On June 6, 1944 hundreds of soldiers and sailors lost their lives in the D-Day invasion of France. One fallen hero, James A. Borderieux, served for the Allies aboard the USS Corry as a Third Class Water Tender. The youngest of three children to an unemployed pipe fitter, James was affectionately nicknamed “Frenchie” by his fellow ship mates. James grew up in Collingdale, Pennsylvania raised by Nellie and Andrew Borderieux, and enlisted in the Navy in October 1942 when he was 22 years old. His first assignment aboard the USS Corry began in August of 1943. By June 1944 he was sailing straight for Normandy.
It was young men like James who made up a majority of the crew on the fleet of ships that were the primary force on D-Day. With little to no training or experience, these teenage boys were not even aware of Operation Neptune until they were part of its unfolding. Even in the tense and disheartening atmosphere of war, Frenchie was the lighthearted sailor who played pranks on his buddies. A few recall him as being the youthful spirit aboard the Corry who kept everyone smiling. Although he lost his life on D-Day his contributions and his spirit are something to be remembered.
Honored by Amanda Wolfgang and Samantha Ernst
It was young men like James who made up a majority of the crew on the fleet of ships that were the primary force on D-Day. With little to no training or experience, these teenage boys were not even aware of Operation Neptune until they were part of its unfolding. Even in the tense and disheartening atmosphere of war, Frenchie was the lighthearted sailor who played pranks on his buddies. A few recall him as being the youthful spirit aboard the Corry who kept everyone smiling. Although he lost his life on D-Day his contributions and his spirit are something to be remembered.
Honored by Amanda Wolfgang and Samantha Ernst