WW2 KIA Purple Heart S2c Eugene Lewis, AP 43, North Africa

[ww1collector]

This just arrived from a forum member in the Czech Republic. I am am really pleased to be the new caretaker.

 

Lewis, Eugene A.L.

 

 

Rank: Seaman 2c

Serial Number: 6328076

Military Branch: USS Hugh L. Scott AP-43

Origin: California

Date of Death: 1942-11-13

North African American Cemetary

 

 

Not much biographical data has been found about S2c Eugene Lewis. He was killed (missing) in action on board the American Troop Transport USS Hugh L. Scott, AP-43, that was sunk by the German submarine U-130 on November 12, 1942, as detailed below. His date of death is listed in different sites as either Nov. 12 or Nov.13.

 

S2c Lewis's group includes his officially engraved Type 1 posthumous Purple Heart with its original small purple presentation box as made by the US Mint; plus some internet research.

 

USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) (Capt Harold J. Wright) was participating in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, in the Task Group 34.9 (Center Attack Group, Western Naval Task Force) as part of the convoy UGF-1.

 

At 18.28 hours on November 12, 1942, U-130 fired five torpedoes on three transports (USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) and USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) at anchor in the heavily guarded Fedhala Roads. All torpedoes hit their targets, causing the first and the second ship to sink quickly. USS Tasker H. Bliss burned until 02.30 hours the next morning and finally sank. U-130 reported her victims by their former civilian names. 42 Navy crewmen on the Scott were killed in the sinking. Presumably some Army passengers died as well.

[ww1collector]

Another view of PH and box

[KySoldier]

Wow !!!!!! !!!! She's a beauty !!!!!!!!!! Congradulations !!!!!! God bless this brave sailor and keep him.

[History Man]

Very nice heart!

 

Philip

[fstop61]

Love that engraving-great medal

[swabbie]

Here is one of his shipmates, also lost on the Scott.

[swabbie]

Here is some information about the skipper of the U-130 (from http://www.uboat.net/men/kals.htm)

 

Ernst Kals began his 18-year career in the German Navy in 1924. After a few years on torpedo boats and light cruisers he transferred to the U-boat arm in October 1940. After one patrol on U-37, in June 1941 he commissioned U-130.

With this boat he was one of the first five commanders who operated off the US east coast during Operation Drumbeat. On his next patrol Kals operated in the Caribbean Sea, where he attacked the oil depot at Bullenbay (Curacao) with gunfire. In September 1941 he was awarded the Knights Cross.

But his greatest success was achieved on 12 November 1942, when he attacked the heavily guarded transport ships on the Fedala roads in Morocco. In five minutes he sank three large transport vessels for a total of 34,507 tons.

In January 1943 he became commander of the 2nd Flotilla based in Lorient, France where he remained to the end of the war. From May 1945 to January 1948 Kapitän zur See Ernst Kals was held in French captivity.

[matthayman]

This is crazy. I live in california. Eugene was my grandma's brother on my dad's side. I just had a daughter that has the middle name Gene because my grandma always said I reminded her of him. Small world.. I am interested in the chain of custody on this medal. Any information would be pretty cool.

[KASTAUFFER]

The original person who posted this has not been on the site since June 2025.

 

Kurt