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JAMES J. MAGEE

Midshipman Cadet James J. Magee was a deck cadet from the United States Merchant Marine Academy who served aboard a liberty ship during World War II.  His assignment was the Steam Ship Edward B. Dudley, a 441-foot ship out of Wilmington, North Carolina.  The ship had a 7176 gross ton capacity, and transported war supplies from the United States to Europe during World War II.  On her last journey, the Edward B. Dudley had left port in New York City and was crossing the North Atlantic in a convoy, en route to the United Kingdom.  She became lost at sea, parting from the safety of the convoy, and never to be heard from or seen again. 

At 1430 on April 10, 1943, a torpedo from the German submarine U-615 (Kapitzky) reportedly hit her.  However, the torpedo did not explode, and only inflicted minor damage.  Twelve hours later the same submarine relocated the ship, firing 3 torpedoes into the hull.  The ship exploded and sank, killing all 69 people aboard, which included 42 merchant mariners and 27 Navy Armed Guards.  Cadet Magee was among the victims of this tragedy.