Recent US Navy correction of naval history to ‘Enemy Action’ and Posthumous Award of 50 Purple Heart Medals to the PE-56 (USS EAGLE) casualties brought about by the hard work and diligent research of SHARKHUNTERS Member PAUL LAWTON (4628-1996)

The US Navy has just recently acknowledged that the American warship USS EAGLE 56 (PE-56) was in fact, torpedoed and sunk by the German U-boat U-853 off the coast of Portland, Maine on 23 April 1945. For the past 56 years, the official US Navy record had blamed the loss of PE-56 on a ‘possible boiler explosion…not enemy action’; therefore the casualties were deprived of posthumous recognition in the form of Purple Heart Medals.

The Navy Count of Inquiry included survivor statements about witnessing a dark submarine momentarily surface several hundred yards away from the sinking sub chaser before it quickly dove from sight. Rescue ships picked up the U-boat on their sonar and attacked her, with negative results. For the next several days, a fleet of warships hunted the U-boat and attacked her several times, before losing her as she departed the Gulf of Maine, headed south past Cape Cod and into Block Island Sound where she was ultimately sunk with all hands on may 5/6, 1945.

Recently declassified records from the National Security Agency, including ‘Ultra’ Tracking Room records reveal the Navy knew the U-853 sank the PE-56, and coordinated the concerted anti-submarine hunt that followed. Apparently these records were so highly classified that they were not shared by Naval Intelligence, with the Court of Inquiry. This correction will result in the posthumous award of Purple Heart Medals to 50 men - the 49 killed and at least one of the more seriously wounded. Also credited is the sinking of that US Navy warship to the U-853, in addition to the SS BLACK POINT.

SHARKHUNTERS extends hearty congratulations to PAUL LAWTON for his hard work and perseverance in accomplishing this major update to the history of the War at Sea. So much has to change in the records now, thanks to this revelation.

The last American warship sunk in American waters during World War II is now known to be USS EAGLE 56;

At least 50 Americans will receive their richly deserved Purple Heart Medals, although 56 years after the action;

The German Navy records must be changed to reflect that U-853 sank USS EAGLE 56 some days prior to her being lost with all hands and recognition must be given to that.

PAUL - This was outstanding work! Congratulations.