In 1999, articles and by-laws were drawn up and the Association defined its goals which are:
- To continue in the search for survivors as-yet-undiscovered and the families of those who perished, so as to provide them with information they never had about the fate of their loved ones,
- To bring the Rohna story before the public, to honor the men who lost their lives in this incident and those on the rescue vessels who acted selflessly in their rescue efforts,
- And to further, by reunions and other communications, the closeness among the membership.
The Articles and By-laws also provide for membership automatically to be afforded to Rohna survivors, next of kin of casualties and survivors, members of the Pioneer crew, all personnel assigned to ships in Convoy KMF-26 including the HMT Rajula. In one voice, the writers of the Articles and By-laws also agreed that, although there may be occasional non-mandatory requests for donations in order to meet expenses, there would be no dues assessed as part of membership.
The directors held their first official meeting of The Rohna Survivors Memorial Association at a reunion in Dayton, Ohio on May 1, 1999. At that time, several actions were taken.
The Rohna Survivors Memorial Association web-site was declared the sole sanctioned and official web-site of the organization.
In order to protect the organization name and avoid public confusion, the directors also acted to provide that no other individuals, groups or organizations may use the The Rohna Survivors Memorial Association name in connection with newsletters, gift items, media, web-sites, or in any other means, etc., without prior expressed approval and sanction of the directors. To date, no requests have been made and none granted.
John Fievet (Survivor) and Ruth Canney (wife of John Canney, Survivor) were unanimously elected as Directors Emeritus.
I’ve been visiting your site frequently over the past two weeks. I only recently learned about the Rohna and the circumstances of my uncles’s death, and because of the emotional connections, I’ve only been able to read about it in small doses.
I am thankful for your site and your bringing to light the sacrifice of our servicemen and the pain carried by the survivors. However, I feel at a loss in terms of how to contribute to spreading the word about this event in our history. I tried reviewing the website of the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. This is considered a world class museum, yet the Rohna does not seem to be mentioned
Can you suggest ways to get involved? I’m willing to write letters, make phone calls, etc.
I was even considering contacting museum curators and board of directors, for World War II Museums, etc to educate about the Rohna, but I’m sure you’ve already done this. Any suggestions about how to get involved would be much appreciated.
(My uncle was John M Efstis, casualty on the HMT Rohna)
Thank you for your time.
My name is Steven Marks. I am one of the sons of the late Abraham Marks. My dad was a HMT Rohna survivor and an active participant (as much as his health permitted) in the Rohna reunions beginning in the 1990’s and continued until his death in 2010. I am attempting to pay honor to my father by posting a tribute to him, the other survivors and of course those who perished in the disaster. It would be very helpful if you could direct me or provide to me any videos/documentaries, articles, videos of Rohna survivors telling their stories – especially if there is one of my dad.
You can find an interview and photo of your father in my book “Rohna Memories II”, published in 2008 and available on Amazon.com. I’m also working with Jack Ballo to produce a documentary. You can find more information on our website (RohnaClassified.com)
My wife is a daughter of Earl Joseph Spears, one of many whose remains were never recovered. She was two & one half years old at that time. We have just in the last few years learned the true story. We noticed another soldier’s name was also Spears. Would there be any contact info. to see if there is any family connection ?
Thank you for keeping this fresh in our hearts and minds. My grandfather, Pvt. John F. Kruse was one of the brave men that went down with the HMT Rohna. I learned about the TRSMA some years back and have been fortunately be able to be sent a shirt from one of the reunions. Is there any military patches, flags or anything I can purchase to put in my home. I want to be able to have anyone walk in my home and ask about the HMT Rohna. God bless you all for all you do.
My uncle (my dads brother) Harry Zimmerman also was lost and went down with the ship.
I don’t know of any such articles.
My fathers brother, Harry Hamilton Zimmerman was KIA aborad the HMS Rohna. My birth given name was Harry Zimmerman as I was named for him in honor to him. More goverment cover up for no reason
I am Harry (Zimmerman) Mason’s twin brother Larry Mason. Our mother and dad divorced when we were 6, mom remarried and step dad adopted us. When he died, our mom remarried our dad Pete Zimerman 40 years later. Our dad, Pete Zimmerman, was the brother of Harry Zimerman who was lost on the Rhona. Unforunately we lost my twin in November 2020 from illnesses he got in Viet Nam. May both Harrys be together now in heaven. They are missed.
My Uncle, Harry Kitch was on the Rhona when it went down. My father Richard L. Kitch, went to his death never knowing what happened tto his brother, this disturbed him greatly.
My distant cousin, US Army PC Thomas Antrasian , born 1924, was a casualty
of the bombing and sinking of HMT RHONA . Thomas has a plaque at North Africa American Cemetery near Tunis.
Thomas had a younger sister Alice who we have lost contact with. She named a son
Thomas in honor of her brother.
I am a relative of one of the US soldiers that did not survive the sinking of the Rhona. Is a there a list of the ones who survived and those that perished.
Hello Donny,
The only list of survivors is the one on the Rohna website under the heading “People”. It is as comprehensive as possible. Unfortunately, we do not have a list of which survivors are still living.
My wife’s uncle, Ralph E Sitter, 39455310, 853rd ENG BN AVN was a Rohna casualty. He was from Strasburg, ND but had moved to Washington state for work and enlisted or was drafted there. Although my wife Tillie was told growing up that her mother’s brother Ralph was killed in WWII, it wasn’t until recently that she learned how and the connection with the sinking of the Rohna. I contacted Janice Pumelia and Jason Markiewitz last year and since have worked on getting recognition for Ralph Sitter and the Rohna family. I am arranging a ceremony on July 1, 2023 at the cemetery in Strasburg ND. We are having a grave marker marker made. We will dedicate it on July 1. I will conduct a ceremony similar to a VFW funeral ceremony. We will have a VFW honor guard for firing, flag presentation and taps. I’m also asking the ND National Guard to send a burial detail. If they do so, they will present the flag. I have contacted the newspapers in the area and KFYR Television station in Bismarck, ND for coverage. As for TV I suggested that with the significances of the 80th Anniversary and the fact that a Veteran is finally getting honored with a marker they should come to the event. Hopefully they will. Of course, when we learned of what had happened to Ralph and the Rohna we knew this had to be done and with this being the 80th anniversary it makes it even more special. There were four additional North Dakota Rohna casualties. I’ve found their home locations at the time they entered the military but it is impossible to locate family to let them know of what we are doing and invite them to participate on behalf of their loved one. I notice that the reunion is being held while we will be doing our ceremony. Perhaps you can let the attendees know what we are doing and give us a moment of silence or any other recognition you deem appropriate. Any word you want me to pass on the the family and those who will also be attending please let me know.
Thank You,
Roger Bobby
Port Sanilac, MI