Utah Beach is the most westerly of the five landing beaches of June 6, 1944, and one of the two entrusted to the US. Before dawn the planes intervene to prepare the control of the hinterland. Now alerted, the Germans see a destroyer, the USS Corry, made visible when the plane responsible for hiding her in smoke had been shot down.
At H Hour, 6:30, the USS Corry is broken, either by hitting a mine (official military version) or under the fire of the German artillery. Evacuation is ordered by her captain 10 minutes later. Sailors will float for more than two hours on makeshift rafts before they can be rescued. 24 perished.
Returning from the magazines with the captain while the boat was sinking, Lieutenant Garay grabs the steaming flag in the wardroom. This US flag 74 x 78 cm has become one of the most prestigious artefacts from the Battle of Normandy. It is celebrated on a cover page of National Geographic in 2002. It is estimated $ 300K for sale by Sotheby's in New York on January 24, lot 2188.
The USS Corry sank in shallow waters. Contributing to American pride in this glorious day, her wreck sported another US flag placed at the ultimate moment at the top of her mast by a brave unidentified crew member.
At the same time, 6:30, a single LCC (Landing Craft Control) ship was completing her own task of preparing the landing guide to Utah Beach. Her 500-meter error in the finish point led by chance the Americans to a portion of the beach that had not been fortified, significantly limiting the US casualties and facilitating the overall success of the Overlord operation. The US flag of the LCC was sold for $ 510K including premium by Heritage on June 12, 2016.
unsold
At H Hour, 6:30, the USS Corry is broken, either by hitting a mine (official military version) or under the fire of the German artillery. Evacuation is ordered by her captain 10 minutes later. Sailors will float for more than two hours on makeshift rafts before they can be rescued. 24 perished.
Returning from the magazines with the captain while the boat was sinking, Lieutenant Garay grabs the steaming flag in the wardroom. This US flag 74 x 78 cm has become one of the most prestigious artefacts from the Battle of Normandy. It is celebrated on a cover page of National Geographic in 2002. It is estimated $ 300K for sale by Sotheby's in New York on January 24, lot 2188.
The USS Corry sank in shallow waters. Contributing to American pride in this glorious day, her wreck sported another US flag placed at the ultimate moment at the top of her mast by a brave unidentified crew member.
At the same time, 6:30, a single LCC (Landing Craft Control) ship was completing her own task of preparing the landing guide to Utah Beach. Her 500-meter error in the finish point led by chance the Americans to a portion of the beach that had not been fortified, significantly limiting the US casualties and facilitating the overall success of the Overlord operation. The US flag of the LCC was sold for $ 510K including premium by Heritage on June 12, 2016.
unsold
The battle-worn flag from the USS Corry as the vessel was sinking is an important D-Day artifact. On offer in our 24 January Fine Manuscript and Printed Americana Auction, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation https://t.co/S51zGqYvJy pic.twitter.com/Iek4PizhCv
— Sotheby's (@Sothebys) January 15, 2019
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