Co. F 262nd Regiment Myersdale [M], Cavalcante, Edward M. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Cellura, Angelo T. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Sophia [M], Estep, Hobert O. Pfc. Co. I 264th Regiment Galveston [M], Jeter, G. C., Jr. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment San Francisco [M], Olivas, Magdaleno Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment West Branch [M], Paulsen, Roy E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Viper [M], Ferguson, Richard J. Pvt. Each turbine ran on exhaust steam from the piston engine on the same shaft. Co. G 262nd Regiment Morrison, Gillis, James C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Hoover, Raymond B. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milan [M], Williams, Donald E. Pfc. After her cargo hold was fitted with rudimentary benches, the ship completed 24 cross-Channel crossings, transporting more than 120,000 troops. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Griffith, George O. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Roanoke Rapids [M], Russ, Paisley E. S. Sgt. Co. I 264th Regiment Guilford, Lavigne, Alfred G. Pvt. Co. K. 264th Regiment Springfield Gardens, NYC [F], Falci, James L. Pvt. Co. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. Co. F 262nd Regiment Underwood [M], Wiedner, Joseph J. T. Sgt. [6] A 24-man DEMS detachment manned defensive guns. Co. H 262nd Regiment Wichita [M], Carrell, Gilbert D. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [F], Aborn, Harold L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Charlotte [M], Palmer, William H. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Elmira [M], Ewald, Alf G. T/5. I 264th Regiment Rochester [F], Clark, Reginald J., Jr. Cpl. Co. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Los Angeles, Miller, Carl H. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment New Orleans [M], Arnold, Albert J. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Apollo [M], Debuski, Michael Pfc. [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. Co. K 262nd Regiment Worcester, Sullivan, Charles F. Sgt. Over 700 to 800 American soldiers were lost. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) (Later Compagnie Maritime Belge (Lloyd Royal) SA). Co. E 264th Regiment Pomona, Macrorie, Edward J., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Jamestown [M], Caruso, Thomas A. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Sumter [M], Loftis, James L. Sgt. As a result of my ongoing research into the disaster the list has been updated and corrected. Det. I 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. The turbines increased Lopoldville's total power to 1,197 NHP. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lempster [M], Mathieu, Arthur T. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Aneta [M], Lawrence, Benton L. Pvt. The Lopoldville was one of two troopships in a formation with four warships: two British destroyers, and one British and one French frigate. [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. E 262nd Regiment Alton [M], Willcoxen, Donald E. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Doddridge [M], Glanton, Homer T. T. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Moline, Taylor, Robert H. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Danbury, ONeil, Grant P. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ford Cliff [M], Kozielski, Joseph V. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Co. Co. Hdq. Co. F 262nd Regiment Donora [M], Vierling, David E. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment [M], Alexander, J. D. Pfc. The sinking of the SS Leopoldville in 1944 killed 763 U.S. Army soldiers on their way to the Battle of the Bulge. Co. E 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Contreras, Gregorio V. Pfc. Med. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Emmett, Lutz, Harry 1st Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Hebronville [M], Miscone, Joseph P. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bonner Springs [M], Bowling, Everett R. Pvt. Co. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Royal Oak [M], Fauer, John A. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Bangor [M], Stelmok, Frank Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Lansford, Pukas, Herbert A. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment McClellandtown [M], Chalkan, Michael, Jr. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lowville [M], Aschmann, Frank G. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Bay Springs [M], Moncrief, Clifton Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion262nd Regiment Tully, Young, George F. S. Sgt. We have place for a photo as well if provided. Co. F 262nd Regiment Malden [M], Hope, James H. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Evansville [M], Weeks, Ulysses B. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Delta, Green, Cecil C. Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment St. Louis, Korte, Clarence I. T/5.Hdq. Vernon, Lewis, Raymond R. Pfc. Hdq. I 264th Regiment Tulsa [M], Fisher, James O. Co. K 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Schokowitz, Morris Pvt. Det. Co. K 264th Regiment Baton Rouge, Scheuermann, Joseph F., Jr. Pfc. Det. 1937 lengthened. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment American Falls [M], Baglio, Michael S., Jr. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pittsburgh [M], Secich, Joseph G. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Stevens Point, Gaudynski, Raymond W. Pfc. Hdq. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clinton [M], Smrkovski, Clarence C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wheeling [M], Pyles, George E. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Tishomingo [M], Howell, Alton Pfc. 0. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lewisburg [M], Gilley, Thomas W. S. Sgt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Dumas [M], Dover, James W. Pfc. Leopoldville.org is an online memorial seeking to raise the awareness of the tragedy and reach the families of the disaster victims. In the course of that bitter cold night, the Leopoldville slowly disappeared into the 48-degree Channel waters, 763 American soldiers died, and the bodies of 493 American soldiers were never recovered. Co. E 262nd Regiment North Branch [M], Winters, Cornelius D., Jr. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], ODonnell, John H. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lake Forest [M], Papineau, George J. Cpl. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dubuque [M], Williams, Lavere R. Pvt. PFC. Co. A 264th Regiment Manhattan, NYC [M], Carlson, Carl Pfc. Hdq. Co. C 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], McVey, Walter F., Jr. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Amarillo [F], Watson, Tommie J. Pfc. He was one of seven children and the oldest of four boys. Co. L 262nd Regiment Waltham [M], Thibodeau, Joseph E. Pfc. Pfc. Co. Med. 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. C 264th Regiment Cincinnati, Hunston, Russell E. 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. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Tiplersville [M], Gurley, Ben D. T/4. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bessemer [M], Stewart, Roger H. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Lees Summit [M], Israel, Philip S. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Somerville [M], Luckman, Thomas 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. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Means [M], Erwin, Ordest H. Pvt. This In Memorium list is provided byAllan Andrade from his bookLeopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. Co. K 262nd Regiment Baltimore [M], Hawkins, Robert E. Pvt. The scrambling nets were hanging down the Lopoldville's port side and the US soldiers were coming down on to our upper deck. [1] Captain Charles Limbor, who assumed command in 1942,[6] spoke no English. Det. He and other crew members battled against the conditions to try and rescue as many of the soldiers as possible. Co. K 264th Regiment Luverne [M], Kragtorp, Ernest O. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Houston [M], Robison, Harry C. Pfc. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Allentown [M], Herman, Nevin H., Jr. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Aurora, Gordon, William I. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Bowman, Brown, Dessie W. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Platemouth, Shaw, William A., Jr. Pvt. Med. Co. H 262nd Regiment Williamsville [M], Walz, Carl J., Jr. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Long Lane [M], Moyer, Herbert C. T/4. I 262nd Regiment Chicago, Scholl, Hartselle B. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Lyndonville, Bradley, Claude P., Jr. Sgt. Hdq. S.S. Leopoldville Disaster of 12-24-1944. Co. K 262nd Regiment Providence, De Resta, Antonio, Jr. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Center [M], Appleby, Preston B. Co. F 262nd Regiment Newton [M], Peterson, Burton T/4. Med. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rochester [M], Whittier, Carl F. Pfc. Med. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moyers [M], Paden, George W. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment [R] Julian, Wright, John D. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment San Antonio, Green, Herman N. Pvt. Co. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lincoln [F], Kibart, Francis E. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Ellett, Joseph S. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Harrisburg [M], Molinsky, Charles Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment St. Louis [M], Koenig, Richard H. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Covington [M], Farler, Otis Pfc. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment Whitehall, Peters, Howard C. Pvt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Camden [M], Ofsonka, Charles P., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. Sequel to Survivors of the Leopoldville Disaster. Hdq. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. There were almost 800 who were killed or drowned as a result of the torpedoing. Co. C 264th Regiment Providence [F], Hodosh, Leonard J. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Atlanta [F], Simmons, Chester B., Jr Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Spartanburg [M], Phasey, Victor E. Lt. Col. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], Tucker, Warren C. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment McAllen [M], Caviness, Billy T. Pvt. 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. Co. H 262nd Regiment Burbank [M], Lester, Steven T. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Stamford [M], Viets, Paul R. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Adamsville [M], Brown, Daniel H., Jr. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Elizabeth [M], Van Belle, Daniel J. Pfc. 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. L 262nd Regiment Hannastown [M], Welsh, Robert D. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Wheelersburg [M], Weaver, Irvin J., Jr. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Winona [M], Winstead, Rufus B. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brighton [F], Murchison, Rob R. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Howland, Edward T. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Del Rio, Edler, Tony W., Jr. T. Sgt. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. 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. Co. F 262nd Regiment Westbrook [M], Baker, Donald A. Co. C 264th Regiment Woodside, NYC, Tilzer, David Pfc. This is a listing of people associated with this ship.We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Lowry, Jack N. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Stull, Ray S. T/4. Co. A 264th Regiment, Heffernan, Joseph A. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc. Served on indicates the ships we have listed for the person, some were stationed on multiple ships hit by U-boats. I 262nd Regiment Owensboro, Parker, John F. S. Sgt. 2374 (819 dead and 1555 survivors). Co. F 262nd Regiment Odum [M], James, William C. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Hagerstown [M], Wambach, Harold R. Pvt. Co. Co. D 264th Regiment Boonton [F], Schiller, Arthur Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Walters, Gerald E. Sgt. As a result, about 763 US soldiers and 56 of the ship's crew died. Co. Co. 1st Lt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hillsboro, Brisendine, Bruce F. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Lewistown [R], Dreisbach, Richard T. Pvt. Co. 1st Lt. Co. B 264th Regiment Houston [R], Ayala, Modesto Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Alhambra, Aprea, Fred Pfc. Med. Med. Det. Co. H 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Dantinne, Harold H. Pfc. Med. Co. H 262nd Regiment Loving [M], Kolb, Marvin Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Fogelsonger, Harry F. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Oakland [M], Crain, Hal F. Capt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rye [M], Blaskowski, Benjamin J. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rockville Center [M], Kraemer, Bernard J. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Rudolph [M], Moser, Richard E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Sciarra, Robert J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Pollitt, Joe A. T. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Nutley [M], Claybrook, Richard A. Sgt. The. Co. K 262nd Regiment San Antonio [M], Gillem, Dee R. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Muses Mills [M], Hatton, Orville Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Clear Lake [R], McManis, Orion G. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Niagara Falls [M], Morse, Carlton S. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Yakima [M], Lewis, William K. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Birkholz, Everett E. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [F], Grad, Robert A. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moxee [M], Adkins, Amon Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Ansonia [F], Doherty, James J., Jr. S.Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Lewis, Emry L. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tampa [M], Hinton, Frederick D. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Roxbury [M], Daniels, Robert L. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment York [F], Heumann, Edward H. Pfc. Hdq. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Des Moines [M], Hoyt, Robert S. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Sidon [M], Graham, Melton E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Florence, Roberts, Marzell Pvt. Med. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wabash [M], Houchen, Donald R. Pvt. Med. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Red Boiling Springs[M], Henderson, Edward L. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bloomington Springs [M], Jarnagin, Charles E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Seligman [F], Vasquez, John G. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Hornsbyville [F], Goins, Charles E. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Solvay [F], Paterson, Douglas W. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Westbrook, Marion J. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Bolton [M], Smith, William F. Pfc. Peter Acri was from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Albuquerque [M], Abatemarco, Michael F. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Parana [M], Dobkowski, John K. S.Sgt. Co. 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. 2nd Bat. Co. A 264th Regiment Mahanoy City [F], Chambers, Robert L. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Philadelphia, Biggart, Will O. Pfc. Med. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pine Valley [M], Hargraves, Jeff Sgt. Survivors of the Leopoldville by Ray Roberts Archived . SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. C 264th Regiment Port Huron [M], Miller, George W. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Murray, Samuel L. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Los Angeles [M], Berg, Fred W. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Rouch, Wilbur L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Mattapan [M], Lemos, Anthony Pfc. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Elsmere, Katz, Nathan Pfc. by Matthew Anderson Rate the Map Read Comments (7) Year Built 1929 Year Sank 1944 Depth 210 ft (64 m) Difficulty Level Technical Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Johnson, Floyd J. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Scranton [M], Sloan, Wilbur J., Jr. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brownville, Ash, Robert L. S. Sgt. 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. Co. L 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Galus, Stanley M. Pvt. Co. interviews with 15 survivors and extensive footage from dives on the wreck to tell the tale of the second-worst sea disaster for American . [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. 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. More Tales of the Leopoldville Disaster. I 264th Regiment Herkimer [M], Holleran, James R. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment, Vanderpool, Fred A. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago, Mikalaitis, Joseph E. Pvt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Leavenworth, Samms, Lawrence L. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Bryan [M], Obryan, Glenn A. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], Massey, Robert B. S. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chestnut Ridge [M], Cronk, Rolland D. Pfc. Co. 389 likes. I 262nd Regiment St. Elino, Howard, James L. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Shelbyville, Clark, John W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Berwyn, Steib, Joseph E. Pvt. 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. Co. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Fort Worth, Andrews, Lloyd L. Pfc. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment Widener [F], Field, Henry, Jr. Pvt. The soldiers of the 66th Infantry Division were ordered not to tell anyone about the sinking of the ship and their letters home were censored by the Army during the rest of World War II. Co. F 262nd Regiment Huntington Park [M], Young, Fred F., Jr. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Casey [F], Kingrey, James P. T/5. I 264th Regiment Pittsburgh, Fisher, Howard I. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dorchester [M], Dockler, Paul A. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Vallee, Ernest D. T/4. Co. E 262nd Regiment Stover [M], Martinsen, Raymond B. S. Sgt. A 'Leopoldville' survivor recalls sinking on Christmas Eve 1944 Kermit Kirk, left, and his best friend, Clarence Napier, both from Lee County, Va., were aboard the Leopoldville. I 262nd Regiment Cleveland [M], Cleelan, Robert W. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment [F], Williamson, Clyde J. Pfc.