Branch of Service
U.S. Merchant Marine
Hometown
Newport, Kentucky
Honored By
Bellevue Veterans Club
SS GULF AMERICA TANKER, TORPEDOED OFF-SHORE JACKSONVILLE APRIL 10, 1942. U-123 SENT A TORPEDO INTO THE TANKER WITH ITS CARGO OF 90,000 BARRELS OF FUEL OIL, EXPLODED WITH A FIERY BLAST. FOR THE SS GULF AMERICA THIS, IT’S MAIDEN VOYAGE WOULD BE IT'S LAST. IT WOULD SINK TO THE BOTTOM TO BECOME WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS JACKSONVILLE BEACH. NINETEEN OF THE FORTY-EIGHT-PERSON CREW AND GUARDSMEN OF THE SS GULF AMERICA WERE LOST.