Originally built as the steam tanker " Coquina " in 1918 by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.   It was renamed the " S.S. Cynthia Olson " when it was purchased by the Oliver J. Olson line of San Francisco, California in 1940.   It was named in honor of Oliver J. Olson's daughter "Cynthia"!

     On December 7, 1941 the unescorted & unarmed " S.S. Cynthia Olson " was enroute from Tacoma, Washington to Hawaii with a cargo of lumber for the U.S. Army.   The Japanese submarine I-26 surfaced near the "Cynthia Olson" approximatley 350 miles off the California coast.   The submarine fired a warning shell over Cynthia Olson from its 14-cm deck gun.   When fired on like that it is a signal that the ship that fired the shot intents to sink the ship.

     The " S.S. Cynthia Olson " stopped dead in the water and the Radio Officer sent out a quick message that they were " being attacked ".   The entire crew and passengers then abandoned ship !   The Japanese submarine, once everyone was off the ship, proceeded to fire on the ship with there 14-cm deck gun until the " S.S. Cynthia Olson " sank.   No one from the " S.S. Cynthia Olson " was ever found !

" Historical Note: "

Based on timelines it would appear that the " S.S. Cynthia Olson " was " attacked before "

the attack on Pearl Harbor !

     On the night of October 25-26, 1944, in the aftermath of the Battle off Samar, Japanese submarine I-26 attacked the escort carrier U.S.S. Petrof Bay (CVE-80) off Leyte.   " Japanese submarine I-26 " was then sunk by either the U.S.S. Coolbaugh (DE-217) or the U.S.S. Richard M. Rowell (DE-403).

The ship Master/Captain of the " S.S. Cynthia Olson " was:

Berthel Carlsen

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. Cynthia Olson ".   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 Marines for being wounded, Missing or Killed In Action ) MM *  =  Awarded the " Combat Bar " ~ ( Awarded to those who are under combat conditions ) MM **  =  Awarded the " Combat Star " ~ ( Awarded to those who are forced to abandon ship when attacked or damaged ) PH = Awarded the "Purple Heart" ~ ( Awarded to soldiers & sailors for being Wounded and/or Killed in action ) Other Medals  =  Such as Good Conduct Medals, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medals, American Defense Service Medals, etc. " Are Not " included in this listing.   =  Picture of person shown on online memorial   =  Picture of tombstone shown on online memorial Cenotaph  =  A memorial stone only  ~  " OR "  ~  Remains not recovered  ~  " OR "  ~  Interred somewhere unknown. Quick Link by first letter of Last Name for the S.S. Cynthia Olson ( 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 "   Atad,  Anastocia M.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Oiler " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Baes,  Zacharias A.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Steward " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Baja,  Sopronio P.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Ordinary Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Basbos,  Maximo A.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Oiler " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Basilo,  Alfred M.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Steward " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Buchtele,  William P.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Chief Mate " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Bushka,  Anthony G.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Steward " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Buta,  Jose L.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Cabigas,  Sotero V.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Fireman / Watertender " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Cadag,  Fred C.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Steward " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Maryland Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Carlsen,  Berthel           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Master / Captain " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Oregon Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Daguison,  Joaquin           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Bosun " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Davenport,  Ernest J.           PH ~ Pacific ~ n/a Private " Passenger " Medical Department U.S. Army North Carolina Missing In Action December 7, 1941 West Coast Memorial San Francisco, CA " Yes " Cenotaph   Dodd,  Roland J.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Escalante,  Leo M.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Steward " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine California Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph Last Names starting with " F " ~ " There Were None ! " Last Names starting with " G " ~ " There Were None ! " Last Names starting with " H " ~ " There Were None ! " 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 "   Jalocon,  Comado M.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Ordinary Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Johnstad,  Carl           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Second Mate " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Kaay,  Leo T.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Ordinary Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Lofving,  Harry K.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Chief Engineer " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Maagma,  Claro           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Mananita,  Domingo L.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Cook " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine California Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Mills,  James W.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Third Mate " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Montegrejo,  Isidro E.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Cook " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Moore,  Thomas G.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Third Engineer " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Muirhead,  Thomas           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a First Engineer " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Connecticut Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Pedro,  Victoriano T.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Oiler " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Perales,  Pio J.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Rodriguez,  Benito           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Fireman / Watertender " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Santiago,  August S.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Soliman,  Pedro T.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 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 "   Taylor,  Charles H.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Second Engineer " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Terro,  Maximo R.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Wiper " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph Last Names starting with " U " ~ " 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 "   Valez,  Guillermo O.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Cook " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph   Villa,  Raymond T.           MM ** ~ Pacific ~ n/a Able-Bodied Seaman " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine " unknown " Missing In Action December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph Last Names starting with " W " ~ " There Were None ! " Last Names starting with " X " ~ " There Were None ! " Last Names starting with " Y " ~ " 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 "   Ziskind,  Samuel J.           PH ~ Pacific ~ n/a Private " Passenger " 8th Sig. Service Co. U.S. Army New York Missing In Action December 7, 1941 National Memorial Cemetery Honolulu, HI " Yes " Cenotaph Email any questions or comments to: Russ Pickett ( russpickde@comcast.net )