Few US soldiers understood the abandon ship instructions given in Flemish. Co. H 262nd Regiment Ridgely [M], Jackson, Earl S. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Doddridge [M], Glanton, Homer T. T. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment Belle Vernon [M], Makowski, Stanley E. Pfc. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Paterson, Fierro, Joseph R. 2d. Co. 262nd Regiment Reno [M], Lavigne, Richard M. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Brockton [M], Maiuri, Peter Pfc. Co. 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 Worcester, Sullivan, Charles F. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Welch, Donald P. Pfc. Documents about the attack remained classified until 1996. Co. I 262nd Regiment Rosslyn, Frank, Jony A. T/5. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [R], Schramm, Jack A. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Louisville [F], Gulley, Eula T. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Delphos [M], MacMillan, Lynn L. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment [R] Julian, Wright, John D. Sgt. Co. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Hebronville [M], Miscone, Joseph P. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment New Providence, Miller, Emory R., Jr. S. Sgt. 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 . The true story of the Christmas Eve torpedoing of the S.S. Leopoldville carrying 2200 American troops from Portsmouth, England to Cherbourg, France. George Robert Atkerson before his time on the Leopoldville. Co. L 262nd Regiment Detroit [M], Galus, Stanley M. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Highland Park, Morehouse, F.R. Co. K 262nd Regiment Albany [F], Reccardi, Victor J. S. Sgt. Co. C 264th Regiment New England, Hendrickson, Chester B. T. Sgt. He had an older brother and 2 sisters. Co. H 262nd Regiment Texas City [M], Foester, James C. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Nutley [M], Claybrook, Richard A. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Niles, Meyers, Donald G. S. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Kansas City, Rigdon, Norman L. Sgt. Co. K 264th Regiment Chicago [F], Shub, Abraham Pfc. Co. Co. C 264th Regiment Belleville, Vester, Richard H. Pfc. in honor of LtGen Lawrence Snowden & LtGen George Christmas.) Co. D 264th Regiment Springfield, Cottrell, John F. S. Sgt. This is a listing of people associated with this ship. Co. F 262nd Regiment Chicago [M], Griffith, George O. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hammond [M], White, Vernon W. Pfc. Hdq. 262nd Regiment [M], Cutnaw, Kent P. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Macon [M], Buhler, Glen L. Pfc. Co. Lt. Co. D 264th Regiment Biddeford [M], Cote, Philip G. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Solvay [F], Paterson, Douglas W. Sgt. I 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Cuccia, Salvatore C. Pvt. Leopoldville.org is an online memorial seeking to raise the awareness of the tragedy and reach the families of the disaster victims. I 262nd Regiment Auburn, Stone, Edward F. Pfc. This In Memorium list is provided by Allan Andrade from his book Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret. [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. A 264th Regiment [M], Massey, Robert B. S. Sgt. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Holmen, Moen, Ernest M. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Marietta [M], Watts, Jack Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Stevens Point, Gaudynski, Raymond W. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Crestview [R], Barwick, Eugene H. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Rockville Center [M], Kraemer, Bernard J. Pfc. Hdq. Co. I 262nd Regiment Tinton [M], Lottes, Clarence E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Greenville [M], Chockley, Harold Y. S. Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knoxville, Henry, Glenn H. Pfc. Hdq. Co. A 264th Regiment Mahanoy City [F], Chambers, Robert L. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Casey [F], Kingrey, James P. T/5. I 264th Regiment Quincy [F], Pellegrini, Victor Pvt. [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 262nd Regiment Eubanks [M], Gilbert, Estill T/5. I 264th Regiment Buffalo, Sansone, Richard F. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Pass Christian [M], Baker, Elmer A. Sgt. Co. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bay City [M], Schurig, Russell E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Pittsfield [F], Patterson, Thomas H. S. Sgt. Det. Det. Co. 1st Bat. Co. L 262nd Regiment Cullman [M], Waldrop, Roy A. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Farmington [M], Sexton, Herman B. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bexar [M], McCorkle, Roy E., Jr. Pfc. I 264th Regiment Houston [M], Pearl, Bill M. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Mattapan [M], Lemos, Anthony Pfc. He and other crew members battled against the conditions to try and rescue as many of the soldiers as possible. I 262nd Regiment Pawcatuck [M], Rowe, Hazlewood Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Moyers [M], Paden, George W. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Rudolph [M], Moser, Richard E. 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. H 262nd Regiment Pickens [M], Richardson, Francis J. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Elizabeth [M], Van Belle, Daniel J. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Hudson [M], Bannick, Ronald C. Pfc. Over 700 to 800 American soldiers were lost. 2d. Co. E 262nd Regiment Empire [M], Terry, James H. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Kingstree, Hentz, James E. S. Sgt. Co. B 264th Regiment Huntington, Bowyer, James M., Jr. Sgt. Co. Co. The ship's Belgian crew, including 93 Africans from the Belgian Congo, received orders in Flemish. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clinton [M], Smrkovski, Clarence C. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Wolf, Henry H. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Clarksville [M], Christian, Jim B. Pfc. Hdq. Co. L 262nd Regiment Elgin [M], Campbell, Harold C. Pfc. Det. Med. Co. F 262nd Regiment Belmont [M], Pancheri, Joseph A. S. Sgt. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died, together with 56 of her crew. 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. F 262nd Regiment Chicago, Mikalaitis, Joseph E. Pvt. The sinking of the SS Leopoldville in 1944 killed 763 U.S. Army soldiers on their way to the Battle of the Bulge. I 262nd Regiment Lees Summit [M], Israel, Philip S. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Stockton [M], Goodwin, James D. Pfc. Co. Hdq. Lopoldville was 478feet 8inches (145.90m) long, with a beam of 62feet 2inches (18.95m). Co. F 262nd Regiment Spartanburg [M], Phasey, Victor E. Lt. Col. Hdq. 0. Co. E 262nd Regiment Euclid [M], Bishop, Richard U. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Donora [M], Vierling, David E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Haverhill [M], De Piero, Louis A. S. Sgt. Co. Peter Acri was from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 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. Co. L 262nd Regiment Bakersfield [M], Godoy, Arthur C. Pfc. In 2009, the National Geographic Channel aired a special that recreated the events that led to the sinking and had divers investigating the wreck.[11]. Co. A 264th Regiment Widener [F], Field, Henry, Jr. Pvt. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Wabash [M], Houchen, Donald R. Pvt. The sinking occurred Christmas Eve 1944. Co. H 262nd Regiment Bonner Springs [M], Bowling, Everett R. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Providence [M], Masssey, Joseph D. S. Sgt. Co. Co. K 262nd Regiment Knox [M], Vince, John M., Jr. T/5. Ironically, his remains were positively identified by Leopoldville survivor Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Williamson, Melvin E. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Waltham [M], Thibodeau, Joseph E. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Alton [M], Willcoxen, Donald E. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment St. Louis, Korte, Clarence I. T/5.Hdq. [3], In 1939 the UK Admiralty chartered Lopoldville. Co. E 262nd Regiment Winona [M], Winstead, Rufus B. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Tyrone [M], Hayes, Albert T. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment New Freedom [M], Kluciar, Milos Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Brooklyn, NYC [M], Ellett, Joseph S. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Munger, Tait, Robert P. Pfc. Hdq. Co. E 264th Regiment Pomona, Macrorie, Edward J., Jr. Pvt. Co. A 264th Regiment Whitehall, Peters, Howard C. Pvt. 262nd Regiment Hartford [M], Carlson, Francis M. Cpl. Co. C 264th Regiment Conneaut [M], Kieser, Marcell V. Pfc. More Tales of the Leopoldville Disaster. Co. B 264th Regiment Albany, Barr, Hugh R. Pfc. 264th Regiment Beech, Conn, Curtiss Pvt. Soldiers on Lopoldville jumped down onto the smaller Brilliant. Co. E 262nd Regiment Nassau, [M], Zaloga, Edward J. Pvt. I 264th Regiment Norton [R], Long, Robert H., Jr. Pvt. Co. K 264th Regiment Minersville [M], Reed, Seth W. T/5. Co. C 264th Regiment Peoria, Godelas, Peter T. Pfc. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. Co. F 262nd Regiment Lincoln [F], Kibart, Francis E. Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Madisonville [M], Welch, Virgel R. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment [M], Acri, Peter L. Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Valley View [M], Borovich, Dan Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Van Buren [M], Anderson, Martin F. Pfc. Co. Co. E 262nd Regiment Santa Fe [M], Spence, Stephen C. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Baltimore [M], Hawkins, Robert E. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Mill Creek [M], Essex, Aaron W. Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Valparaiso [M], Wright, Russell M. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Hamtramck [M], Schramm, Warren C. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Erie [M], McDermott, Thomas J. T. Sgt. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Albuquerque [M], Abatemarco, Michael F. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Johnson, Floyd J. T. Sgt. Co. Co. Co. Det. Co. F 262nd Regiment Medon [M], Conner, Thomas D. Pvt. Co. I 264th Regiment Camp Seale [M], Springfield, James F. Pfc. An unknown number of British soldiers died. Co. C 264th Regiment Pryor, Crowl, Elmer R. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Versailles [M], Bonde, Carl R., Jr. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment South Bend [M], Lewis, Emry L. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment Frankfort [M], Simonetti, John Pvt. I 264th Regiment Bangor [M], Stelmok, Frank Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment New Orleans [M], Arnold, Albert J. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dedham [M], Mayers, Raymond J. S. Sgt. Completed in August 1929 as Belgian steam passenger ship Leopoldville. 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. D 264th Regiment Fowlers Knob, Killeen, John W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Calhoun Falls [M], Moseley, James O. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Nevada [M], Fratzke, Melvin L. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Bolton [M], Smith, William F. Pfc. Med. [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. H 262nd Regiment Philadelphia [M], Jurlina, Gregory G. S. Sgt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Anniston [M], Harris, John W. Pfc. 262nd Regiment Lowell [M], Wintle, Russell E. Pfc. Hdq. SS Lopoldville was a 11,509 GRT passenger liner of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo. I 262nd Regiment Buffalo [F], Freund, Henry Pvt. Co. E 262nd Regiment Dorchester [M], Dockler, Paul A. Pfc. Co. H 262nd Regiment San Benito [M], Garza, Alejandro L. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Elmira [M], Ewald, Alf G. T/5. Co. B 264th Regiment Cairo [M], Freeman, Ethell W. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Hagerstown, Powell, James W. Pfc. Co. 3rd Battalion 262nd Regiment Monett [F], Mason, Gerrard L. Pvt. 264th Regiment Cornwall, Ontario [M], Baginski, Henry 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. I 262nd Regiment Curtis, Elston, Leroy J. Pvt. Co. H 262nd Regiment Loving [M], Kolb, Marvin Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Uhrichsville, Longwell, Robert G. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Mcdonald [R], Burkhart, Ralph E. Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Concord [M], Benson, Edward E. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dickinson [M], Dorgan, Allan J. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Philadelphia [M], Kuchta, Frank J. Pfc. VFW Post in New Hampshire celebrates SS Leopoldville survivor's 100th birthday. 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. F 262nd Regiment Columbia [M], Milam, Neal Sgt. Co. H 262nd Regiment NYC [M], Turetzky, David S. Pvt. Hdq. I 264th Regiment Guilford, Lavigne, Alfred G. Pvt. Co. B 264th Regiment Goldsboro [M], Clark, William C. Pvt. Aboard Leopoldville when hit on 24 Dec 1944 You can click on any of the names for possible additional information 874 persons found. I 262nd Regiment Yakima [M], Lewis, William K. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pine Valley [M], Hargraves, Jeff Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dubuque [M], Cook, Dean L. Pfc. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Berwyn, Steib, Joseph E. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Dumas [M], Dover, James W. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Colerain [F], Leopard, John P. Pvt. Co. C 264th Regiment Ferndale [M], Shaver, Glen B. Pfc. I 262nd Regiment Cleveland [M], Cleelan, Robert W. Pvt. 264th Regiment Bedford [R], McIntyre, Robert F. Pfc. Co. E 262nd Regiment Aberdeen [M], Ailey, Burl W. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Wellington [M], Garcia, Paul M. Pfc. Co. E 264th Regiment Brooklyn, NYC, Perry, Carl R. Pvt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Indianapolis [F], Temple, Eugene R. T/5. Co. 2nd Battalion 262nd Regiment Camden [M], Ofsonka, Charles P., Jr. S. Sgt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Omaha [M], Taylor, Forrest D. T. Sgt. 262nd Regiment Pleasant Mount [M], Cybak, Harry, Jr. 1st. Co. Co. F 262nd Regiment Stamford [M], Viets, Paul R. Pfc. Co. L 262nd Regiment Hannastown [M], Welsh, Robert D. Pfc. Co. Co. L 262nd Regiment Ozone Park, NYC [M], Tassi, Louis 1st Sgt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Waverly [M], Rilling, Marvin L. S. Sgt. Det. Co. K 262nd Regiment Amarillo, Wiley, William H. T/5. Co. B 264th Regiment [M], Mugan, Joseph P. Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Tuscola [M], Cross, Leonard J. Pfc. Co. K 264th Regiment Pontiac [F], Monk, John J., Jr. T/5. Co. F 262nd Regiment Westbrook [M], Baker, Donald A. Co. L 262nd Regiment Minden, Cole, Edgle W. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Ponca City, Wellborn, Charles B., III Pvt. Co. F 262nd Regiment Buffalo [M], Foge, Francis J. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Dunkirk [M], Paci, Vincent Pvt. I 262nd Regiment Laurens, Neely, Fred L. Sgt. Co. 1st Lt. Co. B 264th Regiment Houston [R], Ayala, Modesto Pfc. Med. We have place for a photo as well if provided. Co. F 262nd Regiment [M], Dominguez, Joe Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Clarinda [R], Parry, Charles W. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Underwood [M], Wiedner, Joseph J. T. Sgt. Co. L 262nd Regiment Pensacola [R], Henderson, Dewey A. Pvt. Med. Co. H 262nd Regiment Foraker [M], Craig, Coy C. Sgt. Co. Co. B 264th Regiment Lewistown [R], Dreisbach, Richard T. Pvt. Co. E 264th Regiment Lockport, Stern, Lawrence M. Pfc. Co. B 264th Regiment Trinidad, Reeder, Harold P. Pvt. Co. K 262nd Regiment Houston [M], Schokowitz, Morris Pvt. Pfc. Co. F 262nd Regiment Selsbee [M], Head, Art S. Pfc. She was built for the Compagnie Maritime Belge as the . Co. C 264th Regiment Kansas City, Rennison, Eugene W. Pvt. Sequel to Survivors of the Leopoldville Disaster. I 264th Regiment NYC, Rodies, Heinz G. Pfc. The 96-year-old World War II veteran takes center stage in a new, one-hour documentary airing at 7 p.m. Nov. 8 on WHRO. Co. D 264th Regiment Coldwater [M], Dillinger, Garvis Pfc. Co. C 264th Regiment Cincinnati, Hunston, Russell E. Pfc. Hdq. Co. E 262nd Regiment Creston [M], Hutchens, James E. Pfc. Co. K 262nd Regiment Shreveport [F], Henderson, John M. Pvt. Det. Some men had started to jump down from a height of approximately 40 feet.