Sinking of USS Corry   Survivors' D-Day Accounts   Utah Beach Maps/Reports/Targets    D-Day Battle Reports    Corry Flag Poem
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USS Corry (DD-463)
June 6, 1944 — D-Day
Utah Beach, Normandy, France
 

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.

  USS Corry (DD-463)

 

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. 

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.

D-Day Film Footage of USS Corry

CLICK HERE TO WATCH 9-MINUTE VIDEO INCLUDING USS CORRY D-DAY COMBAT FOOTAGE,
NARRATED NEWSREEL, AND EDWARD R. MURROW CBS RADIO INTERVIEW OF CORRY
COMMANDING OFFICER GEORGE DEWEY HOFFMAN ON THE SINKING OF THE CORRY.

Heavy Front-Line D-Day Action
Utah Beach, Normandy - June 6, 1944

While bombarding enemy targets, the USS Corry maneuvered in
as close as 1,000 yards from the shore.
 

USS Corry hit amidships at approximately
06:30 (H-Hour) on D-Day - June 6, 1944

[National Archives film footage shot from PT-507]

At left, USS Corry sinking, broken in a "V", with smoke screen chemicals spewing from her stern. A German shell hit the smoke generator. A second destroyer passes to the rear, as a rescue whaleboat approaches from lower right.

[Still image from D-Day newsreel - NARA ref #: 111 ADC 01319]

USS Corry sinking off Utah Beach June 6, 1944

[photo from the collection of George K. S. Hardy, USS Fitch (DD-462)]

[photo from the collection of George K. S. Hardy, USS Fitch (DD-462)]

USS Nevada, USS Tuscaloosa, USS Quincy, USS Hobson, USS Fitch, USS Butler, PT-199, USS Barnett



Click here to read D-Day battle reports
 

Sinking of USS Corry   Survivors' D-Day Accounts   Utah Beach Maps/Reports/Targets    D-Day Battle Reports    Corry Flag Poem
Invasion Overview    Eisenhower Invasion Order   Corry painting 1   Corry painting 2    Corry Leads Invasion