44 Facts About Harry Kizirian

Harry Kizirian was an Armenian American member of the United States Marine Corps who served during World War II.

Harry Kizirian took part in the Battle of Okinawa, where he landed during the first assault wave while heading a Marine fire team.

Harry Kizirian is the most decorated serviceman from Rhode Island.

Harry Kizirian is widely known in the state of Rhode Island, where a post office, a plaza, and an elementary school are named in his honor.

Harry Kizirian, a first generation Armenian American, was born in his home on July 13,1925, at 134 Chad Brown St Providence, Rhode Island.

Harry Kizirian was the only son of Toros and Hripsime Kizirian, who were born in Goydun, near Sivas, in the Ottoman Empire.

Harry Kizirian's mother came to the United States in the 1920s after losing her first husband and seven children during the Armenian genocide.

Harry Kizirian's father was employed by the Rhode Island Tool Company and his mother was a housewife.

Harry Kizirian, who was active in sports, was offered a scholarship to LaSalle Academy.

Harry Kizirian declined the offer so that he could attend the local Mt.

Harry Kizirian became a top athlete in his class; he played on the football team for three years and became captain in his senior year.

Harry Kizirian became responsible for the care of himself and his mother.

Harry Kizirian then got a temporary position at the Providence post office for two years while finishing high school.

Harry Kizirian was sent overseas on October 6,1944, and was assigned to the 6th Marine Division.

In spite of undergoing several major surgeries, Harry Kizirian was left with permanent disabilities.

Harry Kizirian first returned to the Providence post office as a substitute clerk.

At age 36, Harry Kizirian was one of the youngest postmasters in the country.

In 1986, Harry Kizirian was removed from his position amid opposition from Senators John Chafee and Claiborne Pell.

Harry Kizirian was sent overseas after training and assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Marines, 6th Marine Division on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

Meanwhile, men of the trapped unit continued to move out in the assault, and Corporal Harry Kizirian, still leading his fire team, joined them.

Harry Kizirian's actions were at all time in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

On three separate occasions Harry Kizirian was tossed in the air by Japanese artillery and mortar fire while he provided covering fire for other members of his unit, who were retreating down a slope.

Harry Kizirian's company moved to a burial ground where Japanese soldiers were hiding in holes dug in the nearby hillsides.

Harry Kizirian managed to kill the enemy with a pistol and took the sword.

On June 11,1945, Harry Kizirian was assigned the special task of patrolling to locate elements of an enemy reserve platoon.

Harry Kizirian's unit moved to attack Japanese soldiers entrenched along a ridge line.

The Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces that confronted Harry Kizirian shot him in the legs and abdomen.

Harry Kizirian's unit had fought its way to the crest of a hill and dug in.

Harry Kizirian was standing watch at the company command post inside an Okinawa burial ground.

Harry Kizirian ordered that flares should be fired at irregular intervals to would illuminate the scene and distract the enemy.

In 1947, Harry Kizirian was awarded the Rhode Island Cross by Rhode Island Governor John Pastore for extraordinary heroism in World War II.

Harry Kizirian is one of three recipients of this medal which is the highest military award of the state of Rhode Island.

In October 1994, Harry Kizirian was honored by his own Atwood-Bucci Detachment of the US Marine Corps League.

Harry Kizirian received the Seven Seals Award from the Rhode Island committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve in recognition of his three-year term as state chairman.

Harry Kizirian served as a member of the board of directors of Butler Hospital, the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Providence YMCA, Rhode Island Blue Cross, the Rhode Island Heart Association, and the Rhode Island Lung Association.

Harry Kizirian was a member of the community advisory board at Rhode Island College, the Providence Heritage Commission, and the Commission on Medal of Honor Recipients from Rhode Island, and was a director of the Smith Hill Center.

Harry Kizirian served as commander of the American Legion and as detachment commander and state commandant of the Marine Corps League.

Harry Kizirian was a member of Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Past Department Commanders, the National Association of Postmasters of the United States, the Federal Executive Council, Butler Hospital's capital development committee, and the 1976 Easter Seal Telethon Committee of Meeting Street School.

Harry Kizirian served on the Rhode Island Bicentennial Commission and was general chairman of its Armenian Heritage subcommittee and a member of the Veterans Affairs subcommittee.

Harry Kizirian was chairman of the federal department of the United Fund from 1962 to 1981, and was a former president of Local 105, National Association of Postal Supervisors, and Branch 35, National Association of Postmasters of the United States, and received numerous postal awards.

Harry Kizirian served as a member of the Blue Cross corporation from 1972 to 1975, and was a trustee of the Ocean State Charities Trust from 1981 to 1986.

Harry Kizirian, who was active in the Armenian community, was a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Govdoon Youth of America.

Harry Kizirian was a member of the local Saint Vartanants Armenian Apostolic Church.

Harry Kizirian was active with Big Brothers, the Veterans Home in Bristol, and the Heart Association.