Upon the outbreak of war in Europe in September 1939, the USS Reuben James joined the Neutrality Patrol, guarding the Atlantic and Caribbean approaches to the American coast. This escort force guarded convoys as far as Iceland, after which they became the responsibility of British escorts.
She had positioned herself between an ammunition ship in the convoy and the known position of a "wolfpack" when she was torpedoed by U-552 commanded by Kapitänleutnant Erich Topp.
Seven officers and a crew of ninety two enlisted men plus one enlisted passenger perished.
The above occurred on 31st October, long before the US entered the war.
Not until December of that year did Germany bring about the process of reaping what they had sowed (from the US anyway).
|