The U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426) was a Benson-class destroyer built in the Boston Navy Yard and commissioned on September 17, 1940.   She was named after Lt. Philip Van Horne Lansdale, who had three ships named in his honor: U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-101), U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-426), and U.S.S. Lansdale (DD-766).

     The Lansdale departed Oran on April 18, 1944 and joined convoy UGS 38 bound from Norfolk to Bizerte.   Soon after twilight convoy UGS 38 was attacked by German planes that were flying close to shore and low over the water in an attempt to evaded radar detection which they did until they were almost upon the convoy.

     The first wave of about nine Junkers Ju 88s attacked from dead ahead.   Their torpedoes damaged the S.S. Samite and detonated high explosives aboard the S.S. Paul Hamilton, blowing her out of the water and killing all 580 men on board.   The second wave of about seven Junkers hit the starboard flank of the convoy and damaged two more merchant ships. One of them, the S.S. Royal Star, was sunk however only 1 crew member was lost.   And the third, consisting of about five Heinkel He 111s, bore down on the convoy's port bow, Lansdale's station.

     Silhouetted by the explosion of the S.S. Paul Hamilton the Lansdale was attacked from both port and starboard by planes from two and possibly three waves.   As Heinkels approached on the port bow and launched two torpedoes that missed, Lansdale turned to starboard to repel five Ju 88s which had veered seaward from the convoy.   Her guns hit one as it passed down the starboard side; but, as it crashed well astern, another launched a torpedo 500 yards on the starboard beam before passing over the forecastle under heavy fire and going down on the port quarter.

     The torpedo struck the starboard side forward, wrecking the forward fireroom and opening both sides to the sea.   Almost split in two, the Lansdale immediately took a 12 degree list to port.   Her rudder jammed 22 degrees to starboard, and she steamed at 13 knotts in a clockwise circle.

     She again came under attack.   Two bombers launched torpedoes on the beam and broad on the bow to port but both missed the still-turning ship.   Despite the increasing list, her guns downed one of the planes as it turned away from the ship.

     The course of the Lansdale then straightened out, but the list increased steadily.   Within two minutes, it reached 45 degrees despite the efforts of her crew to control the battle damage.   Her skipper, Lt. Cdr. D. M. Swift, ordered her abandoned when he feared the stricken ship might roll "completely over."   Shortly the list had increased to 80 degrees and the destroyer began to break up.   Five minutes later she broke in half, and the stern section quickly sank.   The forward section sank 20 minutes later as destroyer escorts U.S.S. Menges and U.S.S. Newell began rescue operations.

     The two destroyer escorts swept the water from 21:55 - 03:30 hours the next morning searching for survivors.   The U.S.S. Menges picked up 115 men, including two German fliers who were shot down either by Lansdale or Newell.   The U.S.S. Newell rescued 119 survivors, including Lt. Cdr. Swift.   Forty-eight officers and men were carried down with Lansdale.

     The following below list was created in the memory of those who "Gave Their All" on the U.S.S. Lansdale.   There are personal "online memorials" for each of these honored men that were created for them by using the "Find A Grave" website.   You will see a blue " Yes " behind their names and by clicking on the " Yes " you will see a personal memorial that has been created for them by myself or someone else.

Key to Abbreviations and Notes AM  =  Awarded the "Air Medal" ~ ( Meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight and/or single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service. ) AM*  =  Awarded the "Air Medal" with one Oak Leaf Cluster ~ ( Second occurrance of being awarded the Air Medal ) AM**  =  Awarded the "Air Medal" with two Oak Leaf Clusters ~ ( Third occurrance of being awarded the Air Medal ) AM***  =  Awarded the "Air Medal" with three Oak Leaf Clusters ~ ( Fourth occurrance of being awarded the Air Medal ) MM  =  Awarded the "Mariner's Medal" ~ ( Awarded to the Merchant Marines for being wounded or killed in action ) PH  =  Awarded the "990000 Heart" ~ ( Awarded for being wounded in action ) PH*  =  Awarded the "990000 Heart" with one Oak Leaf Cluster  ( Wounded Two Times ) PH**  =  Awarded the "990000 Heart" with two Oak Leaf Clusters  ( Wounded Three Times ) PH***  =  Awarded the "990000 Heart" with three Oak Leaf Clusters  ( Wounded Four Times ) Other Medals  =  Such as Good Conduct Medals, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals, American Defense Service Medals, etc. " Are Not " included in this listing.   =  Picture of person shown on online memorial   =  Picture of tombstone shown on online memorial Cenotaph  =  A memorial stone only  ~  " OR "  ~  Remains not recovered  ~  " OR "  ~  Interred somewhere unknown. Quick Link by first letter of Last Name ( Those letters " NOT highlighted " in " BLUE " currently have no soldiers listed ) [  A  ]  ~  [  B  ]  ~  [  C  ]  ~  [  D  ]  ~  [  E  ]  ~  [  F  ]  ~  [  G  ]  ~  [  H  ]  ~  [  I  ]  ~  [  J  ]  ~  [  K  ]  ~  [  L  ] [  M  ]  ~  [  N  ]  ~  [  O  ]  ~  [  P  ]  ~  [  Q  ]  ~  [  R  ]  ~  [  S  ]  ~  [  T  ]  ~  [  U  ]  ~  [  V  ]  ~  [  W  ]  ~  [  X  ]  ~  [  Y  ]  ~  [  Z  ] " Please Note: " There is one source that states that " MM2c Charles R. Roth " died on the Lansdale. However I've been unable to find any military source that supports that claim so he is not listed below.    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " A " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Ballock,  Andrew E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Pennsylvania Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Barclay,  Karyes  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Cook Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Alabama Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Camden,  Lewis E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy South Carolina Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Carr,  Joseph L.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Shipfitter Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Rhode Island Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Cavanaugh,  Daniel E.  ~    ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Iowa Killed In Action April 20, 1944 Blessing Cemetery Hudson, IA " Yes "  Cronin,  John P.  ~  n/a ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Illinois Killed In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes "    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  De Mola,  Frank  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Shipfitter Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  De Sibio,  Orlando  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Pennsylvania Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Dodson,  Buford E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Georgia Killed In Action April 20, 1944 Hillcrest Cemetery Villa Rica, GA " Yes "    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Early,  James M., Jr.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Texas Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Ewing,  David M.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Lieutentant ( jg ) U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Maine Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " F " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Gill,  Spencer T.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Killed In Action April 20, 1944 Cary Cemetery Oakfield, NY " Yes "  Glusko,  Michael  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Killed In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes "  Goodwin,  Douglas L.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy California Killed In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes "    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Haines,  George E.  ~   ~ SS PH ~ At Sea Lieutenant Junior Grade U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Hickman,  Carlos A.  ~    ~ PH ~ At Sea Fire Controlman Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Ohio Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Horne,  Robert H.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Ship's Cook Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Indiana Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes "  Hustead,  Charles H.  ~    ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy West Virginia Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " I " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Jackson,  David A.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Fire Controlman Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Ohio Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Johnson,  Clarence E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Minnesota Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Johnston,  Thomas, Jr.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Ship's Cook Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Ohio Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Killinger,  Regis L.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Pennsylvania Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  La Flamme,  Bernard P.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Massachusetts Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Ladzinski,  Reginald A.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Torpedoman's Mate Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Marciano,  Daniel P.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Boilermaker First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  McNeil,  Irven L.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy North Carolina Killed In Action April 20, 1944 Woodland Cemetery Winston-Salem, NC " Yes "  McQuaig,  Daniel E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Electrician's Mate Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Florida Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Miller,  Homer D.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy California Missing In Action April 20, 1944 Littleton Cemetery Littleton, CO " Yes " Cenotaph  Miller,  William C.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Pennsylvania Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Murphy,  Bernard A., Jr.  ~    ~ PH ~ At Sea Radarman Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Maryland Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Nielsen,  Alfred O.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Electrician's Mate First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Nielsen,  Andrew E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Pennsylvania Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Neuman,  Clinton K.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Radioman Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Normandy,  William F.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Fireman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Massachusetts Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " O " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Paquette,  Joseph A. B.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Torpedoman's Mate Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Massachusetts Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " Q " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Robbins,  Roy A.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Third Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Connecticut Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Ruggiero,  John J.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Sessions,  Fred D.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Chief Water Tender U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Florida Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Shapiro,  Bernard M.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Radio Technician First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Illinois Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Shepard,  Carlyle W.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Pennsylvania Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Tolkacz,  John C.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " U " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Van Voorn,  John E.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Missouri Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Vinci,  Carl M.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Machinist's Mate Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy New York Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Westhill,  Newton T.  ~  n/a ~ PH ~ At Sea Boatswain U.S.S. Lansdale Navy California Killed In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes "  Whitehead,  Frederick C., Jr.  ~    ~ PH ~ At Sea Ensign U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Virginia Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Williams,  Carl F.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Seaman First Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Florida Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph  Woods,  Joseph C.  ~   ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Michigan Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " X " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes " Last Names starting with " Y " " There were none ! " ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~    Last Name, First Name, M.I.   ~   Photos ~ Awards ~ Place Of Passing Military Rank Branch of Service State or Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Zaiontz,  John A.  ~    ~ PH ~ At Sea Water Tender Second Class U.S.S. Lansdale Navy Texas Missing In Action April 20, 1944 North Africa American Cemetery Tunisia " Yes " Cenotaph Email any questions or comments to: Russ Pickett