Trident Nov 14 2005 - Tridentnews.ca

TRIDENT, NOVEMBER 14, 2005 3
RAdm Piers, Second World War
naval hero, dies at age 92
By Virginia Beaton
Trident staff
Rear Admiral (RAdm) Desmond
William Piers, a Canadian
naval hero of the Second World
War, died in South Shore Regional
Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
on Tuesday, November 1, 2005,
at the age of 92.
In a news release, VAdm Bruce
MacLean, Chief of the Maritime
Staff, stated “It is with great sadness
that we mourn the passing of Rear
Admiral Piers, an inspirational
leader and an enduring symbol of
all that is the best of the naval service.
He was a heroic man whose
contributions to the Navy are
unparalleled. He will forever be
remembered as one of our finest.”
The recipient of the Distinguished
Service Cross, the Canadian Decoration,
and L’Ordre National de la
Légion d’Honneur, RAdm Piers
joined the Royal Canadian Navy in
1932, the first graduate of the Royal
Military College to do so.
In childhood, he acquired the
nickname Debby, a name that
would follow him through his years
in the Navy.
RAdm Piers had a distinguished
career during the Second World
War, serving as commander of
HMCS RESTIGOUCHE at age 28.
During the D-Day invasion in
1944, Lieutenant Commander Piers
was the 30-year -old commanding
officer of ALGONQUIN.
The ship bombarded enemy
defences along the Normandy coast
and provided covering fire for soldiers
of the Canadian Third Infantry
Division as they went ashore.
His actions that day would later
earn him L’Ordre National de la
Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest
recognition for bravery in military
action and service.
In the postwar era, RAdm Piers
served as commander in the cruiser
QUEBEC. He also was Assistant
Chief for Personnel and Administration
at NATO Supreme Allied
Commander Atlantic, Senior Cana-
Rear Admiral Desmond Piers received L’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur on June 6, 2004 for his contributions to the success of D-Day in 1944.
PHOTOS: DND
RAdm Piers served with distinction.
dian Officer Afloat (Atlantic),
Commander of the Royal Military
College, Honourary Aide-de-Camp
to the Governor General, Assistant
Chief of Naval Staff, Chairman of
the Canadian Joint Staff and Commander
Canadian Defence Liaison
Staff in Washington, D.C.
Known for his charm and good
cheer, RAdm Piers was also noted
for his friendly relationships with
all the members of his ships’ companies.
After his retirement from the
Navy, RAdm Piers remained active
in the community.
As a tribute to RAdm Piers, the
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #25
added Admiral Desmond Piers to
its name.
At a reception on June 6, 2004, following
a ceremony marking the 60th
anniversary of D-Day, RAdm Piers
received the Légion d’Honneur from
the Government of France.
French Consul General Michel
Freymuth presented the medal and
stated his country’s gratitude to its
allies, emphasizing “My country is
grateful to all of them who made it
possible for the French to live today
in a peaceful environment where
democratic principles are in force.”
In a brief reply, RAdm Piers
expressed his thanks and reflected
on the passage of time since the
Second World War.
“If I have anything in life to be
proud of, it’s the fact that after 60
years I’m still here, and doing what
I can for our side. ...I am particularly
delighted today to receive from a
representative of the Republic of
France, this wonderful medal that
will be the senior one that I have,
with my medals, from now on.”
The annual Remembrance concert
by the Stadacona Band of Maritime
Forces Atlantic, held on
Wednesday, November 2 and titled
Till We Meet Again, was dedicated
to the memory of RAdm Piers.
RAdm Piers is survived by his
wife Janet, a daughter, several
grandchildren and great-grandchildren,
a brother, and many nieces
and nephews.