World War II Beachmaster Joseph Vaghi Dies At 92

August 29, 2012 9:19 PM

Joseph Vaghi (C), a US Navy ensign, chats with residents of Colleville-Sur-Mer in June 1944 after Allied forces stormed the Normandy beaches during D-Day. D-Day, 06 June 1944 is still one of the world’s most gut-wrenching and consequential battles, as the Allied landing in Normandy led to the liberation of France which marked the turning point in the Western theater of World War II. (credit: /AFP/Getty Images)

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BETHESDA, Md. — Joseph P. Vaghi Jr., a World War II veteran thought to be the last surviving U.S. Navy beachmaster who landed at Normandy on D-Day to direct troops, has died. He was 92.

His son, Joe Vaghi III, says Vaghi died Saturday at a retirement home in Bethesda.

Vaghi was the youngest of 18 beachmasters who went ashore at Omaha Beach at 7:30 a.m. on June 6, 1944. There he directed landings of Allied troops on the shore amid German gunfire and helped treat and evacuate wounded soldiers.

Vaghi was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions at Normandy and wrote about his experience. He later worked as an architect.

In 1995, Vaghi accompanied Vice President Al Gore to Europe to mark the 50th anniversary of victory in World War II.