Sources:
- American Legion Post 146, Winthrop, Mass.
- Wikipedia: USS
Truxtun (DD-229)
- Memorial University of Newfoundland: Dead
Reckoning: The Pollux-Truxtun Disaster
- Canada's Historic Places: USS Truxtun and USS Pollux Historic Wreck Sites
- YouTube: Shipwrecks USS Pollux USS Truxtun
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| Harold E. French, Jr. (1920-1942) -- U.S. Navy, WWII - was
the first Winthrop serviceman to lose his life in WWII. He was a radioman in the
U.S. Navy Reserve for four years. When war broke out he asked for sea duty, but
was turned down because of a slight disability. He made a personal appeal to the
War Department to overlook the disability. They agreed, but he had to take a
demotion from radio operator to ordinary seaman. He was assigned to the USS
Truxtun, a destroyer. |
| The Truxtun was put on convoy and along with two other
ships was sent to Agencia, Newfoundland to join up with a large convoy bound for
Europe. On February 18, 1942, nearing Agencia, a fierce northeast gale arose, combined with a
navigational error by the lead ship, drove the Truxtun and another ship on
coastal rocks and cliffs. Many lives were lost including RM French despite
attempts by local residents. He was lost a sea and his body was never recovered. He is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at East Coast Memorial, New York City. |
How to access NewspaperArchives
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| Winthrop High School Class of 1938 - Echo Yearbook |
Memorial location: French Square
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