The Des Moines Register reported in 1990: "When Edouard Izac died earlier this year, few remembered the Iowa native or knew that he was a hero of his country.” As is often the case, the nation forgets its heroes almost as quickly as they rise.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.