Sainte-Mère-Église became famous because of paratrooper John Steele whose parachute snagged on the belfry of the church on June 6, 1944, leaving him suspended in the air.

These gliders played a key role in transporting more than 4,000 troops as well as vehicles, ammunition and other military equipment, and rations for the soldiers.

[1] In 1983, in the presence of Bob Murphy (who had served as a pathfinder in the 82nd Airborne Division), the inauguration of a second parachute-shaped building, which houses a Douglas C-47 Skytrain aircraft, took place.

The public can also view a film entitled Combat pour la Liberté (Fight for Freedom) that describes life during the German occupation and the liberation of Sainte-Mère-Église and the Cotentin Peninsula.

Covering an area of 1,200 square metres (13,000 sq ft), Operation Neptune is composed of rooms with realistic scenography that allows visitors to relive the D-Day experience.

The museum holds more than 10,000 items, including the CG-4 glider and the C-47 Skytrain, there is equipment used by generals James Gavin, Matthew Ridgway, J. Lawton Collins and John Steele's military decorations.