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

He resided in Cuyahoga County, Ohio prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on June 8, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a oiler of machinery and also as Single, without dependents. He was married sometime after his enlistment.

Richard 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 35065509

( 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.

-------------------------

Previously added to Find A Grave,
source unknown:

20 Apr 1944 - Pvt. Richard {S.} Kinford {born ca.1919 Cleveland, Ohio}, U.S. Army Air Force, of Newton Falls, was among the 19 Ohioans killed in a ship sinking in the Mediterranean. His wife, the former Stefana Domyanich of Braceville, had previously received a telegram stating that Pvt. Kinford had been killed 20 Apr 1944, in North Africa. Previous to that, she learned of his being missing in action. Pvt. Kinford was born in Cleveland and joined the Air Force, 2 June 1943, taking his training for a bombardier at Keesler Field, Miss. He received his silver wings in March 1944. Kinford was survived by his wife {Marie S. Domyanich, West Side Cemetery Memorial# 112975237, Newton Falls, Trumbull County, Ohio} and child, his parents {Samuel b.1869 & Elizabeth (Moff) b.1879} and some brothers {William, Howard, Fred; ages 20, 15, 3 in 1920 Cleveland census; uncles John, Thomas, James, Joseph and father Samuel, in 1880 census} and sisters {Lillie, Mary, Gustie, Evelyn ages 18, 13, 11, 7 in 1920 Cleveland census; Richard age 0-11 months born ca.1919}. He served with the 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Heavy Bomber Group, and received the Purple Heart. His name is on the tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia.
Sources: (1) Warren Tribune Chronicle, Trumbull Co., Ohio. (2)Trumbull County Men and Women who Died in the Service of Their Country During World War II" by Thomas J. Kachur (3) Items in {braces} added from FamilySearch returns.

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

He resided in Cuyahoga County, Ohio prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on June 8, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a oiler of machinery and also as Single, without dependents. He was married sometime after his enlistment.

Richard 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 35065509

( 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.

-------------------------

Previously added to Find A Grave,
source unknown:

20 Apr 1944 - Pvt. Richard {S.} Kinford {born ca.1919 Cleveland, Ohio}, U.S. Army Air Force, of Newton Falls, was among the 19 Ohioans killed in a ship sinking in the Mediterranean. His wife, the former Stefana Domyanich of Braceville, had previously received a telegram stating that Pvt. Kinford had been killed 20 Apr 1944, in North Africa. Previous to that, she learned of his being missing in action. Pvt. Kinford was born in Cleveland and joined the Air Force, 2 June 1943, taking his training for a bombardier at Keesler Field, Miss. He received his silver wings in March 1944. Kinford was survived by his wife {Marie S. Domyanich, West Side Cemetery Memorial# 112975237, Newton Falls, Trumbull County, Ohio} and child, his parents {Samuel b.1869 & Elizabeth (Moff) b.1879} and some brothers {William, Howard, Fred; ages 20, 15, 3 in 1920 Cleveland census; uncles John, Thomas, James, Joseph and father Samuel, in 1880 census} and sisters {Lillie, Mary, Gustie, Evelyn ages 18, 13, 11, 7 in 1920 Cleveland census; Richard age 0-11 months born ca.1919}. He served with the 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Heavy Bomber Group, and received the Purple Heart. His name is on the tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery, Carthage, Tunisia.
Sources: (1) Warren Tribune Chronicle, Trumbull Co., Ohio. (2)Trumbull County Men and Women who Died in the Service of Their Country During World War II" by Thomas J. Kachur (3) Items in {braces} added from FamilySearch returns.