Harold served as a Messman, S.S. Paul Hamilton, U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.

He resided in Norfolk, Virginia prior to the war.

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy UGS 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Harold was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Mariner's Medal.

His remains were not recovered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) was also sunk in this attack with a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harold served as a Messman, S.S. Paul Hamilton, U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.

He resided in Norfolk, Virginia prior to the war.

On her fifth voyage the S.S. Paul Hamilton left Hampton Roads, Virginia on April 2, 1944 as part of convoy UGS 38, carrying supplies and the ground personnel of the 485th Bombardment Group and the 5th Reconnaissance Group of the United States Army Air Forces to Italy.

On the evening of April 20th the Hamilton and other ships in the convoy were attacked 30 miles (48 km) in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers by 23 German Ju 88 bombers.

One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs, and the ship and crew disappeared within 30 seconds. A total of approximately 580 men where lost.

Harold was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Mariner's Medal.

His remains were not recovered.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) was also sunk in this attack with a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~