Purple Heart Medal awarded posthumously to Staff Sergeant Michael Montana of New Haven County, Connecticut. Montana was a member of 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion, Army Air Forces.
On 25 November 1943, Montana, along with the rest of the 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion boarded the HMT Rohna ("HMT" = His Majesty's Transport) at Oran in French Algeria en-route to the PTO.
The following day, the convoy was attacked by 14 Luftwaffe Heinkel heavy bombers. The bombers were carrying radio-guided, rocket-boosted glide bombs, 30 of which were launched at the convoy. HMT Rohna was the only casualty... 1,015 American Troops died in the sinking… The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. Details of the loss were hidden from the public and revealed slowly over time… This was the first time in history radio guided bombs were used in combat!
Montana is listed as being “Killed in Action” on November 27, 1943... His body was never recovered. He is memorialized at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia and with a cenotaph in Arlington National Cemetery.
On 25 November 1943, Montana, along with the rest of the 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion boarded the HMT Rohna ("HMT" = His Majesty's Transport) at Oran in French Algeria en-route to the PTO.
The following day, the convoy was attacked by 14 Luftwaffe Heinkel heavy bombers. The bombers were carrying radio-guided, rocket-boosted glide bombs, 30 of which were launched at the convoy. HMT Rohna was the only casualty... 1,015 American Troops died in the sinking… The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. Details of the loss were hidden from the public and revealed slowly over time… This was the first time in history radio guided bombs were used in combat!
Montana is listed as being “Killed in Action” on November 27, 1943... His body was never recovered. He is memorialized at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia and with a cenotaph in Arlington National Cemetery.
Purple Heart Medal awarded posthumously to Staff Sergeant Michael Montana of New Haven County, Connecticut. Montana was a member of 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion, Army Air Forces.
On 25 November 1943, Montana, along with the rest of the 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion boarded the HMT Rohna ("HMT" = His Majesty's Transport) at Oran in French Algeria en-route to the PTO.
The following day, the convoy was attacked by 14 Luftwaffe Heinkel heavy bombers. The bombers were carrying radio-guided, rocket-boosted glide bombs, 30 of which were launched at the convoy. HMT Rohna was the only casualty... 1,015 American Troops died in the sinking… The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. Details of the loss were hidden from the public and revealed slowly over time… This was the first time in history radio guided bombs were used in combat!
Montana is listed as being “Killed in Action” on November 27, 1943... His body was never recovered. He is memorialized at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia and with a cenotaph in Arlington National Cemetery.
On 25 November 1943, Montana, along with the rest of the 853rd Aviation Engineer Battalion boarded the HMT Rohna ("HMT" = His Majesty's Transport) at Oran in French Algeria en-route to the PTO.
The following day, the convoy was attacked by 14 Luftwaffe Heinkel heavy bombers. The bombers were carrying radio-guided, rocket-boosted glide bombs, 30 of which were launched at the convoy. HMT Rohna was the only casualty... 1,015 American Troops died in the sinking… The attack is the largest loss of US troops at sea due to enemy action in a single incident. Details of the loss were hidden from the public and revealed slowly over time… This was the first time in history radio guided bombs were used in combat!
Montana is listed as being “Killed in Action” on November 27, 1943... His body was never recovered. He is memorialized at the North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia and with a cenotaph in Arlington National Cemetery.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Connecticut.
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