As the sun set on June 2, 1918, the U-151 had finished its historic day off the coast of New Jersey. It had destroyed six allied ships, including the liner SS Carolina, and left nearly 450 people scattered in 18 lifeboats along the Jersey Shore. The victims in each of the lifeboats would eventually tell their stories, but it was those from the Carolina which revealed the true gravity of the ordeal since the ship was attacked just before dark and most on board were not experienced sailors.

George Howard was a steward who had been on the Carolina for about one month.