Tucson man served aboard ship that was sunk off Normandy on D-Day
TUCSON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Monday will present six medals to a Tucson veteran who served in the Naval Reserve and helped rescue a shipmate when their ship was sunk off Normandy on D-Day.
George Nicholas Fierro served aboard the destroyer USS Corry when the ship was hit by heavy enemy fire in the early hours of the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944.
As the famous CBS newsman Edward R. Murrow told his listeners three days later, the Corry was “the first American destroyer to be lost in the invasion of Europe.”
Fierro, then only 19 years old, jumped from his burning ship and despite intense gunfire from the enemy forces on the shore, stayed in the area to encourage a crewmate who could not swim to jump in the water.
Twenty-four members of Corry’s crew died that day but both Fierro and his crewmate made it safely to shore.
Fierro’s family said he never talked about his courageous service until he watched the movie “Saving Private Ryan,” which told the story of D-Day invasion.
After hearing about his father’s brave acts, his son, Steven, and Steven’s wife Clara, contacted Giffords' Tucson District Office to see if Fierro’s heroism could still be recognized.
Giffords’ office worked with the U.S. Navy to obtain for Fierro the medals he rightfully had earned but never received.
On Monday, Giffords will present Fierro, now 85 years old, with a World War II Victory Medal, an American Campaign Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Discharge Button and an Honorable Service Lapel Pin.
Fierro’s son and daughter-in law, other family members and members of Giffords' Veterans Advisory Council will attend the event.
Media is welcome to attend.
WHAT: U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords awards medals to World War II hero George Nicholas Fierro
WHEN: 2-3 p.m., Monday, March 8, 2010
WHERE: Congresswoman Giffords’ Tucson District Office, 1661 N. Swan Road, Suite 112