Co. K 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Williamson, Melvin E. Pfc. Courtesy of Nancy Russell. Co. K 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Berg, Fred W. Pvt. Det. I 262nd Regiment Tinton [M], Lottes, Clarence E. Pfc. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mebane [M], Moore, Clifton B. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Walters, Gerald E. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Dayton [M], Stewart, Benjamin L. Pvt. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cloverport [M], Schlueter, Harold W. Pfc. Documents about the attack remained classified until 1996. Co. B 264th Regiment Ozark, Verbauen, Albert Sgt. Brilliant attempted radio communications, but could not communicate directly with the Americans at Fort L'Ouest in Cherbourg because the Americans used a different radio frequency and could not read the British code. Co. L 262nd Regiment Minden, Cole, Edgle W. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Sevierville [M], Holmes, William K. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Houston [M], Robison, Harry C. Pfc. In July 1984, Clive Cussler of NUMA claimed to have discovered the wreck,[9] although French maritime officials claim the location of the shipwreck had always been marked on all maritime charts since its size and location present a potential hazard to navigation. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Hope [M], Harman, Cecil C. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment [M], Scott, William E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Newtonville [M], Steele, William J. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Bowman, Brown, Dessie W. Pvt. 1 of 9. The sinking of the SS Leopoldville in 1944 killed 763 U.S. Army soldiers on their way to the Battle of the Bulge. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moxee [M], Adkins, Amon Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment San Francisco [M], Olivas, Magdaleno Pfc. The ship's Belgian crew, including 93 Africans from the Belgian Congo, received orders in Flemish. Co. E 264th Regiment Clear Lake [R], McManis, Orion G. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dallas [M], Reichle, Ernest C. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Euclid [M], Bishop, Richard U. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lowell [M], Abbott, Leslie G. Pfc. Det. The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Coen, James P. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Luverne [M], Kragtorp, Ernest O. Pfc. Co. Co. E 264th Regiment, Article: Owensboro connected to World War II disaster. I 264th Regiment Dallas [F], Koehler, Herbert O., Jr. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Nassau, [M], Zaloga, Edward J. Pvt. Med. Med. [3], She had 8,458 cubic feet (239.5m3) of refrigerated cargo space. Med. Few US soldiers understood the abandon ship instructions given in Flemish. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Miamisburg [M], Bell, William E. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Dumas [M], Dover, James W. Pfc. It took nearly an hour for Cherbourg to realise Lopoldville was sinking. Co. K 262nd Regiment Worcester, Sullivan, Charles F. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Apollo [M], Debuski, Michael Pfc. I 264th Regiment NYC, Rodies, Heinz G. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Frankfort [M], Simonetti, John Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ooltewah [M], Cannon, Fay Pvt. Official death notices after the sinking of the SS Leopoldville were sent out slowly over months and were vague of details in an effort to keep information about the disaster away from the public. Co. E 262nd Regiment Heidelberg [M], Mortimer, James E. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Tiptonville, Gillespie, John O. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Fall River [M], Stenquist, Helmer R. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Prophetstown [M], Duhasek, William R. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], McCormick, Robert L. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Camp Seale [M], Springfield, James F. Pfc. Quinlan from Omaha, Nebraska was born on [] Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitestone, NYC [M], Vojir, Frank W. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Niagara Falls, Turner, Kenneth J. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Bangor [M], Stelmok, Frank Pvt. 264th Regiment Beech, Conn, Curtiss Pvt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Leavenworth, Samms, Lawrence L. S. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Smith, Robert J. Pvt. Det. I 262nd Regiment Grand Junction, Lowenhagen, Theodore C. T. Sgt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Waltham [M], Thibodeau, Joseph E. Pfc. 262nd Regiment [M], Cutnaw, Kent P. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Fort Worth, Andrews, Lloyd L. 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. Co. C 264th Regiment Meadow Creek, Spaulding, Sherman A. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aledo [M], Ransom, James R. S. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Binghamton [F], Peterson, Robert G. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lewisburg [M], Gilley, Thomas W. S. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Kappel [M], Zeigler, Charles E. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Richmond [F], Parks, Wilbur C. T/5. Co. H 262nd Regiment Valparaiso [M], Wright, Russell M. S. Sgt. The soldiers' regimental command structure was fragmented by loading troops as they arrived rather than according to their units. Co. K 262nd Regiment Uhrichsville, Longwell, Robert G. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Gary, Weinand, Edward F. T/5. Glenn Elvin Lowry and Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Knoxville [M], Mixon, Robert L. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Tartaro, Joseph F. Sgt. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Berkeley [M], Williamson, Donald E. Pfc. All told, every state in the nation lost at least one soldier, except Delaware and Wyoming. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. 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. F 262nd Regiment New Bedford [M], Flammia, Anthony J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Valliant [M], Chew, Floyd E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment San Antonio [M], Gillem, Dee R. S. Sgt. Private John Pordon, 19, from San Francisco, boarded the Leopoldville around 2:30 in the morning. Co. F 262nd Regiment Means [M], Erwin, Ordest H. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Quincy [F], Pellegrini, Victor Pvt. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clinton [M], Smrkovski, Clarence C. Pfc. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Racine [M], Prueher, Franklin L. Pvt. He was one of seven children and the oldest of four boys. Co. K 262nd Regiment Redford Twp, McDonnell, Ferrel F. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Attleboro, Ciekalowski, William P. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Bottineau [F], Appleman, Robert B. 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. F 262nd Regiment Dexter [M], Higgins, John W., Jr. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Sand Springs [F], Reisig, William L. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone Park, NYC [M], Tassi, Louis 1st Sgt. Hdq. 262nd Regiment Baltimore, Alexandrovich, Joseph Pvt. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment San Diego, Andrews, William H. Sgt. Lt. Co. B 264th Regiment NYC, Hoffman, Leslie E. 1st Lt. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Samford [M], Otis, Fred L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Scranton [M], Sloan, Wilbur J., Jr. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], Massey, Robert B. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Omaha [M], Taylor, Forrest D. T. Sgt. Co. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . Co. H 262nd Regiment Arkansas City [M], South, Merle W. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hammond [M], White, Vernon W. Pfc. The engines drove twin screw propellers. I 264th Regiment Wilson, Lawrence, Luther M. T. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Riverside [M], Carson, Marshall Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Galus, Stanley M. Pvt. Hdq. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Alhambra, Aprea, Fred Pfc. 262nd Regiment Pleasant Mount [M], Cybak, Harry, Jr. 1st. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rye [M], Blaskowski, Benjamin J. S. Sgt. Co. 2nd Bat. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lenoir City [M], Stills, Robert Pfc. I 262nd Regiment St. Elino, Howard, James L. Pvt. Co. Co. [3], She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the fifth to bear the name Lopoldville and initially served on the route between Belgium and its African colony, the Belgian Congo. Co. K 262nd Regiment Hendersonville [F], Smith, James P. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bouning [M], Quinlan, William P. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Atlanta [F], Simmons, Chester B., Jr Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Tuscola [M], Cross, Leonard J. Pfc. He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. Co. K 262nd Regiment Youngstown, Norris, Guy D. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamden [M], Caracoglia, Concetto T/4. Co. C 264th Regiment Ferndale [M], Shaver, Glen B. Pfc. 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. K 262nd Regiment Albany [F], Reccardi, Victor J. S. Sgt. [4], The ship was built with two 1,019 nhp 4-cylinder quadruple-expansion steam engines which had cylinder diameters of 28.mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}2516 inch (73.5cm), 3378 inch (86cm), 48716 inch (123cm) and 6878 inch (175cm) diameter by 48716 inch (123cm) stroke. This In Memorium list is provided byAllan Andrade from his bookLeopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. Co. E 262nd Regiment Santa Fe [M], Spence, Stephen C. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Long Lane [M], Moyer, Herbert C. T/4. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dandridge [M], Black, Charles H. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Knoxville, Carew, William B. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Boleyn, Floyd P. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Tulsa [M], Fisher, James O. 0. I 262nd Regiment Houston [F], Horne, Albert C. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Regent [M], Gentz, Herbert I. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment, Faerber, Richard P. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Paramus [M], Franco, Pablo G. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Thomaston [M], Chalcraft, Leo K. Pvt. His body was never found. [6] A 24-man DEMS detachment manned defensive guns. Hdq. Co. I 262nd Regiment Newark, Steuble, Gilbert J. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. C 264th Regiment Mt. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Artist Richard Rockwell, whose college roommate died on the SS Leopoldville, drew this illustration of the troopship sinking after it was torpedoed by a German submarine, the U-486, on . Co. B 264th Regiment Canton [M], Slusser, Elmer D. Pfc. We have place for a photo as well if provided. Co. C 264th Regiment Erie [M], Taylor, Jay W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. A German U-boat sunk his troop's ship, the USS Leopoldville, killing more than. Co. E 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], MacGowan, John Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bonnymam [M], Sanders, Coleman W. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Brockton [M], Krassin, Sumner Pvt. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Pickens [M], Richardson, Francis J. Pfc. Co. Hdq. I 264th Regiment Jefferson City [F], Wilson, Cecil W. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Mansfield, Forman, Gerald Pvt. Lt. Co. C 264th Regiment Summerton, Lawrence, William I. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lake Forest [M], Papineau, George J. Cpl. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lakewood [M], McGlone, Eugene A. S. Sgt. SS Lopoldville (1948), 10, 530 GRT, built by J Cockerill SA, Hoboken, Antwerp. I 262nd Regiment Sullivan [M], Verash, Leslie F. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Alton [M], Willcoxen, Donald E. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Des Moines [F], Babb, Byron E., Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Elmira [M], Ewald, Alf G. T/5. Hdq. Co. H 262nd Regiment Swayerville M], Constantine, Tony T/4. Carmel, Swanson, Robert J. Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Red Boiling Springs[M], Henderson, Edward L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Odum [M], James, William C. Pfc. Co. Forgotten by many, remembered by few. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Yoakum [M], Noto, Sam W., Jr. Pfc. Det. Co. K 262nd Regiment Oakland [M], Crain, Hal F. Capt. Co. A 264th Regiment Park, Brady, Douglas F. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Pontiac [F], Monk, John J., Jr. T/5. Of these men, mostly between the ages of 18 and 21, 763 were killed. Her code letters were MLTP[2] until 193334, when they were superseded by the call sign ONLB. Co. C 264th Regiment Indianapolis [F], Truelock, Ralph A. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lucedale [M], Jenkins, Robert E. Pfc. 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. I 262nd Regiment Greensburg [F], Lagana, Joseph G. Pvt. Captain Charles Limbor, one Belgian and three Congolese crewmembers also went down with the ship. Co. F 262nd Regiment Crested Butte, McGee, Everett L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Florence, Roberts, Marzell Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbia [M], Milam, Neal Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Dana [M], Cornwell, Clinton J. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Clarinda [R], Parry, Charles W. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Flint [M], Salata, Edmund P. Pvt. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. I 262nd Regiment Chicago, Scholl, Hartselle B. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Peoria, Godelas, Peter T. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pass Christian [M], Baker, Elmer A. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Wilkes Barre [M], Grazier, David O. Pfc. The Sunken Mysteries of Britain's Wartime Shipping Lanes: This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 12:43. I 262nd Regiment Cleveland [M], Cleelan, Robert W. Pvt. [6] While the other escorts searched for the U-boat, HMSBrilliant came alongside the sinking ship. Soldiers on Lopoldville jumped down onto the smaller Brilliant. This is a listing of people associated with this ship.We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. Co. C 264th Regiment St. Louis [F], Suntinger, Clarence M. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Vega [M], Hattem, Monroe Pfc. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment Auburn, Stone, Edward F. Pfc. From his web site: "H.M.S. I 262nd Regiment Larksville, Martynowski, Edward H. T/5. They boarded the ship at 9 a.m. Dec. 24, 1944, survivors later told reporters. Co. 1st Bat. 262nd Regiment Wichita, Polk, Arthur D. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Osbourn, Donnelly, William O. S. Sgt. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) Co. L 262nd Regiment Hannastown [M], Welsh, Robert D. Pfc. 3rd Bat. Hdq. Each turbine ran on exhaust steam from the piston engine on the same shaft. 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. You can click on any of the names for possible additional information. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail. Co. L 262nd Regiment Freeport [M], Ragle, Billie K. T. Sgt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Des Moines [M], Hoyt, Robert S. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Cardwell [F], Marriott, Sherman E. Pvt. Med Det. Co. Clive Cussler dedicated his 1986 book Cyclops to the disaster. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brockton [M], Maiuri, Peter Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus, Russell, Jack 1st Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Cullman [M], Waldrop, Roy A. Pfc. For more than 50 years, the truth of this tragedy was hidden. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. C 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], McVey, Walter F., Jr. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Washington [R], Mosako, Alva G. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Donora [M], Kane, Thomas J. T/5. Co. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Northvale [M], De Prima, Frank T/5. Med. Co. Co. Now the details . I 264th Regiment New Castle [R], Sweet, Robert C. Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Hornsbyville [F], Goins, Charles E. Pvt. . Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Waterloo [M], Klein, John J. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Mc Hugh, Dean J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Sophia [M], Estep, Hobert O. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Moline, Taylor, Robert H. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitehall [M], McVety, Robert L. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Jurlina, Gregory G. S. Sgt. Med. Co. Co. Lopoldville was in a diamond formation with four escorts; the destroyers HMSBrilliant and HMSAnthony, the frigate HMSHotham, and the French frigate Croix de Lorraine, and another troopship, Cheshire. Co. E 262nd Regiment Maple Rapids [M], Ambrose, Raymond C. Pvt. People missing from this listing? Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Manville [F], Gleeson, Douglas C. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Buffalo, Sansone, Richard F. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Harriman, Jones, Henry M. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Huntington Park [M], Young, Fred F., Jr. Sgt. Co. I 264th Regiment Rochester [F], Clark, Reginald J., Jr. Cpl. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. Co. H 262nd Regiment Williamsville [M], Walz, Carl J., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Johnstown [F], Bennett, Lynwood F. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Grant, Irving Pvt. Med. Co. I 262nd Regiment Show Low [M], Bell, Jack N. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Portland, Bosch, Gerald Sgt. Co. 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. A 264th Regiment Mahanoy City [F], Chambers, Robert L. Pfc. Det. [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. E 262nd Regiment North East, Myers, Harold L. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment St. Louis [M], Koenig, Richard H. T/5. Leslie G. Abbott Pfc. To avoid any further injuries, if possible, all our hammocks were brought up from our mess-decks below and laid on the starboard upper deck to cushion the fall of the soldiers as they landed.". On Christmas Eve 1944, John Suter Waller was a 19-year-old soldier on his way to join in the Battle of the Bulge. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Jersey City [F], Schlerf, Fred J. Pfc. [6] There was an insufficient number of life jackets,[1] and few troops participated in the poorly supervised lifeboat drill as Lopoldville sailed from Southampton at 09:00 24 December as part of convoy WEP-3 across the English Channel to Cherbourg. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment St. Louis, Korte, Clarence I. T/5.Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment West Branch [M], Paulsen, Roy E. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Valley View [M], Borovich, Dan Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone, Wade, Joseph T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Read, Basel O. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Contreras, Gregorio V. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], Barton, Marvin J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Maurice [M], Boyer, Gerald L. Pvt. Det. Completed in August 1929 as Belgian steam passenger ship Leopoldville. Co. F 262nd Regiment Perry [M], Simpson, Bernard W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rockville Center [M], Kraemer, Bernard J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Highland Park, Morehouse, F.R. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Charlotte, Cuskelly, Richard R. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment New Philadelphia [M], Schwitzgebel, Eugene A. Pfc. [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. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Jacksonville [R], Wright, Kenneth K. Pfc. [3], In 1939 the UK Admiralty chartered Lopoldville. Co. A 264th Regiment Manhattan, NYC [M], Carlson, Carl Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Clifton, Goesch, Joseph M. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Sapovchak, Nick Pfc.