World War II Honoree

Bernard Abraham Winer

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Richmond, Virginia

Honored By

Mrs. Vicki T. Hurwitz & Mr. Bernard R. Hurwitz

Relationship

Daughter & Grandson

RECONNAISSANCE PHOTOGRAPHER WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE, 831ST BOMBING SQUADRON. AT 9:04 P.M. ON APRIL 20, 1944, HE AND ABOUT 500 OTHERS (INCLUDING ABOUT 150 MEMBERS OF HIS SQUADRON), WERE ON THE USS PAUL HAMILTON DD-590 (SHIP LADEN WITH MUNITIONS BOUND FROM HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA FOR ITALY VIA BIZERTE, TUNISIA), WHEN ITS CONVOY UGS-38 WAS ATTACKED BY A SQUADRON OF GERMAN JU-88 FIGHTER BOMBERS, 30 MILES OFF THE COAST OF ALGERIA. TORPEDO STRUCK THE HAMILTON AND SHE SUFFERED A TREMENDOUS EXPLOSION AS THE CARGO DETONATED. FLAMES FROM THE BLAST REACHED ALMOST 1,000 FEET INTO THE AIR. THE REMNANTS OF THE SHIP SANK IN 30 SECONDS. ALL HANDS WERE LOST.