DOB/DOD: January 18, 1903 (Worcester, MA) – February 23, 1945; 42 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Marie L. Provencher (1909-1991)
LOCAL ADDRESS: Danielson
SERVICE NUMBER: Z-317391
FAMILY: Born to Gedeon (1871-1945) and Alice Coulombe Provençal (1875-1956). Three brothers, Arthur J. (1897-1971), Wilfred J. “Gilbert” (1905-1974), and Hector C. (1911-1979). One sister, Marie Emiline Yvonne Provencal O’Neill (1900-?).
CIRCUMSTANCES: The Liberty Ship SS Henry Bacon was torpedoed by German aircraft while en convoy from Murmansk, Russia to Gourock, Scotland. The ship had become separated from the convoy in a heavy gale. Four hours after receiving a radio warning about a possible air attack, German aircraft struck. Although the crew was able to down five planes, a torpedo found its mark on the starboard side. The ship went down in about an hour. Survivors were picked up by British destroyers several hours later. [navymemorial.org]
In the end, of the 86 people aboard Henry Bacon, 15 Merchant Mariners were lost, including Captain Carini, the first mate, second mate, chief engineer, the first and second assistant engineers, and the boatswain. In addition, seven of the Naval Armed Guard were lost, including the three gunners who stayed behind to defend the ship to the last, and Lieutenant (j.g.). Sippola. All 19 of the Norwegian refugees were saved thanks to the sacrifice of Henry Bacon’s crew and the Armed Guard. King Haakon of Norway honored all crewmen by awarding the Norwegian War Medal. Captain Carini was awarded the Norwegian War Cross with Swords by the king, one of only two U.S. citizens to receive it. Carini was also awarded the Mariner’s Medal (a Purple Heart Medal equivalent) by the U.S. War Shipping Administration. [history.navy.mil]