World War II Honoree

Samuel Leroy Cobb

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

West New York, New Jersey

Honored By

Clara Louise Cobb

Relationship

Granddaughter

POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDED THE MERCHANT MARINE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. FOR HEROISM AND ESPECIALLY MERITORIOUS SERVICE UNDER UNUSUAL HAZARDS. THOUGH MORTALLY WOUNDED EARLY IN THE ACTION IN WHICH HIS SHIP WAS SUNK BY ENEMY SUBMARINE, HE FIRST ENDEAVORED TO RAM THE ATTACKER, AND THEN RAN THROUGH FIRE TO HIS CABIN TO RECOVER THE NAVY CODE AND OTHER HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL PAPERS WHICH HE CAST OVERBOARD IN A WEIGHTED SACK. HE LATER DIED IN A LIFEBOAT FROM WOUNDS AND BURNS CAUSED BY THESE ACTIONS.