"The Belgian transport ship SS Leopoldville, an 11,500 long tons passenger liner converted for use as a troopship in the Second World War, was struck by a torpedo fired from the German Submarine U-486 in the English Channel approximately five miles from the coast of Cherbourg, France, on Christmas Eve, 24 December 1944, less than five months before the end of the war in Europe. As a result, approximately 763 soldiers died. On the day of the attack, the Leopoldville was carrying reinforcements from the 262nd and 264th Regiments, 66th Infantry Division of the United States Army towards the Battle of the Bulge." Private First Class Abatemarco, of the 262nd Infantry Regiment, 66th Infantry Division, is buried at Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.