State Senator Hugh T. Farley (R, C, I - Schenectady) recently presented Albert “Albie” Ferrucci with the New York State Senate Liberty Medal, the highest honor extended by the State Senate. Mr. Ferrucci also received his New York State Medal for Merit and the New York State Conspicuous Service Star, which are awarded by the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs. The award presentation took place in Mr. Ferrucci’s Schenectady law office where he continues to practice law along with his son and daughter.
In 1943, with World War II underway, Albie joined the U.S. Navy upon graduation from Schenectady’s Nott Terrace High School. He served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater of the War in the forward area aboard the destroyer USS Sigourney DD 643. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in October 1945.
Below is Mr. Ferrucci’s own description of his time in the US Navy in WWII.
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I am a disabled combat veteran of World Was II. I served in the US Navy in the Pacific Theater of War in the forward area aboard the destroyer USS Sigourney DD 643. We were awarded 10 battle stars, a presidental Unit Citation from the President of the Philippines together with Philippines Liberation Ribbon with 2 bronze stars. Aside from being in numerous island invasions we were involved in the the biggest naval battle in history at Leyte Gulf/Surrigao Straits, Philippines. Also involved in numerous island invasions, air raids, ship to ship engagements and others. My battle station was very close to a 5 inch 38 gun. We participated in the following: Consolidation of the Solomon Isand, Consolidation of Northern Solomons, Treasury_Bouganville OperatiO~, Occupation and Defense of Cape Torokina, Bisinarck Archipelago Operation, Green Island Landing, Anti-shipping Sweep and Bombardment of Rabul and Duke of York Island, Marianas Operation, Capture and Occupation of Saipan, Capture and Occupation of Tinian, Western Caroline Isands Operation, Capture and Occupation of Southern Palau Islands, Leyte Gulf (Surigao Strait), Luzon Operation, Mindoro Landings, Lingayen Gulf Landings. The USS Sigourney saw every acitive theater of the Pacific war except the Aleutiafls and the Japanese homeland itself. Our ship operated tactically with the Third, Fifth and Seventh Fleets during different phases of her contact with enemy forces. We rescued thirty—four American survivors from the USS McKean while she was ablaze in night battle with flares and dive bombers trying to sink the USS Sigourney. Also rescued five American and one Japanese airman.
