Not much biographical data has been found about S2c Eugene Lewis. He was killed (missing) in action on board the American Troop Transport USS Hugh L. Scott, AP-43, that was sunk by the German submarine U-130 on November 12, 1942, as detailed below. His date of death is listed in different sites as either Nov. 12 or Nov.13.
S2c Lewis's group includes his officially engraved Type 1 posthumous Purple Heart with its original small purple presentation box as made by the US Mint; plus some internet research.
USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) (Capt Harold J. Wright) was participating in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, in the Task Group 34.9 (Center Attack Group, Western Naval Task Force) as part of the convoy UGF-1.
At 18.28 hours on November 12, 1942, U-130 fired five torpedoes on three transports (USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) and USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) at anchor in the heavily guarded Fedhala Roads. All torpedoes hit their targets, causing the first and the second ship to sink quickly. USS Tasker H. Bliss burned until 02.30 hours the next morning and finally sank. U-130 reported her victims by their former civilian names. 42 Navy crewmen were killed in the sinking of the Scott. Only 4 survived. Presumably some Army passengers died as well.
SOLD to a collector 04-2021
