MADISON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
A local World War II veteran has died.
Sidney Spiro Jr. of Madison was featured on WLBT's Veteran's History Project.
At 18-years old he was drafted into the Army and became part of the 66th Infantry Division.
He was on the SS Leopoldville when it was hit by a torpedo from a German submarine while crossing the English Channel in December 1944.
Spiro survived by hanging onto a life preserver and was later rescued by a French tug boat.
He went on to work for the IRS then the Small Business Administration.
Spiro died peacefully in his Madison home on Tuesday. He was 85-years old.
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