What does the D in D-Day stand for?
 

D?

I've been told it stands for nothing, but people have filled it in with "debarquement".

Here is the link to the national D-Day museum website that answers your question:<BR><BR>http://www.ddaymuseum.org/contact_us/dday_contact_faqs.html#DDay<BR><BR>Basically, military historians and etymologists disagree.<BR><BR>Military history: the D in D-Day merely stands for Day. This coded designation was used for the day of any important invasion or military operation.<BR><BR>Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins,<BR>"The Army has said that it is "simply an alliteration, as in H-Hour." Others say the first D in the word also stands for "day," the term a code designation. The French maintain the D means 'disembarkation,' still others say 'debarkation,' and the more poetic insist D-Day is short for 'day of decision.'<BR><BR>The website will give the full answer.

Ryan is correct. I've never heard that the French think it stands for disembarkation or "debarquement." They say "Le Jour-J".

"The terms D-day and H-hour are used for the day and hour on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. They designate the day and hour of the operation when the day and hour have not yet been determined, or where secrecy is essential. The letters are derived from the words for which they stand, "D" for the day of the invasion and "H" for the hour operations actually begin. There is but one D-day and one H-hour for all units participating in a given operation. It is unnecessary to state that H-hour is on D-day."<BR><BR>In other words it places emphasis on The Day and The Hour. Other than that it does not stand for any other word other than the word DAY.<BR>

Debarkation