World War II Honoree

Mary Forni

Hometown

Hancock, Maine

Honored By

Robert S. Cox

PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE CAPTURE OF 2 GERMAN SPIES OPERATING IN THE U.S. DURING THE WAR. ON NOVEMBER 29, 1944, WHILE RETURNING HOME, SHE SPOTTED 2 MEN ON FOOT ALONG A RURAL ROAD NEAR HANCOCK POINT, ON THE CENTRAL MAINE COAST. SHE REPORTED THE SIGHTING TO THE LOCAL SHERIFF AND WAS LATER QUESTIONED BY AUTHORITIES. HER SIGHTING WAS CORROBORATED BY OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE NATION WAS ALERTED. THE 2 ENEMY SPIES, ONE GERMAN AND THE OTHER AN AMERICAN TRAITOR, HAD BEEN DROPPED OFF BY A GERMAN SUBMARINE IN FRENCHMAN BAY WITH MORE THAN $100,000 IN CASH AND DIAMONDS AND WITH WEAPONS. THE TWO WERE CAPTURED IN JANUARY 1945 IN NEW YORK CITY, TRIED BY SECRET MILITARY TRIBUNAL AND SENTENCED TO HANG.