Co. H 262nd Regiment Hebronville [M], Miscone, Joseph P. Pfc. Pvt. 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. Now the details . Co. H 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Turetzky, David S. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Chicago, Farling, Ernest W. Pfc. I 264th Regiment NYC, Rodies, Heinz G. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Johnstown [F], Bennett, Lynwood F. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Cleveland [M], Leidner, Oliver C. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [M], Wells, Donald E. Pfc. Co. Co. K 264th Regiment St. Louis [M], Koenig, Richard H. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago, Mikalaitis, Joseph E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lowell [M], Abbott, Leslie G. Pfc. We also have a detailed page on the Belgian troop transport Leopoldville. SS Leopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton (11,700 t) passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brownville, Ash, Robert L. S. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Osbourn, Donnelly, William O. S. Sgt. Co. D 264th Regiment Ridgewood [R], Cywinski, Charles Pfc. Co. Hdq. S.S. Leopoldville Disaster of 12-24-1944. Co. K 262nd Regiment Clarinda [R], Parry, Charles W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Jamaica Plains [M], Dalton, William F. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment NYC, Robbins, Jerome Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Masssey, Joseph D. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Cuyahoga Falls [M], Bader, Donald W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Tulsa [R], Foster, William S. D. Pfc. [3], She had 8,458 cubic feet (239.5m3) of refrigerated cargo space. Co. E 262nd Regiment Empire [M], Terry, James H. Pvt. 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. 1st Battalion 264th Regiment Florissant [M], Leftwich, William E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbus, Russell, Jack 1st Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ooltewah [M], Cannon, Fay Pvt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Marion, Howard, Edward F. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Columbia [M], Milam, Neal Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Bottineau [F], Appleman, Robert B. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Florence, Roberts, Marzell Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment New Martinsville, Smith, Bulah Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aledo [M], Ransom, James R. S. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plainfield [M], Coakley, Francis X. Co. I 262nd Regiment Bronx [M], Turisk, Isadore Pvt. Documents about the attack remained classified until 1996. [1] Captain Charles Limbor, who assumed command in 1942,[6] spoke no English. I 262nd Regiment Grand Junction, Lowenhagen, Theodore C. T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment St. Joseph, Price, Chester E. T. Sgt. Co. See also Muncaster Castle list Co. C 264th Regiment Kokomo, Buell, Edwin D., III Pfc. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Monroe [M], Warring, Hugh N. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Binghamton [F], Peterson, Robert G. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Celentano, Peter Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Harriman, Jones, Henry M. Pvt. Forgotten by many, remembered by few. Co. H 262nd Regiment Beckley [M], Huffman, Johnnie O. Pvt. Hdq. 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. A 264th Regiment [F], Rouch, Wilbur L. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Rosslyn, Frank, Jony A. T/5. Co. E 264th Regiment Morea, Downing, Frank P., Jr. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Pleasant Mount [M], Cybak, Harry, Jr. 1st. I 262nd Regiment Auburn, Stone, Edward F. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Herkimer [M], Holleran, James R. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Florence, Husby, Garland O. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Foge, Francis J. Pfc. Co. I 262nd Regiment Van Buren [M], Anderson, Martin F. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment NYC, Cappello, Dominick J. S. Sgt. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Plymouth [M], Yaeger, George A. Pfc. Co. I 264th Regiment New Boston, Skibinski, Walter J. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Fogelsonger, Harry F. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Gary [M], Bouse, Oren A. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Los Angeles, Murray, Samuel L. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bakersfield [M], Godoy, Arthur C. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Peoria [M], Read, Basel O. S. Sgt. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Chicago, Rose, Don T. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Jamestown [M], Carlson, Clarence H. Pfc. The Sunken Mysteries of Britain's Wartime Shipping Lanes: This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 12:43. Co. K 262nd Regiment Newton Falls [M], Matwijiw, Robert L. Pvt. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Calabrese, Vincent R. S. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment [M], McKinney, Joseph O. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Rudolph [M], Moser, Richard E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Kansas City [M], Smith, C. D. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Buffalo, Gurtner, Herman T/4. The ship's Belgian crew, including 93 Africans from the Belgian Congo, received orders in Flemish. Co. B 264th Regiment Wellington [M], Garcia, Paul M. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Oak City [M], Plott, George E. Capt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kapowsin [M], Wyatt, Frank E. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Houston [M], Robison, Harry C. Pfc. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Schokowitz, Morris Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Paramus [M], Franco, Pablo G. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Niagara Falls, Turner, Kenneth J. Pfc. Hdq. Co. H 262nd Regiment Lockwood [M], Privett, Lawrence E. 1st Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Piqua [M], Davis, William J. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Whitehall [M], McVety, Robert L. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. 264th Regiment Bronx, NYC [F], Crowe, Eugene J. Sgt. Co. A 264th Regiment Manhattan, NYC [M], Carlson, Carl Pfc. Hdq. Co. E 264th Regiment Munger, Tait, Robert P. Pfc. Artist Richard Rockwell, whose college roommate died on the SS Leopoldville, drew this illustration of the troopship sinking after it was torpedoed by a German submarine, the U-486, on . Co. E 262nd Regiment Stover [M], Martinsen, Raymond B. S. Sgt. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment St. Louis [M], Canon, Carl L. S. Sgt. While the escorts focused on searching for the U-boat and rescuing survivors, they failed to respond to blinking light signals from Cherbourg. Co. F 262nd Regiment Covington [M], Farler, Otis Pfc. I 262nd Regiment San Antonio, Green, Herman N. Pvt. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Tell City [M], McDonald, Buford C. Pfc. Lt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Nemacolin [F], Daugherty, Mervin R. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment McAllen [M], Caviness, Billy T. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Maurice [M], Boyer, Gerald L. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Weehawken [M], Miles, Robert F. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Youngstown, Norris, Guy D. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Canton [M], Slusser, Elmer D. Pfc. Det. Co. E 262nd Regiment Santa Fe [M], Spence, Stephen C. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Seattle [F], Rumburg, Ira C. Lt. Col. Hdq. Co. C 264th Regiment Conneaut [M], Kieser, Marcell V. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Creed, Robert W. S. Sgt. I 264th Regiment Tiptonville, Gillespie, John O. Pfc. Co. A 264th Regiment [F], Brogden, Lee R. S. Sgt. (This interview made possible with the support of COL ROBERT W. RUST, USMCR (ret.) Hdq. Co. K 262nd Regiment Worcester, Sullivan, Charles F. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Bolton [M], Smith, William F. Pfc. Med. Co. L 262nd Regiment North Adams [M], Skinner, Charles V. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment [M], Vonder, Mehden Robert Pfc. Jack Dixon was a 21-year-old seaman on board HMS Brilliant. Co. L 262nd Regiment Roxbury [M], Daniels, Robert L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Sumter [M], Loftis, James L. Sgt. On Christmas Eve 1944, more than 2,000 American soldiers were aboard the troop ship SS Lopoldville crossing the English Channel to France, when it was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sank.. Co. E 262nd Regiment El Paso [M], Pickett, Joe D. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Stewart, Walter K. Pfc. [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. C 264th Regiment Providence [F], Hodosh, Leonard J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Harvey [M], Marcinkowski, Arthur A. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wheeling [M], Pyles, George E. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Milroy [M], Pispeky, Joseph Pfc. I 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Di Mola, Nicholas J. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Larksville, Martynowski, Edward H. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Milwaukee [M], Mc Hugh, Dean J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment New Freedom [M], Kluciar, Milos Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Cleveland, Ensign, Armand E. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment New Providence, Miller, Emory R., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Dalton, Delmar L. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Chicago, Smith, Lewis A. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Versailles [M], Bonde, Carl R., Jr. Pfc. Co. More Tales of the Leopoldville Disaster. Co. E 262nd Regiment Los Angeles M], Jump, Clifford V. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Herndon [M], Zubal, John J. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Racine [M], Prueher, Franklin L. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wesson [M], McBay, James D. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Scranton [M], Sloan, Wilbur J., Jr. Sgt. Co. E 264th Regiment, Article: Owensboro connected to World War II disaster. Co. K 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Lapinski, Stanley J. Pvt. They boarded the ship at 9 a.m. Dec. 24, 1944, survivors later told reporters. Co. K 262nd Regiment Alhambra, Martinez, Candelario Pvt. This article includes a list of ships with the same or similar names. Co. C 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], McVey, Walter F., Jr. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Heim, James V. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Regent [M], Gentz, Herbert I. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Elyria, Ferguson, Robert V. S. Sgt. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], MacGowan, John Pvt. 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. Soldiers on Lopoldville jumped down onto the smaller Brilliant. Det. Co. K 264th Regiment Pontiac [F], Monk, John J., Jr. T/5. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Elizabeth [M], Van Belle, Daniel J. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment [M], Alexander, J. D. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Chicago, McArthur, Kent O. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Cypress Inn [M], Gregory, Charles H. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Niles, Meyers, Donald G. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Sevierville [M], Holmes, William K. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Macon [M], Buhler, Glen L. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Berwyn, Steib, Joseph E. Pvt. Captain Charles Limbor, one Belgian and three Congolese crewmembers also went down with the ship. Co. K 264th Regiment Fort Collins, Ortega, Joe B. Pfc. Hdq. Co. Co. D 264th Regiment Detroit, Furmark, Carl E. Pfc. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Lakewood [M], Bailey, William C. 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 . Co. F 262nd Regiment Berkeley [M], Williamson, Donald E. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Minden, Cole, Edgle W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dedham [M], Mayers, Raymond J. S. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Gable, Wayne W. Pfc. SS Lopoldville was an 11,500-long-ton passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. I 264th Regiment San Diego, Robles, Nabor P. Pvt. Co. I 262nd Regiment Center [M], Appleby, Preston B. Co. L 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Temple, Eugene R. T/5. Co. L 262nd Regiment Woodbine [M], Kennedy, Abe H., Jr. T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knox [M], Vince, John M., Jr. T/5. Co. D 264th Regiment Lattimer Mines, Lowry, Glenn E. Pfc. Med. Co. F 262nd Regiment Omaha [M], Taylor, Forrest D. T. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Lewistown [R], Dreisbach, Richard T. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Norton [R], Long, Robert H., Jr. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Troy [M], Suder, James T. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Salem, De Martini, Howard W. S. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Shub, Abraham Pfc. This In Memorium list is provided byAllan Andrade from his bookLeopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . Co. F 262nd Regiment Underwood [M], Wiedner, Joseph J. T. Sgt. Med. The destroyer could take only five hundred men and headed for the shore leaving some twelve hundred soldiers aboard.[7]. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Dominguez, Joe Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment West Branch [M], Paulsen, Roy E. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Fall River [M], Stenquist, Helmer R. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lempster [M], Mathieu, Arthur T. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clinton [M], Smrkovski, Clarence C. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Port Huron [M], Miller, George W. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Shelbyville, Clark, John W. Pfc. Med. Co. L 262nd Regiment Tampa [M], Hinton, Frederick D. Pvt. Advertising poster for cruises aboard the SS Leopoldville At 9 am on December 24 th, they finally set sail.