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After leading the massive Allied invasion force across the English Channel to France, in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, off Utah Beach the destroyer USS Corry engaged in fierce combat with German artillery firing from the Normandy shore. A prime target at the front of the invasion force, the Corry drew sustained shelling for more than an hour while successfully evading major damage. Getting as close as 1,000 yards from the beach, she fired several hundred rounds of 5-inch ammunition at numerous Nazi targets. As H-Hour neared (0630), when troops would begin fighting their way onto the beaches, two Allied planes began generating smoke screens between the shore batteries and bombarding warships to conceal the ships from enemy fire. While other frontline destroyers and rear vessels were receiving smoke cover, the plane assigned to lay smoke for the Corry suddenly got shot down, leaving the Corry fully exposed to German gunners who were now firing at her in full fury. At just about H-Hour, while attempting to evade intense enemy fire, the Corry suffered direct heavy-caliber artillery hits in her engineering spaces amidships. Men were thrown from their positions. Steam hissed and roared violently from behind the bridge. With her rudder jammed she went around in a circle before all steam was lost. Still under heavy fire, the Corry began sinking rapidly with her keel broken and a foot-wide crack across her main deck amidships. After the order to abandon ship, crewmembers fought to survive in bone-chilling water for more than two hours as they awaited rescue under constant enemy fire from German shore gunners. One crewmember raised the American flag up the sinking Corry's main mast, which remained above the surface of the shallow 30-foot deep water when the ship settled on the bottom. The ship blast along with casualties suffered out in the water resulted in 24 crewmen giving their lives and at least 60 being wounded. For USS Corry survivors, the morning of June 6, 1944 was one harrowing experience they'd never forget. |
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USS Corry (DD-463) |
USS Corry D-Day Flag |
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Below is the speech by President Clinton at the 50th anniversary of D-Day. This speech was given aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington above the spot where the Corry was sunk off Utah Beach. |
Below are the words of the Honorable Hansford T. Johnson, Secretary of the Navy (acting) September 2003 |
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One of the most stirring tales of D-Day is that to which the Secretary of the Navy has already referred—the tale of the USS Corry. ...while blasting enemy positions on Utah Beach, the Corry began to go under. But one man stayed aboard. He climbed the stern, removed the flag, and swam and scrambled to the main mast. There, he ran up the flag. And as he swam off, our flag opened into the breeze. In the Corry’s destruction, there was no defeat. Today, the wreckage of that ship lies directly beneath us—an unseen monument to those who helped to win this great war. Thirteen of the Corry’s crew rest there as well, and these waters are forever sanctified by their sacrifice. |
The CORRY and its crew, two dozen of whom were lost at the Normandy landing on D-Day, is an inspirational story of the sacrifices of few to protect many. The story of raising the flag on the sunken CORRY is a testament to the courage and commitment of the Greatest Generation in their devoted service to our Nation and freedom. [USS CORRY] shipmates set the standard for courage and devotion.
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D-Day Film Footage of USS Corry
CLICK HERE TO WATCH 9-MINUTE VIDEO INCLUDING USS CORRY D-DAY COMBAT FOOTAGE,
Heavy Front-Line D-Day Action
While bombarding
enemy targets, the USS Corry maneuvered in |
![]() Two near misses off Corry bow from shore batteries [National Archives film footage shot from PT-507] |
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![]() Second destroyer passes to the rear of sinking USS Corry. [Still image from D-Day newsreel - NARA ref #: 111 ADC 01319]
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![]() Settled wreckage of USS Corry June 6, 1944. [National Archives film footage shot from PT-507] |
The main mast and upper superstructure remained above the surface of the shallow water, thus the American flag that was raised up the mast proudly waved in the breeze. |
![]() Corry survivors climbing aboard destroyer USS Fitch (DD-462), June 6, 1944. Survivors endured constant enemy shelling while in bone-chilling 54-degree water. [photo from the collection of George K. S. Hardy, USS Fitch (DD-462)] |
![]() USS Fitch (DD-462) rescued many Corry survivors. After the Corry was hit, for more than an hour, the Fitch repeatedly fired on the Saint-Marcouf (Crisbecq) battery, which had scored the fatal salvo on the Corry amidships. [National Archives photo]
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![]() Corry survivors rescued by destroyer USS Butler (DD-636) June 6, 1944 |
USS Butler (DD-636) [National Archives photo] |
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D-Day Water
Temperature was a bone-chilling 54 degrees Fahrenheit. CLICK HERE to view words of thanks from USS Corry survivors to crew of USS Butler and water temperature report. |
![]() USS Hobson (DD-464) rescued several Corry survivors. [National Archives photo] |
![]() PT-199 rescued more than 60 Corry survivors [National Archives photo] |

USS Barnett (APA-5) troop
ship that brought Corry survivors
and KIA back to England. [National Archives photo]
![]() Saint-Marcouf Battery (a.k.a. Crisbecq Battery) |
Official Report vs. The Physics of the Explosion Click here to learn about the sinking of the USS Corry and view American and German D-Day reports regarding sinking of Corry |
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READ USS CORRY
SURVIVORS' FIRST-HAND ACCOUNTS OF D-DAY
Click here to read survivors' first-hand accounts of the Corry on D-Day
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USS CORRY'S
FIRING POSITION ON FRONT LINES View Maps and Reports of Utah Beach Enemy Targets and Warships' Bombardment Stations |
USS Nevada,
USS Tuscaloosa, USS Quincy, USS Hobson, USS
Fitch, USS Butler, PT-199, USS Barnett |