Person Page - 24

     Amandus Caron was born on 8 April 1812 at St Kruis. He married Maria-Theresia Landtschoot, daughter of Jacobus-Bernard Landtschoot and Angelique Christy, on 17 December 1866 at St Kruis. Amandus Caron died on 13 December 1894 at St Kruis at age 82.

     Bertha Ann Lee was born on 29 January 1895 at Randall, Kenosha County, Wisconsin, USA. She was the daughter of Maurice Lee. Bertha Ann Lee married Kamiel Landschoot, son of Christiaan Landtschoot and Nathalia Van De Velde, on 29 January 1913 at Dickey Township, Lamoure, La Moure County, North Dakota. Bertha Ann Lee was buried in 1961 at St Pauline Cemetery, Jamestown, Stuttsman County, North Dakotha. She died in 1961 at Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA..

     Morris Landscoot was born on 31 January 1914 at Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA.. He was the son of Kamiel Landschoot and Bertha Ann Lee. Morris Landscoot married Mary Lehe Brady, daughter of Leo Brady and Alice Cecilia Dunn, on 3 June 1953 at Jamestown, Stuttsman County, North Dakota. Morris Landscoot died on 17 May 1966 at Minnesota, USA., at age 52.

     Loyd Landscoot was born on 15 April 1918 at Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA.. He was the son of Kamiel Landschoot and Bertha Ann Lee. Loyd Landscoot married Irene Sophie Harr, daughter of Carl Harr and Johanna Bitz, in 1936 at Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota, USA.. Loyd Landscoot died on 3 February 1943 at Greenland at age 24. On January 23, 1943, the Dorchester left New York harbor with 904 people aboard. She headed north as part of a six-ship convoy en route to Newfoundland and Greenland. The ship carried 130 crewmen, 23 members of the Navy Armed Guard and 751 military personnel and others. After stopping to pick up supplies at St. Johns, Newfoundland, on January 27, the Dorchester returned to sea on January 29, accompanied by two other cargo ships and three Coast Guard cutters that formed their convoy.

The soldiers aboard did not know what the ship’s final destination was intended to be. Various rumors had her going to Ireland or Africa or Norway, or perhaps even to help defend England if Hitler invaded that island. But the four chaplains aboard the ship knew where the ship was going. Those four men -- George Fox (Methodist), Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed), Alex Goode (Jewish Rabbi) and John Washington (Catholic) – had spent only a few weeks together on the ship, but they were nearly always together. They knew that the Dorchester was sailing to the air base at Narssarssuaq, Greenland, the main base used to ferry planes to England. The chaplains felt it best to keep that information to themselves, and they spent many hours comforting nervous boys who realized the ship was sailing through the dangerous “submarine alley.”

On the evening of February 2, the tension on the ship eased somewhat as word spread that the Dorchester had broken away from her convoy, which was not an unusual maneuver when a ship was only hours away from port. They were almost there. Many men went to sleep that night without their life jackets because for the first time in days, they felt the ship was safe from attack.

“The navy escorted the Dorchester to Greenland,” and when the Dorchester broke away from the convoy, a destroyer was to go with her. But when she got near the coast, it was decided that there would be no submarines because it was fairly shallow, so the destroyer broke off and the Dorchester proceeded by herself.

Aboard the ship, the four chaplains presided over the evening’s successful entertainment program. The hour was late when the show ended, and they too headed for bed, feeling relief that the ship had made the dangerous journey safely. It was one a.m., February 3, 1943.

As they walked to their staterooms, beneath the frothing surface of the black Atlantic, a command was barked in German. In a heartbeat, German submarine U-223 unleashed a deadly torpedo toward the sleeping ship. “There was a loud boom,” the ship rose six feet out of the water, and then the lights went out.

The torpedo had struck the Dorchester’s starboard side, exploding in the engine room and killing 100 men below decks. In the frightening darkness, pandemonium erupted as men frantically groped for their life jackets, blindly scrambling to escape the bowels of the sinking ship.

On the deck above him, men struggled frantically to free lifeboats that were frozen in place, as the ship slowly continued to roll on its side. Those without life jackets crowded in fear around lockers where the four chaplains calmly handed out the precious extra jackets until they were gone. But there were not enough for everyone, and the ship was sinking fast.

While most men desperately attempted to save themselves from an icy death, the four chaplains, faced with men whimpering in fear as the ship descended into the cold Atlantic, did something that would stun everyone who witnessed it.

The four chaplains quickly moved among the bewildered men, calming them, directing them to life rafts, urging them to escape the doomed ship. Many had forgotten their life jackets. The chaplains located a supply in a deck locker and passed them out. When the bin was empty they pulled off their own and made others put them on.

Only two of the 14 lifeboats were successfully used in abandoning ship. Soldiers leaped into the icy sea. They clutched the gunwales of the two overloaded lifeboats, clung to doughnut-like rafts or floated alone. Some men were insulated by the thick fuel oil that coated them and floated in lifejackets for eight hours.

The four chaplains remained on the ship’s slanted aft deck, standing together, arms linked, heads bowed in prayer, as the Dorchester slipped beneath the waves. Their sacrifice would be remembered as one of the most touching stories of the Second World War, and their legacy continues to this day.

No Greater Love features two hours of interviews with survivors of the sinking of the Dorchester, rescuers of the terrified men, and naval historians; along with archival recordings and vivid recreations of that night in February 1943 when nearly 700 men lost their lives in one of the greatest naval tragedies of World War II. It is a fitting tribute to four men who gave their lives so that others could live.

SOURCES:
Sinking of the Dorchester: The Story America Will Never Forget and the World, by Chester J. Szymczak. 1976.^1,2

     Elodia-Maria Landtschoot was born on 17 May 1888 at Lapscheure. She was the daughter of Jozef Landtschoot and Amelia Robesin. Elodia-Maria Landtschoot died on 28 August 1888 at Lapscheure.

     Marie-Louise Landtschoot was born on 20 November 1885 at Lapscheure. She was the daughter of Jozef Landtschoot and Amelia Robesin. Marie-Louise Landtschoot married Leopoldus Landuyt on 25 October 1905 at Lapscheure. Marie-Louise Landtschoot died on 31 May 1967 at Brugge at age 81.

     Leopoldus Landuyt was born on 20 March 1872 at Damme. He married Marie-Louise Landtschoot, daughter of Jozef Landtschoot and Amelia Robesin, on 25 October 1905 at Lapscheure. Leopoldus Landuyt died on 24 December 1954 at Heist at age 82.

     Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot was born on 29 May 1902 at Gladstone, Delta County, Michigan, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot married Emiel Ruthgeerts, son of Emiel Theodore Ruthgeerts and Amelia Melanie Smet, on 29 September 1924 at Superior, Douglas Co., Wisconsin. Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot died on 16 May 1998 at Hibbing, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, USA, at age 95. She was buried on 20 May 1998 at St Francis Cemetery, East Superior, Dougals County, Wisconsin.¹

     Louis-Francis Van Landschoot was born on 25 July 1903 at Gladstone, Delta County, Michigan, USA. He was the son of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Louis-Francis Van Landschoot died on 25 January 1946 at East Superior, Douglas, Wisconsin, USA, at age 42. He was buried on 28 January 1946 at St Francis Cemetery, East Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin.¹

     Amelia Van Landschoot was born on 16 February 1907 at Gladstone, Delta County, Michigan, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Amelia Van Landschoot married Henry Francis Paggen, son of William Paggen and Marie, on 16 August 1933. Amelia Van Landschoot died on 23 July 1996 at St Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, at age 89.

     Philemina Van Landschoot was born on 30 September 1910 at Gladstone, Delta County, Michigan, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Philemina Van Landschoot died on 9 May 1955 at East Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 44. She was buried on 12 May 1955 at St Francis Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin.

     Christine-Livina Van Landschoot was born on 28 December 1908 at Gladstone, Delta County, Michigan, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Christine-Livina Van Landschoot married Ralph Theodore Sr. Thompson on 11 June 1928. Christine-Livina Van Landschoot died on 2 June 1995 at St Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, at age 86.

     Clara-Isabel Van Landschoot was buried at St Francis Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin. She was born on 17 May 1912 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Clara-Isabel Van Landschoot married Edmund De Bock, son of Henry De Bock and Leontine, on 1 March 1938.

     Alphonse-Joseph Van Landschoot was born on 18 July 1914 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. He was the son of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Alphonse-Joseph Van Landschoot married Louise Josephine Machones, daughter of Mike Michones and Marie, on 20 September 1943 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. Alphonse-Joseph Van Landschoot died on 6 October 1967 at East Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 53. He was buried on 10 October 1967 at St Francis Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin.

     Anthony-Aloysious Van Landschoot was born on 20 September 1916 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. He was the son of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Anthony-Aloysious Van Landschoot married Thelma Eleanor Bjorkman, daughter of Carl Bjorkman and Ella, on 19 June 1940 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. Anthony-Aloysious Van Landschoot died on 2 December 1973 at East Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 57. He was buried on 5 December 1973 at St Francis Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin.

     Marie-Elodie Van Landschoot was born on 8 June 1918 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Marie-Elodie Van Landschoot died on 30 December 1923 at East Superior, Douglas, Wisconsin, USA, at age 5. She was buried on 2 January 1924 at St Francis Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Minnesota.

     Erma-Cecilia Van Landschoot was born on 19 January 1922 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. She was the daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene. Erma-Cecilia Van Landschoot married Peter Emmett Gaynor on 20 December 1941 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. Erma-Cecilia Van Landschoot was buried on 17 October 1959 at St Francis Cemetery, Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin.

     Emiel Ruthgeerts was born on 3 April 1899 at Melsele-Waas, Oost Vlaanderen, Belgium. He was the son of Emiel Theodore Ruthgeerts and Amelia Melanie Smet. Emiel Ruthgeerts married Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot, daughter of Joseph Van Landschoot and Nathalia Viaene, on 29 September 1924 at Superior, Douglas Co., Wisconsin. Emiel Ruthgeerts died on 14 April 1969 at East Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 70. He was buried on 17 April 1969 at St Francis Cemetery, East Superior, Dougals County, Wisconsin.¹

     Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts is the daughter of Emiel Ruthgeerts and Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot.

     Joseph-Francis Ruthgeerts was born on 15 October 1934 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA. He was the son of Emiel Ruthgeerts and Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot. Joseph-Francis Ruthgeerts died on 23 September 1999 at Hibbing, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, USA, at age 64. He was buried on 26 September 1999 at St Francis Cemetery, East Superior, Dougals County, Wisconsin.

     Marie-Lois Ruthgeerts is the daughter of Emiel Ruthgeerts and Rosalie-Amelia Van Landschoot.

     Terrance Ralph DeVinck is the son of Cyriel De Vinck and Emilie Lievens.

     Nancy Anne DeVinck is the daughter of Terrance Ralph DeVinck and Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts.

     Sandra-Leigh DeVinck is the daughter of Terrance Ralph DeVinck and Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts.

     Debra-Kay DeVinck is the daughter of Terrance Ralph DeVinck and Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts.

     Linda-Marie DeVinck is the daughter of Terrance Ralph DeVinck and Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts.

     Brian-Terrance DeVinck is the son of Terrance Ralph DeVinck and Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts.

     Elisabeth-Elaine DeVinck is the daughter of Terrance Ralph DeVinck and Elaine-Marie Ruthgeerts.

     Robert Patrick Piggett is the son of Patrick Piggett and Nancy Anne DeVinck.

     Duane Hill was born on 8 January 1951 at Iowa, USA. He died on 27 December 1986 at Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin, USA, at age 35.

     Lori-Sue Hill is the daughter of Duane Hill and Sandra-Leigh DeVinck.

     Erik Duane Hill is the son of Duane Hill and Sandra-Leigh DeVinck.

     Pamela-Joan Hill is the daughter of Duane Hill and Sandra-Leigh DeVinck.

     Michael Mc Gahey is the son of Oscar Mc Gahey and Kathleen McDonald.

     David Borgen is the son of Douglas Henry Borgen and Janice Lynn Anderson.

     Dustin Borgen is the son of David Borgen and Linda-Marie DeVinck.

     Nicole Emily Borgen is the daughter of David Borgen and Linda-Marie DeVinck.

     Pierre Durinck is the son of Freddy Durinck and Erna-Irma Vanlandschoot.

     Robert Vandepitte is the son of Maurice Vandepitte and Maria Magdalena Landschoot.

     Marie-Sylvie Landschoot was born on 6 June 1886 at Middelburg. She was the daughter of Augustus Landschoot and Barbara Garnaey. Marie-Sylvie Landschoot died on 28 April 1971 at Wingene at age 84.

     Theophiel Landschoot was born on 3 March 1888 at Middelburg. He was the son of Augustus Landschoot and Barbara Garnaey. Theophiel Landschoot married Elisa De Graeve, daughter of August De Graeve and Prudence Vervenne, on 17 November 1926 at Beernem. Theophiel Landschoot died on 23 May 1959 at Beernem at age 71. He was buried on 27 May 1959 at St Amandus kerhof, Beernem.

     Elisa De Graeve was born on 8 December 1906 at Beernem. She was the daughter of August De Graeve and Prudence Vervenne. Elisa De Graeve married Theophiel Landschoot, son of Augustus Landschoot and Barbara Garnaey, on 17 November 1926 at Beernem. Elisa De Graeve died on 28 December 1992 at Beernem at age 86.

     Celesta-Marie Landschoot is the daughter of Augustus Landschoot and Barbara Garnaey.