Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Westbrook, Marion J. Pvt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Highland Park, Morehouse, F.R. Co. C 264th Regiment Piqua [M], Davis, William J. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Stuarts Draft [M], Bush, Charles L. Pfc. Hdq. Few US soldiers understood the abandon ship instructions given in Flemish. From his web site: "H.M.S. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ashford [M], Hartley, Jack R. Pfc. 2d. Co. F 262nd Regiment Belmont [M], Pancheri, Joseph A. S. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], ODonnell, John H. T/5. Co. B 264th Regiment Goldsboro [M], Clark, William C. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Sidon [M], Graham, Melton E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Haverhill [M], De Piero, Louis A. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pharron [M], McKenzie, Daniel W. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Maple Rapids [M], Ambrose, Raymond C. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Long Branch, Hine, Harry C. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Doyle [M], Zamarripa, Pete M., Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment [M], Pettersen, Einar T. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [F], Estlund, Robert O. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment San Benito [M], Garza, Alejandro L. Pfc. Bob was one of the lucky survivors. Med. Co. L 262nd Regiment Mebane [M], Moore, Clifton B. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Waterloo [M], Klein, John J. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. Co. Med. 2000. Co. F 262nd Regiment West Branch [M], Paulsen, Roy E. Pvt. Hdq. Co. C 264th Regiment [F], Lewandowski, George J. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lincoln [F], Kibart, Francis E. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment, Gorham, Donald R. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Stockton [M], Goodwin, James D. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Lapinski, Stanley J. Pvt. Over 700 to 800 American soldiers were lost. Co. A 264th Regiment Brooklyn, Brande, Robert Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Apollo [M], Debuski, Michael Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Underwood [M], Wiedner, Joseph J. T. Sgt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Niagara Falls [M], Morse, Carlton S. Pvt. 264th Regiment Beech, Conn, Curtiss Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment York [F], Heumann, Edward H. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Seattle [F], Rumburg, Ira C. Lt. Col. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment San Diego, Andrews, William H. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Cairo [M], Freeman, Ethell W. Pfc. VFW Post in New Hampshire celebrates SS Leopoldville survivor's 100th birthday. Co. E 264th Regiment Stevens Point, Gaudynski, Raymond W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cloverport [M], Schlueter, Harold W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Yankton [M], Pauls, Elwood G. T/5. Co. H 262nd Regiment Swayerville M], Constantine, Tony T/4. I 262nd Regiment Auburn, Stone, Edward F. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dorchester [M], Dockler, Paul A. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Ferndale [M], Shaver, Glen B. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Aneta [M], Lawrence, Benton L. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Camden [M], Christopher, Malcom B. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Knoxville [M], Mixon, Robert L. Pfc. I 264th Regiment San Diego, Robles, Nabor P. Pvt. Hdq. Det. I 262nd Regiment Hagerstown, Powell, James W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone, Wade, Joseph T. Sgt. This is a listing of people associated with this ship.We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Shattuck, Ritthaler, Frank, Jr. Pfc. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lucedale [M], Jenkins, Robert E. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Richmond [F], Parks, Wilbur C. T/5. Co. L 262nd Regiment Freeport [M], Ragle, Billie K. T. Sgt. . 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. E 262nd Regiment Denver [M], Donaldson, William D. Pfc. 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. K 262nd Regiment Pocatello, Christensen, Calvin G. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Valparaiso [M], Wright, Russell M. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Selma [M], Kerr, Ian H. 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. Of these men, mostly between the ages of 18 and 21, 763 were killed. Co. B 264th Regiment Lewistown [R], Dreisbach, Richard T. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Yoakum [M], Noto, Sam W., Jr. Pfc. In Memorium - Leopoldville Troopship Disaster Co. F 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Hill, George E. T/5. Co. K 264th Regiment Regent [M], Gentz, Herbert I. Pfc. [3], She had 8,458 cubic feet (239.5m3) of refrigerated cargo space. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Vallee, Ernest D. T/4. I 264th Regiment Tulsa [M], Fisher, James O. Co. F 262nd Regiment Scranton [M], Sloan, Wilbur J., Jr. Sgt. Courtesy of Nancy Russell. Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts Archived . Co. L 262nd Regiment Buffalo, Gurtner, Herman T/4. 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. I 262nd Regiment Bolton [M], Smith, William F. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Gutt, Donald C. Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Nevada [M], Fratzke, Melvin L. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Masssey, Joseph D. S. Sgt. Co. G 262nd Regiment Morrison, Gillis, James C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Erie [M], McDermott, Thomas J. T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Casey [F], Kingrey, James P. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Huntington Park [M], Young, Fred F., Jr. Sgt. Det. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitestone, NYC [M], Vojir, Frank W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bonner Springs [M], Bowling, Everett R. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ridgely [M], Jackson, Earl S. Pfc. 70th Anniversary of the SS Leopoldville Troopship Disaster I 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Hanson, Fred W. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ewing, Fox, Earl B. Pfc. Hdq. Photos of Victims Q-T - Leopoldville Troopship Disaster Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Terre Haute, McMillen, Furl C. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Stover [M], Martinsen, Raymond B. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Cincinnati, Hunston, Russell E. Pfc. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Madisonville [M], Welch, Virgel R. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Globe, Willis, Waldo M. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Philadelphia, Biggart, Will O. Pfc. Co. D 264th Regiment N. Baltimore, Herrman, Robert E. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment York [R], Drivick, Joseph J. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hammond [M], White, Vernon W. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Baltimore, Alexandrovich, Joseph Pvt. Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Manville [F], Gleeson, Douglas C. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Galus, Stanley M. Pvt. A Christmas Eve Disaster: The Sinking of the SS Lopoldville Co. F 262nd Regiment Ava [F], Rago, Robert J. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Benson, Edward E. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Cellura, Angelo T. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Isola [M], Byrd, Robert S. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Johnson, Floyd J. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], Hirschel, Howard T. 2d. I 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Murray, Samuel L. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Malden, Maloney, John F. Pvt. by Matthew Anderson Rate the Map Read Comments (7) Year Built 1929 Year Sank 1944 Depth 210 ft (64 m) Difficulty Level Technical Co. L 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Howland, Edward T. Pfc. 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 Sophia [M], Estep, Hobert O. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Macon [M], Buhler, Glen L. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Waverly [M], Rilling, Marvin L. S. Sgt. 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. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. K 262nd Regiment Norwood, Billger, Paul L. Pvt. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Davis, Raymond Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Smrecak, James J. Pfc. Private John Pordon, 19, from San Francisco, boarded the Leopoldville around 2:30 in the morning. Co. K 262nd Regiment Herndon [F], Ross, William C. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Peoria, Godelas, Peter T. Pfc. Launched in 1948 and in service until 1967. Co. E 264th Regiment Nutley [M], Claybrook, Richard A. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [R], Schramm, Jack A. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Smith, Robert J. Pvt. Co. Hdq. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. B 264th Regiment Johnstown [F], Bennett, Lynwood F. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Northvale [M], De Prima, Frank T/5. 262nd Regiment Bryant [M], Smith, Donald W. Pvt. [6] A 24-man DEMS detachment manned defensive guns. [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 264th Regiment, Article: Owensboro connected to World War II disaster. Co. K 264th Regiment Demossville [M], Travis, Hoyt L. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Roxbury, Bouffard, Joseph C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. Co. D 264th Regiment Independence, Hartwick, Claude H., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bridgeport [M], Svenningsen, Elmer Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Council Bluffs [M], Welbourn, Eldred O. Sgt. 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.". His body was never found. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Tiplersville [M], Gurley, Ben D. T/4. Co. H 262nd Regiment St. Louis [M], Tener, Ralph M. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aberdeen [M], Ailey, Burl W. Pfc. Co. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Gable, Wayne W. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment, Vanderpool, Fred A. Pvt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Minden, Cole, Edgle W. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Leavenworth, Samms, Lawrence L. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Doddridge [M], Glanton, Homer T. T. Sgt. Co. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Des Moines [M], Hoyt, Robert S. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Valley View [M], Borovich, Dan Pvt. Richard Trout Dreisbach was born on February 24, 1926, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Co. F 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], English, Thomas J., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pass Christian [M], Baker, Elmer A. Sgt. Co. Co. D 264th Regiment Fowlers Knob, Killeen, John W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wichita [M], Masterson, Lawrence J. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Muses Mills [M], Hatton, Orville Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Co. Hdq. Co. George Robert Atkerson before his time on the Leopoldville. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lempster [M], Mathieu, Arthur T. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Gary [M], Bouse, Oren A. Sgt. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. Hdq. I 262nd Regiment Frye [M], Auclair, Joseph A. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Greensburg [F], Lagana, Joseph G. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Fruita, Manley, Albert L., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milan [M], Williams, Donald E. Pfc. Det. Det. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Sciarra, Robert J. Pfc. He and other crew members battled against the conditions to try and rescue as many of the soldiers as possible. [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. Co. I 262nd Regiment Dumas [M], Dover, James W. Pfc. 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 264th Regiment Sikeston, McDaniel, Everette N. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Curtis, Elston, Leroy J. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Boleyn, Floyd P. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Roanoke Rapids [M], Russ, Paisley E. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Vega [M], Hattem, Monroe Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ooltewah [M], Cannon, Fay Pvt. He went below on a makeshift wooden staircase to where hammocks were hung four high. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plainfield [M], Coakley, Francis X. 264th Regiment Mt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Pickens [M], Richardson, Francis J. Pfc. 2374 (819 dead and 1555 survivors). Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Newton [M], Peterson, Burton T/4. Co. K 262nd Regiment Cardwell [F], Marriott, Sherman E. Pvt. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. H 262nd Regiment Kerrville [M], Roberts, Wardell J. Sgt. Hdq. The sinking occurred Christmas Eve 1944. Co. L 262nd Regiment Hudson [M], Bannick, Ronald C. Pfc. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC [M], Barton, Marvin J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Larksville, Martynowski, Edward H. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Farmington [M], Sexton, Herman B. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Fresno [M], Nelson, Carl A. Pfc. Another 248 died from injuries, drowning, or hypothermia. Soldiers on Lopoldville jumped down onto the smaller Brilliant. Co. K 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Schokowitz, Morris Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moyers [M], Paden, George W. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Verona Station [M], Borenstein, Jack Pvt. We have place for a photo as well if provided. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment [M], Vonder, Mehden Robert Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Crestview [R], Barwick, Eugene H. Pvt. Det. Co. E 262nd Regiment Winona [M], Winstead, Rufus B. Pvt. 1937 lengthened. Co. Co. A 264th Regiment Roanoke [M], Bransmo, Robert S. S. Sgt. This In Memorium list is provided by Allan Andrade from his book Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. Co. K 264th Regiment Pontiac [F], Monk, John J., Jr. T/5. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Ramona, Coble, Wayne H. 1st Sgt. Co. D 264th Regiment Springfield, Cottrell, John F. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Amarillo, Wiley, William H. T/5. Co. B 264th Regiment Trinidad, Reeder, Harold P. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lowville [M], Aschmann, Frank G. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. 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. Co. K 262nd Regiment Atlanta [F], Simmons, Chester B., Jr Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Oakland [M], Crain, Hal F. Capt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Contreras, Gregorio V. Pfc. Hdq. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Gianfrancesco,Robert M. S. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment Bloomington, Deamantopulos, Andrew Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Delta [M], De Silva, Philip E. 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 264th Regiment Luverne [M], Kragtorp, Ernest O. Pfc. Med. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Decell, Harold J. Pfc. Glenn Elvin Lowry and 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. Co. K 262nd Regiment Hudson [F], Bissett, Willett R. Pfc. Med. Cover up : the sinking of the SS Leopoldville | WorldCat.org Co. B 264th Regiment Hagerstown [M], Wambach, Harold R. Pvt. Med. Co. K 264th Regiment Lansford, Pukas, Herbert A. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment St. Louis [M], Canon, Carl L. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Independence [M], Marcinko, Andrew J. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], MacGowan, John Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Dominguez, Joe Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [F], Grad, Robert A. Pvt. In 1998 the History Channel broadcast the documentary film Cover Up: The Sinking of the SS Lopoldville which included interviews with numerous survivors of the sinking of the ship from the 66th Infantry Division and sailors from the US Navy who attempted to save them by pulling them out of the water. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pittsfield [F], Patterson, Thomas H. S. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Marion, Howard, Edward F. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Monroe [M], Robeson, Claude C. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cypress Inn [M], Gregory, Charles H. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Albany [F], Reccardi, Victor J. S. Sgt. Leopoldville - 66th Division In remembrance of the Leopoldville | Chester County Press I 264th Regiment Rochester [F], Clark, Reginald J., Jr. Cpl. Co. K 264th Regiment Houston [M], Robison, Harry C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Marlboro [M], Chace, Roderick E. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Shub, Abraham Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Covington [M], Farler, Otis Pfc. Co. I 264th Regiment Pittsburgh, Fisher, Howard I. Pvt.