Can you imagine the most mythical moment of your childhood? That moment when everything changes and you know that going forward you will be profoundly different, that your life as you once knew it would be over. My father Emile was born in Paris — his father an American ex-patriot and his mother a beautiful young Jewish woman — anxious to leave her working class origins behind her. They lived in a fashionable area of Paris, and my father and his sister Rosine studied ballet at the Paris Ballet Opera House. By the time he was a teenager, my father was on his way to becoming a principal dancer.
Then WWII happened and the Occupation of France in collaboration with the Vichy Government happened and my father's life as a dancer was shattered. They were Jews and so no longer welcomed at the Opera House. For the last six months of his life in Paris not one friend would speak them — they would cross the street to avoid him for fear of his pariah status rubbing off on them. My father rose very early in the morning before curfew and slipped through streets unseen in order to be first in the bread lines.
My Grandfather had been out of the country on business when the Germans invaded and was unable to return to France. But he was able to provide the children with American passports through the embassy. My grandmother and the children traveled to Portugal where they were promised passage on a cargo ship, the SS Excambion that was carrying a number of dignitaries (Madame Curie's daughter on her way to try and convince the US to enter the war on behalf of the Jews, and Isaiah Berlin and his future wife) and many Jewish children traveling alone to relatives in the US.
The photo above is a still from a short film of the refugees arriving in NYC in January, 1941. Someone sent the link to the film to me knowing my father's history, and asked "See anyone you know?" In the opening shot two young teens turn to face the camera and there they are — my father at about 15 and his sister about 14. Later in the film, there is a close up of the two of them leaning out to take in the sight of NYC and the Statue of Liberty.
This moment was very important to my father and he spoke of it often, included it in his poetry. So how amazing is it that some 70 years later and 21 years after his death this film surfaces, and I can see him again as a young man leaning into the sun, into his future. Yeah, you know I cried when I saw it.
thank you for sharing the magic and the wonder and the sadness and the hope.
wow, I bet you cried! That is just incredible…
This was my father’s ship during the early part of the war. Commissioned as the USS John Penn, she saw action in Operation Torch-the invasion of North Africa-and the Solomons campaign. She was sunk by enemy action off Guadalcanal in August 1943.
I’m proud to learn that the ship had a proud history even before her Naval service.
This is wonderful, John… I know it makes you proud, and I feel sure your Dad was proud,as well….. God Bless those people, and He blessed your Dad, and his ship…
Hi John, Thank you for adding this additional bit of history about the SS Excambion — I was unaware of it but it seems very fitting to learn about it this Memorial Day weekend and to be able to remember and honor all those who served on her during the war. Here is a very brief history of the ship.
More information on the ship, including it’s
wartime service. The SS Excambion and it’s three
sister ships were all converted to US Navy transports
at the outbreak of World War II. All but one were lost to enemy action.
USS John Penn History
John — thank you again for providing this additional information. I find all of it really interesting — and humbling. My father’s life was indebted to those ships — and perhaps it’s why he chose to fight in the Navy when he enlisted. He served on the USS Forrest (DD-461)
I decided to Go Navy myself because of my Dad. I honor your father’s service and I’m proud he chose the Navy too !
Midori,
Hope you are well !
Have you seen Ken Burns’ PBS documentary on the Sharps ?
Fascinating story. As you may know they worked as part of a network to help refugees escape Europe just before and during the war. There is a sequence in the film aboard the Excambion and some interviews with the passengers.
http://www.pbs.org/show/defying-nazis-sharps-war/
John
My great grandfather, William Kuhne, was the captain of the Excambion when it made this sailing. I am researching his “life at sea” and am so proud of the role American Export Lines played in saving lives and supplying the goods needed to win the war.
I can be reached at
c_babbitt AT hotmail DOT com
if anyone is interested in what I’ve put together regarding the Excambion and any stories they wish to share related to this.