Seaman George Holman Conkle

Our Hometown Heroes

Seaman George Holman Conkle

Killed when German U-Boat Sunk S.S. Gulftrade

Seaman George Holman Conkle was born in January, 1898, in Jonesboro, GA.  Not much is known about Conkle’s early life. We do know, however, that Conkle joined the Merchant Marines during World War II.

Seaman Conkle was stationed aboard the S.S. Gulftrade, a steam tanker. On March 10, 1942, while off the coast of New Jersey, German U-Boat 588 struck the Gulftrade with a torpedo, sinking the ship within five minutes. A description of the incident is as follows:

At 06.32 (am) hours on 10 March 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Gulftrade (Master Torger Olsen) was torpedoed by U-588 3 miles off Barnegat Light (N.J.). The tanker was spotted by the U-boat, because the running lights and the masthead light had been turned on to avoid collision with several colliers in the vicinity. A torpedo struck the starboard side just forward of the mainmast and just aft of the bridge. The explosion broke the ship in two, ripped up the decks and completely opened tanks #5, #6 and #7. Oil and debris was sprayed over the vessel from stem to stern and the ship caught fire immediately. Within one minute, the high seas washed over the tanker and extinguished the flames. The engines were stopped and the ship was abandoned by the crew of eight officers and 26 crewmen.

Conkle was among those declared missing and Killed in Action.

Mrs. Mamie Moody, of Experiment, received the Mariner’s Medal, posthumously honoring her brother, George Holman Conkle, on November 19, 1945.

Another brave GS Hometown Hero who died serving the country he loved. A plaque will be installed in Griffin that will honor Seaman Conkle.