Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats
Hawkins Fudske
Merchant Marine. American
| Born | 21 Feb 1911 | Sande, Vestfold, Norway | |
| Died | 8 Mar 1942 | (31) |
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Roster information listed for Hawkins Fudske
| Ship | Type | Rank / role | Attacked on | Boat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Esso Bolivar | Motor tanker | Chief Mate | 8 Mar 1942 (+) | U-126 |
Personal information
Husband of Dagny Fudske, of Brooklyn, NY. The Liberty ship Hawkins Fudske was named in honor of him, sponsored by his widow at Baltimore, Maryland on 11 September 1943.
Award Citation for Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal:
For heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
Finding himself as First Mate, in command when the Master of the ship was killed while the vessel was under heavy shell and torpedo fire from an enemy submarine, he took charge of the only remaining lifeboat. As the boat was being lowered shells continued to burst on the side of the ship overhead. A large shell fragment badly mangled one of his arms, but he nevertheless urged his men to keep lowering, and himself actually helped in this operation despite the severity of his wounds. As the boat reached the water, he was struck again in another burst of shell fire and this time mortally wounded. Realizing, in his dying condition, that the safety of the men depended on getting their boat away from the side of the ship, his last words were: "Never mind me, fellows. Try and get the boat away".
His extraordinary courage and disregard of personal danger in the protection of the lives of his shipmates will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.
Finding himself as First Mate, in command when the Master of the ship was killed while the vessel was under heavy shell and torpedo fire from an enemy submarine, he took charge of the only remaining lifeboat. As the boat was being lowered shells continued to burst on the side of the ship overhead. A large shell fragment badly mangled one of his arms, but he nevertheless urged his men to keep lowering, and himself actually helped in this operation despite the severity of his wounds. As the boat reached the water, he was struck again in another burst of shell fire and this time mortally wounded. Realizing, in his dying condition, that the safety of the men depended on getting their boat away from the side of the ship, his last words were: "Never mind me, fellows. Try and get the boat away".
His extraordinary courage and disregard of personal danger in the protection of the lives of his shipmates will be an enduring inspiration to seamen of the United States Merchant Marine everywhere.