World War II Chronicle: October 17, 1941
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During the midwatch (midnight-0400) of Oct. 17, 1941, U-568 (Kapitänleutnant Joachim Preuss, commanding) spots the American destroyer USS Kearny during an attack on Convoy SC-48, 400 miles south of Iceland. The U-boat fired a spread of four torpedoes at Kearny at 04:15. 1 minute and 39 seconds later one torpedo hit the starboard side of Kearny’s No. 1 fire room, knocking out the ship’s power. The Germans thought they saw the ship break in two, but crews fight through the morning to restore power and keep her afloat.
11 American sailors are killed and 22 wounded — eight seriously. The Germans deny knowledge or involvement in the attack. She limps toward Iceland at 10 knots, reaching harbor two days later. On Christmas, she steams for Boston where permanent repairs can be made.
Missing, listed as killed: Sea2 Dwight F. Pyle (from Ga.), F1c George A. Calvert (Ill.), F1c Sidney G. Larriviere (La.), WT1 Herman A.C. Gajeway (N.Y.), WT1 Luther A. Curtis (Ohio), WT2 Louis Dobnikar (Ohio), PHM2 Lloyd D. LaFleur (Pa.), F1c Iral W. Stoltz (Pa.), SC1 Floyd A. Camp (Va.), MM2 Harry T. Young (Va.), and FC3c Russell B. Wade (Ala.). You can read commendations for the crew of Kearny in the February 1942 edition of “All Hands” (pages 10-15)…
Page two reports that all American merchant vessels in Chinese or Japanese waters have been recalled to Honolulu… The new Curtiss SB2C Helldiver is pictured on page 16. The prototype first flew in December 1940 and nearly 900 modifications are made before the Navy accepts the Helldiver two years from now… Page 25 discusses how the Army Air Force’s Bell P-39 Airacobra interceptors fared against mock bombing raids near Washington… Sports section begins on page 54… Today’s “Spot Your Plane” is Germany’s Blohm & Voss Ha-139 float plane.
Evening star. (Washington, D.C.), 17 October 1941. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1941-10-17/ed-1/