Earl served as a Private, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He resided in Wayne County, Pennsylvania prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force on September 4, 1942 in Richmond, Virginia. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Driver and also as Married.

Earl was a passenger on the H.M.T. Rohna.

The Rohna and four other troop ships left Oran in French Algeria with cargo and troops. Off Béjaïa, Algeria the convoy was attacked by an estimated 60 German Luftwaffe Heinkel 177's. One of the 177's, piloted by Hans Dochtermann, released a glide bomb that hit Rohna on her port side and she eventually sank.

1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 U.S. personnel. The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. 35 U.S. troops of the 2,000 originally embarked later died of wounds.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 13117014

At the families request his state of birth, Virginia, was added to his listing here at North Africa instead of his state of residence, Pennsylvania, as was normally done.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

Earl served as a Private, U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

He resided in Wayne County, Pennsylvania prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army Air Force on September 4, 1942 in Richmond, Virginia. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Driver and also as Married.

Earl was a passenger on the H.M.T. Rohna.

The Rohna and four other troop ships left Oran in French Algeria with cargo and troops. Off Béjaïa, Algeria the convoy was attacked by an estimated 60 German Luftwaffe Heinkel 177's. One of the 177's, piloted by Hans Dochtermann, released a glide bomb that hit Rohna on her port side and she eventually sank.

1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 U.S. personnel. The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. 35 U.S. troops of the 2,000 originally embarked later died of wounds.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 13117014

At the families request his state of birth, Virginia, was added to his listing here at North Africa instead of his state of residence, Pennsylvania, as was normally done.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )