Tom Hanks tearful WW2 D-Day veterans American cemetery 060624 CREDIT REUTERS
Actor Tom Hanks appeared emotional at the D-Day event in Normandy (Picture: ABMC)
D-Day

Tom Hanks appears to fight back the tears at D-Day event honouring US veterans

Tom Hanks tearful WW2 D-Day veterans American cemetery 060624 CREDIT REUTERS
Actor Tom Hanks appeared emotional at the D-Day event in Normandy (Picture: ABMC)

Saving Private Ryan star Tom Hanks appeared emotional as he watched American D-Day veterans receive France's highest honour, the Légion d'Honneur, from President Emmanuel Macron.

The Hollywood actor seemed to fight back the tears at the special ceremony marking the 80th D-Day anniversary at the American cemetery above Omaha Beach.

Also in attendance, along with many world leaders, was movie icon Steven Spielberg, who had collaborated with Hanks for the Oscar-winning 1998 epic Saving Private Ryan.

The opening battle scene depicted the US landings on Omaha Beach and brought audiences closer than ever before to the horror of combat – which many claim reinvented the war movie genre.

Hanks and Spielberg also created the 2001 series Band of Brothers set during the Second World War.

President Emmanuel Macron present Légion d’Honneur (Legion of Honor) US D-Day veterans 060624 CREDIT REUTERS
President Emmanuel Macron presented France's highest honour, the Légion d'Honneur, to 11 American D-Day veterans (Picture: ABMC)

Arriving at the American Cemetery for the D-Day anniversary, Mr Hanks told NBC News: "When I look around here today I see boys in high school, early in college, doing the right thing."

The event near Omaha Beach was one of many held across Normandy to mark 80 years since D-Day.

The invasion turned the tide of the Second World War and ultimately led to the Allies' victory in 1945.

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