New Bedford Exercise Tiger Memorial Ceremony Will Honor Fallen Heroes

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A memorial honoring the 749 U.S. sailors and soldiers who lost their lives during WWII's operation Exercise Tiger is being held this weekend at Fort Taber.

Exercise Tiger was a D-Day dry run ambushed by a German E-boat flotilla. It resulted in America’s deadliest training incident during World War II. The surprise attack sank two American vessels and severely damaged a third.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of Exercise Tiger. A memorial ceremony to honor the lives lost will be held on Sunday, April 28 at 1 p.m.

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The ceremony will be held at the Exercise Tiger Memorial at Fort Taber Park. In case of inclement weather, it will be held inside the Fort Taber Military Museum.

Mayor Jon Mitchell and guest speakers from the New Bedford Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps will make remarks during the ceremony. Families of the late Exercise Tiger participants will also be recognized.

Jon Santiago, secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services, will present the memorial wreath.

The Navy Band Northeast Brass Quintet will provide music. Alpha Battery 1st Battalion 101st Field Artillery Regiment of the Mass. Army National Guard will also perform an artillery cannon salute.

Following the service, the Fort Taber Military Museum will unveil the updated Operation Exercise Tiger Exhibit and the restored map of the 212th Field Artillery.

All veterans are invited to attend and are asked to display their service insignia.