Harry Kizirian

Harry Kizirian (; July 13, 1925 – September 13, 2002) was an Armenian American member of the United States Marine Corps who served during World War II. Kizirian's service lasted from February 1944 to February 1946, during which he spent seventeen months overseas. Kizirian took part in the Battle of Okinawa, where he landed during the first assault wave while heading a Marine fire team.

Having been awarded the Navy Cross, the Rhode Island Cross, the Bronze Star with Combat "V", and the Purple Heart twice, Kizirian is considered one of the most decorated marines of World War II. He is also the most decorated serviceman from Rhode Island. During his postmastership, Kizirian was instrumental in establishing the first automated post office in the country, which made the Providence post office an operational model for the United States and worldwide. The Harry Kizirian Post Office became the first U.S. federal building named after an Armenian American. Inducted in the Rhode Island Hall of Fame in 1978, Kizirian is regarded as a "national treasure" and has been honored by numerous organizations.

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

After spending seventeen months overseas, Kizirian returned to Providence, where he married Hazel Serabian of Massena, New York.

After recovering from a life-threatening illness in which surgeons removed 95 percent of his stomach, Kizirian entered a career in the Postal Service. He first returned to the Providence post office as a substitute clerk. In 1954, he was appointed foreman, the first of several promotions he received throughout his life.

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

After making a recovery, Kizirian and the Marine units took the capital city of NaHa and were preparing for another assault. Kizirian's unit had fought its way to the crest of a hill and dug in. Kizirian was standing watch at the company command post inside an Okinawa burial ground. When replacements joined the company, many Japanese soldiers harassed the lines by infiltrating the positions of the more inexperienced soldiers. Kizirian ordered that flares should be fired at irregular intervals to would illuminate the scene and distract the enemy. The idea proved successful and the newly arrived Marines soon had the situation under control.

During a break in fighting at Okinawa, Kizirian was photographed by a member of the press. The picture that later appeared on the cover of the June 24, 1945 issue of The New York Times Sunday Magazine. The photograph became the face of the battle for thousands of Americans.

After serving seventeen months overseas, Kizirian received discharge from the Marine Corps on February 11, 1946.

Military awards Kizirian's military decorations and awards include:

Navy CrossBronze Star Medalw/ Combat "V"Purple Heartw/ " gold star (two awards)Presidential Unit CitationNavy Unit CommendationChina Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalAsiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalw/ bronze campaign starWorld War II Victory MedalRhode Island Cross

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

In October 1994, Kizirian was honored by his own Atwood-Bucci Detachment of the U.S. Marine Corps League. The tribute was attended by Providence Mayor Vincent Cianci, Senator John Pastore, and Rhode Island governor Bruce Sundlun with letters read from Postmaster General Marvin Runyon.

On February 2, 1996, President Bill Clinton signed House Resolution 1606 which renamed the post office located at 24 Corliss Street, Providence, Rhode Island, as the Harry Kizirian Post Office Building. It was the first U.S. federal building named after an Armenian American. The opening ceremony was attended by Mayor Vincent Cianci, House of Representative Jack Reed, Senator John Chafee and Governor of Rhode Island Lincoln Carter Almond. The area outside the post office was named Harry Kizirian Plaza in his honor.

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. Rhode Island College bestowed its alumni service award on him in 1986, and he received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Roger Williams College in 1983.

Community service 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. He 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. He served as commander of the American Legion and as detachment commander and state commandant of the Marine Corps League.

He 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 (he was its first chairman), Butler Hospital's capital development committee, and the 1976 Easter Seal Telethon Committee of Meeting Street School. He served on the Rhode Island Bicentennial Commission and was general chairman of its Armenian Heritage subcommittee and a member of the Veterans Affairs subcommittee.

He 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. He was chairman of the March of Dimes in 1962 and 1963, the February Heart Month of the Rhode Island Heart Association in 1974, the Pilot Program for the United Way of Southeastern New England 1977–1978, the Rhode Island Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, 1982–1986, and The Postman's March from 1974 through 1982. 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.

Kizirian, who was active in the Armenian community, was a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Govdoon Youth of America. He was also a member of the local Saint Vartanants Armenian Apostolic Church.

In retirement, he worked part-time as a consultant to a messenger service in Providence and continued heading dinner committees. He was also active with Big Brothers, the Veterans Home in Bristol, and the Heart Association.

Quotations When asked what went through his mind when he was blown into the air by enemy bombardment, Kizirian responded:

His advice to youth was: