Co. K 262nd Regiment Crestview [R], Barwick, Eugene H. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Hanson, Fred W. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Pittsburgh, Fisher, Howard I. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Kappel [M], Zeigler, Charles E. Sgt. Carmel, Swanson, Robert J. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Hazel, Evans, Luther O. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment, Tedford, Joe E. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment El Paso [M], Pickett, Joe D. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Winthrop [M], Hodgdon, Charles H. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Lapinski, Stanley J. Pvt. Med Det. SS Lopoldville (1948), 10, 530 GRT, built by J Cockerill SA, Hoboken, Antwerp. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. Hdq. Co. H 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Jurlina, Gregory G. S. Sgt. Smith (Center) with 2 unidentified buddies Anyone seeking additional information about the Leopoldville disaster or who wishes to contribute a photo of a relative to this In Memoriam page should contact Leopoldville disaster author/historian Allan Andrade via e-mail at agandrade37@msn.com. In 2005, a memorial was erected in Veterans Memorial Park in Titusville, Florida. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Maryan, William N. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Malden [M], Hope, James H. Pfc. Hdq. 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. H 262nd Regiment Loving [M], Kolb, Marvin Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Newton Falls [M], Matwijiw, Robert L. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Cardwell [F], Marriott, Sherman E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Di Mola, Nicholas J. Pvt. 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.". I 264th Regiment Delta, Green, Cecil C. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Mansfield, Forman, Gerald Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Cornell, Hover, James E. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pass Christian [M], Baker, Elmer A. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Portland, Bosch, Gerald Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Bradenback, Norman U. Co. H 262nd Regiment Louisville [M], Dancy, John B. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [F], Estlund, Robert O. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Molinos, Menalo, Charles F. Pfc. 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. Co. D 264th Regiment Independence, Hartwick, Claude H., Jr. 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. Co. E 264th Regiment New Martinsville, Smith, Bulah Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Kansas City, Rennison, Eugene W. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dunkirk [M], Paci, Vincent Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Doddridge [M], Glanton, Homer T. T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Alvarado, Donald R. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Mahanoy City [F], Chambers, Robert L. Pfc. Co. While the escorts focused on searching for the U-boat and rescuing survivors, they failed to respond to blinking light signals from Cherbourg. As a result, about 763 US soldiers and 56 of the ship's crew died. 262nd Regiment Reno [M], Lavigne, Richard M. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment [F], Williamson, Clyde J. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Dillon [M], Doyle, Willis W. S. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment Stevens Point, Gaudynski, Raymond W. Pfc. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC, Yaccketta, Dominick T. Pfc. Co. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Scranton [M], Sloan, Wilbur J., Jr. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Brogden, Lee R. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aberdeen [M], Ailey, Burl W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. Co. E 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Calabrese, Vincent R. S. Sgt. [3], She had 8,458 cubic feet (239.5m3) of refrigerated cargo space. Co. E 262nd Regiment Yoakum [M], Noto, Sam W., Jr. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Coldwater [M], Morgan, James L. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dorchester [M], Dockler, Paul A. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Pryor, Crowl, Elmer R. Pfc. Hdq. Co. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Rouch, Wilbur L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wallington [M], Shand, James E. Pfc. 264th Regiment Bronx, NYC [F], Crowe, Eugene J. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Verona [M], Sellers, Benjamin F., Jr. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Minden, Cole, Edgle W. Pfc. This article includes a list of ships with the same or similar names. For more than 50 years, the truth of this tragedy was hidden. Co. H 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Dantinne, Harold H. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Marietta [M], Watts, Jack Pfc. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. E 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], MacGowan, John Pvt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Lowry, Jack N. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Van Buren [M], Anderson, Martin F. Pfc. Now the details . Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Potsdam [M], Solotes, Joseph J. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Harriman, Jones, Henry M. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Lees Summit [M], Israel, Philip S. Pvt. Med. Co. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wabash [M], Houchen, Donald R. Pvt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Huntingdon, Bixler, Bruce E. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Newberry [M], James, John E., Jr. 2d. I 262nd Regiment San Diego, Andrews, William H. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Farmington [M], Sexton, Herman B. Pvt. Co. S.D. Co. K 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Smith, C. D. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bexar [M], McCorkle, Roy E., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Decell, Harold J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plainfield [M], Coakley, Francis X. I 264th Regiment Poughkeepsie [M], Bassett, John E. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Rosslyn, Frank, Jony A. T/5. 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. E 262nd Regiment Stuarts Draft [M], Bush, Charles L. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Casey [F], Kingrey, James P. T/5. It took nearly an hour for Cherbourg to realise Lopoldville was sinking. The family moved to York, Pennsylvania in August 1933. Co. C 264th Regiment Niagara Falls, Turner, Kenneth J. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Johnson City [R], Sweeney, Leonard B. T/5. Co. C 264th Regiment Erie [M], Taylor, Jay W. Pfc. . She had a depth of 35feet 0inches (10.67m) and a draught of 25feet 9.75inches (7.8677m). Co. Robert McKee, 66th "Panther" Division, 262 Infantry, Company K - survivor of the sinking of the S.S. Leopoldville off the coast of France by a German U-boat. Co. L 262nd Regiment Verona Station [M], Borenstein, Jack Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Schurig, Russell E. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Kerrville [M], Roberts, Wardell J. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Flint [M], Salata, Edmund P. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Woodbine [M], Kennedy, Abe H., Jr. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Ocean Springs [M], Carter, Audie L. Pvt. Co. Det. Co. D 264th Regiment Marshfield, Peterson, Lennart W. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Williamsville [M], Walz, Carl J., Jr. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. K 262nd Regiment Norwood, Billger, Paul L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Jamestown [M], Caruso, Thomas A. Pvt. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Bronx, NYC, Kessler, George Cpl. Co. A 264th Regiment Park, Brady, Douglas F. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment [F], Lewandowski, George J. Pfc. 1st Lt. Co. B 264th Regiment Houston [R], Ayala, Modesto Pfc. Hdq. Med. Co. F 262nd Regiment Crested Butte, McGee, Everett L. Pvt. An unknown number of British soldiers died. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pekin [M], Colo, Joe Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Stamford [M], Viets, Paul R. Pfc. They boarded the ship at 9 a.m. Dec. 24, 1944, survivors later told reporters. Co. K 264th Regiment Pocahontas [M], Swanson, Charles E., Jr. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bakersfield [M], Godoy, Arthur C. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Alhambra, Martinez, Candelario 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. Co. E 264th Regiment Sharon, Jaspan, Ralph L. Pvt. We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. S.S. Leopoldville Disaster of 12-24-1944. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lee Center [M], Vogel, Frank S. Pfc. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Marion [M], Bain, Emil Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Orange [M], Taylor, Delbert L. Pvt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Marzotto, John T/4. Co. I 262nd Regiment Greensburg [F], Lagana, Joseph G. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Rock Lake [M], McGhan, Glen P. Pfc. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Charlotte [M], Palmer, William H. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Gainsboro [M], Lipford, Arnold A. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Vallee, Ernest D. T/4. I 262nd Regiment Frye [M], Auclair, Joseph A. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tell [M], Gilmore, Lester D. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Lewis, Emry L. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Jersey City [M], Howland, Edward T. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Harvey [M], Marcinkowski, Arthur A. Pfc. 264th Regiment Beech, Conn, Curtiss Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Chockley, Harold Y. S. Sgt. Aboard Leopoldville when hit on 24 Dec 1944 You can click on any of the names for possible additional information 874 persons found. Hdq. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plymouth [M], Yaeger, George A. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Neosho [M], Tinker, Ira V. S. Sgt. Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Nemacolin [F], Daugherty, Mervin R. Pfc. Co. Co. A 264th Regiment NYC, Robbins, Jerome Pvt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Macon [M], Buhler, Glen L. Pfc. Hdq. Co. K 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Shub, Abraham Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Council Bluffs [M], Welbourn, Eldred O. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Red Boiling Springs[M], Henderson, Edward L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Haverhill [M], De Piero, Louis A. S. Sgt. Forgotten by many, remembered by few. Peter Acri was from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 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. 264th Regiment Cornwall, Ontario [M], Baginski, Henry Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Viper [M], Ferguson, Richard J. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wichita [M], Masterson, Lawrence J. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. Of these men, mostly between the ages of 18 and 21, 763 were killed. Co. B 264th Regiment York [F], Heumann, Edward H. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment North East, Myers, Harold L. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Long Lane [M], Moyer, Herbert C. T/4. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Tarboro, Furr, Fred D. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Smith, Robert J. Pvt. Det. Another 248 died from injuries, drowning, or hypothermia. Hdq. After her cargo hold was fitted with rudimentary benches, the ship completed 24 cross-Channel crossings, transporting more than 120,000 troops. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Los Angeles, Miller, Carl H. T. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Means [M], Erwin, Ordest H. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Mt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Westbrook, Marion J. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Burbank [M], Lester, Steven T. Pfc. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Burlington, Schulz, William R. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Bottineau [F], Appleman, Robert B. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Bowman, Brown, Dessie W. Pvt. [1] Captain Charles Limbor, who assumed command in 1942,[6] spoke no English. Co. C 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], McVey, Walter F., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Hill, George E. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wesson [M], McBay, James D. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Colorado Springs, Struble, Frank P. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Berry, Leonard E. Sgt. William P. Quinlan Pfc. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Euclid [M], Bishop, Richard U. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Ellett, Joseph S. Pfc. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. B 264th Regiment Elsmere, Katz, Nathan Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Norwood [M], Stewart, Donald L. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Ferndale [M], Shaver, Glen B. Pfc. Co. 2374 (819 dead and 1555 survivors). Plotkin, a Bridgeport, Connecticut, native residing at Birch Heights' retirement facility in Derry, was surprised at Post . Co. The soldiers' regimental command structure was fragmented by loading troops as they arrived rather than according to their units. 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. 264th Regiment [F], Reece, Walter W. Pfc. I 264th Regiment New Boston, Skibinski, Walter J. Pfc. Lt. Co. B 264th Regiment NYC, Hoffman, Leslie E. 1st Lt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Boleyn, Floyd P. Pfc. Co. I 262nd Regiment Ambridge, Saska, Harry J. Pfc. Hdq. 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. I 262nd Regiment Mcdonald [R], Borovich, Sam Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Osbourn, Donnelly, William O. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Redford Twp, McDonnell, Ferrel F. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Dalton, Delmar L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Nevada [M], Fratzke, Melvin L. Pfc. Bob was one of the lucky survivors. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Lake Butler, Nolan, James H. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment New England, Hendrickson, Chester B. T. Sgt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Grant, Irving Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Duffield [M], Nunn, Melvin E. Sgt. [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. I 264th Regiment Houston [M], Pearl, Bill M. Pfc. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Stewart, Walter K. Pfc. Her code letters were MLTP[2] until 193334, when they were superseded by the call sign ONLB. Det. Co. E 264th Regiment Pomona, Macrorie, Edward J., Jr. Pvt. Co. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dayton [M], Wells, Floyd K. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Berwyn, Steib, Joseph E. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Lenoir, Rogers, Robert A. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Binghamton [F], Peterson, Robert G. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Solvay [F], Paterson, Douglas W. Sgt. Hdq. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Amarillo [F], Watson, Tommie J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Klosterman, William A., Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Tartaro, Joseph F. Sgt. Leslie G. Abbott Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Indianapolis [F], Truelock, Ralph A. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Manchester [F], Miller, Douglas F., Jr. Pvt. Co. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Dover, Juskus, Carl F. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Sand Springs [F], Reisig, William L. Pfc. Co. Det. 2d. On Christmas Eve, 1944, the S.S. Leopoldville made her final crossing of the English Channel. I 264th Regiment Aurora, Gordon, William I. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Providence [F], Hodosh, Leonard J. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Chestnut Ridge [M], Cronk, Rolland D. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Clear Lake [R], McManis, Orion G. Pvt. Med. 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. Med. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Heim, James V. Pfc. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. [3], In 1939 the UK Admiralty chartered Lopoldville. 3rd Bat. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clayton [M], Rzemek, Edward W. Pfc.