Veterans' Memorial Project

Thomas Gratton Cooney

Belleville, IL

World War II

College: Engineering

Graduation Year: Attended 1940

Date of Birth: 11/10/1920

Date of Death: 01/17/1942

Mr. Cooney died in Puerto Rico. He was a survivor of the torpedoed Canadian steam passenger ship Lady Hawkins, but died due to exposure, hunger and thirst. According to Web site above: “At 07.43 hours on 19 Jan 1942 the unescorted Lady Hawkins (Master Huntly Osborne Giffen) was hit by two stern torpedoes from U-66 and sank after 30 minutes about 150 miles from Cape Hatteras. The master, 85 crew members, one gunner and 164 passengers (including two DBS) were lost. The chief officer, 21 crew members and 49 passengers were picked up after five days by the Coamo and landed at Puerto Rico on 28 January.” He is buried at Winchester City Cemetery, Winchester, Illinois.

– taken from University and public records

Further information: http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/1270.html

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