On May 12, 1942, the U.S. tanker SS Virginia fell victim to a torpedo attack by the German submarine U-507 in the Gulf of Mexico, specifically near the entrance of the Mississippi River. Coming from the Standard Oil Company's fleet, SS Virginia was loaded with a vital cargo—oil intended to support the American war effort during World War II. As it was sailing, the vessel was spotted by U-507, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Heinz D. Dönitz, who saw an opportunity to disrupt Allied supply lines through enemy action against merchant shipping.

During this period of World War II, the Atlantic Ocean and its adjacent waters had turned into battlegrounds due to the actions of Unterseeboots (U-boats). The German navy sought to cut off supplies to the Allies by targeting cargo ships and tankers transporting crucial resources such as oil, which was essential for military vehicles, ships, and aircraft. The sighting of U-507 and the subsequent torpedo strike not only illustrated the dangers faced by American vessels in coastal waters but also underscored the vulnerability of critical supply routes that were being tested by German naval warfare strategies.

As the torpedo struck, the SS Virginia experienced a violent explosion, causing significant damage to the ship. Crew members acted quickly to abandon ship, but the attack resulted in loss of life, and it raised alarms regarding the security of maritime routes on the American home front. This attack contributed to growing awareness and changes in naval strategies to protect cargo vessels, marking a pivotal moment amid the burgeoning Battle of the Atlantic where merchant ships increasingly faced threats from U-boats.