World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William P. Cox
Branch of Service
U.S. Merchant Marine
Hometown
Cairo, Georgia
Honored By
Pearl Thomas
He served in the U.S. Merchant Marines as a fireman on the SS David H. Atwater. On the night of April 2, 1942, the unarmed steamer SS David Atwater was on route from Norfolk, Virginia to Fall River, Massachusetts with a load of 4,000 tons of coal. The ship was sunk by the German submarine U-552. The submarine crew continuing firing as the crew abandoned the ship and tried to launch lifeboats. Of a crew of 27 only three of the Atwater crew survived. His body was never recovered. A Liberty Ship, William Cox was named in his honor.