BANGOR – The family of World War II soldier Aubrey Withee will join the staff of the Bangor Public Library for the inclusion of his page in the library’s “Book of Honor.”

The “Book of Honor” was compiled in 1945 to honor Bangor residents who gave their lives in World War II, but the book remains incomplete. At a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the library’s main lobby, Withee’s picture and brief biography will be added.

Aubrey Withee was born in Milo Junction in 1908. His family moved to Bangor where Withee attended Bangor High School and worked as a truck driver. He married Lena Walsh.

In April 1940, Withee joined the Merchant Marines. He began as a mess steward on board the tanker, S.S. Watertown, but after his first voyage he served in the engine rooms of ships in the Merchant Marine fleet.

In February 1942, Withee signed on with National Bulk Carriers Inc. and was assigned to the SS Pan Massachusetts as a wiper. The ship left New York on or about Feb. 5, 1942, docked at Texas City, Texas, took on a load of gasoline and oil, then began its return to New York. On Feb. 19, about 20 miles east of Cape Canaveral, Fla., two torpedoes from the German submarine U-128 hit the Pan Massachusetts amidships, just forward of the engine room.

Withee probably never knew what hit him. The ship did not explode, but torpedoes showered the ship with flaming gasoline from its cargo.

The British tanker, Elizabeth Massey, was nearby and came to the rescue. Eighteen men survived and 20 were lost at sea.

On Jan. 19, 1988, the Department of Veterans Affairs recognized the American Merchant Marine sailors who had served from Dec. 7, 1941, to Aug. 15, 1945, as active duty veterans. At that time Aubrey Withee was posthumously awarded the Atlantic War Zone Bar, the Combat Bar with star, the Honorable Service Button, the Mariner’s Medal, the Merchant Marine Service Emblem, the Presidential Testimonial Letter and the Victory Medal.

The “Book of Honor” is still missing pages for four men from Bangor. Bernard Striar, who served in the U.S. Infantry – presumably in the 88th division – was killed in Italy in 1944. His page is “in progress” while awaiting his service record from St. Louis.

Frederick Thomas McGee was in the Merchant Marines. His ship, the SS Rochester, was torpedoed Jan. 30, 1942. McGee’s mother was Mrs. W. F. Hayes, living at 169 Court St.

William H. Ivey was a private in the U.S. Army, and Harvey B. Lovett served as a private first class in the U.S. Marine Corps. Nothing more is known about Ivey and Lovett.

Anyone who has information about Striar, McGee, Ivey or Lovett is asked to call Bill Cook at the library, 947-8336.