Normandy Way So named to commemorate the men of the United States Navy who passed this was to embark for the Normandy Beaches, there to assault the enemy on "D" Day, Tuesday, the 6th of June, 1944. An amphibious force of 66 ships of the United States Navy, with many auxiliary vessels, sailed from the port of Salcombe on the 4th of June, 1944, to take part in this great enterprise.