Having actually gone " Missing " on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until April 21, 1945, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ralph served as a Seaman First Class and Armed Guard on the Merchant Ship S.S. Paul Hamilton ( Hull Number 227 ) during World War II.

He resided in Brooklyn, New York 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 U.G.S. 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 2249933

Son of Mrs. Carmella Cenetiempo who resided at 2854 West 16th Street, Brooklyn, New York during the war.

( 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.

Having actually gone " Missing " on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until April 21, 1945, 1 year and 1 day after he went missing as was the custom.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Ralph served as a Seaman First Class and Armed Guard on the Merchant Ship S.S. Paul Hamilton ( Hull Number 227 ) during World War II.

He resided in Brooklyn, New York 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 U.G.S. 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 2249933

Son of Mrs. Carmella Cenetiempo who resided at 2854 West 16th Street, Brooklyn, New York during the war.

( 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.