May 8, 2019 – It is the opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of history and honor the brave soldiers of the D-Day invasion of 1944, marking the start of Western Allied efforts to libertate Europe from Nazi Germany. This June, for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, a massive tribute will take place in the skies over Normandy, France – and Jupiter veteran and businessman Chung Wong is getting a bird’s eye view.
Wong is among 250 paratroopers from around the world and only one from South Florida selected to participate in Daks Over Normandy, which will recreate the journey and harrowing mission of paratroopers for the D-Day invasion. Wong, who grew up in Palm Beach County, will travel to the United Kingdom on May 5, 2019, where he will connect with fellow participants, board one of 35 C-47’s to cross the English Channel and ultimately make the historic jump into Normandy on June 5. During the tribute, paratroopers will be dressed in World War II style uniforms.
"Having the opportunity to participate in this tribute is an incredible honor. The paratroopers – and all of the soldiers who were part of D-Day – gave so much for our country, with too many making the ultimate sacrifice," said Wong. "It is important that we honor them and remind the world what the greatest generation did to protect our freedom."
Wong enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduating high school in 1986. He was a paratrooper with the XVIII (18th) Airborne Corps, serving in the Persian Gulf War in 1990-91. During the Gulf War Wong received a promotion as a sergeant, earned the National Defense Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal and Army Achievement Medal.
After leaving the military in 1991, he attended Florida State University, graduating with a degree in Finance. He is now a registered principal for Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. in Jupiter, Florida, and the future office in Alton Town Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Given that it has been more than 25 years since Wong served as a paratrooper, he has been training at the National Parachute Testing Center in Dunnellon, Florida, with over 100 fellow paratroopers from around the world, including Salvatore Giunta, the first living Medal of Honor Recipient since the Vietnam War
