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My name is Lynette Davignon Hilts and my grandfather, Isadore Turisk from Company C, 264th Regiment died on the Leopoldville. His body was not found. If anyone reading this knew my grandfather or knows anything about his death please let me know. My parents have a book that was written about the Leopoldville and my brothers and I are taking turns reading it so we know and understand more about it. Thank you to all who are serving our country.
Pvt. Isadore Turisk was assigned to Company C, 3rd platoon, 264th Regiment, 66th Infantry Division. There were 33 survivors from his platoon of which 8 were hospitalized. There were 3 bodies from his platoon recovered. The body of Pvt. Turisk was among the 4 bodies from his platoon never found. Stats indicate he made it off the ship & either drowned or froze to death in the 48 degree waters of the English Channel. Stats are from my copy of the National archives official army Leopoldville casualty lists prepared on 12/29/1944 & 01/05/1945. His name is listed in the In Memoriam pages of my book, Leopoldville: A Tragedy Too Long Secret, on page 312.
Allan Andrade
Leopoldville disaster author/historianTo Allan Andrade,
Thank you very much for the information about my grandfather Pvt. Isadore Turisk. I will pass it on to my family and I am looking forward to reading your book. My uncle David is reading it now.
God bless everyone who has served our country and all who are serving now!
Lynette Davignon Hilts
Do you have a photo of Pvt. Turisk that you could send me? I will then post it on the In Memoriam page.
Allan Andrade
<Allan,
I do not have a picture of him. My mom was only two years old when he died. Thanks again and I can’t wait to read your book.
Lynette Davignon Hilts
My grandfather Pete Gonzalez was on the ship that night. He survived to tell us his story. I am wondering how I can get him a copy of the book? Thanks
Hello, I would like to thank you for your wonderful book Mr. Andrade. It was very informative and I was able to learn more about what happened to my grandfather, Martin Fernandes from Massachusetts. My mother was only 11 months old when he died. she just told me she wants to read your book and that’s what got me interested again; I read it years ago. I’m wondering if you know anything else about my grandfather or if any survivors ever said anything about him. I know he was one of the older guys there, I believe he was 33. Also, are any survivors still living and will their be a reunion soon. Anyways, thanks again for a great book.
Sincerely,
Paul FullenThank you for your kind comments on my book. Your grandfather, Pvt. Martin Fernandes, was assigned to Company F, 3rd. Platoon, 262nd. Regiment, which was quartered where the torpedo struck the ship. There were only 4 survivors from his platoon of which 3 were hospitalized. No bodies from the platoon were recovered. Your grandfather’s body was among 37 from his platoon never found.
I am no longer in touch with any living survivors. There is an organization called the PVO (Panther Veterans Organization). They will have a reunion in June in Louisville, KY. Do you have a photo of your grandfather that you could e-mail me to post on our In Memoriam page? If you e-mail me at agandrade37@msn.com I will send you the name of the PVO contact person for the June reunion.
Allan Andrade
Leopoldville disaster author/historianWas a little heartbroken to see my great-uncles name wasn’t on the memorial marker in France, Pvt Edison W. Harmon Co. D 264th from North Baltimore, Ohio. Assuming because of the passenger manifesto confusion? Any information pertaining to this and of course anything about Edison would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I assume you are referring to the Wall of the Missing at Normandy American Cemetery. It is not a Leopoldville memorial but about 1/3 of the engraved names are from the Leopoldville disaster. pvt. Harmon was assigned to 1st platoon, Co. D, 264th regiment. His body was among those recovered after the sinking. His body is not one of the 76 recovered bodies buried at Normandy American Cemetery. His body must therefore have been returned to the United States after the war and either buried in a local home-town cemetery or a National military cemetery.
Allan Andrade
Leopoldville disaster author/historianIn regard to Lester Gilmore
He was reburied in 1948
See his memorial Find a grave biography at
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108458035/lester-devereau-gilmorereference only
In regard to the Wikipedia entry on the Leopoldville disaster it is mentioned that British casualties wernt listed. I checked with CWGC first of royal Navy 24 Dec 1944 to 26 Dec 1944; then Merchant Navy {same dates} then simply SS Leopoldville with and without SS [all results none]
In regard to Private Turisk
His Memorial page from Vad Yashem memorial Refrence only propably copytighted
https://yvng.yadvashem.org/nameDetails.html?language=en&itemId=1122543&ind=1Pvt Harmon grave in Ohio
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/111539835/edison-w-harmon#add-to-vc
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