Personal Narrative Film, Video Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing John V. Boylan Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 357th Harbor Craft Company
- Location of Service: Normandy, Omaha Beach, Southern France; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; San Francisco, California
- Highest Rank: Warrant Officer 1
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/4053
Like many of his high school classmates, John Boylan entered the Army just as soon as he turned 18, in 1942. Poor eyesight initially limited him to kitchen patrol, but his diligence led to a commission as a warrant officer, and he was sent overseas to serve as a tugboat captain with the 357th Harbor Craft Company. Patrolling the harbor outside of Cherbourg, France, he witnessed the sinking of the SS Leopoldville--a troop ship carrying replacements for the Battle of the Bulge--after it was torpedoed by the Germans on December 24, 1944. Boylan's tugboat helped with the rescue attempt, pulling soldiers out of the frigid water. Despite their valiant efforts, over 700 soldiers died in the Christmas Eve tragedy.
Interview / Recording
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About this Item
Title
- John V. Boylan Collection
Names
- National Guard Militia Museum of New Jersey (Center for US War Veterans Oral Histories)
- Fowler, Carol R.
- Boylan, John V.
Home State
- New Jersey
Headings
- - Boylan, John V.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Army.
Form
- VHS
Extent
- 1 item
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Status
- veteran
Service History
-
World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Army
- Unit of Service: 357th Harbor Craft Company
- Location of Service: Normandy, Omaha Beach, Southern France; Fort Dix, New Jersey; Norfolk, Virginia; San Francisco, California
- Highest Rank: Warrant Officer 1
- Dates of Service: 1942-1945
- Military Status: veteran
- Service History Note: The veteran assisted in the Christmas Eve 1944 rescue of the Leopoldville which was torpedoed and sunk off Cherbourg, France. It was the second worst troop transport disaster of the war.
Materials
- Video: VHS [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2002-02-13)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/4053
Cite as
- John V. Boylan Collection (AFC/2001/001/4053), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- image
- video
Additional Metadata Formats
Wars & Conflicts
Service Branch
Location of Service
- Fort DIX, New Jersey
- Norfolk, Virginia
- Normandy, Omaha Beach, Southern France
- San Francisco, California