Crossing the Atlantic 1943
The 187th began its journey to Southampton, England to enter the War. As I began this journey to understand more about my father's history, I was lucky when I came across a clue through Robert Wolfe in his book called naked Soul. So far this is the most complete list of men who were in the 187th combat engineer battalion. I hope this information will help you in your research for your family member or relatives. This information was provided by Bowling Green State University. Many thanks to Sara Butler-Tongate for her help in providing this information.
If you want to see this ship in action, you can watch a video at https://www.italianliners.com/copy-of-mostra-saturnia-vulcania. Scroll down the page to you see the picture of the YouTube video and press the arrow icon to start the video.
MV Saturnia was an Italian ocean liner named after Saturnia, Tuscany, the first of two sister ships built in Trieste for Cosulich Soc. Triestina di Nav. of Trieste and launched in 1925. Sister ship MS Vulcania was launched the next year. Saturnia served into World War II for Italy and upon the Italian armistice with the Allies was delivered to the U.S. War Shipping Administration (WSA) in an arrangement made between Italy and Admiral Cunningham of the Royal Navy, approved by General Eisenhower.
Saturnia sailed from Italy to New York with an Italian crew and was delivered to WSA on 18 November 1943. The ship first served under a WSA agent after conversion into a troop ship allocated to U.S. Army requirements but in January 1945 began conversion into a hospital ship under U.S. Army bareboat charter from WSA. After conversion into USAHS Frances Y. Slanger, the ship departed New York in July 1945 for France to embark on patients. In December 1945 the hospital ship was retired and converted from 24 January to 21 February 1946 into a dependent transport as USAT Saturnia.
In November 1946 Saturnia was delivered to the Italian government to return to commercial service until March 1965. The ship was scrapped in October 1965.
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If you are a WWII vet or a family member and wish to include your history or the history of a loved one, I'd love to hear from you. My main emphasis is to acquire the history of the men who served.
YOU CAN CATCH UP ON THE JOURNEY OF THE 187TH BY SEARCHING FOR THESE PAST POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET.
These articles are listed from newest to oldest.
Rhineland
Central Europe
Ardennes-Alsace
PASSENGER LIST
STORY OF WILLIAM R. MARTIN
CAMP WHITE: OREGON GOES TO WAR
187TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION PHOTO
US 9TH ARMY
CHARLIE COMPANY
BAKER COMPANY
ABLE COMPANY
SUDDENLY THE MOVE
EXT DAY
THE STORY OF THE 187TH ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION: IN THE BEGINNING
CAMP WHITE OREGON
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