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Sinking of the Rohna by Don Fortune

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2643

  • Staff Only

This collection consists of a self-published book, Sinking of the Rohna: America's Worst Troopship Loss in World War II, by Don Fortune. The HMT Rohna was sunk in the Mediterranean on November 26, 1943 after being hit by a secret missile aimed from a German bomber. 1,015 American soldiers died.

Dates

  • 1997

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite, and a minimum of 2 business days are needed to retrieve these items for use. Researchers interested in consulting any of the collections are advised to contact Special Collections.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet

Abstract

This collection consists of a self-published book, Sinking of the Rohna: America's Worst Troopship Loss in World War II, by Don Fortune. The HMT Rohna was sunk in the Mediterranean on November 26, 1943 after being hit by a secret missile aimed from a German bomber. 1,015 American soldiers died.

Biographical/Historical Note

Don Fortune's Army unit was bumped from HMT Rohna one day before it was destroyed by a secret German missile. Fortune sailed to India on the HMT Rajula, and served with the 497th Port Battalion. After the war, he attended the University of Washington where he received a BA in English Literature in 1950. He became a high school English and Journalism teacher. In 1956, he became an editor at The San Francisco Examiner, where he had a 27-year career. Later, he taught within the California State University system. He lives in Sonoma, California.

Arrangement

Collection consists of a single folder.

Acquisition Note

This collection was donated to Special Collections by Walter Jack Doerty on September 3, 2001.

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480