From: Dictionary of American Fighting Ships

William Ralph Herzog was born in Troy, N.Y., 29 December 1909 and was commissioned Lieutenant, junior grade, USNR, 8 April 1942. Lieutenant Herzog was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of the Armed Guard detachment on board SS Pan New York. When his ship was torpedoed in the North Atlantic 29 October 1942, Herzog found his gun crew trapped amidships. He attempted to batter the door with his shoulder unsuccessfully, and after aiding the radio operator to escape through a porthole, courageously returned to force the door by breaking the lock with his pistol. Herzog was again unable to free his men, and fell unconscious in the attempt. He was posthumously awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroism.

Herzog (DE-277) was built by Boston Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. in 1943. She was renamed HMS Gore while building and transferred to Great Britain under lend-lease 14 October 1943. Serving throughout the war as Gore, she was returned to the United States 2 May 1946 and sold 10 June 1947.

Transcribed by Yves HUBERT (hubertypc@aol.com)