James served as a Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy, during World War II.

He resided in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina prior to the war.

Some records indicate that he was an " Armed Guard " on the Merchant Ship " S.S. Paul Hamilton ".

However his date of passing conflicts with the date the " Hamilton " was sunk which was April 20, 1944. Possibly he was on board and passed away prior to the sinking of the " Hamilton " and his remains were put on another ship in the convoy .... or possibly they noted a wrong date of passing for him.

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 " 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.

James was declared " Killed In Action " in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 8349479

He was originally interred in the El Alia Cemetery, Algiers, Algeria and was later repatriated here on June 9, 1948.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) and the S.S. Royal Star were also sunk in this attack.
The Lansdale had a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.
The Royal Star lost only one member of their crew.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.

James served as a Seaman First Class, U.S. Navy, during World War II.

He resided in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina prior to the war.

Some records indicate that he was an " Armed Guard " on the Merchant Ship " S.S. Paul Hamilton ".

However his date of passing conflicts with the date the " Hamilton " was sunk which was April 20, 1944. Possibly he was on board and passed away prior to the sinking of the " Hamilton " and his remains were put on another ship in the convoy .... or possibly they noted a wrong date of passing for him.

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 " 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.

James was declared " Killed In Action " in this sinking during the war.

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 8349479

He was originally interred in the El Alia Cemetery, Algiers, Algeria and was later repatriated here on June 9, 1948.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) and the S.S. Royal Star were also sunk in this attack.
The Lansdale had a loss of Forty-seven officers and men.
The Royal Star lost only one member of their crew.

The Lansdale received four battle stars for World War II service.