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Donald R. Foxvog
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The Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon Hardcover – October 15, 2001

by Donald R. Foxvog (Author), Robert Alotta (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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The Last Voyage of the Henry Bacon is a story of heroic courage and valor and self-sacrifice. The last voyage of the Liberty ship SS Henry Bacon saw the crew put the lives of 19 Norwegian refugees above their own. The Bacon was the last Liberty ship to be sunk by the GermanLufwaffe on the Murmansk Run from Scotland to Murmansk, Russia. The ship fought valiantly against superior forces, and downed more German planes than any other Liberty ship. The SS Henry Bacon was born, lived and died in war: commissioned November 11, 1942; and sank February 23, 1945. When the ship went down, her proud captain and chief engineer were standing at the helm. This is her story.The Last Voyage of the Henry Bacon is filled with touching personal episodes, well-written and documented, drawn from conversation and correspondence with the surviving merchant seamen and Navy gunners. All of the accounts have been verified by declassified Navy and Maritime Commission records.
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  1. Print length
    288 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Paragon House
  4. Publication date
    October 15, 2001
  5. Dimensions
    5.9 x 1.1 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1557788014
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1557788016
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A deadly and harrowing true story filled with heroic sacrifice and sad tribute, The Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon is highly recommended reading for anyone with a strong interest in naval history and a unique contribution to personal, academic, and community library World War II studies collection.―The Bookwatch, March, 2002.

...brings to life the real dangers of a liberty ship crew in the Artic Sea north of Russia during World War II....a gripping tale of brave men at sea in the service of their country, working valiantly for the war effort and being ignored by their own government when medals were handed round.―Mike Ramsey in The Roanoke Times, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002.

...Far more than an ordinary story as the narrative includes the American Merchant Marine, US Navy Armed Guard, Norwegian civilians and their daring rescue by Royal Navy destroyers, voyages to Russia, life in Murmansk and finally Convoy RA.64. All these ingredients have been woven into the meticulously researched account by the authors who were determined that this little known story of tragedy and heroism should be made known in its entirety.... A highly recommended readable book and a fine example of thorough research.―Richard Cornish, The Review, a quarterly journal of the Naval Historical Collectors and Research Association

"The authors transport the reader back to 1945 and the situation that the participants faced in that bleak Arctic Sea, through the use of oral histories, personnel interviews, and official reports. The Last Voyage of the SS Henry Bacon is a gripping sea story and conveys the imagery of what it was like to be merchant sailors and civilians caught up in the horror of the Second World War."―Professor Salvatore R. Mercogliano, Department of History, Methodist College

About the Author

Donald R. Foxvog has been writing all his life. Before his retirement, he worked for United Press, the Congressional Quarterly, and at several newspapers. Foxvog has served as a Congressional speech writer and performed freelance writing jobs for government agencies.

Dr. Robert I. Alotta has been writing and getting published since the age of 14. He has written countless articles for academic journals and major and minor newspapers and magazines. Additionally, he has authored nine historical non-fiction works. His doctorate is in American military history. Dr. Alotta currently teaches history at Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA. He is also the director of education and information services for the Rockingham County Sheriff's Office and their webmaster.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Paragon House; First Edition (October 15, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1557788014
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1557788016
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.26 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.9 x 1.1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

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Donald R. Foxvog

Donald R. Foxvog

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
18 global ratings
Damaged Item, problem not rectified
1 Star
Damaged Item, problem not rectified
Bought as brand new 2 copies of this book as gifts. One was fine but the second came with a damaged book cover. I returned the book with the damaged cover. The seller resent a book in a plastic bag labelled "new item" with out any book cover. It honestly looks like the same book resent without the book cover. All packaging was undamaged and untampered with. My loss
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Top reviews from the United States

Erik in Seattle
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book, excellently written
Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
I am the grandson of the US Navy Gunnery Officer, Lt John Sippola, described in this book. I had heard a few stories growing up about him, but very little on how he died; it was just too painful for my grandmother, and my mother (actually referenced in this book, though not by name) was too young. This very well researched book provided a great deal of information and details about the final sailing of the SS Henry Bacon and the events leading up to it. It is a great tribute to the brave men who sailed aboard her. The book gives excellent background on the general circumstances that the Bacon found herself in, and how they fit into the broader picture of the closing months of the war in Europe. I would very much like to thank Donald Foxvog and Robert Alotta for writing this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Johnny Wilde
5.0 out of 5 stars Heroic voyage
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Had the pleasure to meet Dick Burbine who is mentioned several times in the book. An amazing man, 3 war veteran, and still alive and going strong at 96. He's out chopping wood almost daily. His story of survival is amazing. The story of the Henry S Bacon and their mission would make a great movie.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Damaged Item, problem not rectified
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020
Verified Purchase
Bought as brand new 2 copies of this book as gifts. One was fine but the second came with a damaged book cover. I returned the book with the damaged cover. The seller resent a book in a plastic bag labelled "new item" with out any book cover. It honestly looks like the same book resent without the book cover. All packaging was undamaged and untampered with. My loss
Customer image
Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Damaged Item, problem not rectified
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020
Bought as brand new 2 copies of this book as gifts. One was fine but the second came with a damaged book cover. I returned the book with the damaged cover. The seller resent a book in a plastic bag labelled "new item" with out any book cover. It honestly looks like the same book resent without the book cover. All packaging was undamaged and untampered with. My loss
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One person found this helpful
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Robert Peters
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding book about little known WWII tragedy.
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2022
Verified Purchase
The history of saving the lives of Norwegian refugees by the SS Henry Bacon, the last ship sunk by German torpedo airplanes during WWII.
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Debbie
5.0 out of 5 stars Our Merchant Mariners - truly honorable
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2016
Verified Purchase
One of the most powerful books out there depicting the heroics of the Merchant Marines. Most people don't know a thing about the Merchant Marines, and they've never gotten recognition for the role they play in our battles on the high seas. They are the first responders of the waterways. They go ahead of the Navy, risking their lives --UNARMED -- without any way to protect themselves or their ships. The brave men of the SS Henry Bacon is a true testament to the level of commitment these heroes display.
One person found this helpful
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Knut Mortensen
5.0 out of 5 stars A very useful and good book, from the ending of World War II
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
I am a member of the Family Simon and Berit Mortensen, born in 1951. I have heard about the convoi and Henry Bacon. This book is very important to me, and without the brave americans and englishmen it is a fact that there might have been losses of Norwegians too.
2 people found this helpful
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Lois B Marbach
5.0 out of 5 stars Great piece of history
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
It was a great historical account. My dad was on that ship and I would love to speak to the authors about it one day
.
One person found this helpful
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Jule
5.0 out of 5 stars Mostly unknown story of a war event during World War II
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2023
My father William was on that ship. He was one of a couple radio operators who sent out the SOS.
My father was in the Arctic Ocean, clinging to a piece of wood for his life for 3 1/2 hours after the Henry Bacon ship was was shot by Nazi torpedoes and sunk.
He and other survivors received a medal of honor from the Norwegian government for saving many of their people on that Murmansk run.
I heard about the story growing up, and I’m very proud of all the people, >>especially my dad who passed away some years ago. He was a hero not only to others, but to me too.
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