World War II Honoree

Frank Eugene Williams, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Honored By

Ms. Jane Urso

Relationship

Family

Lieutenant Junior Grade. Served aboard the escort ship USS Owl assigned to keep station on the SS Pierre DuPont, a Liberty Ship. During a storm, the SS DuPont breached and broke up. The USS Owl was detached to rescue detail, but there were no survivors. At that point the USS Owl was separated from the rest of the convoy and in grave danger in the midst of the storm. The Captain ordered all top-side items to be tossed and somehow food and water were also lost. The USS Owl somehow managed to drift into New York Harbor days later. The entire crew was delirious, having been without food and water for some time. All the men were taken to Staten Island Hospital to recover. The USS Owl however, was so badly damaged, she was no longer sea-worthy and eventually was decommissioned.