Merchant Seaman Allen John Bailer, born 6 Oct 1922, was the son of Arthur J and Gertrude K. (Berman) Bailer of Chicago Illinois. In the 1930 census 7-year-old Allen is living with his parents and brother Donald 1, at 5501 North Sawyer in Chicago. His father is a grain buyer for a cereal manufacturer. Allen was killed in the 9 Apr 1945 explosion (photo below) of the SS Charles Henderson.
In one of the largest ammunition disasters of World War II, the Charles Henderson was being unloaded at berth 14 at Bari, in Southern Italy, on 9 April 1945, when she was destroyed in a high order explosion. "This detonation caused by [handling] 500 pound bombs loaded with Composition B, killed 542 and injured 1,800. It is believed the bombs were hooked and dragged to the well, then lifted without mats. The crew may have hurried because the contract paid by number of items lifted. Buildings along the waterfront were destroyed for 2,000 feet. Ships were severely damaged to 2,100 feet. "Thirty-nine crew and 13 Armed Guards were killed in the explosion. The only survivor was the chief engineer, who was ashore at the time of the blast. The wreck remained in Bari until 1948, when it was sold for scrap.
In one of the largest ammunition disasters of World War II, the Charles Henderson was being unloaded at berth 14 at Bari, in Southern Italy, on 9 April 1945, when she was destroyed in a high order explosion. "This detonation caused by [handling] 500 pound bombs loaded with Composition B, killed 542 and injured 1,800. It is believed the bombs were hooked and dragged to the well, then lifted without mats. The crew may have hurried because the contract paid by number of items lifted. Buildings along the waterfront were destroyed for 2,000 feet. Ships were severely damaged to 2,100 feet. "Thirty-nine crew and 13 Armed Guards were killed in the explosion. The only survivor was the chief engineer, who was ashore at the time of the blast. The wreck remained in Bari until 1948, when it was sold for scrap.
Merchant Seaman Allen John Bailer, born 6 Oct 1922, was the son of Arthur J and Gertrude K. (Berman) Bailer of Chicago Illinois. In the 1930 census 7-year-old Allen is living with his parents and brother Donald 1, at 5501 North Sawyer in Chicago. His father is a grain buyer for a cereal manufacturer. Allen was killed in the 9 Apr 1945 explosion (photo below) of the SS Charles Henderson.
In one of the largest ammunition disasters of World War II, the Charles Henderson was being unloaded at berth 14 at Bari, in Southern Italy, on 9 April 1945, when she was destroyed in a high order explosion. "This detonation caused by [handling] 500 pound bombs loaded with Composition B, killed 542 and injured 1,800. It is believed the bombs were hooked and dragged to the well, then lifted without mats. The crew may have hurried because the contract paid by number of items lifted. Buildings along the waterfront were destroyed for 2,000 feet. Ships were severely damaged to 2,100 feet. "Thirty-nine crew and 13 Armed Guards were killed in the explosion. The only survivor was the chief engineer, who was ashore at the time of the blast. The wreck remained in Bari until 1948, when it was sold for scrap.
In one of the largest ammunition disasters of World War II, the Charles Henderson was being unloaded at berth 14 at Bari, in Southern Italy, on 9 April 1945, when she was destroyed in a high order explosion. "This detonation caused by [handling] 500 pound bombs loaded with Composition B, killed 542 and injured 1,800. It is believed the bombs were hooked and dragged to the well, then lifted without mats. The crew may have hurried because the contract paid by number of items lifted. Buildings along the waterfront were destroyed for 2,000 feet. Ships were severely damaged to 2,100 feet. "Thirty-nine crew and 13 Armed Guards were killed in the explosion. The only survivor was the chief engineer, who was ashore at the time of the blast. The wreck remained in Bari until 1948, when it was sold for scrap.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Illinois.
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