The Victory Book Collection and the Normandie

From the March 6, 2017, Roanoke (Va.) Times :"Looking Back."

1942, 100 Years Ago.

**  "The victory book collection in Roanoke has brought in some 1,800 volumes donated for the libraries of service camps, forts, and posts, it was said yesterday by Miss Pearl Hinesley, city public librarian and chairman of the drive here."

**  "R. Powell Black, of Roanoke, yeoman, 3rd class, United States Navy was one of the seamen who aided in the rescue of men aboard the USS Lafayette, formerly the French liner Normandie, and fought the flames on the huge ship when she burned in New York harbor February 9."

--GreGen

February 9, 1942: Guadalcanal and the SS Normandie

FEBRUARY 9, 1942:

The World War II battle of Guadalcanal ended with an Allied victory over Japanese forces.

This same day, The SS Normandie, a former French ocean liner being refitted for the U.S. Navy at a New York pier, caught fire.  It capsized early the next morning.

--GreGen