
A U.S. veteran who scored a high-five from Melania Trump after being awarded the Legion of Honor medal for his D-Day heroics 75 years ago has revealed that he wanted to give the First Lady a hug on stage 'but just froze'.

Harold Terence, 95, was in France on Thursday to receive his honor as part of the 75th D-Day commemorations to mark the anniversary of the greatest military invasion in history.

He received his Legion of Honor medal from French President Emmanuel Macron during a ceremony near Omaha Beach in Normandy where the majority of U.S. troops fell on June 6, 1944.

While Terrence also received a congratulations from President Donald Trump during the ceremony, it was the veteran's interaction with the U.S. First Lady that had him most excited.

He briefly met Melania on stage when they shook hands and he was later filmed reaching out for a high-five as the First Lady crossed the stage to take her seat.

'I met Melania this trip on the stage and I sort of messed up. I bet my friend a breakfast that I would get a hug from her,' he said.

'We shook hands and my daughter took a picture and I froze. I wanted to put my arms around her but I didn't. I know she would have Ok'd it. I froze and I didn't do it. We have the picture of just me and her holding hands and then getting a high five from her.'

Harold Terence, 95, received a high-five from Melania Trump on Thursday while he was in France to receive his honor as part of the 75th D-Day commemorations to mark the anniversary of the greatest military invasion in history

The Trumps had flown to France on Thursday to join the leaders of the Allied nations to mark the 75th anniversary. They were surrounded by veterans on stage during the commemoration ceremony

Terrence said that he wasn't a Trump fan and prefers Nancy Pelosi, but he respected the President's office and was 'very overwhelmed by his presence'.

Born and raised in the Bronx in New York, Terrence enlisted in the army when he was 19 and served as a radio operator during WWII. ON D-Day Terrence was working with the 350th fighter squadron, which was badly hit with only half the planes returning.

Terence, who now lives in Florida, is an enthusiastic globetrotter having recently been to Alaska and even the Burning Man festival. Fittingly, he said if he was going to take one more trip in his life it would be to the country he helped liberate.

The 95-year-old watched on from the stage on Thursday as Trump paid tribute to the brave men who fought in the Allied invasion of France and described them as the 'very greatest Americans who will ever live'.

The Trumps had flown to France on Thursday to join the leaders of the Allied nations to mark the 75th anniversary.

Gathering at the Normandy American Cemetery, Trump joined his wife as they paid their respects to the 9,300 soldiers buried there.

In his stirring speech, Trump told crowds that those who died 'won back this ground for civilization'.

At one point during his speech the President stopped midway through to hug one of the veterans Russell Pickett, 94, who was a 19-year-old private during the landings at Omaha.

'Russell Picket is the last known survivor of the legendary company A,' Trump told the gathered crowds. 'Today, believe it or not, he has returned once more to these shores to be with his comrades. Private Picket, you honor us all with your presence.'

Macron helped Pickett stand before Trump came over to give him a hug and whisper in the veteran's ear.

'Tough guy,' Trump said when he returned to the podium.

Trump was joined by French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at various ceremonies across the region.

Trump and First Lady Melania flew to France on Thursday to join the leaders of the Allied nations to mark the 75th anniversary of the greatest military invasion in history. They are pictured paying their respects at the Normandy American Cemetery where 9,300 U.S. servicemen are buried

Trump paused to pay tribute to one of the 9,300 American serviceman who were laid to rest at the Normandy American Cemetery. The graves that were decorated with tiny American and French flags to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day

Trump, Macron and their wives walked to an overlook above Omaha Beach, the scene of the bloodiest fighting, as fighter jets left trails of red, white and blue smoke as they flew overhead

President Trump addressing veterans as part of the commemoration service. He told the gathered heroes that those who died 'won back this ground for civilization'

From dawn on June 6, 1944 - known as the Longest Day - 156,000 troops left landing craft and raced on to the sand along the Normandy coast to smash Hitler's Nazis - supported by 250,000 more men supporting them from the sea and air.

The brave men, from all corners of the world, gained a foothold in France that turned the Second World War and would lead to the liberation of Europe within a year.

Trump said in his speech to veterans gathered at the famous battlefield that the bond between the Allied nations who fought on D-Day was 'unbreakable'.

Today, we remember those who fell here, and we honor all who fought here. They won back this ground for civilization Donald Trump

'We are gathered here on Freedom's Altar. On these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, ten thousand men shed their blood-and thousands sacrificed their lives-for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty,' Trump said in the speech.

'Today, we remember those who fell here, and we honor all who fought here. They won back this ground for civilization.

'The enemy who occupied these heights saw the largest naval armada in history on the horizon. Just a few miles offshore were 7,000 vessels bearing 130,000 warriors. They were the citizens of free and independent nations, united by their duty to their compatriots and to millions yet unborn.'

He also made reference to the 'cherished alliance' between nations which was 'forged on the beaches'.

'To all of our friends and partners - our cherished alliance was forged in the heat of battle, tested in the trials of war, and proven in the blessings of peace. Our bond is unbreakable,' he continued.

'The exceptional might came from an exceptional spirit. The abundance of courage came from an abundance of faith. The great deeds of our Army came from the great depths of their love.'

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid her respects at the Normandy American Cemetery on Thursday (left) and laid a wreath during a ceremony on Juno Beach

Donald and Melania Trump were joined by the Macrons at the Normandy American Cemetery for the commemorations

Melania and Donald Trump stood beside Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron as they watched a fly over near Omaha Beach

Trump, Macron and their wives visited a landing over Omaha Beach in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Thursday as part of the D-Day commemorations

Trump and Macron then traveled separately to Caen, France, for a meeting (above) and lunch before Trump is scheduled to return to his golf course in Ireland

Trump and Macron were surrounded by their cabinet staff for a working lunch in Caen, Normandy after the D-Day commemorations

DONALD TRUMP'S D DAY SPEECH We are gathered here on Freedom's Altar. On these shores, on these bluffs, on this day 75 years ago, ten thousand men shed their blood - and thousands sacrificed their lives - for their brothers, for their countries, and for the survival of liberty. Today, we remember those who fell here, and we honor all who fought right here in Normandy. They won back this ground for civilization. To more than 170 veterans of the second World War who join us today, you are among the very greatest Americans who will ever live. You are the pride of our nation. You are the glory of our Republic and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Here with you are over 60 veterans who landed here on D Day. Our debt to you is everlasting. Today we express our undying gratitude to you. When you were young, these men enlisted their lives in a great crusade, one of the greatest of all times. Their mission is the story of an epic battle and the ferocious eternal struggle between good and evil. On the 6th of June 1944 they joined a liberation force of awesome power and breathtaking scale. After months of planning the Allies had chosen this ancient coastline to mount their campaign to vanquish the wicked tyranny of the Nazi empire. The enemy who occupied these heights saw the largest naval armada in history on the horizon. Just a few miles offshore were 7,000 vessels bearing 130,000 warriors. They were the citizens of free and independent nations, united by their duty to their compatriots and to millions yet unborn. (The Americans) came from the farms of a vast heartland, the streets of glowing cities and the forges of mighty industrial towns. Before the war, many had never ventured beyond their own community. Now, they had come to offer their lives half a world from home. This beach, code named Omaha, was defended by the Nazis with monstrous fire power. It was here that tens of thousands of Americans came. To all of our friends and partners - our cherished alliance was forged in the heat of battle, tested in the trials of war and proven in the blessings of peace. Our bond is unbreakable. From across the Earth, Americans are drawn to this place as though it were a part of our very soul. We come not only because of what they did here, we come because of who they were. They were young men with their entire lives before them. They were husbands who said goodbye to their young brides and took their duty as their fate. There were fathers who would never meet their infant sons and daughters because they had a job to do. They came wave after wave without question, without hesitation and without complaint. More powerful than the strength of American arms was the strength of American hearts. These men ran through the fires of hell. The exceptional might came from a truly exceptional spirit. The abundance of courage came from an abundance of faith. The great deeds of an Army came from the great depths of their love. The men behind me will tell you that they are just the lucky ones. But we know what these men did. They came here and saved freedom and then they went home and showed us all what freedom is all about. They built a national culture that inspired the entire world. To the men that sit behind me and to the boys that rest in the field before me, your example will never grow old. Your legend will never die. The blood that they spilled, the tears that they shed, the lives that they gave, the sacrifice that they made, did not just win a battle, it did not just win a war. Those who fought here won a future for a nation. They won the survival of our civilization. Advertisement

Trump was joined on stage by the French President, who told American D-Day veterans that 'France doesn't forget' what they sacrificed for his country's liberty from Nazi Germany.

Macron spoke of former President Eisenhower's famous one-liner that initiated Operation Overlord: 'OK, let's go.'

'Their days of youth seem too far behind,' Macron said of the American soldiers who were as young as 20 on D-Day. 'Far from Pennsylvania, Kentucky, or New Jersey... Far from their school years when they were learning a trade.

'They freed a land with no other compass than a cause which was greater than themselves – the cause of liberty today. France has not forgotten. France has not forgotten those fighters to whom we owe the right to live in freedom.

'France has not forgotten the 2,000,000 soldiers who went for weeks to free the villages of Normandy and would go through the hell of combat of the countryside... I bow down before their bravery.'

'We know that we owe to you, veterans, our freedom. On behalf of my nation, I just want to say thank you.'

Trump was joined at the ceremony by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with whom he has previously clashed over the Mueller report.

While attending the beach service on Thursday, Pelosi told DailyMail.com: 'We are here prayerfully, gratefully and patriotically to salute our veterans, and we have a strong bipartisan delegation to do just that'.

'But this is their day, and it's, as we have done in the past, we're here to praise them, to listen to their stories, to thank them, and to remember that what they had to do is protect freedom and save civilization, really, and that we have a responsibility and our mission is to build a future worthy of their sacrifice and their mission for peace.'

Asked whether anyone in her family had a personal connection with the battle, Pelosi revealed her uncle had a hand in liberating Europe from the Nazis.

'When I was here five years ago, I was telling some of the veterans that my uncle died at the Battle of the Bulge. And the veterans said, 'Oh, yeah. We went there after.' They just kept on fighting. Imagine the current - I thought once they did the invasion of Normandy, they might be, you know, go home or something, but no – they kept on fighting.'

Following the program and gun salute, Trump, Macron and their wives walked to an overlook above Omaha Beach, the scene of the bloodiest fighting. They stood silently as a bugler played 'Taps' and surveyed a map of the invasion.

They also watched as fighter jets left trails of red, white and blue smoke as they flew overhead.

At the cemetery, Melania Trump placed a bouquet of white flowers at the base of a cross-shaped headstone.

At the ceremony, Trump said Americans are drawn to the shores of Normandy 'as though it were a part of our very soul'.

He noted that many of the men who lost their lives here were fathers who would never meet their infant sons and daughters because they had a job to do.

'They came in wave after wave without question, without hesitation and without complaint,' Trump said.

The cemetery contains grave markers for more than 9,300 American servicemen. The rows of white crosses mark graves that were decorated with tiny American and French flags to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

Trump noted that each marker has been adopted by a French family and that people come from all over France to 'look after our boys.'

'They kneel, they cry, they pray, they place flowers and they never forget,' Trump said. 'Today America embraces the French people and thanks you for honoring our beloved war dead.'

Trump and Macron then traveled separately to Caen, France, for a meeting and lunch before Trump returned to his golf course in Ireland in the afternoon. They were due to discuss security, the fight against terrorism, instability in the Middle East, trade and Iran during the meeting.

Macron helped Russell Pickett, 94, stand so that Donald Trump could give him a hug halfway through his speech at the service

Trump embraced the 94-year-old veteran who was among the veterans revisiting the beach. On D-Day he was a 19-year-old private in the 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division

Donald and Melania Trump sat among the WWII veterans during the ceremony at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France on Thursday

Trump and Macron greet each other on stage during the French-U.S. commemoration marking the 75th D-Day anniversary. Trump brushed past Brigitte Macron as they took their places ahead of the ceremony on Thursday morning in Normandy

Trump greeted World War II veterans as he prepared to participate in a ceremony commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day

Trump and Macron meeting US veterans who fought on D-Day. Hundreds of those who served during World War Two attended the ceremony on Thursday

A Veteran smiles as he meets the President on Thursday morning. Thousands of US troops fell during the operation which resulted in the liberation of Europe

Trump places his hand on his chest during the playing of the US national anthem as he stands near veterans during the memorial service

The President adjusts his jacket as he and Melania stand during the commemoration. World leaders have gathered to pay tribute to the brave men who fought and died on D-Day

Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump sat alongside National Security Advisor John Bolton and counselor to the president Kellyanne Conway during the ceremony

French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S President Donald Trump stand among WWII veterans during a ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day

The Trumps and Macrons arrive at the ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery

The Trumps left France on Thursday afternoon and headed back to Ireland on board Air Force One. They are pictured walking across the tarmac at Caen-Carpiquet Airport

The President waved alongside his wife on Thursday afternoon as they left France following the 75th D-Day commemorations

Mr Trump shared this moving message as he headed to France to remember The Longest Day - D-Day

Hero California veteran, 96, goes back to D-Day beaches for the first time Jake Larson, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, traveled back to France on Thursday for the first time in 75 years to honor the memory of the fallen and the bravery of the 160,000 Allied troops who landed in Normandy in 1944. He was just 21-years-old and a sergeant when he landed on the beaches. Larson, the last surviving member of his company, told CBS: 'I stopped for a cigarette behind that berm and my matches were all wet. Jake Larson (pictured left and right) traveled to Normandy for the first time in 75 years for the D-Day commemorations 'So I turned to my left and not three feet from me, there was a soldier. And I says, 'Buddy, have you got a match?' And he didn't answer. I looked again and there was no head under the helmet. 'The soul of that boy inspired me to up at that instant and run for the cliff. I thank that guy today. In that instant I had the ability to get up and run.' The heroic soldier, who joined the National Guard in Minnesota when he was just 15, was able to travel to Normandy with his son after a GoFundMe campaign. Advertisement

Around 15 miles away above Gold Beach where UK troops landed 75 years ago, British Prime Minister Theresa May paid tribute to the heroes who 'laid down their lives so that we might have a better life', calling them 'the greatest generation'.

She and the French President attended the inauguration of a new monument listing the names of all 22,442 members of the British armed forces who died in the campaign in northern France over the summer of 1944.

The centrepiece of the new memorial is a bronze sculpture of three British soldiers charging up the beach, and it has been funded by the Normandy Memorial Trust and thousands of Daily Mail readers.

Speaking at the inauguration service, the Prime Minister paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, saying: 'They laid down their lives so that we might have a better life and build a better world. These young men belonged to a very special generation, the greatest generation. They didn't boast. They didn't fuss. They served'.

May paid tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of the 'greatest generation' of service personnel who served during the landings.

'If one day can be said to have determined the fate of generations to come, in France, in Britain, in Europe and in the world, that day was the 6 June 1944,' she said.

'More than 156,000 men landed on D-Day, of which 83,000 were from Britain and the Commonwealth.

'Over a quarter of a million more supported operations from air and sea, while the French Resistance carried out extraordinary acts of bravery from behind enemy lines.

'Many were terribly wounded, and many made the ultimate sacrifice that day, and in the fierce sacrifice that followed, as together our Allied nations sought to release Europe from the grip of fascism.'

The Prime Minister read the names of several British troops who were killed during the D-Day landings and the Battle of Normandy.

Crowds gather on Gold beach this morning to listen to Lone Piper, Pipe Major Trevor Macey-Lillie of the 19th regiment, Royal Artillery, who saluted to those who gathered to remember the brave soldiers who landed there 75 years ago today

A new memorial, which overlooks Gold Beach, records the names of more than 20,000 British servicemen who died in the D-Day landings and Battle of Normandy. It depicts three soldiers advancing across the beach

Mrs May glances at veterans who gathered to remember their comrades who laid down their lives on the beaches of Normandy

Mrs May grips the hand of a veteran after her speech where she thanked the hundreds of thousands of people who fought in France on June 6, 1944

A moved Theresa May is comforted by Emmanuel Macron at a ceremony above Gold beach, where the first British troops arrived to fight to free Europe in 1944

How D-Day unfolded 75 years ago These are the key moments which helped ensure D-Day became the largest seaborne military invasion in history. June 6, 1944 - D-Day - 01.30-2.00am - Allied combined bombardment and assault fleets arrive and anchor off the French coast. - 3.30am - Sainte Mere Eglise is liberated by Americans - who hoist the US flag at the town hall - and roads leading up to Utah Beach are closed. - 4am - Britain's 9th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, helps destroy weapons at the Merville Battery to protect troops who will land at Sword Beach. - 4.30am- Allied warships begin bombarding the Normandy coastline. Landing ships and landing craft head for shore. - 5am - Bombers pound the German shore defences. More than 5,300 tonnes of bombs are dropped. - 5.30am- American forces begin landing on Omaha Beach and face a devastating enemy onslaught which pins them there until 1100. - 5.30am - Americans troops begin landing on Utah Beach. - 6.10am - US 2nd Army Ranger Battalion attacks 100ft high fortified cliff the Pointe du Hoc, defending it for the rest of the day. - 6.25am - British land at Gold and Sword Beaches. - 6.35am - Canadians land at Juno Beach. - 8am - General Eisenhower authorises release of communique announcing the invasion has begun and General Bradley calls for reinforcements. - 8.45am - Enemy forces cleared from Utah Beach. -11am - Winston Churchill speaks to the House of Commons about the landings, saying: 'So far the commanders who are engaged report that everything is proceeding according to plan. And what a plan!' - 12.30pm - Troops on Omaha Beach begin securing the area. Allied forces begin to bomb the town of Caen with 160 tonnes of bombs dropped. - 1.30pm - The Nazi's 21st Panzer Division unleash a counter-attack towards the coast. - 3pm - The British arrive at Arromanches. - 5pm- Some of the 3rd Canadian Division, North Nova Scotia Highlanders reach 5km inland. 1st Hussar tanks cross the Caen-Bayeux railway, 15km inland. Canadian Scottish link up with the 50th Division at Creully. - 6pm - Command post set up on Omaha Beach. - 7pm Allied patrols at the outskirts of Bayeux. - 10pm - King George VI address is broadcast. He says it is a 'fight to win the final victory for the good cause'. Advertisement

May then traveled to Bayeux Cathedral to join Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, for a memorial service.

They laid commemorative wreaths at the Cross of Sacrifice at the Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in Bayeux, alongside men who served in the Normandy campaign.

Veteran Frank Baugh, 95, told a service at Bayeux Cemetery how he was a signalman on a landing craft that took 200 troops from 2nd Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry from Newhaven to Sword beach.

He described how the troops landed in about 4ft of rough water under 'heavy machine gun fire' at 7.25am.

The landing craft was hit and the number 2 troop space caught fire, leaving some badly injured and having to stay on the ship, but those who had been lightly injured followed their comrades, he said.

'They wanted to go with their partners and that's what happened,' Baugh said.

'My most abiding memory of that day is seeing our boys we had been talking to the minute before.

'They got cut down with machine gun fire. They would fall into the water, floating face down and we couldn't get them out.

'We couldn't help them. That is my most abiding memory and I can't forget it.'

Afterwards hundreds of people lined the streets of the city to clap the returning soldiers as they paraded to the nearby Commonwealth War Graves ceremony, with locals kissing them and shaking their hands as they passed.

In Britain, Prince William laid a wreath at the Normandy Campaign Memorial in Staffordshire, along with dignitaries and veterans.

Prince Harry attended an event with Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital in London.

Harry said he was 'honored' to be in the presence of veterans after meeting with six former servicemen who were involved in the hazardous landing operation on the beaches of Normandy.

'On this 75th anniversary of D-Day, I can comfortably speak for everyone when I say we are honored to be in the presence of six Normandy landing veterans,' he said.

'To all who are on parade today, I can only say that you are a constant reminder of the great debt we owe those who have served this nation.'

The prince is a former military officer who took part in the Royal Hospital Chelsea's annual Founder's Day celebrations.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also hailed D-Day fighters who sacrificed their lives 75 years ago on the beaches of Normandy for future generations, 'for you and me.'

Speaking Thursday where 14,000 Canadians landed, Trudeau said they 'took a gamble the world had never seen before.'

Thousands never made it home, many killed that very first day of the allied battle against the Nazis for Normandy.

He lauded the resulting world order including the United Nations and NATO that have helped ensure peace since World War II.

He called it 'the responsibility of all Canadians to ensure that their story and their sacrifice will never be forgotten.'

Their chests laden with medals, Canadian veterans listened solemnly, overlooking the tall grass and sandy expanse below.

In a bilingual ceremony, young Canadians people recited readings from D-Day fighters, saying 'we are eternally grateful.'

Mrs May was accompanied to Bayeux by her husband Philip on her last day as Tory leader, and Prince Charles was with his wife Camilla, (together right)

Theresa May curtseys for the Prince of Wales outside Bayeux Cathedral in Normandy today as world leaders and royalty gathered to remember those who fought for freedom on D-Day

In Britain, Prince William laid a wreath at the Normandy Campaign Memorial in Staffordshire, along with dignitaries and veterans

The Duke of Sussex laughs as he talks to Chelsea Pensioners during a D-Day event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea on Thursday

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets veterans during the international ceremony on Juno Beach in Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy on Thursday for the D-Day commemorations

Speaking Thursday where 14,000 Canadians landed, Trudeau said they 'took a gamble the world had never seen before'

Trudeau was joined by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe as they laid wreaths during the ceremony at Juno Beach

In Portsmouth, following President Donald Trump's visit on Wednesday, a veteran's parade took before a memorial service at the city's D-Day Stone.

Paratroopers aged in their 90s jumped from Dakota war planes over Normandy on Wednesday afternoon as they re-enacted the bravery of soldiers who were central to the decisive landings.

About 280 took part in the jump over the French coast, including veterans of landings in World War II. Harry Read, 95, was pictured leaping from the skies and landing in Sannerville in front of crowds of admirers.

Aircraft were also pictured taking to the skies in Cambridgeshire, at the Imperial War Museum, before heading to France to commemorate those who died in the fighting on June 6 1944.

Their display brought to life the daring efforts of Allied troops, who secured the first step on the road to defeating the Nazis with the offensive.

Tearful veterans gathered in Portsmouth, Duxford and Normandy as Queen Elizabeth II and US President Donald Trump hailed the bravery of those on the front line.

Trump hugs the last survivor of Omaha Beach's company A: The President pays tribute to 'tough guy' who stormed the beaches in 'suicide wave' and saw half of his comrades killed in minutes Donald Trump today offered a rare show of emotion when he hugged a 94-year-old veteran who stormed the beaches of Normandy during the Second World War. The President embraced former Private Russell Pickett and praised him as a 'tough guy' at the moving ceremony at the American cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy. Private Pickett, who was aged 19, was among the elite troops of Company A, 116th Infantry, who were specially chosen to storm the sands of Omaha Beach during the first phase of the D-Day landings. Their mission was so dangerous it was known as D-Day's 'suicide wave' - and the men gained notoriety for their ferocious fighting of the Nazis 75 years ago today. The former private in the 29th Infantry Division was immediately injured by German gun fire as he ran on the sand and he still suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Trump said in his remarks at the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy, France. 'Russell Pickett is the last known survivor of the legendary company A. Today, believe it or not, he has returned once more to these shores to be with his comrades. Private Pickett, you honor us all with your presence'. President Donald Trump offered a rare show of emotion when he hugged 94-year-old veteran Russell Pickett Trump took a moment out of his remarks at the American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy, France, to greet Picketts, who was 19-years-old when he stormed Normandy The Army veteran told his local ABC news station in 2016 that his company, known as part of the 'suicide wave' that led the charge, had a high casualty rate on the day they landed in Normandy. 'A company was 96 percent casualty within the first 30-45 minutes,' Pickett said. 'They figured half of them dead. The other half of the casualties wounded which I was one of the casualties.' Pickett was on a Higgins boat, holding a flame thrower when his vessel was hit. 'I tried to get up and my legs wouldn't work. I wasn't hurting anywhere, scared to death of course which that might have been what was wrong with me,' he recalled. A nearby boat pulled him out of the water and to safety. On Thursday, Pickett was on stage with a group of World War II veterans, Trump, first lady Melania Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Brigitte Macron. President Macron helped Pickett stand when Trump singled him out. Then Trump walked over and embraced in a full-on hug. He also whispered in the veteran's ear. The president, who has admitted he is germaphobe, rarely makes such displays of emotion in public. Advertisement

The commemorations yesterday: Veterans leap from planes over Normandy as they recreate the D-Day landings 75 years after they were carried out

Harry Read lands in Sannerville, France, as crowds gather to watch today's moving commemoration of the decisive D-Day landings in Normandy yesterday

The original leap from the skies over Normandy as part of Operation Overlord, which was the first step on road to victory for the Allies in World War II