then took on a heavy list to port with her entire port side forward of amidships in flames. She sank within two minutes. Lieutenant Ormsby M. Mitchel, Jr., USNR, in command of Plymouth, was thrown violently against a bulkhead and sustained serious injuries, which later required amputation of his left leg. Despite his own condition, he directed abandon ship operations, remaining at his post until the ship went down. Rescued from a raft by USCGC Calypso, Lieutenant Mitchel was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. Soundman 3/Class Franklin A. McGinty was also awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart posthumously. Ensign Rubin Keltch, of New York City, was also awarded the Navy Cross posthumously for his service aboard the Plymouth. Ensign Keltch unhesitatingly risked his life to assist several survivors to safety. After making sure they were safe he went back into the engine room to save several men, but although the men came out he never did. Rescue operations were hampered by heavy seas and sharks. Only 85 of the crew survived to be taken to Norfolk on 6 August. A Board of Investigation concluded that Plymouth had been sunk by a torpedo fired from an enemy submarine. The submarine was . Awards American Campaign Medal with one battle star World War II Victory Medal See also List of patrol vessels of the United States Navy References External links Photograph and bio (reference only) Gunboats of the United States Navy Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean Ships built in Kiel Maritime incidents in August 1943 1941 ships Former yachts of New York City