World War II Honoree

Joseph Anthony Ratel, Sr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Newark, New Jersey

Honored By

Joseph Ratel

Relationship

Son

HE WAS SERVING ON THE FREIGHTER SS MARIANA WHEN IT WAS TORPEDOED BY THE GERMAN SUBMARINE U-126 AT 2044 GCT (GREENWICH CIVIL TIME) ON MARCH 5, 1942 AT ABOUT 500 MILES EAST OF NASSAU, BAHAMAS. THEY WERE ON A VOYAGE FROM GUANICA, PUERTO RICO TO BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS WITH A CARGO OF SUGAR. THE SHIP AND ITS CREW OF 35 MEN WERE NEVER HEARD FROM AGAIN.