American sailors rescued from the submerged Lansdale destroyer (USS Lansdale DD-426) were preparing to receive new clothes after they were given first aid and were cleaned of fuel oil aboard the Menges US Coast Guard ( in the Mediterranean.
Lansdale was sunk on April 20, 1944 by German aircraft (two torpedoes from Junkers U-88 aircraft) in the same episode when tanker Paul Hamilton (SS Paul Hamilton) was sunk
In total, the USS Menges DE-320 lifted 119 American sailors from Landsdale on board; 49 sailors died. No one escaped from Paul Hamilton.
American sailors pictured from left to right: James P. Dewey, Radioman Third Class; unknown rescued; Elmer C. Hoffman, TM 2c; sailor Virgil B. Mathis; two unknown rescued american sailors.
Location: Mediterranean Sea
Photo date: April 20, 1944
Photo by: Arthur Green