James served as a Private First Class, 32nd Photographic Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Shelby County, Texas prior to the war.

James 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 38475870

( 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:

PFC James McDaniel was born on September 29, 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar McDaniel of Tenaha, Texas. He graduated from Tenaha High School with the class of 1942. Private McDaniel joined the Army Air Forces on November 1st, 1943 at the age of 29 and was assigned to the 32 Photographic Squadron of the 5th Reconnaissance Group. He graduated from the 84 hour US Army Air Forces Engineering Drawing course at the University of Tampa on August 4, 1943. Five months after joining, April 20, 1944 the plane that he was on went missing somewhere over the Mediterranean. He is still listed as missing in action by the Defense POW-Missing Personnel Office.

~

Passenger aboard the US Freighter, Paul Hamilton that was part of a 105-ship convoy and 21 escorts that left Hampton Roads, Virginia 17 days earlier. That evening the convoy was attacked by 23 German bombers 30 miles in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers. One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs. The ship and crew disappeared with 30 seconds. The Crew and passengers included 154 officers and men of the 831 Bombardment Squadron and 317 officers and men of the 32 Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Of the 580 men aboard the Paul Hamilton only one was body was recovered.

James served as a Private First Class, 32nd Photographic Squadron, 5th Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.

He resided in Shelby County, Texas prior to the war.

James 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 38475870

( 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:

PFC James McDaniel was born on September 29, 1922 to Mr. and Mrs. Oscar McDaniel of Tenaha, Texas. He graduated from Tenaha High School with the class of 1942. Private McDaniel joined the Army Air Forces on November 1st, 1943 at the age of 29 and was assigned to the 32 Photographic Squadron of the 5th Reconnaissance Group. He graduated from the 84 hour US Army Air Forces Engineering Drawing course at the University of Tampa on August 4, 1943. Five months after joining, April 20, 1944 the plane that he was on went missing somewhere over the Mediterranean. He is still listed as missing in action by the Defense POW-Missing Personnel Office.

~

Passenger aboard the US Freighter, Paul Hamilton that was part of a 105-ship convoy and 21 escorts that left Hampton Roads, Virginia 17 days earlier. That evening the convoy was attacked by 23 German bombers 30 miles in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Cape Bengut near Algiers. One aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton and detonated the cargo of high explosives and bombs. The ship and crew disappeared with 30 seconds. The Crew and passengers included 154 officers and men of the 831 Bombardment Squadron and 317 officers and men of the 32 Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Of the 580 men aboard the Paul Hamilton only one was body was recovered.