Obituaries

Continued from Page 63 bear upon the enemy.

The first shots were from Stier’s secondary armament which raked Hopkins’s upper deck and critically wounded First Mate Richard Moczkowski. With the third salvo from Stier’s main armament she found the range and started to cause havoc. But Stier also received several well-directed hits from Stephen Hopkins, one to her steering gear and another to her engine room.

The forward gun crews on Stephen Hopkins also paid attention to Tannenfels, keeping her out of the action and causing slight damage. The main thrust of the action was from the 4inch gun, under the command of Cadet O’Hara, which managed to get away 35 rounds with an amazing success rate of 15 hitting their target.

Later this brought praise from the unfortunate Kaptain zur See, Gerlach, who thought he was dealing with another armed merchant cruiser. Toward the end of the action with the remainder of his gun’s crew lying dead or wounded, Cadet O’Hara fired the last shots alone. A few moments later he was killed by a nearby exploding shell.

The action continued for about an hour until Stephen Hopkins slid below the waves, by which time all but 19 of her crew and naval gunners were dead. Lt. Willett, while severely wounded, remained on the bridge with the captain coordinating the overall return of fire. Kenneth Willet was last seen trying to cut away life rafts just before the ship sank.

The damage to Stier was severe with fire taking hold and, with the loss of all power, firefighting equipment was useless. Accordingly, the decision was made to scuttle the ship and transfer all survivors (two men had died in the battle) to Tannenfels.

On Nov. 2, 1942 they arrived at Le Verdon-sur-Mer, which is on the opposite side of the River Gironde, in France, from where they had set out less than six months before. Their reception was less than enthusiastic with a noticeable lack of medals.

Those who fell during the action included Capt. Buck, First Mate Moczkowski, Lt. Willett and Cadet O’Hara. The survivors managed to get away in the one remaining serviceable boat.

Knowing that the prevailing current would take them toward South America, with great perseverance they proceeded on an 1,800 nautical mile ordeal on a diet of mostly malted milk tablets. After 31 days the survivors, now down to 15 men, waded ashore near Barro de Itabapoana north of the then Brazilian capital of Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 28, 1942, to be eventually given a heroes’ welcome in New York before reuniting with their families.

The captain was honored when the Paul Buck was launched in 1985. Lt. Willett, likewise was honored with the launching of the Destroyer Kenneth M. Willett, by his mother, Mrs. D.C Willett, on March 7, 1944. Both were awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal, posthumously.

In comparison, all the German battleships, pocket battleships, and heavy cruisers managed to sink 63 allied merchant ships with tonnage of less than half a million tons. The investment that Germany put into converting merchant ships into auxiliary cruisers was one percent of the total spent to build these heavily armed warships. These armed auxiliary cruisers, which prowled the oceans like pirate fleet, were by far the best investment for Germany in World War II.

Next week: “The Star of Africa” MICHAEL T.S. REILLY Meadville/Berlin

Michael T.S. Reilly, 86, known for his perseverance and one-liners – and his love of family, cookies, chocolate, college football, coffee and dark beer – succumbed to Parkinson’s disease on Sept. 14, 2022.

He resided at Wesbury United Methodist Community in Meadville, Pennsylvania, and was formerly of Berlin, Maryland. He was born in Manhattan, New York, son of William J. and Rosa (Strider) Reilly, and spent his Michael Reilly childhood and teenage years in West Chester, Pennsylvania, with his aunts after Rosa’s unexpected death.

Through his teens, Michael enjoyed farm life, hard work, and sports.

He played football and lacrosse at Lafayette College and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He later earned his M.B.A. from Penn State.

He worked for various natural gas companies until retirement when he fulfilled his “dream job” as a bus driver for Ocean City, Maryland.

Michael reared his four children with the help of weary caregivers. He was a strong, supportive and faithfilled father. He also served as a father figure to many.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Adrienne; and daughters, Rose and Jill.

He is survived by immediate family: Sean (Sunny), Peg (Kevin), Ellen (Ernest), Giorgio, Scott (Maggie) and Dennis; and grandchildren, Bryant (Jenn), Courtney (Chris), Drew, Julianna, Owen and Grace; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jaymee and Jaymes; and cousins, Kathy, Alice and Larry (Sherry).

Perseverance defined him, but his ability to listen and connect with others was remarkable, too.

He was lucid until the end even though Parkinson’s robbed his speech.

Michael donated his body.

A remembrance picnic is forthcoming, but Michael would like everyone to celebrate and not mourn, much like he lived his life.

Many thanks to the staff at College Way, Wesbury, for his care.

Don’t send flowers or donations, but reach out to an elderly person and spend some time with them.

Arrangements are under the direction of Waid-Coleman Funeral Home, 12422 Conneaut Lake Rd., Conneaut Lake, Pennsylvania, where memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidcolemanfh.com.

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