USN
On Feb 5, 1943, Signalman 3rd Class DONALD E. SUNDIN, a US Navy Armed Guard, was on board SS West Portal, an American merchant ship, as it made its way from New York and Halifax to Liverpool. The freighter, carrying general cargo, army stores and mail, had straggled from Convoy SC-118 and was sailing a zigzag course when it was spotted by German submarine U-413. From a distance of 3500 yards, the u-boat fired a spread of four torpedoes, the third hitting the ship forward of the bridge. Two more torpedoes were fired and the second hit the stern, causing the ship to sink. Although some of the men were observed by the Germans getting into lifeboats, they were never seen again. A distress signel was received by HMS Vanessa (D29) but no position was given. HMS Vanessa left the convoy and searched but nothing was found. There were 40 Merchant Mariners, 25 Navy Armed Guards, and 12 passengers on board; none survived.
cenotaph: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Body lost at sea
Specifically: He was on West Portal when it was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic by German submarine U-413.
Thank you to Patricia O'Neal for all the information.
On Feb 5, 1943, Signalman 3rd Class DONALD E. SUNDIN, a US Navy Armed Guard, was on board SS West Portal, an American merchant ship, as it made its way from New York and Halifax to Liverpool. The freighter, carrying general cargo, army stores and mail, had straggled from Convoy SC-118 and was sailing a zigzag course when it was spotted by German submarine U-413. From a distance of 3500 yards, the u-boat fired a spread of four torpedoes, the third hitting the ship forward of the bridge. Two more torpedoes were fired and the second hit the stern, causing the ship to sink. Although some of the men were observed by the Germans getting into lifeboats, they were never seen again. A distress signel was received by HMS Vanessa (D29) but no position was given. HMS Vanessa left the convoy and searched but nothing was found. There were 40 Merchant Mariners, 25 Navy Armed Guards, and 12 passengers on board; none survived.
cenotaph: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Body lost at sea
Specifically: He was on West Portal when it was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic by German submarine U-413.
Thank you to Patricia O'Neal for all the information.
USN
On Feb 5, 1943, Signalman 3rd Class DONALD E. SUNDIN, a US Navy Armed Guard, was on board SS West Portal, an American merchant ship, as it made its way from New York and Halifax to Liverpool. The freighter, carrying general cargo, army stores and mail, had straggled from Convoy SC-118 and was sailing a zigzag course when it was spotted by German submarine U-413. From a distance of 3500 yards, the u-boat fired a spread of four torpedoes, the third hitting the ship forward of the bridge. Two more torpedoes were fired and the second hit the stern, causing the ship to sink. Although some of the men were observed by the Germans getting into lifeboats, they were never seen again. A distress signel was received by HMS Vanessa (D29) but no position was given. HMS Vanessa left the convoy and searched but nothing was found. There were 40 Merchant Mariners, 25 Navy Armed Guards, and 12 passengers on board; none survived.
cenotaph: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Body lost at sea
Specifically: He was on West Portal when it was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic by German submarine U-413.
Thank you to Patricia O'Neal for all the information.
On Feb 5, 1943, Signalman 3rd Class DONALD E. SUNDIN, a US Navy Armed Guard, was on board SS West Portal, an American merchant ship, as it made its way from New York and Halifax to Liverpool. The freighter, carrying general cargo, army stores and mail, had straggled from Convoy SC-118 and was sailing a zigzag course when it was spotted by German submarine U-413. From a distance of 3500 yards, the u-boat fired a spread of four torpedoes, the third hitting the ship forward of the bridge. Two more torpedoes were fired and the second hit the stern, causing the ship to sink. Although some of the men were observed by the Germans getting into lifeboats, they were never seen again. A distress signel was received by HMS Vanessa (D29) but no position was given. HMS Vanessa left the convoy and searched but nothing was found. There were 40 Merchant Mariners, 25 Navy Armed Guards, and 12 passengers on board; none survived.
cenotaph: Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial
Body lost at sea
Specifically: He was on West Portal when it was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic by German submarine U-413.
Thank you to Patricia O'Neal for all the information.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from West Virginia.
