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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel served as a Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy during World War II. He served as an Armed Guard on the Merchant Ship S.S. Paul Hamilton (227).

He resided in Baltimore, Maryland 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 7585340

Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dafin.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Daniel served as a Seaman, First Class, U.S. Navy during World War II. He served as an Armed Guard on the Merchant Ship S.S. Paul Hamilton (227).

He resided in Baltimore, Maryland 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 7585340

Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dafin.

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

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