USS Reuben James lost to torpedoes

31st October 1941: First United States warship to be sunk as a result of hostile action by Nazi Germany

Oct 31, 2021

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USS Reuben James (DD-245) was a four-funnel *Clemson*-class destroyer, launched in 1919.

The USS Reuben James was one of 24 US Navy destroyers assisting with the escort of convoys in the western North Atlantic, between America and Iceland. There had been a series of incidents between US ships and U-Boats, leading to Rosevelt issuing his ‘shoot on sight’ or…

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