dedicated to him—shedding light on his unique journey. An educational booklet complements the story and explores the D-Day landings in Normandy, Hollywood’s portrayal of them, and the connections between American comics and World War II.