armenian july september armenian american member served world war service lasted february february spent seventeen months overseas took landed assault wave heading marine fire team having awarded combat purple heart twice considered decorated marines world war decorated rhode_island appointed providence age youngest united_states instrumental establishing automated post office country providence post office operational model united_states worldwide widely known state rhode_island post office plaza elementary school named honor united_states federal building named armenian american inducted regarded national treasure honored numerous organizations life generation armenian american born home july rhode_island son born near ottoman_empire mother came united_states 1920s losing husband seven children armenian genocide father employed mother housewife active sports offered scholarship declined offer attend local closer friends athlete class played football team years captain senior year years old father died harry responsible care mother care family immediate needs worked meat packing plant unloading sides beef freight cars got temporary position providence post office years finishing high school february day graduation high school enlisted sent overseas october assigned 6th spending seventeen months overseas returned providence married new_york years return underwent treatment wounds suffered battle spite undergoing major left permanent disabilities recovering life threatening illness removed percent stomach entered career returned providence post office substitute clerk appointed promotions received life president congress unanimously confirmed appointment age youngest country tenure instrumental establishing automated post office providence post office model post offices world later remarked nation earth didn send representatives new post office removed position amid opposition senators despite protests employees wore said love harry position eliminated subsequently retired wife children thomas richard died september age funeral procession held saint armenian church providence buried swan point cemetery world war battle okinawa joined marine_corps february sent overseas training assigned company 22nd marines solomon islands serving fire team leader participated invasion okinawa april landing assault wave charged enemy machine gun position pinned members unit platoon forced enemy withdrawal marine unit continue advance enemy wounded attack enemy fire team joined marine unit advance japanese company moved east day ridge company attacked seized japanese air strip stopped short rest injuries included shell fragments shoulders arms despite wounds continued fighting awarded bronze star medal combat purple heart medal actions citation reads heroic achievement connection operations japanese enemy serving fire team leader marine rifle company corporal seeing unit advancing platoon pinned enemy machine gun fire charged enemy enabling trapped unit continue advance wounded closed firing rapidly succeeded driving enemy weapon men trapped unit continued assault corporal leading fire team joined prompt heroic action corporal assisted continued advance platoon actions time keeping highest traditions month recover wounds rejoined unit assigned marines battled ridge capital city separate occasions tossed air japanese artillery mortar fire provided covering fire members unit retreating slope company moved burial ground japanese soldiers hiding holes dug nearby operation head responded killing enemy combatants later recall shot clips guys got got moments later enemy rushed sword managed kill enemy pistol took sword battalion commander killed soon orders arrived seek destroy enemy combatants june assigned special task patrolling locate elements enemy reserve platoon unit moved attack japanese soldiers entrenched ridge line smoke dust noticed wounded marine heavy machine gun fire safety placed line fire single attacked enemy japanese special naval landing forces confronted shot legs abdomen unable walk managed way forward position able shoot kill soldiers manning machine gun actions awarded second highest medal united_states military citation provides details event presented corporal extraordinary heroism serving second marines action enemy japanese forces okinawa june returning assigned mission locating elements reserve platoon private class observed party marines pinned suffering casualties attempting evacuate wounded adjacent unit determined reach position deliver accurate fire enemy moved forward immediately exposed additional hostile fire wounded legs abdomen continued drag forward pressure alternately firing advancing killed japanese outstanding courage aggressive fighting spirit private class enabled party advance evacuate wounded devotion duty keeping highest traditions making recovery marine units took capital city preparing assault unit fought way crest hill dug standing watch company command post inside okinawa burial ground replacements joined company japanese soldiers harassed lines positions inexperienced soldiers ordered fired irregular intervals scene distract enemy idea proved successful newly arrived marines soon situation control break fighting okinawa photographed member press picture later appeared cover june issue new_york_times photograph face battle thousands americans serving seventeen months overseas received discharge marine_corps february military awards military decorations awards include awarded rhode_island governor extraordinary heroism world war recipients medal highest military award state rhode_island awards recognition presented retirement special stamp cancellation showing flag raising issued honor october honored tribute attended senator rhode_island governor letters read february president bill_clinton signed house resolution renamed post office located street providence rhode_island united_states federal building named armenian american opening ceremony attended mayor house representative senator governor rhode_island area outside post office named honor additionally passed resolution renamed received seven seals award rhode_island committee employer support recognition year term state chairman bestowed alumni service award received honorary doctorate received honorary doctor public service degree private nonprofit foundation serves assist nonprofit social service agencies state rhode_island named award community service served member board directors providence member community advisory board commission medal honor recipients rhode_island director served commander detachment commander state commandant member veterans foreign wars past department commanders united_states chairman capital development committee served general chairman member chairman federal department president branch united_states received numerous postal awards chairman march february heart month new england march served member corporation trustee active armenian community member member local retirement worked time consultant messenger service providence continued heading dinner committees active bristol quotations asked went mind blown air enemy bombardment responded wondered going poor angel know angels wings uncommon marine advice youth let young people war awful way describe wins war don let historian tell differently
Harry Kizirian