The Enigma Machine, which was the most significant intelligence event of WWII is remembered this day at the funeral of the hero who first captured the device.

Vinnie Ferrera


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FERRARA, VINCENT JOHN, June 24, 1915 - July 12, 2005, World War II Veteran in the U. S. Army Intelligence Division. Some of his accomplishments consisted of serving in North Africa with General Patton's 5th Army, the invasion of Sicily, and Monte Cassino. From there he went into the Free French Underground, a collaboration of American and French intelligence under Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. This led to the largest armada of troops in history to ever assemble in war, of which he personally participated, leading to the surprise successful invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, also known as D-day. He was with the Free French Underground prior to the actual invasion to gather intelligence information. He captured the first working model of the German Enigma top secret coding machine which led to the successful breaking of the German top secret military code. Hitler never knew that their top-secret code had been broken by the British and the American intelligence. This was a major stepping stone leading to D-Day and leading to victory. He posed as a Frenchman to gather intelligence concerning the topography of the beaches and enemy defenses, performing intelligence missions behind enemy lines and participated in the liberation of Paris. He was highly decorated by both the American and French Armies, among which include the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Purple Hearts, and the European Victory Medal. Vincent John Ferrara was born in New York and was a graduate of Julliard School of Music. He studied at New York City College and Cornell University and he continued his studies in Guadalajara, Mexico. He later moved to Miami and became a Civil Engineer and worked for the City of Miami on the Beautification Committee for the Miami River and also on the Japanese Park of Watson Island. He spoke six languages and was beloved by many in Miami's multi-cultural community because many people purchased many a mango from his and his wife's mango grove that resided on S. W. 112 Street (Killian Drive) until just a few years ago. Beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, his wonderful mind and his friendly smile and demeanor will certainly be missed by many. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis, and their children, Yolanda Ferrara, Shelly Morris and her family, Clelia Ferrara, and his nephews, Frank Kennedy and family, and Reg Kennedy, and his niece, Camille Berringer and her family, and his late brother's wife, Mary Ferrara.Memorial Service to be held on Friday, July 15, 2005 at 11 am.Stanfill Funeral Home10545 S. Dixie Hwy. Miami, FL 33156 (305) 667-2518. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries.

Published in The Miami Herald on 7/14/2005.