Note: The S.S. Oklahoma was attacked "twice" during World War II. Both attacks resulted in the loss of some of her crew. See the "Historical Note" at the bottom of this bio for more.

The below are part of the " Second Attack " !

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Frank served as a Merchant Marine and Fireman/Watertender, S.S. Oklahoma during World War II. He was on board the Oklahoma when it was attacked for a second time.

Frank resided in Claymont, New Castle County, Delaware prior to the war.

The duties of a Fireman/Watertender was to maintain a proper water level in the ships boilers and they also were in-charge of the firemen in the engine room. They typically would stand watch in the fireroom.

In this second attack on the S.S. Oklahoma, while unescorted with a total crew of 72, she was hit by one torpedo from German U-532 while steaming on a non-evasive course at 14.5 knots. The torpedo struck on the starboard side between the #6 and #7 tanks aft of the pump room, igniting the cargo and the tanker exploded.

Eight officers, 38 crewmen and 26 armed guards were able to abandon ship before it sank.

A lifeboat containing four officers, six crewmen and twelve armed guards were not seen by a PBM aircraft and an U.S. Navy blimp on April 11th, but three days later another aircraft directed the American steam tanker Sun Delaware to the survivors. They were taken to San Nicholas, Aruba on April 15th. The Oklahoma was last seen ablaze from stem to stern and eventually sank.

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

A total of "36" Merchant Mariners & "14" Armed Guards were lost in this sinking. "22" members of the crew survived.

Frank was posthumously awarded the Mariner's Medal and the Combat Bar with a Star!

Son of Augustus Ward Burr (1895-1966) and Elizabeth Everett Carpenter Burr (1900-1992).

( Bio by: Russ Pickett )

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Merchant Mariners lost on the S.S. Oklahoma II:

Arndt, Henry E. ~ Fireman/Watertender, MO
Barge, Richard T. ~ Messman, GA
Bodden, Virgil D. ~ Ordinary Seaman, Panama
Bost, Emmett C. ~ Oiler, OH
Bruce, Russell L. ~ Oiler, MO
Buck, Asel L. ~ Oiler, NJ
Burr, Frank C. ~ Fireman/Watertender, DE
Drapala, Victor ~ Oiler, NY
Everett, Robert P. ~ Cook, MO
Gardner, George A. ~ 3rd Engineer, TX
Gordon, Guy W. ~ 1st Engineer, AL
Gresko, Michael~ Messman, MO
Guc, Stanley ~ Messman, NY
Hanford, Frederick G. ~ Ordinary Seaman, NJ
Hanley, Paul T. ~ Deck Maint., NE
Hasenstab, Leonard J. ~ Fireman/Watertender, IL
Henry, Ralph R. ~ Quartermaster, MA
Jacelon, Bertie G. ~ Messman, NY
Jordan, James E. ~ Wiper, TX
Kapitan, Peter ~ Wiper, MA
Langer, Joseph S. ~ Chief Engineer, CA
Lawhon, Millison ~ Messman, MO
Little, Jesse C. ~ Galleyman, MO
Lloyd, Howard M. ~ Able-Bodied Seaman, OH
Long, Arthur J. ~ Deck Maint., NY
Lumpkin, Gathel L. ~ Utility, AL
Miglioranza, Reynold ~ Radio Officer, NY
Preston, Robert N. ~ Ordinary Seaman, TX
Sabo, Aleksander ~ Chief Cook, PA
Sabo, Joseph J. ~ Messman, PA
Sandonato, George W. ~ Messman, PA
Sands, William L. ~ Pumpman, FL
Sauter, Bernarde F. ~ Cook, NY
Stoddart, Donald L. ~ Pumpman, MI
Wall, John W. ~ Wiper, NY
Wolf, Jesse M. ~ Second Engineer, OH

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

For the "14" Navy Armed Guards lost see this record:

Dawson, John W. ~ S1/c, MD

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Historical Note:

The S.S. Oklahoma, a 9,298 ton Steam tanker, was built by the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Chester Pennsylvania and completed in 1940. She was first attacked in very shallow waters by German U-123 about 10 miles off St. Simon´s Island, Georgia with a loss of 19 of her crew. She was towed back to Chester, PA and restored to service.

The S.S. Oklahoma was attacked a "second time" on March 28, 1945 by German U-532 in the mid-Atlantic. This attack caused her to sink with a loss of 50 of her crew.

( Crew Report & Historical Note by: Russ Pickett )