John served as a Sergeant, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Gibson County, Indiana prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on March 13, 1941, prior to the war, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.

John 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 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 15063549

( 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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the Princeton Clarion-News Monday, May 22, 1944:

Sgt. John W. Herod killed April 20, Message Advises

Sgt. John W Herod, 23, a mechanic in the Army Air Corps, who was previously reported as missing in the north African area, was killed April 20 according to word received here in a telegram from the War Department this morning by the parents Mr. and Mrs. Don Herod, 819 North Hart street.
The telegram message was as follows:”The Secretary of War asks that I assure you have his deep regret in the loss of your son, Sgt. John W Herod, who was previously reported missing in action. Report received in the War Department establishes the fact that your son's death occurred on April 20 in the north African area. A letter will follow. (Signed) Brigadier General Robert H Dunlop, acting adjutant general."
The family had previously received word from Brigadier General Dunlop that Sgt. Herod was a passenger on a transport ship sunk by enemy action in the Mediterranean waters on April 20.
Sgt. Herod was born November 13, 1920 at Jasonville Ind. He was graduated from Princeton high school in the class of 1939 and enlisted in the air corps on August 13, 1941. He received his training at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss., Cochran Field, Macon, Ga., and Fairmont Air Base, Geneva, Neb. He left for for overseas service around the first part of April.
Surviving in addition to the parents are a sister, Marion Herod at home, and the grandmother, Mrs. Laura E. Miller, who resides in the Herod home.

John served as a Sergeant, 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Gibson County, Indiana prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on March 13, 1941, prior to the war, at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being Single, without dependents.

John 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 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 15063549

( 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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From the Princeton Clarion-News Monday, May 22, 1944:

Sgt. John W. Herod killed April 20, Message Advises

Sgt. John W Herod, 23, a mechanic in the Army Air Corps, who was previously reported as missing in the north African area, was killed April 20 according to word received here in a telegram from the War Department this morning by the parents Mr. and Mrs. Don Herod, 819 North Hart street.
The telegram message was as follows:”The Secretary of War asks that I assure you have his deep regret in the loss of your son, Sgt. John W Herod, who was previously reported missing in action. Report received in the War Department establishes the fact that your son's death occurred on April 20 in the north African area. A letter will follow. (Signed) Brigadier General Robert H Dunlop, acting adjutant general."
The family had previously received word from Brigadier General Dunlop that Sgt. Herod was a passenger on a transport ship sunk by enemy action in the Mediterranean waters on April 20.
Sgt. Herod was born November 13, 1920 at Jasonville Ind. He was graduated from Princeton high school in the class of 1939 and enlisted in the air corps on August 13, 1941. He received his training at Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss., Cochran Field, Macon, Ga., and Fairmont Air Base, Geneva, Neb. He left for for overseas service around the first part of April.
Surviving in addition to the parents are a sister, Marion Herod at home, and the grandmother, Mrs. Laura E. Miller, who resides in the Herod home.