Michael served as a Technical Sergeant, 32nd Photographic Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

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

He enlisted in the Army on July 21, 1941, prior to the war, at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as an Office Clerk and also as Single, without dependents.

Michael was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

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 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 33087849

( 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.

*************************************************************
Brother Pfc. Charles Dragwa # 56298308 at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial

Michael Dragwa is listed as Killed In Action in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

***I would like to thank ernie Find A Grave ID 48454782 for linking his parents to this memorial***

Michael served as a Technical Sergeant, 32nd Photographic Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

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

He enlisted in the Army on July 21, 1941, prior to the war, at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as an Office Clerk and also as Single, without dependents.

Michael was a passenger on the S.S. Paul Hamilton (Hull Number 227).

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 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 33087849

( 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.

*************************************************************
Brother Pfc. Charles Dragwa # 56298308 at Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial

Michael Dragwa is listed as Killed In Action in the 1946 Army and Army Air Forces Personnel Casualty List for Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.

***I would like to thank ernie Find A Grave ID 48454782 for linking his parents to this memorial***