“The Sinking of the Reuben James” is a song by Woody Guthrie about the sinking of the U.S. convoy escort, Reuben James, which was the first U.S. naval ship sunk by German U-boats in World War II. The destroyer was sunk by a torpedo attack from German submarine U-552 on 31 October 1941. Of a crew of about 160, just 44 enlisted men and no officers survived. The song is set to the melody of "Wildwood Flower", by Joseph Philbrick Webster. Guthrie added the chorus. Other songs by Woody Guthrie in this section are: "Do Re Mi" "Deportees" Gypsy Davy Hard Travelin Hard, Ain't It Hard "Pastures of Plenty" "The Philadelphia Lawyer" "Roll On Columbia" "So Long, It’s Been Good To Know You" "Talking Blues" "This Land Is Your Land" "Union Maid" "Woody's Rag"