My great Uncle, William James Williams, was a "fireman" on the Tampa. Also his friend Francis Scott, both of Muskegon, Michigan, was on board also. There was in fact Purple Hearts awarded to the crewman in a ceremony in 1999. (
http://www.sptimes.com/News/012501/Hillsborough/Honor_long_o...)
I am in the early stages of researching to write a book about the sinking and all related storylines so any info you may have about the crew, ship, etc. let me know.
Also, many of the mothers participated in the Gold Star Pilgrimages to visit the grave sites in Europe in 1930-1933. Both Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Scott did so (per passenger listings on ancestry.com). This is also another chapter to research more into.
The 100th anniversary of the sinking is coming in 5 years so let me know any info you come across in your research! You can contact me directly via email at
Cparmk@aol.com.
Thanks
Robert Knight