Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Shattuck, Ritthaler, Frank, Jr. Pfc. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment St. Louis [M], Tener, Ralph M. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment [M], Vonder, Mehden Robert Pfc. Det. Hdq. [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. K 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Shub, Abraham Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lyndonville, Bradley, Claude P., Jr. Sgt. 3rd Bat. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cloverport [M], Schlueter, Harold W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Indianapolis, Rowland, Elmer D. Pfc. Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts Archived . Co. H 262nd Regiment Lee City [M], Hopkins, Elden G. Cpl. Co. B 264th Regiment Binghamton [F], Peterson, Robert G. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Oneida [M], Goodlet, Charles W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Odum [M], James, William C. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bessemer [M], Stewart, Roger H. Pfc. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment Washington [R], Mosako, Alva G. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Kalispell [M], Gillin, John F. Sgt. Co. D 264th Regiment Lattimer Mines, Lowry, Glenn E. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. Co. I 264th Regiment Dallas [F], Koehler, Herbert O., Jr. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Seattle [F], Rumburg, Ira C. Lt. Col. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment El Paso [M], Pickett, Joe D. Pfc. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. Soldiers on Lopoldville jumped down onto the smaller Brilliant. Co. L 262nd Regiment Woodbine [M], Kennedy, Abe H., Jr. T. Sgt. [3], In 1939 the UK Admiralty chartered Lopoldville. Co. I 264th Regiment Del Rio, Edler, Tony W., Jr. T. Sgt. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Florence, Husby, Garland O. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Brockton [M], Krassin, Sumner Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Redford Twp, McDonnell, Ferrel F. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Berwyn, Steib, Joseph E. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Buffalo, McDonald, Bernard D. Pvt. Co. I 264th Regiment New Boston, Skibinski, Walter J. Pfc. You can e-mail us the information here. Co. E 262nd Regiment North East, Myers, Harold L. Pvt. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. As a result, about 763 US soldiers and 56 of the ship's crew died. Det. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Hoover, Raymond B. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Maurice [M], Boyer, Gerald L. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Madisonville [M], Welch, Virgel R. Pfc. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment Alhambra, Martinez, Candelario Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment St. Louis, Korte, Clarence I. T/5.Hdq. Hdq. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brownville, Ash, Robert L. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], Hirschel, Howard T. 2d. 262nd Regiment Neosho [M], Tinker, Ira V. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Mattapan [M], Lemos, Anthony Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Stover [M], Martinsen, Raymond B. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Finger [M], McCorkle, Wallace Pvt. The soldiers' regimental command structure was fragmented by loading troops as they arrived rather than according to their units. Co. D 264th Regiment Coldwater [M], Dillinger, Garvis Pfc. 264th Regiment Bedford [R], McIntyre, Robert F. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knox [M], Vince, John M., Jr. T/5. Co. Co. 2nd Bat. Co. 0. Co. A 264th Regiment Widener [F], Field, Henry, Jr. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Galus, Stanley M. Pvt. Cussler asserts[10] that the wreck is wrongly located, its true position being about a mile to the south. I 264th Regiment Battle Creek, Ainsworth, Harise E. Pfc. Det. Co. People missing from this listing? Hdq. Her code letters were MLTP[2] until 193334, when they were superseded by the call sign ONLB. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamtramck [M], Schramm, Warren C. S. Sgt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pine Valley [M], Hargraves, Jeff Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Norwood, Billger, Paul L. Pvt. Bob was one of the lucky survivors. I 264th Regiment San Diego, Robles, Nabor P. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment [M], McKinney, Joseph O. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Texas City [M], Foester, James C. Pvt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Owensboro, Parker, John F. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Empire [M], Terry, James H. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Wolf, Henry H. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Crested Butte, McGee, Everett L. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Chicago, Farling, Ernest W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mebane [M], Moore, Clifton B. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wallington [M], Shand, James E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ballouville [M], Bruschayt, Herbert W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Lowry, Jack N. Pfc. 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. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Spartanburg [M], Phasey, Victor E. Lt. Col. Hdq. 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. Co. H 262nd Regiment Frankfort [M], Simonetti, John Pvt. Det. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Platemouth, Shaw, William A., Jr. Pvt. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Alton [M], Willcoxen, Donald E. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [F], Grad, Robert A. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Hazel, Evans, Luther O. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Lewis, Emry L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamden [M], Caracoglia, Concetto T/4. Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment Mcdonald [R], Burkhart, Ralph E. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment West Caldwell [M], House, Russell S. S. Sgt. . Completed in August 1929 as Belgian steam passenger ship Leopoldville. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Griffith, George O. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Huntington Park [M], Young, Fred F., Jr. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Dantinne, Harold H. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Bradenback, Norman U. Co. I 262nd Regiment Stockton [M], Goodwin, James D. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Maple Rapids [M], Ambrose, Raymond C. Pvt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Clifton, Goesch, Joseph M. Pfc. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Ellett, Joseph S. Pfc. Area casualties included Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Chicago, Rose, Don T. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Webb [M], Thompson, Robert L. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment Manhattan, NYC [M], Carlson, Carl Pfc. Each turbine ran on exhaust steam from the piston engine on the same shaft. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bouning [M], Quinlan, William P. Pfc. Co. D 264th Regiment Marshfield, Peterson, Lennart W. Pfc. Jack Dixon was a 21-year-old seaman on board HMS Brilliant. Med. In May 1940 converted by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) to a troop transport. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. interviews with 15 survivors and extensive footage from dives on the wreck to tell the tale of the second-worst sea disaster for American . 262nd Regiment Hartford [M], Carlson, Francis M. Cpl. 1 of 9. I 264th Regiment Galveston [M], Jeter, G. C., Jr. Pfc. Leslie G. Abbott Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Foge, Francis J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Loving [M], Kolb, Marvin Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Sidon [M], Graham, Melton E. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lockwood [M], Privett, Lawrence E. 1st Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Roanoke Rapids [M], Russ, Paisley E. S. Sgt. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment Buffalo [F], Freund, Henry Pvt. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Sapovchak, Nick Pfc. 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. Med. SS Lopoldville (1948), 10, 530 GRT, built by J Cockerill SA, Hoboken, Antwerp. Co. F 262nd Regiment Viper [M], Ferguson, Richard J. Pvt. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bridgeport [M], Svenningsen, Elmer Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC, Yaccketta, Dominick T. Pfc. Co. The incident is considered to be the largest military. Co. H 262nd Regiment Williamsville [M], Walz, Carl J., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Florissant [M], Leftwich, William E. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Carruthers [M], Reeder, Thomas R. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Lauderdale, Crenshaw, Thomas L. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment New Providence, Miller, Emory R., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Pomona, Macrorie, Edward J., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Hill, George E. T/5. I 264th Regiment Quincy [F], Pellegrini, Victor Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [F], Estlund, Robert O. Pvt. Med. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dallas [M], Reichle, Ernest C. Pfc. Co. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pueblo [M], Berube, Joseph E. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Poulton, Glenn E. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Solvay [F], Paterson, Douglas W. Sgt. Med. Med. Med. Co. E 264th Regiment Stevens Point, Gaudynski, Raymond W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Cleveland [M], Cleelan, Robert W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Read, Basel O. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Brighton, Quinonez, Joe J. Pfc. Hdq. The turbines increased Lopoldville's total power to 1,197 NHP. I 262nd Regiment Curtis, Elston, Leroy J. Pvt. Med. 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. E 262nd Regiment Denver [M], Donaldson, William D. Pfc. They boarded the ship at 9 a.m. Dec. 24, 1944, survivors later told reporters. Co. E 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Contreras, Gregorio V. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Clear Lake [R], McManis, Orion G. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Jacksonville [R], Wright, Kenneth K. 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. Co. E 262nd Regiment [M], Campbell, Tez V. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles M], Jump, Clifford V. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Dana [M], Cornwell, Clinton J. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wabash [M], Houchen, Donald R. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Durgy, William D. S. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Rouch, Wilbur L. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment [M], Acri, Peter L. Pfc. The destroyer could take only five hundred men and headed for the shore leaving some twelve hundred soldiers aboard.[7]. Some men had started to jump down from a height of approximately 40 feet. Co. H 262nd Regiment Yonkers [M], Alania, James V. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Murray, Samuel L. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Lansford, Pukas, Herbert A. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Mansfield, Forman, Gerald Pvt. The Sunken Mysteries of Britain's Wartime Shipping Lanes: This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 12:43. There is a memorial in Weymouth, Dorset engraved with: 24 December 1944 English Channel 802 died when troopship SS 'Leopoldville' was sunk by a torpedo off Cherbourg, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}494557N 013620W / 49.76583N 1.60556W / 49.76583; -1.60556, List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, "Veterans Memorial of Titusville,Florida; Leopoldville Memorial Monument", "S.S. Leopoldville Disaster: December 24, 1944 part III", Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SS_Lopoldville_(1928)&oldid=1133369928. Co. B 264th Regiment Louisville [F], Gulley, Eula T. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Williamson, Melvin E. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Howland, Edward T. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Columbus [F], Smith, Henry A. Cpl. Co. B 264th Regiment Globe, Willis, Waldo M. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Aneta [M], Lawrence, Benton L. Pvt. He and other crew members battled against the conditions to try and rescue as many of the soldiers as possible. Co. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Camden [M], Ofsonka, Charles P., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Morea, Downing, Frank P., Jr. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Harrisburg [M], Molinsky, Charles Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], Massey, Robert B. S. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Iron River, Kritselis, Christ A. Pvt. [1] Captain Charles Limbor, who assumed command in 1942,[6] spoke no English. Co. H 262nd Regiment Miamisburg [M], Bell, William E. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Spokane, Rodal, Paul M. T. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Amarillo [F], Watson, Tommie J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Foraker [M], Craig, Coy C. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Magnolia [M], Ferbus, Baptiste E. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Fannin [M], Garland, James B. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Dover, Juskus, Carl F. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Fort Worth, Andrews, Lloyd L. Pfc. 2374 (819 dead and 1555 survivors). Co. K 264th Regiment Demossville [M], Travis, Hoyt L. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Alvarado, Donald R. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hammond [M], White, Vernon W. Pfc. Co. The ship's Belgian crew, including 93 Africans from the Belgian Congo, received orders in Flemish. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Maryan, William N. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brockton [M], Maiuri, Peter Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pharron [M], McKenzie, Daniel W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitehall [M], McVety, Robert L. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Nassau, [M], Zaloga, Edward J. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Herndon [F], Ross, William C. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Valley View [M], Borovich, Dan Pvt. George Robert Atkerson before his time on the Leopoldville. I 264th Regiment Guilford, Lavigne, Alfred G. Pvt. 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. I 262nd Regiment Cedar Grove [M], Miller, Robert R. Pfc. 1 talking about this. I 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Di Mola, Nicholas J. Pvt. Leopoldville.org is an online memorial seeking to raise the awareness of the tragedy and reach the families of the disaster victims. On Christmas Eve, 1944, a German U-boat torpedoed the troopship SS Leopoldville, sending 800 U.S. soldiers to their death. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Johnson, Floyd J. T. Sgt. . Co. F 262nd Regiment Lowell [M], Abbott, Leslie G. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Winthrop [M], Hodgdon, Charles H. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Elmira [M], Ewald, Alf G. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Niagara Falls [M], Morse, Carlton S. Pvt. Earl E. Jacobs, also a York, Pennsylvania resident. I 262nd Regiment Center [M], Appleby, Preston B. 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. Co. H 262nd Regiment Mckees Rocks [M], Hoffenberg, Jennings L. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Oak Park [M], Dronenberg, Donald P. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Gutt, Donald C. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Niles, Meyers, Donald G. S. Sgt. Carmel, Swanson, Robert J. Pvt. Co. 262nd Regiment Baltimore, Alexandrovich, Joseph Pvt. [6], Lopoldville was within five miles from the coast of Cherbourg at 17:54 when one of two torpedoes launched by U-486 struck the starboard side aft and exploded in the number 4 hold, killing about three hundred men as compartments E-4, F-4 and G-4 flooded. Co. C 264th Regiment Meadow Creek, Spaulding, Sherman A. Pfc. If an internal link for a specific ship led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended ship article, if one exists. Co. H 262nd Regiment McClellandtown [M], Chalkan, Michael, Jr. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Smith, C. D. S. Sgt. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Scranton [M], Sloan, Wilbur J., Jr. Sgt. [7] Belated efforts by ships including USSPC-1225 rescued some survivors.[8]. I 264th Regiment Bangor [M], Stelmok, Frank Pvt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Jersey City [F], Schlerf, Fred J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Mcdonald [R], Borovich, Sam Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Marion, Howard, Edward F. 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. The Lopoldville was one of two troopships in a formation with four warships: two British destroyers, and one British and one French frigate. Co. F 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Smrecak, James J. 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. F 262nd Regiment Silver Creek [R], Damsky, Daniel S. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], De Klyen, John C. Sgt. Co. Vernon, Lewis, Raymond R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ava [F], Rago, Robert J. 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. Co. E 262nd Regiment Cuyahoga Falls [M], Bader, Donald W. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Mathews, Richard N. Pfc. Det. [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. A German U-boat sunk his troop's ship, the USS Leopoldville, killing more than. Co. L 262nd Regiment Meridian [M], Martin, Ray E. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Boleyn, Floyd P. Pfc. Hdq. Co. H 262nd Regiment Highwood [M], Colwell, Franklin W. S. Sgt. Hdq. I 264th Regiment Delta, Green, Cecil C. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Niagara Falls, Turner, Kenneth J. Pfc.