Yes neutral ships in convoys were common during the initial stages of the war (after 1942 almost everyone was at war with Germany)
Technically speaking I think the neutral ships were considered neutral and the Prize Regulations applied. Practically they were supporting the enemy and after 1939 the Germans were shooting at almost anything in a convoy. For single ships things were different as there the Germans were a bit more 'understanding' of their neutrality.
As far as the US ships were concerned there was a big effort from the Germans to avoid hitting them but there was such 'hate and mistrust' on both sides that 'accidents' (as they were calling them) were common
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