Desmond Piers Military person

Rear Admiral Desmond William Piers, CM DSC CD (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 the 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.

Personal facts

Birth date	June 12, 1913
Birth place	Halifax (former city)
Date of death	November 01, 2005
Place of death	Halifax (former city)

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Military person

award	Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom) Honorary degree Order of Canada Freedom of the City Canadian Forces Decoration Medal bar
military operations	Arctic convoys of World War II Battle of the Atlantic World War II German battleship Tirpitz Normandy landings Operation Ariel
military command	1st Canadian Destroyer Squadron (1956–1957); HMCS Algonquin (1944–1945 & 1956–1957); Royal Military College (1957) HMCS Restigouche & 4th Canadian Escort Group (1941–1943);