Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats


Arthur A. Lauman

Merchant Marine. American

Born   1888


Decorations

1942Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal

Roster information listed for Arthur A. Lauman


ShipTypeRank / roleAttacked onBoat
Esso BolivarMotor tankerFireman/Watertender8 Mar 1942U-126

Personal information

Award Citation for Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal:

For extraordinary heroism and especially meritorious service under unusual hazards.

While his ship was under heavy shell fire and torpedo attack by an enemy submarine which caused fires above and below deck, he remained at his port in the fireroom despite the shattering of the room and its equipment by explosions. As one shell crashed through the smokestack casing, breaking off a ten-foot section of six-inch copper pipe and other smaller piping, pieces of steel hurtled into the lower fireroom. As another shell came through the fireroom casing and tore into the uptake, the room was sprayed with pieces of metal. When ordered at last by the Chief Engineer to report to his boat station, he was found calmly clearing the floor of debris in order to continue operations. With all exits afire, it was necessary for him to climb through the engine room skylights to get out on deck. Later, while in the water waiting to be picked up by a lifeboat, he helped another seaman to fight off sharks attacking a wounded member of the gun crew.

His extraordinary courage and fidelity to trust will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.


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Crew list for Ships hit by U-boats