190520-N-AZ866-0252 MALEME, Greece (May 20, 2019) Capt. Ryan T. Tewell, commanding officer of Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, renders a salute after laying a wreath on behalf of the U.S. Navy at a commemoration ceremony held in Maleme, Greece, at the German War Cemetery, May 20, 2019. Tewell attended or participated in several ceremonial events held in the Souda Bay and Maleme areas of Greece on the island of Crete. But it was not the U.S. military of World War II that was center stage. This year marked the 78th anniversary of the Battle of Crete that began the morning of May 20, 1941, when Nazi Germany launched an airborne invasion of Crete under the code-name Unternehmen Merker (Operation Mercury). The Allied Forces comprised of service members from Britain, New Zealand and Australia were joined with local villagers, most armed with farm tools or kitchen items, to resist the invasion. A long hard battle was fought for almost a week, but eventually the Allied forces had no choice but to evacuate. Cretan civilians took great risk to offer aid and shelter to those who remained and wanted to avoid capture by Nazi troops. Tewell attended the opening flag raising ceremony held at Firka Fortress in Chania, a wreath laying ceremony at the Souda Bay Allied War Cemetery and another at the German War Cemetery in Maleme, May 20, 2019. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelly M. Agee/Released)