ss leopoldville survivors list

Over eight hundred solders died that night. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. Who: All but one were members of the 66th Infantry Division and most were survivors of the Leopoldville Disaster. The Virginian-Pilot: During WWII, a Virginia Beach soldier stole a painting from a French . His parents died when he was a small boy and he was raised by his aunt, Mrs. Catherine Witusik, who lived in Oneida. While researching the Leopoldville disaster, author/historian Allan Andrade in early May 1995 met with Waterbury, Connecticut Leopoldville Survivor Vincent Codianni. With the Battle of the Bulge underway in Europe, reinforcements were needed. In Memorium. This Belgian passenger liner converted to troopship was carrying 2235 men of the 66th Infantry Division from Southampton to Cherbourg, reinforcements for the Battle of the Bulge. George Robert Atkerson from Webb City, Missouri who was aboard the SS Leopoldville that tragic day, can attest to the torment her father experienced throughout his life from that disaster. Earl E. Jacobs, also a York, Pennsylvania resident. Looking for more information on SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE? I 262nd Regiment Macon [M] Idaho (3) As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. Her master, Charles Limbor, had been in command since 1942. He was employed in the maintenance department of Oneida Ltd. before entering the army in April 1943. As sometimes happens, this solved one . It was sad that the parents and loved ones of the men that died were told that they had died in action or the ones that were never found, they were told they were missing in action but knew all along . . Det. The Germans had left mines, and possibly The New York Times in their article on May 8, 1995 referred to their efforts to promote public awareness of On Christmas Eve 1944, more than 2,000 American soldiers were aboard the troop ship SS Lopoldville crossing the English Channel to France, when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sank . "My 7th draft H.M.S. Area casualties included Pfc. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. One produced by the History Channel and the other by the National Geographic Channel. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Columbus [F] Smith, Henry A. Cpl. This In Memoriam list was originally published by me in July 1997. Glenn Elvin Lowry and Pfc. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. S/Sgt. Many of those killed were only 18 to 21 years old and 493 of the bodies were never recovered. ayyibat al Imm The USS Leopold was an Edsall-class destroyer escort built for the United States Navy during World War II. A Leopoldville Survivor Recalls Sinking On Christmas Eve 1944. View Count: 602 (Recent: 1) Source information: Fold3, SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE ( : accessed 18 Mar 2022), database and images, Create a new Memorial. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. Where my research determined the final disposition of the body it . SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 . The family later moved to Wellsburg, Iowa where Lawrence attended Wellsburg High School. Richard Trout Dreisbach was born on February 24, 1926, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Departing New York on March 1 on her second voyage, Leopold took her screening station as part of a 27-ship convoy bound for the British Isles. He entered the service on May 12, 1944. There were 763 American soldiers killed and the bodies of 493 were never recovered from the Channel's frigid 48 degree waters. 70th Anniversary Of The Ss Leopoldville Troopship Disaster National Wwii Museum. Fourteen officers and seven hundred forty-eight servicemen were lost. Of these men, mostly between the ages of 18 and 21, 763 were killed. (Left to Right) Survivor Fred Brent, Allan Andrade, Charles Vogel (his brother, Frank Vogel, was killed), Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, American Legion Leader Reggie Allen, and Jerry Catalano (his brother, Angelo Catalano, was killed.) SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . Aboard Leopoldville when hit on 24 Dec 1944 You can click on any of the names for possible additional information 874 persons found. Dixon, Jack. Just 5 1/2 miles from its destination, Cherbourg, the Leopoldville was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-486. Pfc. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. The vessel was rocked by a huge explosion on the starboard side near the stern. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville. USS PC-1225 also rescued survivors. Boekhoff was never found. Two days before Christmas '44 some two thousand paratroopers boarded the Belgian troopship Leopoldville at Pier 38, Southampton. The 66th Division crossed the English Channel on Christmas Eve 1944. Benjamin Joseph Blaskowski S/Sgt. Belgian troopship SS Leopoldville, sunk by U-486 Christmas Eve 1944, and 783 U.S. troops die.. Introduction. Earl E. Jacobs, also a York, Pennsylvania resident. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo.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 submarine U-486.As a result, about 763 US soldiers and 56 of the ship's crew died. McInnis, James E., Jr. Pvt. Today, Allan Andrade, author of Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret, one of the few books on the disaster, and Don Nigbor and his son Peter, family members of Henry Nigbor, a private from Dunkirk, New York whose body was never recovered from the sinking, have started a website to honor the lives of the men lost and of the survivors. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. The transport ship's sinking claimed the lives of 763 American servicemen, including more than 70 Pennsylvanians. Our goal that evening was to create a new memory of a holiday spent together - so come future Christmas Eves, . SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. USS Leopold. Survivors of the Leopoldville disaster by Raymond J. Roberts, 1997, R.J. Roberts edition, in English She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Contents What we truly wanted to do was to pay respect to those who lost their lives on the Leopoldville, and honor the survivors of the Leopoldville, the Cheshire and the entire 66th. The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. "Not once did he ever mention the experience, nor the trauma he suffered the rest of his life. This was expected to be just another routine crossing from England to France. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. My Life in the Royal Navy During the Second World War. Boekhoff was born on February 20, 1926 in St. His body was recovered. We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. 19x27 Leopoldville Poster Sunray Graphics Low Resolution. The SS Leopoldville Tragedy and Coverup: US ARMY ST's 474, 539, and 751 tried to help during one of WW2's most tragic Naval Incidents - ST 474 was a DeLand-built Wartug Many small US Army tugs, or harbor tugs, were assigned to the Cherbourg Harbor area after it was finally captured in July of 1944. These soldiers represented youths from 47 of the then 48 United States. He had 3 brothers who were also in the service. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Even for the survivors of this tragedy, lives were still shaken after the war. Maritime Disasters Of Wwii 1944 1945. Just five miles off shore from Cherbourg, the SS Leopoldville was torpedoed by a German U-boat. The Germans had left mines, and possibly This Belgian passenger liner converted to troopship was carrying 2235 men of the 66th Infantry Division from Southampton to Cherbourg, reinforcements for the Battle of the Bulge. Cloud, Minnesota. Richard Trout Dreisbach was born on February 24, 1926, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts Archived 2000-10-01 at the Wayback Machine "Leopoldville Troopship Disaster". 70th Anniversary Of The Ss Leopoldville Troopship Disaster National Wwii Museum. View Count: 602 (Recent: 1) Source information: Fold3, SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE ( : accessed 18 Mar 2022), database and images, Create a new Memorial. Blaskowski from Verona Station, New York was born on December 1, 1924. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Private John Pordon, 19, from San Francisco, boarded the Leopoldville around 2:30 in the morning. Shortly thereafter, they wer. Our biggest obstacle is the coverup, that followed the sinking. by Tonya Allen. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus Mobley, Lewfay B., Jr. Pfc. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail. The sinking of the SS Leopoldville has been the subject of numerous books and two major documentaries. We have had some success in reaching out to the public. Nancy Russell, the daughter of Sgt. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. Maritime Disasters Of Wwii 1944 1945. See all formats and editions Paperback $27.99 3 Used from $27.99 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. Med. Looking for more information on SURVIVORS OF THE LEOPOLDVILLE? The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. This site is dedicated to remembering and honoring the sacrifice of those who died in the disaster and the valor of those who survived. Just before 6 pm, the ship was hit by a torpedo from a U-Boat. The website Leopoldville.org was created to promote awareness of the SS Leopoldville Sinking Tragedy. The SS Leopoldville Tragedy and Coverup: US ARMY ST's 474, 539, and 751 tried to help during one of WW2's most tragic Naval Incidents - ST 474 was a DeLand-built Wartug Many small US Army tugs, or harbor tugs, were assigned to the Cherbourg Harbor area after it was finally captured in July of 1944. Report an issue. Closure has finally come to our family. Solr Leaves Legacy Of Tragic Truth For Family Country Local News Joplinglobe. At Southampton, at 0200 (2.00 AM) on Christmas Eve 1944, 2235 men from the U.S. 66th Infantry Division started to trudge wearily up the gangway of the tired old Belgian troopship SS Leopoldville. The majority of the infantry troops were on board the SS Leopoldville and the HMS Cheshire. Pvt. His body was recovered. There were 763 American soldiers She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . The movie The Silent Soldier and the Portrait is the story of one of the last living survivors of the Leopoldville disaster. SS Lopoldville (1897), 3,963 GRT, built by Sir Raylton Dixon & Co, Middlesbrough for the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo.Sold in 1901. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus Russell, Jack 1st Sgt. A Leopoldville Survivor Recalls Sinking On Christmas Eve 1944. Where . The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. 262nd Regiment Dalton [M] Zellner, Harold M. Sgt. This section includes over 21.000 Allied Warships and over 11.000 Allied Commanders of WWII, from the US Navy, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Australian Navy, The Polish Navy and others. Jack Nevin Lowry, twin. Robin Young John Waller (right), pictured with a fellow Army service member, was aboard the troop ship SS Lopoldville crossing the English Channel to France on Christmas Eve 1944 when it was. Brilliant". He was told not to talk about it, and didn't for a long time. In The 30-year-old Army private was a LIST III is a roster of two (2) officers and thirty-seven (37) Marines personnel attached to the USS INDIANAPOLIS (CA35). The Sinking of SS Leopoldville by Tonya Allen On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. Apr 26, 2020 - My dad was a survivor when this ship was torpedoed on Christmas Eve 1944. Please check the movie's website for airtimes and more info on the story. Leopoldville had to date led a charmed life, never subjected to enemy fire in her 24 Channel crossings, safely delivering 120,000 troops. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. The body of 18 year old Pfc. Co. Report an issue. . The Lopoldville stayed afloat for two and a half hours after the torpedo hit before finally sinking, stern first . New York State alone lost 80 young men, including 39 from New York City. The British Commander in charge of the convoy ordered the Leopoldville's anchor dropped to prevent the troopship from drifting into a minefield outside of the harbor. Three sets of brothers were killed, including two sets of twins. She was converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, and while sailing between Southampton and Cherbourg, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-486. Solr Leaves Legacy Of Tragic Truth For Family Country Local News Joplinglobe. On Christmas Eve 1944, the Belgium troopship Leopoldville, left the pier at Southampton, England with over 2,000 American soldiers assigned to the 66th Infantry Division and crossed the English Channel to France. 19x27 Leopoldville Poster Sunray Graphics Low Resolution. At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail. Find more records. The two men became friends and with the help of several others formed the Leopoldville Memorial Association. Five and a half miles from shore, the Leopoldville was . This In Memorium list is provided by Allan Andrade from his book Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. Contents He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. It is available for rent and is being played on PBS. According to accounts from many of the survivors, the Belgian crew abandoned the ship and left the American soldiers to fend for themselves. Find more records. Many soldiers in that area were killed instantly while others were trapped below decks. On the 8th, she reported an HF/DF intercept which indicated an .