Thirteenth Generation (Continued)
Thirteenth Generation (Continued)
Family of Harold Fletcher Hiltz (1914) & Leah M. Gibson
3487. Harold Gibson Hiltz (Harold Fletcher12, Alice Elizabeth Hatchard11, Barbara Elizabeth Wambold10, John Henry9, John8, Johann Peter7, Johannes6, Johann Peter5, Jakob4, Peter3, Martin2, Dieter1). Born on 14 Dec 1913 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.14 Harold Gibson died in At Sea on the S.S. Sumner I. Kimball, on 16 Jan 1944; he was 30. Buried on 17 Jan 1944 in At Sea on the S.S. Sumner I. Kimball. Occupation: Ship Fireman.
US Merchant Marine
Service No: Z 80253
Award: Mariners Medal
Address of Record: South Braintree, MA
On 8 January 1944, Fireman/Watertender HAROLD GIBSON HILTZ was on board the SS Sumner I. Kimball, an American steam merchant, as it left Loch Ewe, Scotland with convoy ON-219, bound for New York. The ship, a Liberty ship, had been built the year before. On the morning of 16 January 1944, the steamer straggled from convoy in mid-ocean, probably due to bad weather and heavy seas. The Sumner I Kimball was running a zig-zag course at 10 knots. That evening in heavy seas, German submarine U-960 spotted the ship about 900 miles east of Belle Isle Strait, Newfouldland (52°15N/33°45W) and began chasing it. After being hit by one torpedo and missed by two others, the ship tried unsuccessfully to ram the U-boat. Several hours later on 17 January 1944, two more torpedoes were fired, both hit amidships, but the steamer stayed afloat. An hour later the Sumner I. Kimball broke in two but still did not sink. Although U-960 searched for survivors none were found. Next day, the U-boat found the forward section and sank it. The stern was found by HMS Forester H-74 and it, too, was finally sunk. A distress signal had been received, but neither U-960 nor the Forester reported seeing any survivors, lifeboats or rafts. There were 40 Merchant Mariners and 29 U.S. Navy Armed Guards on board; none survived.
US Merchant Marine
Service No: Z 80253
Award: Mariners Medal
Address of Record: South Braintree, MA
On 8 January 1944, Fireman/Watertender HAROLD GIBSON HILTZ was on board the SS Sumner I. Kimball, an American steam merchant, as it left Loch Ewe, Scotland with convoy ON-219, bound for New York. The ship, a Liberty ship, had been built the year before. On the morning of 16 January 1944, the steamer straggled from convoy in mid-ocean, probably due to bad weather and heavy seas. The Sumner I Kimball was running a zig-zag course at 10 knots. That evening in heavy seas, German submarine U-960 spotted the ship about 900 miles east of Belle Isle Strait, Newfouldland (52°15N/33°45W) and began chasing it. After being hit by one torpedo and missed by two others, the ship tried unsuccessfully to ram the U-boat. Several hours later on 17 January 1944, two more torpedoes were fired, both hit amidships, but the steamer stayed afloat. An hour later the Sumner I. Kimball broke in two but still did not sink. Although U-960 searched for survivors none were found. Next day, the U-boat found the forward section and sank it. The stern was found by HMS Forester H-74 and it, too, was finally sunk. A distress signal had been received, but neither U-960 nor the Forester reported seeing any survivors, lifeboats or rafts. There were 40 Merchant Mariners and 29 U.S. Navy Armed Guards on board; none survived.
In 1931 Harold Gibson married Louise Estella Payne in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.14 Born on 29 Aug 1912 in Randolph, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.14 Louise Estella died in Boston, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A., in 1946; she was 33.14 Buried in 1946 in Braintree, Norfolk Co., Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Harold and Louise Peach with two children resided at 127 Peach Street, Braintree, Massachusetts according to the 1940 United States federal census. They rented their home for USD 20.00 per month. Harold Hiltz was a labourer for the town of Braintree, Massachusetts. (T627-1624, Massachusetts, Norfolk Co., ED 11-18, Braintree, p. 3A)
Harold and Louise Peach with two children resided at 127 Peach Street, Braintree, Massachusetts according to the 1940 United States federal census. They rented their home for USD 20.00 per month. Harold Hiltz was a labourer for the town of Braintree, Massachusetts. (T627-1624, Massachusetts, Norfolk Co., ED 11-18, Braintree, p. 3A)