S.S. Esso Gettysburg ~ WW II

Merchant Marine Flag

All lettering shown in " BLUE " on this website are links
( " However this page will still remain active on your screen " )

S.S. Esso Gettysburg
ribbon line

" Special Thanks go to " TWO " Remarkable Websites " :
" usmm.org "
~ AND ~
" uboat.net "
Please visit these great websites for more by
clicking above !

Completed

Page last updated:

October 25, 2019

Sinking on June 10, 1943

the " S.S. Esso Gettysburg "

lost " 57 " men !

( 5 officers, 32 merchant mariners, and 20 navy armed guards were lost )

     The steam passenger ship " S.S. Esso Gettysburg " was built and completed in 1942 by the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, Chester Pennsylvania for the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey & New York and was a 10,173 ton ship.
     On June 10, 1943 the " S.S. Esso Gettysburg " was enroute from Port Arthur, Texas to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a cargo of 120.120 barrels of crude oil and a crew of 72 ( 8 officers, 37 merchant mariners, and 27 U.S. Navy Armed Guards ).   They were hit by "two" torpedos fired by German Submarine U-66 100 miles southeast of Savannah, Georgia.
     The "first" torpedo struck the port side between the #6 and #7 tanks, ripped up 25 feet of deck, blew oil 100 feet into the air and disabled the steering gear.   The "second" torpedo struck on the port side at the engine room, causing an immediate fire as she began to settle by the stern and listed to port.   Oil from the two tanks was spread into the water and was ignited by the second explosion.   The flames spread 100 feet on both sides, while smoke rose over 1000 feet in the air.   5 officers, 32 crew men, 20 armed guard died.

The ship Master/Captain of the " S.S. Esso Gettysburg " was:
Peder August Johnson
from Rhode Island who was lost in this sinking !

     The following below list was created in the memory of those who "Gave Their All" on the " S.S. Esso Gettysburg ".   There are personal "online memorials" for each of these honored men that were created for them by using the "Find A Grave" website.   You will see a blue " Yes " behind their names and by clicking on the " Yes " you will see a personal memorial that has been created for them by myself or someone else.

Key to Abbreviations and Notes
MM     =  Awarded the " Mariner's Medal " !
                   ( Awarded to the Merchant Mariner's for being Wounded, Missing or Killed In Action )
MM *  =  Awarded the " Combat Bar / Ribbon " !
                  ( Awarded to Mariner's who have been under combat conditions )
MM **  =  Awarded the " Combat Star " ( attached to the Combat Bar )
                   ( Awarded to Mariner's who are forced to abandon ship when attacked or damaged )
MM-DSM  =  Awarded the Mariner's " Distinguished Service Medal " !
                         ( Awarded for " Heroism Beyond the Call of Duty " )
MM-POW  =  Awarded the Mariner's " Prisoner Of War Medal " !
                         ( Awarded to Mariner's who served time as a POW " )
PH  =  Awarded the " Purple Heart " !
              ( Awarded to U.S. Military Soldiers & Sailors for being Wounded and/or Killed in action )
Other Medals
              Such as Good Conduct Medals, Campaign Medals, Defense Service Medals, etc.,
              " Are Not " included in this listing.
  =  Picture of person shown on online memorial
  =  Picture of tombstone shown on online memorial
" Family Link Included " = Parent, Spouse, or Child linked in " Online Memorial ".
Cenotaph  =  A memorial stone only  ~  " OR "  ~  Remains not recovered  ~  " OR "  ~  Interred somewhere unknown.

( www.usmm.org/medals.html )

Quick Link by first letter of Last Name for the " S.S. Esso Gettysburg "
( Those letters shown below in " Maroon " had no crew members on this ship )

[ A ] - [ B ] - [ C ] - [ D ] - [ E ] - [ F ]
[ G ] - [ H ] - [ I ] - [ J ] - [ K ] - [ L ]
[ M ] - [ N ] - [ O ] - [ P ] - [ Q ] - [ R ]
[ S ] - [ T ] - [ U ] - [ V ] - [ W ] - [ X ] - [ Y ] - [ Z ]

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Ahquai,  Frank
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Pumpman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Texas
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Argust,  Marvin
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Bristol
Cemetery
Bristol, PA " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Blaisdell,  Edgar H.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Maine
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Bowen,  Orlando C.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy North Carolina
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Bessemer City
Memorial Cemetery
Bessemer City, NC " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Boyaji,  Charles J.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Brothers,  John J.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Coxswain " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Massachusetts
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Brown,  John
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Bryant,  William J.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Bryson,  Edward T.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Illinois
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Bulawa,  Chester
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Rock Island
National Cemetery
Chicago, Illinois " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Carnes,  Harold J.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Massachusetts
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Carter,  John M.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
            Brother of: Guy A. Carter
                ( also died in WW II )
Engine
Cadet " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Maryland
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Rockville
Cemetery
Rockville, MD " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Chalker,  Albert R.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Cook " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Florida
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Corbin,  Jack E.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Florida
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Decker,  Lester P.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy North Carolina
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Doughty,  Ivan S.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Michigan
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Dunn,  Daniel D.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Third
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Eary,  John R.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Gunner's
Mate
Third Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy West Virginia
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Eerola,  Kalle
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Emery,  Howard R.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Kansas
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Encinas,  Anthony
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Engstrom,  LeRoy A.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Iowa
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Flanagan,  Alfred
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Illinois
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Fleming,  Tennent L.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
First
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Alabama
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Judson Baptist
Church Cemetery
Screamer, AL " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Fowler,  L. D.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Coxswain " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy North Carolina
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Fullerton,  Lloyd H.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Second
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Grandview
Cemetery
Florence, PA " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Gillespie,  Donald S.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Kansas
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Graziano,  Vincent J.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy New Jersey
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Hannigan,  John R.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Connecticut
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Harris,  Arthur L.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Hopper,  Willard J.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Irvin,  Martin D.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Pine Hall
Cemetery
State College, PA " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Jacobs,  Joseph E.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Chief
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Johnson,  Peder A.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Master
" Captain " " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Rhode Island
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Kalody,  Walter F.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  LaFrance,  Joseph
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Massachusetts
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Landron,  Joseph, Jr.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Engine
Cadet " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Lassen,  Thorlief
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Cook " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Illinois
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Livdahl,  Warren J.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Signalman
Third Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy North Dakota
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Mason,  Francis
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Mayer,  Rolfe S.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Pennsylvania
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Miller,  Alphonse I.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Deck Cadet " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Ohio
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Murphy,  Paul E.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Massachusetts
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " N " ~ " There Were None ! "

Last Names starting with " O " ~ " There Were None ! "

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Parlatore,  Francis
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine North Carolina
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Petring,  Walter P.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Missouri
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Pound,  Weston C. K.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Radio
Officer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Hampshire
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Westview
Cemetery
Moultrie, GA " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Price,  Frederick L.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Gunner's
Mate
Third Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Illinois
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " Q " ~ " There Were None Known ! "

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Rojek,  Romand M.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Seaman
First Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Illinois
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Rose,  Orie G.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Florida
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Sadlon,  Michael
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Sharkey,  James H., Jr.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Purser " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Shaw,  Albion K.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Bosun " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Connecticut
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Teater,  Charles L.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Indiana
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " U " ~ " There Were None Known ! "

Last Names starting with " V " ~ " There Were None Known ! "

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Wetart,  Stanley J.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Connecticut
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Whitley,  Julious E.
            PH ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Gunner's
Mate
Third Class " Armed Guard "
U.S. Navy Georgia
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 East Coast
Memorial
Manhattan, NY " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " X " ~ " There Were None Known ! "

Last Names starting with " Y " ~ " There Were None Known ! "

   Last Name, First Name, M.I.
            Awards ~ Place Of Passing ~Photos Military
Rank
Branch
of Service State / Country
Cause of Death
Date Of Passing Cemetery /
Memorial For Online
Memorial
Click on
" Yes "

  Zgoda,  Alfred N.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Zink,  Glen A.
            MM ** ~ Off Savannah, GA ~
Galleyman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Oklahoma
Missing In Action
June 10, 1943 Rose Hill
Memorial Park
Tulsa, OK " Yes "
Cenotaph

Email any questions or comments to:
Russ Pickett
( russpickde@comcast.net )