Fox Atlanta shares the story of Mrs. Helen Denton of Fayetteville, Georgia. For over 50 years, Mrs. Denton kept a secret that played a pivotal role in the victory of WWII. She only shared her secret in 1994 that she worked as a secretary for General Eisenhower. It was here that she was given the task to type up the plans for D-Day.
Fox 5 News first interviewed Mrs. Denton in 1994. During this interview, she revealed her role that led up to the invasion in Normandy.
During the interview, she stated: “I knew what I had typed and how terribly sensitive it was. It was troop movements. Everything was stamped “Operation Overlord.”
Her husband, who was a WWII veteran, died without knowing of his wife’s incredible war secrets. Eisenhower had trusted her with the orders that would eventually lead to the culmination of the largest combined army in the history of the world. These orders would change history and at a monumental price.
Mrs. Denton passed away at the age of 91. She was honored many times for her duty to her country and for keeping the secret for so long.
President Obama honored her with the Golden Merit Award in 2009.
After the war, Mrs. Denton worked for Delta and volunteered for the Red Cross. She was also active in several veterans’ organizations.
On Saturday, December 7th, she was buried with full military honors. Her burial marks the 72nd anniversary of the day that began her incredible war story.