Desmond Piers

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Desmond William Piers
June 12, 1913(1913-06-12) – November 1, 2005 (aged 92)
Lieutenant-Commander Desmond W. Piers, Commanding Officer, on the bridge of the destroyer HMCS Restigouche, 21 April 1944
Nickname	Debby
Place of birth	Halifax
Allegiance	Canada
Rank	Admiral
Awards	DSC , CM , CD, D.sc.Mil , Klj, RCN [1]

Admiral Desmond William Piers, CM, DSC, RCN (Ret'd) (June 12, 1913 – November 1, 2005) was a rear-admiral in the Royal Canadian Navy. Born in Halifax and long-time resident of Chester, Nova Scotia, Piers served in the RCN from 1932 to 1967. In 1930, he was the first graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, student # 2184 to join the RCN. He became agent general of Nova Scotia in the United Kingdom in 1977.

Rear Admiral Piers is best known for his courageous actions in 1944 when, as the 30 year-old Commanding Officer of HMCS Algonquin, he directly participated in the invasion in France where he guided his ship and her crew through the conflagration of D-Day. In recognition of his actions he received L’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest recognition for bravery in military action and service. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his vigorous and invaluable service at sea during the Battle of the Atlantic.

He returned to the Royal Military College of Canada as Commandant in 1957.

[edit] Honours

He was awarded a DSC as per Canada Gazette of 5 June 1943 and London Gazette of 2 June 1943 for his service to HMCS Restigouche.

[edit] References

• 4237 Dr. Adrian Preston & Peter Dennis (Edited) "Swords and Covenants" Rowman And Littlefield, London. Croom Helm. 1976.
• H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "To Serve Canada: A History of the Royal Military College of Canada" 1997 Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 1969.
• H16511 Dr. Richard Arthur Preston "Canada's RMC - A History of Royal Military College" Second Edition 1982
• H1877 R. Guy C. Smith (editor) "As You Were! Ex-Cadets Remember". In 2 Volumes. Volume I: 1876-1918. Volume II: 1919-1984. Royal Military College. [Kingston]. The R.M.C. Club of Canada. 1984
• Obituary
• Canadian Navy press release regarding his death
• Biography
• Legion of Honor award information
• Order of Canada Citation

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