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| Mess Attendant 2/c Carl Carrington served on the general stores issue ship USS Pollux. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21584551 |
Carl was born on November 9, 1919 in Texas. His mother Clara was also born in Texas. I could not find any information on his father or any siblings. Carl graduated from high school in Tyler, Texas in 1939 and joined the US Navy shortly afterwards.
Carl served as a Mess Attendant 2nd Class aboard the USS Pollux, a general stores issue ship. It was commissioned on May 6, 1941 and assigned to the Navy's Atlantic Fleet. During the Second World War, ships like the Pollux transported troops, equipment, food, and other goods to Allied ports on both sides of the North Atlantic.
On 15 February 1942, the Pollux departed Maine for Argentia, Newfoundland, where a large US air-naval base existed. It was carrying a cargo of bombs, radio equipment, aircraft engines, and other supplies, and was under the escort of the destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Wilkes. Onboard the Pollux was its usual complement of 143 enlisted men and 16 officers, as well as 74 passengers. As the convoy approached Newfoundland, a severe winter storm developed and reduced visibility to zero. The Pollux lost contact with its destroyer escorts and was pushed dangerously close to shore by giant waves and powerful ocean currents. At 4:17 in the morning of 18 February, the Pollux ran aground on the jagged rocks at Lawn Point, on Newfoundland's south coast.
As cracks appeared throughout much of the hull and some of its forward holds began filling with water, all onboard realized that the vessel would not remain afloat for long. For hours, these men fought to survive in the driving sleet, howling wind, and bitter cold of the North Atlantic. With their ship breaking up beneath them, they first had to cross the raging ice-cold seas that separated them from land. Then they had to travel over miles of snowy wilderness to reach the nearest inhabited buildings. A great number of men spent all night outdoors huddled wet and cold in caves or under clumps of trees. Many drowned or froze to death. Of the 233 men aboard the Pollux, 93 did not survive the night, including MATT2 Carrington. He was Abilene’s first black casualty of the war.
Carl Ulysses Carrington is memorialized in Abilene Municipal Cemetery in Abilene, TX.
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This profile was written by Bob Fuerst. "I’m a NASA engineer, B-17 Flying Fortress enthusiast, and amateur genealogist so this kind of research is an ideal outlet for me. But more than anything, it’s a way to express my sincere appreciation for The Greatest Generation and the sacrifices that they made, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. They should never be forgotten and I’m grateful to Don for allowing me to play a small part in honoring them."
Last year on this date I profiled Joe "Cowboy" Albritton of the 3rd Infantry Division. You can read about Cowboy here.
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Attendant Carl Carrington, Thank you for your service!! You served your country bravely!! You were an important part of The Greatest Generation! You bravely did the duties assigned to you! I think you thought things would be improved because of that when the war was over.. In most cases it it probably wasn't. I am sorry you and also your family had to live the rest of their lives without you!! God Bless You and your Family!
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