Print plaque Printing Tips

World War II Honoree

Killed in World War II

William E. Coyle

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Campbell County, Kentucky

Honored By

Bellevue Veterans Club

Branch Seal
Activity During WWII

853RD ENGINEER BATTALION AVIATION. DIED ON NOVEMBER 26, 1943. ON THAT DAY, THE 853RD ENGINEER BATTALION SAILED OUT OF ORAN, ALGERIA ON THE BRITISH OWNED AND OPERATED TRANSPORT SHIP, HMTS ROHNA. LATER THAT DAY, THE CONVOY THAT THE ROHNA WAS A PART OF WAS ATTACKED BY GERMAN AIRCRAFT. THE ROHNA WAS STRUCK BY THE MISSILE, WHICH BLEW A HOLE THROUGH BOTH SIDES OF THE SHIP, KILLING 300 AMERICANS IMMEDIATELY, MANY OF THE MEMBERS OF THE 853RD ENGINEERS. THE SHIP QUICKLY SUNK, AND OVER 1000 AMERICANS WERE LOST.