Oscar Harry Furr was serving aboard USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) under Captain Cdr. Gerald L. Schetky .The ship was participating in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. The Naval Battle of Casablanca delayed off-loading cargo, and postponed departure from the Moroccan coast. On the evening of 12 November, she was riding at anchor in Fedhala Roads in the Task Group 34.9 (Center Attack Group, Western Naval Task Force) as part of the convoy UGF-1 when the German submarine U-130 commanded by Ernst Kals slipped in among the ships. At 18.28 hours on 12 Nov, 1942, U-130 fired five torpedoes on three transports (USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) and USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42). All torpedoes hit their targets, causing the first and the second ship to sink quickly. USS Tasker H. Bliss burned until 02.30 hours the next morning and finally sank. U-130 reported her victims by their former civilian names. Most of the dead were not recovered or could be identified.
Left to mourn the loss of Otris as he was lovingly called by his family were his wife Catherine Furr, his daughter Mary Louise Furr, his parents Harry Furr and Rachael Leach Furr, three sisters Mabel, Agnes and Myrtle Furr and four brothers, Harry W Furr, Clarence L Furr, Forest Furr and Elwood Harold Furr


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US Navy WORLD WAR II
Machinist's Mate 1st Class, Oscar H. Furr KIA
Hometown: Upper Darby Pennsylvania
Service #
Awards: Purple Heart, Navy Good Conduct Medal, European - African - Middle Eastern - Campaign Medal W/STAR
Captain: Cdr. Gerald L. Schetky

Ship: USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)
Mission: Troop transport Operation Torch
Convoy UGF-1
Mission Date: 12-Nov-42
Cargo: War material and troops
Location: OFF FEDHALA, MOROCCO
Cause: Torpedo attack U-130 (Ernst Kals)
Compliment: 235 (31 dead and 204 survivors)