Birth year estimated from his age (6) in the 1920 census.
Willis served as a Oiler, S.S. Jean Nicolet, Merchant Marines during World War II.

He resided in Baltimore, Maryland prior to the war. His next-of-kin shown in the Sunpapers on Aug. 14, 1944, is his wife Mrs. Rachel Brandon of 8525 Old Philadelphia Rd.

Willis was declared "Missing In Action" when the Jean Nicolet was hit by a torpedo and shelled by Japanese submarine I-8 and sunk off Ceylon during the war. He was awarded the Mariner's Medal.

His remains were not recovered.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett & Dan Phelan )
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AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINERS MEMORIAL—BATTERY PARK, NEW YORK
Dedicated to all Merchant Mariners who have served America from the Revolutionary War through the present day. In the prosecution of war and in pursuit of peaceful commerce, unrecognized thousands have lost their lives at sea. Their sacrifices have helped secure America’s liberty and prosperity. This sculpture was inspired by a photograph of the victims of a submarine attack on an American merchant ship during World War II. Left to the perils of the sea, the survivors later perished. This memorial serves as a marker for America’s Merchant Mariners resting in the unmarked ocean depths.
Dedicated October 8, 1991

Birth year estimated from his age (6) in the 1920 census.
Willis served as a Oiler, S.S. Jean Nicolet, Merchant Marines during World War II.

He resided in Baltimore, Maryland prior to the war. His next-of-kin shown in the Sunpapers on Aug. 14, 1944, is his wife Mrs. Rachel Brandon of 8525 Old Philadelphia Rd.

Willis was declared "Missing In Action" when the Jean Nicolet was hit by a torpedo and shelled by Japanese submarine I-8 and sunk off Ceylon during the war. He was awarded the Mariner's Medal.

His remains were not recovered.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett & Dan Phelan )
--------------------------------------------------
AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINERS MEMORIAL—BATTERY PARK, NEW YORK
Dedicated to all Merchant Mariners who have served America from the Revolutionary War through the present day. In the prosecution of war and in pursuit of peaceful commerce, unrecognized thousands have lost their lives at sea. Their sacrifices have helped secure America’s liberty and prosperity. This sculpture was inspired by a photograph of the victims of a submarine attack on an American merchant ship during World War II. Left to the perils of the sea, the survivors later perished. This memorial serves as a marker for America’s Merchant Mariners resting in the unmarked ocean depths.
Dedicated October 8, 1991