Co. K 264th Regiment Luverne [M], Kragtorp, Ernest O. Pfc. In May 1940 converted by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) to a troop transport. 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 San Diego, Andrews, William H. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Racine [M], Prueher, Franklin L. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Colerain [F], Leopard, John P. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Louisville [M], Dancy, John B. Pvt. Med. Co. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lenoir City [M], Stills, Robert Pfc. The true story of the Christmas Eve torpedoing of the S.S. Leopoldville carrying 2200 American troops from Portsmouth, England to Cherbourg, France. Captain Charles Limbor, one Belgian and three Congolese crewmembers also went down with the ship. Co. H 262nd Regiment Kerrville [M], Roberts, Wardell J. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Benda, Leonard F. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Belmont [M], Pancheri, Joseph A. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bridgeport [F], Strobel, Robert H. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. E 264th Regiment Greenville, Martin, Roddy A. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Florissant [M], Leftwich, William E. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Bowman, Brown, Dessie W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Donora [M], Kane, Thomas J. T/5. Co. Co. K 264th Regiment St. Louis [M], Koenig, Richard H. T/5. She had a depth of 35feet 0inches (10.67m) and a draught of 25feet 9.75inches (7.8677m). Co. C 264th Regiment Elyria, Ferguson, Robert V. S. Sgt. Cussler asserts[10] that the wreck is wrongly located, its true position being about a mile to the south. Leslie G. Abbott from Maple Rapids, Michigan was born on February 27, 1926. See also Muncaster Castle list Co. B 264th Regiment Rudolph [M], Moser, Richard E. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Solvay [F], Paterson, Douglas W. Sgt. Vernon, Lewis, Raymond R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Odum [M], James, William C. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ewing, Fox, Earl B. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Elsmere, Katz, Nathan Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Bradenback, Norman U. Co. K 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Schokowitz, Morris Pvt. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. F 262nd Regiment Westbrook [M], Baker, Donald A. Co. F 262nd Regiment Marietta [M], Watts, Jack Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Paramus [M], Franco, Pablo G. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Lakewood [M], Bailey, William C. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Maryan, William N. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Auburn, Stone, Edward F. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Tartaro, Joseph F. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment [M], Vonder, Mehden Robert Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Knoxville [M], Mixon, Robert L. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Alton [M], Willcoxen, Donald E. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Euclid [M], Bishop, Richard U. Pvt. Co. 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. I 262nd Regiment Elmira [M], Ewald, Alf G. T/5. Co. H 262nd Regiment Independence [M], Marcinko, Andrew J. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Casey [F], Kingrey, James P. T/5. 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. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Makowski, Stanley E. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Oakland, Perry, Joe J. T/5. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Florence, Roberts, Marzell Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Delta [M], De Silva, Philip E. Pfc. Cover up : the sinking of the SS Leopoldville | WorldCat.org Leopoldville Passenger Ship 1929-1944 - Wreck Wrak Epave Wrack Pecio He and other crew members battled against the conditions to try and rescue as many of the soldiers as possible. This In Memorium list is provided by Allan Andrade from his book Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. Leopoldville.org is an online memorial seeking to raise the awareness of the tragedy and reach the families of the disaster victims. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pensacola [R], Henderson, Dewey A. Pvt. Sciboz has dived to the SS Leopoldville and gave the Struckmans a copy of his book, written in French, when they chartered a boat ride to visit the wreckage in the English Channel Christmas Eve, 2007. Co. H 262nd Regiment Newberry [M], James, John E., Jr. 2d. Co. L 262nd Regiment Chicago, Nelson, Eric G. Sgt. Co. K. 264th Regiment Springfield Gardens, NYC [F], Falci, James L. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plymouth [M], Yaeger, George A. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Schurig, Russell E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Doddridge [M], Glanton, Homer T. T. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Dalton [M], Zellner, Harold M. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Rosslyn, Frank, Jony A. T/5. I 262nd Regiment Bolton [M], Smith, William F. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Elizabeth [M], Van Belle, Daniel J. Pfc. [6] While the other escorts searched for the U-boat, HMSBrilliant came alongside the sinking ship. Co. F 262nd Regiment Magnolia [M], Ferbus, Baptiste E. Pfc. More Tales of the Leopoldville Disaster. Co. Co. A 264th Regiment, Gorham, Donald R. S. Sgt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Brighton, Quinonez, Joe J. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Fall River [M], Stenquist, Helmer R. Pvt. This article includes a list of ships with the same or similar names. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Jamaica Plains [M], Dalton, William F. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Shreveport [F], Henderson, John M. Pvt. In remembrance of the Leopoldville | Chester County Press This Belgian passenger liner converted to troopship. Co. L 262nd Regiment Harvey [M], Marcinkowski, Arthur A. Pfc. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. C 264th Regiment Emmett, Lutz, Harry 1st Sgt. Her code letters were MLTP[2] until 193334, when they were superseded by the call sign ONLB. Co. F 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Berry, Leonard E. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Martinsville [M], Roberson, William G. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pass Christian [M], Baker, Elmer A. Sgt. We have place for a photo as well if provided. Co. F 262nd Regiment Newtonville [M], Steele, William J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Crested Butte, McGee, Everett L. Pvt. For more than 50 years, the truth of this tragedy was hidden. Co. B 264th Regiment, Mazzone, Vincent J. Cpl. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chestnut Ridge [M], Nolan, James M. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Cleveland [M], Cleelan, Robert W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ford Cliff [M], Kozielski, Joseph V. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Tyrone [M], Hayes, Albert T. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Coen, James P. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Cardwell [F], Marriott, Sherman E. Pvt. 0. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Malden, Maloney, John F. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wabash [M], Houchen, Donald R. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Clarinda [R], Parry, Charles W. Pfc. Co. I 262nd Regiment Dumas [M], Dover, James W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Worden, John A. Pfc. Det. Served on indicates the ships we have listed for the person, some were stationed on multiple ships hit by U-boats. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Shattuck, Ritthaler, Frank, Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Owensboro, Parker, John F. S. Sgt. Co. D 264th Regiment Springfield, Cottrell, John F. S. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Stewart, Walter K. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment New Orleans [M], Arnold, Albert J. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Indianapolis, Rowland, Elmer D. Pfc. The sinking occurred Christmas Eve 1944. The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Poulton, Glenn E. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Richmond [F], Parks, Wilbur C. T/5. The Sunken Mysteries of Britain's Wartime Shipping Lanes: This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 12:43. Co. B 264th Regiment Binghamton [F], Peterson, Robert G. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Wheelersburg [M], Weaver, Irvin J., Jr. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Chicago, McArthur, Kent O. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Beckley [M], Huffman, Johnnie O. Pvt. Hdq. Med. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ashford [M], Hartley, Jack R. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Bronx [M], Turisk, Isadore Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pharron [M], McKenzie, Daniel W. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Quincy [F], Pellegrini, Victor Pvt. Det. 1937 lengthened. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone, Wade, Joseph T. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Holmen, Moen, Ernest M. Pfc. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment Baltimore [M], Hawkins, Robert E. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moyers [M], Paden, George W. Pvt. Area casualties included 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. Co. K 262nd Regiment [R] Julian, Wright, John D. Sgt. Hdq. 262nd Regiment Hartford [M], Carlson, Francis M. Cpl. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Alhambra, Aprea, Fred Pfc. 389 likes. They boarded the ship at 9 a.m. Dec. 24, 1944, survivors later told reporters. Co. E 262nd Regiment Madisonville [M], Welch, Virgel R. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cloverport [M], Schlueter, Harold W. Pfc. The engines drove twin screw propellers. Co. B 264th Regiment York [F], Heumann, Edward H. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment St. Louis, Korte, Clarence I. T/5.Hdq. Co. B 264th Regiment Knoxville, Carew, William B. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Fort Collins, Ortega, Joe B. Pfc. The turbines increased Lopoldville's total power to 1,197 NHP. Co. H 262nd Regiment St. Louis [M], Tener, Ralph M. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Potsdam [M], Solotes, Joseph J. Pvt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Ansonia [F], Doherty, James J., Jr. S.Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dedham [M], Mayers, Raymond J. S. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment, Heffernan, Joseph A. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment York [R], Drivick, Joseph J. Sgt. Co. Jack Dixon was a 21-year-old seaman on board HMS Brilliant. Co. . Co. B 264th Regiment Osbourn, Donnelly, William O. S. Sgt. At 17.54 hours on 24 Dec 1944 the Leopoldville (Master Charles Limbor) in convoy WEP-3 was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-486 about . Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus, Russell, Jack 1st Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Smrecak, James J. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Iron River, Kritselis, Christ A. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Maple Rapids [M], Ambrose, Raymond C. Pvt. Of the 2,235 US servicemen on board, about 515 are presumed to have gone down with the ship. Co. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. 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. 264th Regiment Mt. I 264th Regiment Galveston [M], Jeter, G. C., Jr. Pfc. 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.". 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. This is a listing of people associated with this ship.We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. In Memorium - Leopoldville Troopship Disaster Co. F 262nd Regiment Nevada [M], Fratzke, Melvin L. Pfc. Co. Peter Acri was from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. I 264th Regiment New Castle [R], Sweet, Robert C. Pfc. Co. Hdq. You can e-mail us the information here. Co. F 262nd Regiment Spartanburg [M], Phasey, Victor E. Lt. Col. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Fresno [M], Nelson, Carl A. Pfc. 1st Sgt. Photos of Victims A-C - Leopoldville Troopship Disaster Co. F 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Gianfrancesco,Robert M. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Isola [M], Byrd, Robert S. Pfc. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitehall [M], McVety, Robert L. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Sharon, Jaspan, Ralph L. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Somerville [M], Luckman, Thomas Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamden [M], Caracoglia, Concetto T/4. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus, Mobley, Lewfay B., Jr. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mebane [M], Moore, Clifton B. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Arkansas City [M], South, Merle W. S. Sgt. The destroyer could take only five hundred men and headed for the shore leaving some twelve hundred soldiers aboard.[7]. Co. C 264th Regiment Danbury, ONeil, Grant P. Pfc. Co. 1st Bat. Det. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lake Forest [M], Papineau, George J. Cpl. SS Lopoldville - Wreck Location Map & GPS Coordinates - Shipwreck Finder Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Nassau, [M], Zaloga, Edward J. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Cuccia, Salvatore C. Pvt. Co. D 264th Regiment Detroit, Furmark, Carl E. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Shelbyville, Clark, John W. Pfc. Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Manville [F], Gleeson, Douglas C. Pfc. SS Leopoldville (1929) | Military Wiki | Fandom Co. F 262nd Regiment Dickinson [M], Dorgan, Allan J. Pfc. Det. 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. Co. F 262nd Regiment Covington [M], Farler, Otis Pfc. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. Co. H 262nd Regiment Mckees Rocks [M], Hoffenberg, Jennings L. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Long Branch, Hine, Harry C. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Selsbee [M], Head, Art S. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Yankton [M], Pauls, Elwood G. T/5. Co. H 262nd Regiment Henryville [M], Kocsis, Anton Pfc. Co. Med. Co. E 262nd Regiment Sevierville [M], Holmes, William K. Pfc. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dubuque [M], Cook, Dean L. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment [F], Lewandowski, George J. Pfc. William P. Quinlan Pfc. Sequel to Survivors of the Leopoldville Disaster. Co. K 262nd Regiment San Antonio [M], Gillem, Dee R. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Mc Hugh, Dean J. Pfc. On Christmas Eve 1944, John Suter Waller was a 19-year-old soldier on his way to join in the Battle of the Bulge. Lt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mullins, McCurley, James W. Pfc. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Seligman [F], Vasquez, John G. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Harrisburg [M], Molinsky, Charles Pfc. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Frankfort [M], Simonetti, John Pvt. Co. 2374 (819 dead and 1555 survivors). Co. L 262nd Regiment Meridian [M], Martin, Ray E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Read, Basel O. S. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], ODonnell, John H. T/5. Co. B 264th Regiment Platemouth, Shaw, William A., Jr. Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Marion, Howard, Edward F. Pfc. Med. Co. C 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], McVey, Walter F., Jr. Pfc. Co. Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Nemacolin [F], Daugherty, Mervin R. Pfc. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lakewood [M], McGlone, Eugene A. S. Sgt. A Christmas Eve tragedy kept secret: The story of the 1944 sinking of Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Denver [M], Bowle, Thomas A. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Laurens, Neely, Fred L. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Murray, Samuel L. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Colorado Springs, Struble, Frank P. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knox [M], Vince, John M., Jr. T/5. Co. We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Or perhaps additional information?If you wish to add a crewmember to the listing we would need most of this information: ship name, nationality, name, dob, place of birth, service (merchant marine, ), rank or job on board. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Fort Worth, Andrews, Lloyd L. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Roanoke Rapids [M], Russ, Paisley E. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment Bloomington, Deamantopulos, Andrew Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Pendleton, Neiderheiser, Daniel Pvt. Hdq. The scrambling nets were hanging down the Lopoldville's port side and the US soldiers were coming down on to our upper deck. Hdq. 262nd Regiment Rock Lake [M], McGhan, Glen P. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Underwood [M], Wiedner, Joseph J. T. Sgt. [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. F 262nd Regiment Pueblo [M], Berube, Joseph E. Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Hope [M], Harman, Cecil C. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Oneida [M], Goodlet, Charles W. Pvt. 1st Lt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hillsboro, Brisendine, Bruce F. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Attleboro, Ciekalowski, William P. S. Sgt. His body was never found. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Westbrook, Marion J. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plainfield [M], Coakley, Francis X. Co. Co. A 264th Regiment NYC, Robbins, Jerome Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Peoria, Godelas, Peter T. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Center [M], Appleby, Preston B. Co. K 262nd Regiment Uhrichsville, Longwell, Robert G. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Harlowtown [M], Rott, Robert J. Pfc. Co. 1 of 9. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Clifton, Goesch, Joseph M. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Brogden, Lee R. S. Sgt. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Trinidad, Reeder, Harold P. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Doyle [M], Zamarripa, Pete M., Jr. Pfc. Med. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. Co. Co. A 264th Regiment Cornell, Hover, James E. T/5. As a result, about 763 US soldiers and 56 of the ship's crew died. All told, every state in the nation lost at least one soldier, except Delaware and Wyoming. Co. B 264th Regiment [M], Perea, Joaquin Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Pleasant Mount [M], Cybak, Harry, Jr. 1st. Co. F 262nd Regiment Medon [M], Conner, Thomas D. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Fauer, John A. Pfc. Hdq. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Corona, NYC [M], Cammarano, Michael P. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Bryan [M], Obryan, Glenn A. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Boleyn, Floyd P. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Grand Junction, Lowenhagen, Theodore C. T. Sgt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Dover, Juskus, Carl F. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Ramona, Coble, Wayne H. 1st Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Pryor, Crowl, Elmer R. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Chicago, Smith, Lewis A. Pfc. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment North Branch [M], Winters, Cornelius D., Jr. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Alvarado, Donald R. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Sikeston, McDaniel, Everette N. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lewisburg [M], Gilley, Thomas W. S. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Baton Rouge, Scheuermann, Joseph F., Jr. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Warner, Edwin R. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lowville [M], Aschmann, Frank G. Pfc. Co. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment [M], Alexander, J. D. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Greensburg [F], Lagana, Joseph G. Pvt. Med. Co. K 264th Regiment Regent [M], Gentz, Herbert I. 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 submarine U-486.