Harry Kizirian

Kizirian's mother came to the United States in the 1920s after losing her first husband and seven children during the Armenian genocide.

His father was employed by the Rhode Island Tool Company and his mother was a housewife.

Kizirian, who was active in sports, was offered a scholarship to LaSalle Academy.

He declined the offer so that he could attend the local Mt. Pleasant High School and be closer to his friends.

Kizirian became a top athlete in his class; he played on the football team for three years and became captain in his senior year.

When Kizirian was 15 years old, his father died.

Harry became responsible for the care of himself and his mother.

To take care of the family's immediate needs, Kizirian worked at a meat packing plant unloading sides of beef from freight cars.

He then got a temporary position at the Providence post office for two years while finishing high school.

Harry Kizirian (Հէրի Գիզիրեան; July 13, 1925 – September 13, 2002) was an Armenian American member of the United States Marine Corps who served during World War II.

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

He was the only son of Toros and Hripsime Kizirian, who were born in Goydun (Govdun), near Sivas, in the Ottoman Empire.

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.

On February 23, 1944—the day after his graduation from high school—Kizirian enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.

He was sent overseas on October 6, 1944, and was assigned to the 6th Marine Division

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

For the first four years after his return, Kizirian underwent treatment for wounds he suffered during battle.

In spite of undergoing several major surgeries, Kizirian was left with permanent disabilities.

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 1961 he was appointed by John F. Kennedy as the postmaster of Providence, becoming (at age 36) one of the youngest postmasters in the United States.

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.

Kizirian is widely known in the state of Rhode Island, where a post office, a plaza, and an elementary school are named in his honor.

The Harry Kizirian Post Office became the first U.S. federal building named after an Armenian American.

In 1961, he was made Postmaster of Providence by President John F. Kennedy.

Congress unanimously confirmed the appointment.

At age 36, Kizirian was one of the youngest postmasters in the country.

During his tenure, Kizirian was instrumental in establishing the first automated post office.

The Providence post office would be an exemplary model for post offices around the world.

Kizirian later remarked, "There is no nation on this earth that didn't send representatives to see the new post office."

Inducted in the Rhode Island Hall of Fame in 1978, Kizirian is regarded as a "national treasure" and has been honored by numerous organizations.

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

Despite protests from the employees who wore pins that said "We Love Harry", Kizirian's position was eliminated and he subsequently retired.

Kiziran and his wife had five children: Joanne, Thomas, Janice, Shakay, and Richard.

Kizirian died on September 13, 2002, at age 77.

His funeral procession was held at the Saint Vartanants Armenian Apostolic Church in Providence and he is buried at the Swan Point Cemetery.