William J. Coffee, was a native of Seacombe, England, just across the River Mersey from Liverpool. He was born on March 4, 1893. But as an adult, he became a British Naval officer, reaching at least the rank of lieutenant commander.

During World War II, Coffee's ship, SS Ariguani, was torpedoed by the German submarine U-83 while escorting a convoy about 600 miles southwest of Portugal. That submarine was responsible for sinking five ships, but not the Ariguani, which the crew immediately abandoned only to return once they realized the ship would not flood and sink. It was for his efforts in helping tow the ship largely intact to Gibraltar near the tip of the Iberian Peninsula that he was awarded the Order of the British Empire. The ship, previously a passenger cargo ship before being requisitioned by the British Navy, would eventually return to civilian service.

He later died in Pensacola from drowning while serving as the 1st officer of a vessel calling on the port.  No signs of foul play were discovered.  He was buried in an unmarked grave until 2026 when his grandson, Charlie Coffee, purchased one.  

Additional Information