Hdq. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Beckley [M], Huffman, Johnnie O. Pvt. 389 likes. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lee Center [M], Vogel, Frank S. Pfc. SS Lopoldville Belgian troopship being used by the British, sunk by a German U-Boat off the coast of Cherbourg, France on Christmas Eve 1944. Co. E 262nd Regiment Bryan [M], Obryan, Glenn A. Pvt. Of the 2,235 US servicemen on board, about 515 are presumed to have gone down with the ship. I 262nd Regiment Lees Summit [M], Israel, Philip S. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Versailles [M], Bonde, Carl R., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lakewood [M], McGlone, Eugene A. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Attleboro, Ciekalowski, William P. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment St. Petersburg [F], Crawford, William H. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Johnson, Floyd J. T. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Galveston [M], Jeter, G. C., Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aledo [M], Ransom, James R. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dedham [M], Mayers, Raymond J. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Yonkers [M], Alania, James V. Pfc. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. I 262nd Regiment Maurice [M], Boyer, Gerald L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Denver [M], Bowle, Thomas A. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Auburn, Stone, Edward F. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knoxville, Henry, Glenn H. Pfc. Co. D 264th Regiment N. Baltimore, Herrman, Robert E. Pvt. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Maryan, William N. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Clifton, Goesch, Joseph M. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pine Valley [M], Hargraves, Jeff Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dallas [M], Reichle, Ernest C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Smrecak, James J. Pfc. Med. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wichita [M], Masterson, Lawrence J. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment San Antonio [M], Gillem, Dee R. S. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Louisville [F], Gulley, Eula T. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Madisonville [M], Welch, Virgel R. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Alhambra, Martinez, Candelario Pvt. I 264th Regiment Buffalo [F], Maksyn, Edward C. Pfc. 264th Regiment [F], Reece, Walter W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Highwood [M], Colwell, Franklin W. S. Sgt. Leopoldville.org is an online memorial seeking to raise the awareness of the tragedy and reach the families of the disaster victims. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. I 264th Regiment [F], Machado, Frank R. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cincinnati [M], Witham, Charles W. Sgt. Co. D 264th Regiment Boonton [F], Schiller, Arthur Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Marlboro [M], Chace, Roderick E. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Franklin, Williams, Heiskell M. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus [M], Kilbarger, Thomas L. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Texas City [M], Foester, James C. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Ambridge, Saska, Harry J. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Indianapolis, Scribner, James S. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Tiptonville, Gillespie, John O. Pfc. Several hundred Allied vessels in the harbor at Cherbourg might have served as rescue craft, but all had cold engines while many of their crewmen were ashore celebrating the holiday. Hdq. Hdq. In 1997, the 66th Infantry Division Monument was dedicated in Fort Benning, Georgia in memory of the soldiers who died aboard Lopoldville and also to those who survived the attack on Lopoldville but were later killed in action. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. Unfortunately limbs were being broken when they landed on the torpedo tubes and other fixed equipment on the starboard side of the upper deck; some men fell between the two vessels and were crushed as the two vessels crashed into each other. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Makowski, Stanley E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dubuque [M], Cook, Dean L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Flint [M], Salata, Edmund P. Pvt. 1937 lengthened. Co. Co. D 264th Regiment Fowlers Knob, Killeen, John W. Pfc. Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Nemacolin [F], Daugherty, Mervin R. Pfc. Private John Pordon, 19, from San Francisco, boarded the Leopoldville around 2:30 in the morning. Hdq. [1], Lopoldville was hastily loaded for the Battle of the Bulge with 2,223 reinforcements from the 262nd and 264th Regiments, 66th Infantry Division of the United States Army. Co. K 262nd Regiment Providence, De Resta, Antonio, Jr. Sgt. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. H 262nd Regiment Loving [M], Kolb, Marvin Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Brighton, Quinonez, Joe J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Malden [M], Hope, James H. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Fort Worth, Andrews, Lloyd L. Pfc. He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. I 262nd Regiment Hagerstown, Powell, James W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Harlowtown [M], Rott, Robert J. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Huntington Park [M], Young, Fred F., Jr. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment North East, Myers, Harold L. Pvt. VFW Post in New Hampshire celebrates SS Leopoldville survivor's 100th birthday. Co. K 262nd Regiment [M], Scott, William E. Pfc. Med. Co. K 262nd Regiment Crestview [R], Barwick, Eugene H. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Santa Fe [M], Spence, Stephen C. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Florence, Roberts, Marzell Pvt. Med. Med. Co. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Hope [M], Harman, Cecil C. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Pleasant Mount [M], Cybak, Harry, Jr. 1st. Co. I 264th Regiment Harrisburg [M], Molinsky, Charles Pfc. You can e-mail us the information here. Co. C 264th Regiment Portland, Bosch, Gerald Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Cardwell [F], Marriott, Sherman E. Pvt. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Cacace, Anthony F. S. Sgt. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Durgy, William D. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Calabrese, Vincent R. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], King, Charles R. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Meridian [M], Martin, Ray E. Pfc. Some men had started to jump down from a height of approximately 40 feet. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Somerville [M], Luckman, Thomas Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Lansford, Pukas, Herbert A. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Herndon [F], Ross, William C. Pvt. There is a memorial in Weymouth, Dorset engraved with: 24 December 1944 English Channel 802 died when troopship SS 'Leopoldville' was sunk by a torpedo off Cherbourg, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}494557N 013620W / 49.76583N 1.60556W / 49.76583; -1.60556, List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "Veterans Memorial of Titusville,Florida; Leopoldville Memorial Monument", "S.S. Leopoldville Disaster: December 24, 1944 part III", Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SS_Lopoldville_(1928)&oldid=1133369928. Det. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pittsfield [F], Patterson, Thomas H. S. Sgt. Hdq. The 96-year-old World War II veteran takes center stage in a new, one-hour documentary airing at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 on WHRO. I 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Vernile, Ralph R. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Dallas [F], Koehler, Herbert O., Jr. Pvt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Des Moines [M], Hoyt, Robert S. S. Sgt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Dillon [M], Doyle, Willis W. S. Sgt. 1 talking about this. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ludington [M], Witucki, Marion A. S. Sgt. The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. Area casualties included Pfc. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment New Freedom [M], Kluciar, Milos Pfc. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lyndonville, Bradley, Claude P., Jr. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Perry [M], Simpson, Bernard W. Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lake Forest [M], Papineau, George J. Cpl. Co. K 262nd Regiment Redford Twp, McDonnell, Ferrel F. Pfc. Cussler asserts[10] that the wreck is wrongly located, its true position being about a mile to the south. Co. K 264th Regiment Flintstone [M], Berigtold, Raymond E. Pfc. Brilliant went along the port side of the troopship we had put our starboard fenders over the side; the sea swell was causing a rise and fall of between 8 ft and 12 ft. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Akron [M], De Soto, Claude Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Chicago, Nelson, Eric G. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Curtis, Elston, Leroy J. Pvt. I 264th Regiment New Boston, Skibinski, Walter J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bonner Springs [M], Bowling, Everett R. Pvt. Courtesy of Nancy Russell. I 262nd Regiment Chicago, Scholl, Hartselle B. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment El Paso [M], Ford, Arthur L. Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Williamson, Melvin E. Pfc. This In Memoriam list was originally published by me in July 1997. Another 248 died from injuries, drowning, or hypothermia. The sailors claimed that they arrived after the sinking of the ship and that most of the men who they pulled out of the water had already frozen to death in the water by the time they arrived on the scene. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ridgely [M], Jackson, Earl S. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Creed, Robert W. S. Sgt. Co. [2], In 1936 two Bauer-Wach low-pressure exhaust turbines were added, each driving one of the shafts via double-reduction gearing and a Fttinger fluid coupling. Co. B 264th Regiment Binghamton [F], Peterson, Robert G. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Apollo [M], Debuski, Michael Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Cuyahoga Falls [M], Bader, Donald W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Johnston City [M], Goble, John W. T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Casey [F], Kingrey, James P. T/5. Co. H 262nd Regiment Newberry [M], James, John E., Jr. 2d. Co. Co. E 264th Regiment Clear Lake [R], McManis, Orion G. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Winthrop [M], Hodgdon, Charles H. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Finger [M], McCorkle, Wallace Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Elkton [M], Brown, John W. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], MacGowan, John Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment American Falls [M], Baglio, Michael S., Jr. Sgt. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. Completed in August 1929 as Belgian steam passenger ship Leopoldville. Co. B 264th Regiment, Vanderpool, Fred A. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Neosho [M], Tinker, Ira V. S. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Abbott, Melson, Paul A. T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Samford [M], Otis, Fred L. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bessemer [M], Stewart, Roger H. Pfc. We have place for a photo as well if provided. She had a depth of 35feet 0inches (10.67m) and a draught of 25feet 9.75inches (7.8677m). Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . I 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Heim, James V. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Laurel Run Boro [M], Sanborn, Charles J. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Pomona, Macrorie, Edward J., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rye [M], Blaskowski, Benjamin J. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Ellett, Joseph S. Pfc. He was one of seven children and the oldest of four boys. The sinking occurred Christmas Eve 1944. Co. H 262nd Regiment Williamsville [M], Walz, Carl J., Jr. S. Sgt. Med. Co. D 264th Regiment Independence, Hartwick, Claude H., Jr. Pvt. 0. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mebane [M], Moore, Clifton B. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Co. Co. D 264th Regiment Detroit, Furmark, Carl E. Pfc. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment New Philadelphia [M], Schwitzgebel, Eugene A. Pfc. In 2009, the National Geographic Channel aired a special that recreated the events that led to the sinking and had divers investigating the wreck.[11]. Co. D 264th Regiment Springfield, Cottrell, John F. S. Sgt. While some soldiers joined the crew in departing lifeboats, many did not realize the ship was slowly sinking, and stayed aboard anticipating the ship would be towed ashore by a tug. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], Wells, Donald E. Pfc. The soldiers of the 66th Infantry Division were ordered not to tell anyone about the sinking of the ship and their letters home were censored by the Army during the rest of World War II. Plotkin, a Bridgeport, Connecticut, native residing at Birch Heights' retirement facility in Derry, was surprised at Post . Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Spokane [M], Rust, David S. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Houston [M], Pearl, Bill M. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Pittsburgh, Fisher, Howard I. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Sikeston, McDaniel, Everette N. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Dumas [M], Dover, James W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Miamisburg [M], Bell, William E. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Thomaston [M], Chalcraft, Leo K. Pvt. On December 24, 1944, Lt. Gerhard Meyer, German submarine commander of the U 486 fired a torpedo that sank the S.S. Leopoldville as it transported 2,000 American soldiers to reinforce the Battle of the Bulge. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lowell [M], Abbott, Leslie G. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Lowry, Jack N. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment [M], Mugan, Joseph P. Pvt. 1st Lt. Co. C 264th Regiment Elizabeth [M], Cobb, Thomas A. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Davis, Raymond Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dubuque [M], Williams, Lavere R. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment North Billerica, Nolan, William E. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Laurens, Neely, Fred L. Sgt. Med. Co. Co. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment Mansfield, Forman, Gerald Pvt. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment North Adams [M], Skinner, Charles V. Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Uhrichsville, Longwell, Robert G. Pfc. The Lopoldville was one of two troopships in a formation with four warships: two British destroyers, and one British and one French frigate. Each turbine ran on exhaust steam from the piston engine on the same shaft. Co. L 262nd Regiment Verona [M], Sellers, Benjamin F., Jr. Pfc. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment, Mazzone, Vincent J. Cpl. Co. F 262nd Regiment Haverhill [M], De Piero, Louis A. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Mckees Rocks [M], Hoffenberg, Jennings L. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Lauderdale, Crenshaw, Thomas L. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Minersville [M], Reed, Seth W. T/5. Co. K 262nd Regiment Lenoir, Rogers, Robert A. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Boleyn, Floyd P. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Lewiston, Lesperance, Paul E. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment New England, Hendrickson, Chester B. T. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Waynesville [M], Reece, Dole C. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Smith, Robert J. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment [M], Vonder, Mehden Robert Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Doyle [M], Zamarripa, Pete M., Jr. Pfc. PFC. Co. Co. C 264th Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], King, Edward Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment El Paso [M], Pickett, Joe D. Pfc. Brilliant contacted HMNB Portsmouth, which telephoned Cherbourg; but shore post communications, decisions, and orders were significantly slowed by minimal staffing during attendance at holiday parties. Co. H 262nd Regiment Brockton [M], Krassin, Sumner Pvt. Det. Co. H 262nd Regiment San Benito [M], Garza, Alejandro L. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lockwood [M], Privett, Lawrence E. 1st Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Rudolph [M], Moser, Richard E. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment, Heffernan, Joseph A. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Huntington, Bowyer, James M., Jr. Sgt. While the escorts focused on searching for the U-boat and rescuing survivors, they failed to respond to blinking light signals from Cherbourg. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dunkirk [M], Paci, Vincent Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Columbus [F], Smith, Henry A. Cpl. Co. F 262nd Regiment Nevada [M], Fratzke, Melvin L. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Marzotto, John T/4. There were almost 800 who were killed or drowned as a result of the torpedoing. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pekin [M], Colo, Joe Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kirkwood [F], Matthews, Leonard E. T/4. Where my research determined the final disposition of the body it is indicated as follows: [M] body never recovered; [F] body buried in France; [R] body returned to the United States for burial, Carlton, Garlan Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Allentown [M], Herman, Nevin H., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clinton [M], Smrkovski, Clarence C. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Parana [M], Dobkowski, John K. S.Sgt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Paramus [M], Franco, Pablo G. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Houston [F], Horne, Albert C. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Waltham [M], Thibodeau, Joseph E. Pfc. 262nd Regiment [M], Cutnaw, Kent P. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Pontiac [F], Monk, John J., Jr. T/5. Co. A 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [F], Grad, Robert A. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbia [M], Milam, Neal Sgt. Med Det. Co. K 262nd Regiment Florence, Husby, Garland O. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Medon [M], Conner, Thomas D. Pvt. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and on December 24, 1944, while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarineU-486. Co. K 262nd Regiment New Bloomfield [R], Bathke, Oliver C. Pfc. [6] Allied forces enjoying their Christmas Eve dinner in Cherbourg failed to mobilize a rescue effort before Lopoldville sank by the stern at 20:40. Co. B 264th Regiment Tarboro, Furr, Fred D. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone, Wade, Joseph T. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Demossville [M], Travis, Hoyt L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bonnymam [M], Sanders, Coleman W. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Greenville, Martin, Roddy A. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Aneta [M], Lawrence, Benton L. Pvt. Co. They are among an estimated few dozen in the nation and the only Houstonians left who survived the Dec. 24, 1944, sinking of the troop transport ship, the SS Leopoldville. Co. D 264th Regiment Marshfield, Peterson, Lennart W. Pfc. In 1998 the History Channel broadcast the documentary film Cover Up: The Sinking of the SS Lopoldville which included interviews with numerous survivors of the sinking of the ship from the 66th Infantry Division and sailors from the US Navy who attempted to save them by pulling them out of the water.