At 23.03 hours on 17 June 1942 the unescorted Millinocket (Master Lewis Wesley Callis) was hit by one torpedo from U-129, while steaming on a nonevasive course at 9 knots off La Isabela, Cuba. The torpedo struck between the #4 and #5 holds above 12 feet below the waterline. The explosion opened a large hole in the hull, blew some men overboard and killed the chief gunner. The ship sank rapidly on even keel within three minutes. No distress signals were sent and the guns were never manned (the ship was armed with one 6pdr and two .30cal guns).
Only one lifeboat and two rafts were launched, while some men had to jump into the water to escape. Witt questioned the second assistant engineer about the name of the ship, tonnage, cargo, origin and destination. He also gave them a first aid kit for the wounded men when he was asked by the engineer for one.
The master, three officers, five crewmen and two armed guards of the seven officers, 22 crewmen and six armed guards on board were lost, most of them by drowning. The survivors were picked up by a Cuban motor boat and two Cuban fishing boats about 13 hours later and landed at La Isabela and taken to Sagua La Grande, where the eight injured were treated at the hospital.