HOCHMAN-WILLIAM

Excerpts from obituary published in March 2019:

William Russell “Bill” Hochman was born in New York City on August 28, 1921.  He was educated in New York City schools, graduated from Columbia College in 1942, and later earned his Ph.D in American History from Columbia University.  Bill enlisted in the Navy during 1942 and served as a communications officer and assistant navigator on ships that were involved in the war effort off North Africa, in the landings at Sicily and Salerno, and in the D-Day invasion of Normandy.  The sinking of his ship in the English Channel and his rescue by the British Navy were foundational events for him and helped shape his world view, his passion for peace, and his desire to educate others.  He joined the University of Colorado in March 1955 and was associated for 64 years, serving as a professor, department head, dean of the summer school, and mentor to thousands of students, faculty, and colleagues.  Bill passed away in Colorado Springs on March 23, 2019, survived by his wife, five children, eleven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

During the latter days of his life Hochman wrote the following concerning the sinking of LST-376 aboard which he was serving:

I was the Communications Officer on USS LST 376 from the time it was commissioned until it was sunk on June 9, 1944.  I was lucky to be fished out of the water by a small boat from the British ship HMS Beagle.  About 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning we were on the way to France with a second load, having been involved in the D-Day landings several days before.  LST 376 was struck amidships and was quickly burning and exploding from bow to stern.  The skipper shouted “abandon ship” within just a few minutes after the torpedo hit.  Lucky members of the crew and some soldiers were able to get off.  No damage control crews were at work nor was any part of the cargo saved.  That would have been impossible as we lost all power and fires were everywhere due to burning gasoline and exploding ammunition.  A few hours later, at dawn, LST 376 was sunk by gunfire from HMS Beagle because the still burning wreck was floating into the shipping channel from England to France.  I was on the bridge of HMS Beagle at the time.

Note:  Historical records report the death of 44 crewmembers of LST 376 in the sinking.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)