S.S. John Morgan ~ WW II

Merchant Marine Flag

During launching ceremony

at the Bethlehem-Fairfield yard
Baltimore, Maryland.
( only known photo )

" Special Thanks go to the Remarkable Website ":

" usmm.org "

Please visit this great website for more by
clicking above !

Page last updated:
October 29, 2019

Sinking on June 1, 1943
the " S.S. John Morgan "
reportedly loss " 67 " men !
( The names of all " 42 " of the Merchant Mariners that died on the S.S. John Morgan are listed below ! )
( The names of naval armed guards are not .... still being researched )

     The " S.S. John Morgan " was a World War II Liberty ship built by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation at their Bethlehem-Fairfield yard at Baltimore, Maryland, and launched on 4 May 1943. The ship was named in the honor of General John Tyler Morgan who was a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and also a six-term U.S. Senator from the state of Alabama after the war.
     On June 1, 1943, during its maiden voyage, the " S.S. John Morgan " was enroute from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Bandar Shahpour, Iran loaded with a cargo of P-39 airplanes, tanks, arms, and ammunition of all kinds.
     While approaching Newport News, Virginia the " S.S. John Morgan " collided with an outbound ship, the " S.S. Montana ", off Cape Henry, Virginia.   The " S.S. John Morgan " split in two, exploded, and her stern sank almost immediately, taking 42 merchant mariners and 25 of its naval armed guard to their death.   It is unclear which ship caused the collision.   The collision also caused fires to breakout on the " S.S. Montana ".
     The U.S.S. Shubrick (DD-639), U.S.S Herndon (DD-638), and U.S.S Nelson (DD-623) were sent to investigate the collision. They all circled the area looking for survivors, but recovered the remains of only 12 of those that were on the " S.S. John Morgan ".

     The following below list was created in the memory of those who "Gave Their All" on the " S.S. John Morgan ".   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
( Those letters shown in " Maroon " below currently have no one to list )

[ 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 "

  Allen,  Carl Edward
           N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Illinois
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Webb Cemetery
Johnson County,
IL " 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 "

  Bailey,  Leon B.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Texas
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Byrnes,  Thomas, Jr.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Locustwood
Memorial Park
Cherry Hill, NJ " Yes "

   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 "

  Calvert,  Andrew L.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Second
Cook " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Maryland
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Dembowczyk,  Anthony
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Maryland
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 St. Stanislaus
Cemetery
Baltimore, MD " 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 "

  Edwards,  Tazwell B.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Virginia
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Flowers,  Alfred E.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Chief
Cook " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Goldberg,  Louis T.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennslyvania
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Graham,  Roy E.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Indiana
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Washington Park
East Cemetery
Indianapolis, IN " 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 "

  Holleran,  Sydney
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Utility
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " I " ~ " 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 "

  Jeffreys,  Robert R.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Karkota,  Richard
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Kirk,  John J.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Purser " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Koegler,  Walter F.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Steward " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Utah
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Elysian
Burial Gardens
Millcreek, Ut " 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 "

  Lawrence,  John H. B.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Junior
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Lock,  Jesse A.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Third
Mate " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Indiana
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Losada,  Manuel
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Radio
Officer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Lydon,  Joseph D.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Master
" Captain " " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Massachusetts
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 St. Patrick's
Cemetery
Brockton, MA " 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 "

  McMahon,  Martin J.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Meyer,  Arthur
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Chief
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Nebraska,  John H.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  O'Leary,  Henry J.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Obara,  Jan
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Patterson,  Thomas A.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " Q " ~ " 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 "

  Rafferty,  Charles H.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Second
Mate " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Ramos,  Alberto
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Utility
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Reid,  Percy A.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Deck
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine North Carolina
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Edgewood
Cemetery
Lowell, NC " Yes "

  Roffey,  George
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Third
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Saethre,  Karl W.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Second
Mate " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Norway
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Schweitzer,  Herman E.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Maryland
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Mt. Olivet
Cemetery
Baltimore, MD " Yes "

  Slaski,  Edmund
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Solano,  Antonio
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Solar,  William
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
First
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Stanley,  David J.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Stevenson,  Clifford C.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Stockmal,  Stanley S.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
Line Of Duty
June 1, 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 "

  Talbott,  John O., Jr.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Deck Cadet " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Texas
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Grace Hill
Cemetery
Longview, TX " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Tompson,  Albert C.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Third Cook " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Turner,  Ralph W.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

Last Names starting with " V " ~ " 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 "

  Wilkinson,  Benjamin H.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~
Engine Cadet " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Ohio
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Toronto Union
Cemetery
Toronto, OH " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Winter,  Harold B.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Utility
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine " unknown "
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Werley,  Maurice C.
            N/A ~ Off Cape Henry, VA ~ N/A
Bosun " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Virginia
Line Of Duty
June 1, 1943 Cemetery /
Memorial
" Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

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

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

Email any questions or comments to:

Russ Pickett

( russpickde@comcast.net )