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

He resided in Winnebago County, Illinois prior to the war.

He enlisted in the Army on April 12, 1941, prior to the war, in Chicago, Illinois. He was noted, at the time of his enlistment, as being employed as a Barber and also as Single, without dependents.

Frederick 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.

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

He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Service # 36028429

Frederick also has a "cenotaph" in the Winnebago Cemetery, Winnebago, Illinois.
( see family links below )

( Bio & family link by: Russ Pickett )

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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.

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Previously added to Find A Grave,
source unknown:

Died 20 Apr 1944, Mediterranean Ocean, aboard the Troop Ship SS Paul Hamilton, Sunk by German aerial torpedo 30 miles off Cape Bengut, Algiers (504 men lost) It was the greatest loss of lives caused by an American ship sinking during the 44 months of WW II.