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WALTER C. HETRICK JR.

    Cadet Walter C. Hetrick Jr. was an engine cadet aboard the SS James McKay.  The ship was owned by Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, Inc. of New Orleans, LA.  Herman N. Olsen was the Master of the ship carrying 6762 tons of goods.  The ship was built at Sparrows Point, Maryland in 1941.  In December of 1942 the SS James McKay joined convoy HX-217.  Four days after meeting up with the convoy they fell behind due to an undetermined reason.  The ship and its crew were never seen again.  It was later determined that the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine Zurmuhlen.  The ship was on course to North Ireland from New York.  There were no survivors.