Bryan J. TURNER

By V. GASCHER

Map of St James American Cemetery

Private Turner's Obituaries

Private Turner, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Turner Sr. of Hurricane Mills was lost at sea March 13, 1945, according to a letter received from the War Department by his parents last week. Turner was nearly twenty two, a very bright scholar in high school and a very much loved young man of his community. Following is the death notice.

« Your son was aboard the U.S. Army Transport J.W. McAndrew enroute to the European Continent. On the morning of March 13, 1945 about 4 A.M., northwest of the Azores Islands, thsi vessel was struck by the French Aircraft Carrier Bearn, which was in the convoy and off course due to a mechanical failure.

The McAndrew suffered a gaping hole in No.1 hold in which one hundred and thirty-four (134) enlisted men were quartered .

Eighty-one (81) of these were washed out to sea by the onrushing waters. The prevailing conditions at the time, heavy seas, darkness and poor visibility made rescue operations difficult. Two escort destroyers managed to rescue (13) enlisted men. The remaining sixty-eight (68), including your son perished despite all efforts to effect their rescue. »

One of Turner's friends saw him climbing up one of No.1 hold's ladders, he had a severe head wound, this may have made him lose consciousness after so many efforts.

USAT J.W McAndrew in November 1942 in Casablanca.

The French Aircraft Carrier "Bearn"