William Albert Lovette, Jr., was born in Robeson County, N.C. on October 30, 1922, the only child of William Albert Lovette (1897-1973) and Lula Frances Lovette (1901-1996). After graduating from high school, Lovette studied at Wake Forest College and then briefly at ECTC.
Lovette enlisted in the Army on November 17, 1942, at Fort Bragg. He was soon promoted to the rank of corporal and assigned to the Army Air Corps’ 831st Bomber Squadron, 485th Bombardment Group. Fatefully, he was on board the cargo ship, the SS Paul Hamilton as it departed, on April 3, 1944, from Hampton Roads, Virginia, heading for the Mediterranean.
At 9:00 pm on April 20, 1944, the SS Paul Hamilton was attacked by 23 German Junkers Ju-88 bombers as it approached its destination, Algiers. An aerial torpedo struck the Paul Hamilton, detonating its cargo of explosives. In the resulting conflagration, the ship and crew, including all 580 officers and men, perished off the coast of Cape Bengut, Algeria.
Lovette, 21, was initially reported missing in action. The War Department soon concluded that he along with the remainder of the crew on the Paul Hamilton were lost. Lovette had been overseas for fewer than three weeks. His time in service, one year and five months.
Lovette’s family received on his behalf the Purple Heart awarded him posthumously. He is remembered at North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia.
Sources:
- North Africa American Cemetery. https://www.abmc.gov/North-Africa
- “William A. Lovett, Jr., Killed in North Africa.” Charlotte Observer. June 4, 1944. P. 50.
Related Materials
William Albert Lovette, Jr’s Draft Registration Card. Image Source: U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.Ancestry.com
Citation Information
Author: John A. Tucker, PhD
Date of Publication: 5/12/2022