HAD TO SWIM FAST TO KEEP OUT OF PATH OF BURNING OIL
Former Sioux Center Boy Among 18 Survivors of Ship
Sioux Center News—Ralph Kopsas, 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Koopsas, former Sioux Center residents, now living in Doon, was one of 18 survivors who managed to save themselves from the blazing oil which came from their ship which was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine attack off the east coast of the U. S. near Key West, Fla.
Forty lives were lost in the attack as the ship went down so quickly the lifeboats could not be launched. The men jumped into the water and had to swim fast to keep ahead of the burning oil. After 10 hours they were rescued by a surface ship. Ralph was home on furlough about six weeks ago.
Ralph was born in Sioux Center where his father was employed by the Great Northern railway as section boss for a good many years before the family moved to Doon.
Source: LeMars Globe-Post, April 19, 1943
