[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. Co. L 262nd Regiment Sumter, McNair, James L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus [M], Kilbarger, Thomas L. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment York [F], Heumann, Edward H. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plainfield [M], Coakley, Francis X. Launched in 1948 and in service until 1967. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lenoir City [M], Stills, Robert Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Chockley, Harold Y. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Providence [F], Hodosh, Leonard J. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Atlanta [F], Simmons, Chester B., Jr Pvt. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment St. Joseph, Price, Chester E. T. Sgt. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment Park, Brady, Douglas F. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Maple Rapids [M], Ambrose, Raymond C. Pvt. Co. 1st Bat. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. Det. 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. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. 1st Lt. Co. C 264th Regiment Elizabeth [M], Cobb, Thomas A. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Calabrese, Vincent R. S. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Demossville [M], Travis, Hoyt L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Tyrone [M], Hayes, Albert T. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Norwood [M], Stewart, Donald L. Pfc. Earl E. Jacobs, also a York, Pennsylvania resident. Co. H 262nd Regiment Fannin [M], Garland, James B. Pfc. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lucedale [M], Jenkins, Robert E. Pfc. We have place for a photo as well if provided. Co. Hdq. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Apollo [M], Debuski, Michael Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lowville [M], Aschmann, Frank G. Pfc. Co. The trip was approximately 9 hours, and the troopship was about 5 miles [or one hour] outside of Cherbourg when it was torpedoed by a German submarine. I 262nd Regiment Lees Summit [M], Israel, Philip S. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cypress Inn [M], Gregory, Charles H. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Spokane, Rodal, Paul M. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Selsbee [M], Head, Art S. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Loveland [M], Eckerman, Arthur E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], Barton, Marvin J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milan [M], Williams, Donald E. Pfc. Det. Co. H 262nd Regiment Foraker [M], Craig, Coy C. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Smrecak, James J. Pfc. Co. 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. H 262nd Regiment Ridgely [M], Jackson, Earl S. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Riverside [M], Carson, Marshall Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Woodbine [M], Kennedy, Abe H., Jr. T. Sgt. VFW Post in New Hampshire celebrates SS Leopoldville survivor's 100th birthday. Co. F 262nd Regiment Niagara Falls [M], Morse, Carlton S. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Tulsa [R], Foster, William S. D. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. Co. As far as any threat from the German Navy, the Kriegsmarine, since the D-Day landings in June, hundreds of thousands of Allied troops had crossed the English Channel without being attacked. The sinking of the SS Leopoldville in 1944 killed 763 U.S. Army soldiers on their way to the Battle of the Bulge. Co. K 262nd Regiment Jacksonville [R], Wright, Kenneth K. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Harrisburg [M], Berger, Robert Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Bottineau [F], Appleman, Robert B. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Alhambra, Aprea, Fred Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Port Huron [M], Miller, George W. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], MacGowan, John Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Marion [M], Bain, Emil Pvt. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles M], Jump, Clifford V. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Somerville [M], Luckman, Thomas Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lyndonville, Bradley, Claude P., Jr. Sgt. Hdq. Co. Co. D 264th Regiment N. Baltimore, Herrman, Robert E. Pvt. Co. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Des Moines [F], Babb, Byron E., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rochester [M], Nassif, Assaph J. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Globe, Willis, Waldo M. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Di Mola, Nicholas J. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Cullman [M], Waldrop, Roy A. Pfc. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Milroy [M], Pispeky, Joseph Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Colerain [F], Leopard, John P. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Mahanoy City [F], Chambers, Robert L. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment, Gorham, Donald R. S. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Sgroi, Paul S. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Council Bluffs [M], Welbourn, Eldred O. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Tulsa [M], Fisher, James O. Co. F 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], English, Thomas J., Jr. Pfc. After the war, the soldiers were also ordered at discharge not to talk about the sinking of SS Lopoldville to the press and told that their GI benefits as civilians would be canceled if they did so. Each turbine ran on exhaust steam from the piston engine on the same shaft. 262nd Regiment Lowell [M], Wintle, Russell E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Keokuk, Mohr, Ray J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Elkton [M], Brown, John W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitehall [M], McVety, Robert L. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Hornsbyville [F], Goins, Charles E. Pvt. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dexter [M], Higgins, John W., Jr. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Pocahontas [M], Swanson, Charles E., Jr. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Oneida [M], Goodlet, Charles W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lake Forest [M], Papineau, George J. Cpl. Co. E 264th Regiment Nutley [M], Claybrook, Richard A. Sgt. Co. 262nd Regiment Hartford [M], Carlson, Francis M. Cpl. Co. Clive Cussler dedicated his 1986 book Cyclops to the disaster. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dubuque [M], Williams, Lavere R. Pvt. Co. Bob was one of the lucky survivors. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. E 262nd Regiment Thomaston [M], Chalcraft, Leo K. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment South Bend, McKain, Harry W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kirkwood [F], Matthews, Leonard E. T/4. 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. The dedication reads: To the eight hundred American men who were lost with the Lopoldville, Christmas Eve 1944 near Cherbourg, France. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbia [M], Milam, Neal Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Newton Falls [M], Matwijiw, Robert L. Pvt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Burlington, Schulz, William R. Pfc. Leslie G. Abbott from Maple Rapids, Michigan was born on February 27, 1926. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ocean Springs [M], Carter, Audie L. Pvt. Med. Co. K 262nd Regiment Amarillo, Wiley, William H. T/5. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Des Moines [M], Hoyt, Robert S. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Long Branch, Hine, Harry C. Pvt. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Empire [M], Terry, James H. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Steelton [M], Shevera, Edward T/5. Co. B 264th Regiment Rudolph [M], Moser, Richard E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Lapinski, Stanley J. Pvt. SS Lopoldville (1948), 10, 530 GRT, built by J Cockerill SA, Hoboken, Antwerp. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Durgy, William D. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Doyle [M], Zamarripa, Pete M., Jr. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Mc Hugh, Dean J. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], Kuchta, Frank J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment New Orleans [M], Arnold, Albert J. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Harvey [M], Marcinkowski, Arthur A. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pocatello, Christensen, Calvin G. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Lamb, Richard B. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment, Faerber, Richard P. Pfc. Her tonnages were 11,256GRT and 6,521NRT until 1936,[2] when they were revised to 11,509GRT and 6,941NRT. Co. B 264th Regiment Lima, Cummins, Jack C. Pvt. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Cleveland, McCall, Emmett P. Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Clarinda [R], Parry, Charles W. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Dallas [F], Koehler, Herbert O., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dunkirk [M], Paci, Vincent Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ewing, Fox, Earl B. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knoxville, Henry, Glenn H. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamtramck [M], Schramm, Warren C. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment [M], McKinney, Joseph O. 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. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment St. Louis, Korte, Clarence I. T/5.Hdq. Co. C 264th Regiment St. Louis [F], Suntinger, Clarence M. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ballouville [M], Bruschayt, Herbert W. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Oakland [M], Crain, Hal F. Capt. 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. Served on indicates the ships we have listed for the person, some were stationed on multiple ships hit by U-boats. Co. F 262nd Regiment Marlboro [M], Chace, Roderick E. Pvt. After her cargo hold was fitted with rudimentary benches, the ship completed 24 cross-Channel crossings, transporting more than 120,000 troops. Co. K 262nd Regiment [R] Julian, Wright, John D. Sgt. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Covington [M], Farler, Otis Pfc. Co. D 264th Regiment Coldwater [M], Dillinger, Garvis Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Lowry, Jack N. Pfc. [5] Her Belgian Official Number was 120. Co. E 262nd Regiment Euclid [M], Bishop, Richard U. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Galus, Stanley M. Pvt. The true story of the Christmas Eve torpedoing of the S.S. Leopoldville carrying 2200 American troops from Portsmouth, England to Cherbourg, France. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) 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.. Co. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Manchester [F], Miller, Douglas F., Jr. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Baltimore [M], Hawkins, Robert E. Pvt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Larksville, Martynowski, Edward H. T/5. Det. I 262nd Regiment Chicago, Scholl, Hartselle B. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ashford [M], Hartley, Jack R. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Sapovchak, Nick Pfc. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Madisonville [M], Welch, Virgel R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamden [M], Caracoglia, Concetto T/4. Co. F 262nd Regiment Binghamton [M], Nigbor, Henry Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Worden, John A. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment New Martinsville, Smith, Bulah Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Alton [M], Willcoxen, Donald E. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bexar [M], McCorkle, Roy E., Jr. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Highland Park, Morehouse, F.R. Co. H 262nd Regiment Hebronville [M], Miscone, Joseph P. Pfc. Peter L. Acri Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Chicago, Nelson, Eric G. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment West Caldwell [M], House, Russell S. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Aneta [M], Lawrence, Benton L. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Fall River [M], Stenquist, Helmer R. Pvt. Co. Co. E 264th Regiment Iron River, Kritselis, Christ A. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Gary [M], Bouse, Oren A. Sgt. 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. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lewisburg [M], Gilley, Thomas W. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lancaster [M], Kopczewski, Anthony W. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Meadow Creek, Spaulding, Sherman A. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Schurig, Russell E. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Sophia [M], Estep, Hobert O. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Fresno [M], Nelson, Carl A. Pfc. Hdq. I 264th Regiment Pittsburgh, Fisher, Howard I. Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Red Boiling Springs[M], Henderson, Edward L. Pfc. Forgotten by many, remembered by few. Med. Co. C 264th Regiment Piqua [M], Davis, William J. Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Charlotte [M], Palmer, William H. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Cairo [M], Freeman, Ethell W. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Ozark, Verbauen, Albert Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Swayerville M], Constantine, Tony T/4. I 262nd Regiment Elmira [M], Ewald, Alf G. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Potsdam [M], Solotes, Joseph J. Pvt. Hdq. Co. K 264th Regiment Fort Collins, Ortega, Joe B. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], McVey, Walter F., Jr. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Tiptonville, Gillespie, John O. Pfc. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Myersdale [M], Cavalcante, Edward M. Pfc. [3], She had 8,458 cubic feet (239.5m3) of refrigerated cargo space. Co. F 262nd Regiment Yankton [M], Pauls, Elwood G. T/5. Co. F. 262nd Regiment Croton-on-Hudson [M], Bartelena, Dante J. T. Sgt. I 264th Regiment New Boston, Skibinski, Walter J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pine Valley [M], Hargraves, Jeff Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Turetzky, David S. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Cellura, Angelo T. Pfc. Co. Co. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Johnston City [M], Goble, John W. T. Sgt. Co. 2nd Bat. Co. B 264th Regiment Hazel, Evans, Luther O. 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.". Co. K 262nd Regiment Washington [R], Mosako, Alva G. Sgt. 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. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Stewart, Walter K. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Show Low [M], Bell, Jack N. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Shattuck, Ritthaler, Frank, Jr. Pfc. Co. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Tiplersville [M], Gurley, Ben D. T/4. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pittsburgh [M], Secich, Joseph G. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Long Lane [M], Moyer, Herbert C. T/4. Co. K 262nd Regiment Waverly [M], Rilling, Marvin L. S. Sgt. Co. D 264th Regiment Lattimer Mines, Lowry, Glenn E. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Muses Mills [M], Hatton, Orville Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Sharon, Jaspan, Ralph L. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Herndon [M], Zubal, John J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plymouth [M], Yaeger, George A. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Florissant [M], Leftwich, William E. Pfc.
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