He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. Co. F 262nd Regiment Omaha [M], Taylor, Forrest D. T. Sgt. Det. Area casualties included 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. I 262nd Regiment Vega [M], Hattem, Monroe Pfc. 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. 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. L 262nd Regiment Cullman [M], Waldrop, Roy A. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wallington [M], Shand, James E. Pfc. Co. He and other crew members battled against the conditions to try and rescue as many of the soldiers as possible. Co. E 262nd Regiment St. Louis [M], Canon, Carl L. S. Sgt. 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. We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. Now the details . Co. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Clifton, Goesch, Joseph M. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Binghamton [M], Nigbor, Henry Pvt. 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 Wichita, Polk, Arthur D. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment El Paso [M], Pickett, Joe D. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Florissant [M], Leftwich, William E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago, Mikalaitis, Joseph E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Newton [M], Peterson, Burton T/4. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Elkton [M], Brown, John W. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Magnolia [M], Ferbus, Baptiste E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Benson, Edward E. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Thomaston [M], Chalcraft, Leo K. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Wilson, Lawrence, Luther M. T. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Corona, NYC [M], Cammarano, Michael P. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ashford [M], Hartley, Jack R. Pfc. 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 East Hampton [M], Cram, Ralph D., Jr. Pvt. Co. 1 talking about this. [3], In 1939 the UK Admiralty chartered Lopoldville. Co. C 264th Regiment Kansas City, Rennison, Eugene W. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Birkholz, Everett E. Pfc. Co. Co. F. 262nd Regiment Croton-on-Hudson [M], Bartelena, Dante J. T. Sgt. Pfc. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. Co. B 264th Regiment Lima, Cummins, Jack C. Pvt. Henry Miner lost many friends in the sinking of the SS Leopoldville, including one who gave him a diary to return to his family should anything happen to him. I 264th Regiment [F], Machado, Frank R. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Lewistown [R], Dreisbach, Richard T. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hammond [M], White, Vernon W. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Mathews, Richard N. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Niles, Meyers, Donald G. S. Sgt. Co. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Marion [M], Bain, Emil Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Schurig, Russell E. Pfc. VFW Post in New Hampshire celebrates SS Leopoldville survivor's 100th birthday. Co. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Columbus [F], Smith, Henry A. Cpl. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pittsfield [F], Patterson, Thomas H. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aberdeen [M], Ailey, Burl W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bakersfield [M], Godoy, Arthur C. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Pryor, Crowl, Elmer R. Pfc. Det. I 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Ansonia [F], Doherty, James J., Jr. S.Sgt. Co. Co. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Covington [M], Farler, Otis 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. F 262nd Regiment Oak City [M], Plott, George E. Capt. For Paul Plotkin's 100th birthday, VFW Post 1617 in Derry, New Hampshire, honored its own WWII veteran with a special ceremony on June 26. Co. C 264th Regiment Indianapolis [F], Truelock, Ralph A. Pfc. Leslie G. Abbott Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Troy [M], Suder, James T. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Buffalo, Sansone, Richard F. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Philadelphia, Biggart, Will O. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Knoxville [M], Mixon, Robert L. Pfc. Glenn Elvin Lowry and Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rockville Center [M], Kraemer, Bernard J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Vernile, Ralph R. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dallas [M], Reichle, Ernest C. Pfc. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moxee [M], Adkins, Amon Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Hazel, Evans, Luther O. Pfc. Med. Co. C 264th Regiment Attleboro, Ciekalowski, William P. S. Sgt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Sumter [M], Loftis, James L. Sgt. Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts Archived . Co. B 264th Regiment Hagerstown [M], Wambach, Harold R. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Williamson, Melvin E. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Contreras, Gregorio V. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Gainsboro [M], Lipford, Arnold A. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Myersdale [M], Cavalcante, Edward M. Pfc. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Co. Lt. Co. B 264th Regiment NYC, Hoffman, Leslie E. 1st Lt. Co. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment NYC [F], Wilson, Richard J. T/5. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Monett [F], Mason, Gerrard L. Pvt. Hdq. 2d. Co. B 264th Regiment Colerain [F], Leopard, John P. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Makowski, Stanley E. Pfc. Med. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dayton [M], Wells, Floyd K. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Fruita, Manley, Albert L., Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Curtis, Elston, Leroy J. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment [M], Alexander, J. D. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Goldsboro [M], Clark, William C. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Silver Creek [R], Damsky, Daniel S. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Heidelberg [M], Mortimer, James E. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Pittsburgh, Fisher, Howard I. Pvt. Co. Co. C 264th Regiment Kokomo, Buell, Edwin D., III Pfc. Med. Co. K 262nd Regiment [R] Julian, Wright, John D. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Belleville, Vester, Richard H. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment San Francisco [M], Olivas, Magdaleno Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Mckees Rocks [M], Hoffenberg, Jennings L. Pfc. Co. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Aurora, Gordon, William I. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment [F], Williamson, Clyde J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dexter [M], Higgins, John W., Jr. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Manchester [F], Miller, Douglas F., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Dominguez, Joe Pvt. Med Det. Co. 2nd Battalion262nd Regiment Tully, Young, George F. S. Sgt. The Lopoldville was one of two troopships in a formation with four warships: two British destroyers, and one British and one French frigate. Co. D 264th Regiment Coldwater [M], Dillinger, Garvis Pfc. Co. I 262nd Regiment St. Elino, Howard, James L. Pvt. Clive Cussler dedicated his 1986 book Cyclops to the disaster. This In Memorium list is provided byAllan Andrade from his bookLeopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. A German U-boat sunk his troop's ship, the USS Leopoldville, killing more than. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Santa Fe [M], Spence, Stephen C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rye [M], Blaskowski, Benjamin J. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wabash [M], Houchen, Donald R. Pvt. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dickinson [M], Dorgan, Allan J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles M], Jump, Clifford V. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [R], Schramm, Jack A. Pfc. The ship's Belgian crew, including 93 Africans from the Belgian Congo, received orders in Flemish. Co. H 262nd Regiment Valparaiso [M], Wright, Russell M. S. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Sapovchak, Nick Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chestnut Ridge [M], Cronk, Rolland D. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Riverside [M], Carson, Marshall Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Apollo [M], Debuski, Michael Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Samford [M], Otis, Fred L. Pfc. Co. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Charlotte, Cuskelly, Richard R. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Griffith, George O. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ridgely [M], Jackson, Earl S. Pfc. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Clearwater, Lemke, Otis C. S. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Stewart, Walter K. Pfc. Hdq. Co. L 262nd Regiment Woodbine [M], Kennedy, Abe H., Jr. T. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Calabrese, Vincent R. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lyndonville, Bradley, Claude P., Jr. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Houston [F], Horne, Albert C. Pfc. From his web site: "H.M.S. Co. K 264th Regiment Pocahontas [M], Swanson, Charles E., Jr. Pfc. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Sophia [M], Estep, Hobert O. Pfc. [7] Belated efforts by ships including USSPC-1225 rescued some survivors.[8]. Co. I 264th Regiment New Castle [R], Sweet, Robert C. Pfc. Co. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [F], Estlund, Robert O. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Norwood [M], Stewart, Donald L. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Indianapolis, Rowland, Elmer D. Pfc. [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 Mansfield, Forman, Gerald Pvt. 1st Lt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hillsboro, Brisendine, Bruce F. Pfc. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment Manhattan, NYC [M], Carlson, Carl Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment Mahanoy City [F], Chambers, Robert L. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Sharon, Jaspan, Ralph L. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Waverly [M], Rilling, Marvin L. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Johnston City [M], Goble, John W. T. Sgt. William P. Quinlan Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Newtonville [M], Steele, William J. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Jefferson City [F], Wilson, Cecil W. Pfc. Hdq. Med. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mebane [M], Moore, Clifton B. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment McAllen [M], Caviness, Billy T. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ewing, Fox, Earl B. Pfc. 264th Regiment Mt. 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.. I 264th Regiment Herkimer [M], Holleran, James R. Pfc. [1] Captain Charles Limbor, who assumed command in 1942,[6] spoke no English. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pharron [M], McKenzie, Daniel W. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dandridge [M], Black, Charles H. Pfc. On Christmas Eve, 1944, a German U-boat torpedoed the troopship SS Leopoldville, sending 800 U.S. soldiers to their death. S.S. Leopoldville Disaster of 12-24-1944. Completed in August 1929 as Belgian steam passenger ship Leopoldville. Co. C 264th Regiment Piqua [M], Davis, William J. Pvt. Co. D 264th Regiment Springfield, Cottrell, John F. S. Sgt. Hdq. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Keokuk, Mohr, Ray J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Sarepta, Fried, Simon Pvt. The sinking occurred Christmas Eve 1944. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment New Bloomfield [R], Bathke, Oliver C. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Rock Lake [M], McGhan, Glen P. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Cuyahoga Falls [M], Bader, Donald W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Lees Summit [M], Israel, Philip S. Pvt. Hdq. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Savannah, McInnis, James E., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Foge, Francis J. Pfc. 264th Regiment Cornwall, Ontario [M], Baginski, Henry Pfc. The turbines increased Lopoldville's total power to 1,197 NHP. Co. E 262nd Regiment Maple Rapids [M], Ambrose, Raymond C. Pvt. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. Co. Launched in 1948 and in service until 1967. Co. F 262nd Regiment Huntington Park [M], Young, Fred F., Jr. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Ellett, Joseph S. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Guilford, Lavigne, Alfred G. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ava [F], Rago, Robert J. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Terre Haute, McMillen, Furl C. Pfc. The. Co. E 264th Regiment, Article: Owensboro connected to World War II disaster. Co. F 262nd Regiment Martinsville [M], Roberson, William G. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pensacola [R], Henderson, Dewey A. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Sciarra, Robert J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], Hirschel, Howard T. 2d. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rochester [M], Nassif, Assaph J. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Ferndale [M], Shaver, Glen B. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Huntington, Bowyer, James M., Jr. 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. Det. Co. E 264th Regiment Clear Lake [R], McManis, Orion G. Pvt. 264th Regiment Bronx, NYC [F], Crowe, Eugene J. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Seligman [F], Vasquez, John G. Pvt. 1st Lt. Co. C 264th Regiment Elizabeth [M], Cobb, Thomas A. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Lowry, Jack N. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Finger [M], McCorkle, Wallace Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Elizabeth [M], Van Belle, Daniel J. Pfc. All told, every state in the nation lost at least one soldier, except Delaware and Wyoming. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone, Wade, Joseph T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Chockley, Harold Y. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Stamford [M], Viets, Paul R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Haverhill [M], De Piero, Louis A. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Pickens [M], Richardson, Francis J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Tartaro, Joseph F. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Delta, Green, Cecil C. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Bronx [M], Turisk, Isadore Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. Co. Co. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Heim, James V. Pfc. This is a listing of people associated with this ship.We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Paramus [M], Franco, Pablo G. Pfc. Co. Med. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. [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. H 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Walters, Gerald E. Sgt. 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. B 264th Regiment Bowman, Brown, Dessie W. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Foraker [M], Craig, Coy C. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Mt. Co. E 264th Regiment Greenville, Martin, Roddy A. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brownville, Ash, Robert L. 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 Marlboro [M], Chace, Roderick E. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Baltimore, Alexandrovich, Joseph Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plymouth [M], Yaeger, George A. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Columbia [M], McDermott, John M. S. Sgt. 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.