Selectees in Pittsburgh, 1943
While it is unknown how, when, or where exactly James Nolan died, based on the information about the sinking of the SS Leopoldville, there are two main possibilities.
On December 25th, 1944, the day after the ship's sinking, as the units reassembled in Cherbourg, many men who had been saved from the wreckage were suffering from injuries at nearby hospitals. Throughout the day, many died from their injuries, or exposure to the cold. James Nolan's official date of death is December 25th, 1944. It is possible that he could have been saved from the sinking ship, only to have died in a hospital the next day. However, many bodies were still being recovered from the ship that day as well, so it is also possible that Nolan could have died when the ship sank on the night of the 24th, and had his body recovered the next day. Either way, his heroic sacrifice for freedom must never be forgotten.
On December 25th, 1944, the day after the ship's sinking, as the units reassembled in Cherbourg, many men who had been saved from the wreckage were suffering from injuries at nearby hospitals. Throughout the day, many died from their injuries, or exposure to the cold. James Nolan's official date of death is December 25th, 1944. It is possible that he could have been saved from the sinking ship, only to have died in a hospital the next day. However, many bodies were still being recovered from the ship that day as well, so it is also possible that Nolan could have died when the ship sank on the night of the 24th, and had his body recovered the next day. Either way, his heroic sacrifice for freedom must never be forgotten.