June 6th, 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of D-day, the day Allied forces stormed the beaches and countryside of Normandy France and change the tide of World War 2. There are countless stories of heroism and bravery that surround this day, the Army Rangers who climbed Pointe du Hoc to take away the German heavy guns, the men of the 506th attacking and destroying the gun emplacements at Brecourt Manor and the horrors of the landings at Omaha beach to name a few.
One story from June 6th often goes unnoticed. It’s the story of the USS Corry. The USS Corry’s mission as the lead destroyer for the assault, was to destroy as much of the German fortifications as they could so that the infantry could land on Utah Beach. The plane that was supposed to lay a smoke screen for them had been shot down, and the crew knew they were a target. Still, their commander, George Hoffmann, sailed to within 1,000 yards of the beach and dropped anchor. The USS Corry knocked out one shore gun emplacement, but this made the ship the target of the other German guns. The Corry in shallow water couldn’t turn quickly as it kept firing away the guns above Utah beach. The guns on the Corry got so hot, the crew had to keep hosing them down. The USS Corry finally managed to turn but its luck had run out.
There are conflicting reports of how the Corry got hit, by a shore gun or a mine, either way, the ship badly damaged kept firing away at the shore. The ship began to sink quickly as its hull was damaged but through it all the sailors of the Corry continued the fight until their Commander ordered, “Abandon Ship”!
Explosions continued for several minutes as the Corry slipped beneath the waves, leaving only the masts and part of the stern still visible. The ship’s commander George Hoffmann thought he was the last to leave the ship, but as he looked back one of his sailors took the ship’s flag and under constant enemy fire, climbed back up the main mast and tied the flag back up. The mast continued to rise above the water. The flag hung there, then it stretched out. The Stars and Stripes rippled in the breeze.
The American cemetery in Normandy has an inscription on one of the memorials, it says, “We have not forgotten, we will never forget, the debt of infinite gratitude that we have contracted with those who gave everything for our freedom. On this anniversary, take time to remember all those who gave their loves for all our freedoms.
