Historic Michelin(R) Maps and Guides Return to Normandy for D-Day Celebration

U.S. Veterans Receive Commemorative Map to Celebrate 60th Anniversary

GREENVILLE, S.C., May 27 -- Sixty years ago this June, thousands of U.S. servicemen and their allies stormed the beaches at Normandy to free France from occupation and to, quite literally, save the world as we know it. That courageous fight for freedom and human rights came at a great price. Now, 60 years later, gray-headed men that were once boys revisit France and those same beaches as the world pays homage to their sacrifice.

The D-Day invasion was held in the tightest secrecy. But this time, the pilgrimage of 100 U.S. veterans and more than 60 Canadian veterans will be heralded with fanfare and ceremony from three grateful nations. While the circumstances of the visit have changed dramatically, there is one unexpected constant: the veterans, Congressional and Presidential delegations participating in the celebrations will once again be carrying Michelin(R) maps and guides.

Unknown to many, the U.S. Army and other Allies sought out Michelin maps and its famous Red Guide to equip officers in the European theatre. Michelin enthusiastically replied. The Michelin maps of France and the rest of Europe were well respected as the most detailed and accurate sources available. This small but crucial piece of equipment was in every map pack that landed at Normandy and continued as the Allies advanced.

To honor the sacrifice at D-Day, Michelin has reprinted the commemorative map of Normandy and paired it with a Michelin Green Guide that details not only the history of the victory, but also the sights and culture of the region. The gift, along with a note of thanks and best wishes from Michelin Group CEO Edouard Michelin, will be presented to the U.S. veterans on June 3 at a special ceremony at the French embassy in Washington, D.C. Canadian veterans will receive the gift at a separate event.

"It is our distinct honor to pay tribute to these veterans of the largest military engagement in history, because they represent a link to the heroism so nobly displayed during the D-Day invasion and the subsequent campaign to liberate Europe," said Michael Fanning, vice president of corporate affairs for Michelin North America.

The U.S. veterans will depart for Paris where they will be awarded the French Legion of Merit during a ceremony at Les Invalides, the largest single complex of monuments in Paris and the site of Napoleon's tomb. The French Legion of Merit is the highest honor that can be presented to a foreign member of the military service.

President George W. Bush and the congressional delegation participating in the celebrations will also receive the Michelin maps. Various ceremonies will be held at locations in Normandy on June 5-7, with U.S. ceremonies at Pointe du Hoc and Utah Beach on June 6.

Michelin North America has been a supplier to the military since the early 1900s, not just with maps and guides, but also with tires for land vehicles and military aircraft. During the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, Michelin supplied more than 200,000 tires in 2003 and more than 100,000 tires so far in 2004 to U.S. military ground forces, and additional thousands of tires for military aircraft. Michelin tires are used on military vehicles such as the U. S. Army Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT), the Palletized Load System (PLS), the U. S. Marine Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) truck, the Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) and Stryker Light Armored Vehicles.

Michelin manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America ( www.michelin.com ) employs 23,920 and operates 21 plants in 17 locations.