All lettering shown in " BLUE " on this website are links

" Special Thanks " go to the " Remarkable Website " : " usmm.org " Please visit this great site for more by clicking above !

Thursday,
May 5, 2022

         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 and 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 the ship 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 " 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 " Cynthia Olson " sank.   No survivors from the " S.S. Cynthia Olson " was ever found !

         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.             Photos ~ Awards ~ Notes Military Rank Branch of Service State / Country Of Residence Killed / Missing Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Atad,  Anastocia M.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  n/a Oiler " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Philippines " Missing In Action " December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph     Last Name, First Name, M.I.             Photos ~ Awards ~ Notes Military Rank Branch of Service State / Country Of Residence Killed / Missing Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Baes,  Zacharias Arceno             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  n/a Steward " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Philippines " Missing In Action " December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph  Baja,  Sopronio P.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 Ankot             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  n/a Oiler " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Philippines " Missing In Action " December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph  Basilo,  Alfred M.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 Peterson             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  n/a Chief Mate " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Denmark " Missing In Action " December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph  Bushka,  Anthony G.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             Photos ~ Awards ~ Notes Military Rank Branch of Service State / Country Of Residence Killed / Missing Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Cabigas,  Sotero V.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 Cabaltera             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 **  ~  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.             Photos ~ Awards ~ Notes Military Rank Branch of Service State / Country Of Residence Killed / Missing Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Daguison,  Joaquin             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 Jeston               ~  PH  ~  " Family Link Included " 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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             Photos ~ Awards ~ Notes Military Rank Branch of Service State / Country Of Residence Killed / Missing Date Of Passing Cemetery / Memorial  For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "  Escalante,  Leo M.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 On The Ship ! " Last Names starting with " G "  ~  " There Were None On The Ship ! " Last Names starting with " H "  ~  " There Were None On The Ship ! " Last Names starting with " I "  ~  " There Were None On The Ship ! "    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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 Grier             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  " Family Link Included " Third Engineer " Ship's Crew " U.S. Merchant Marine Washington " Missing In Action " December 7, 1941 Cemetery / Memorial " Not Found " " Yes " Cenotaph  Muirhead,  Thomas               ~  MM **  ~  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 On The Ship ! " Last Names starting with " O "  ~  " There Were None On The Ship ! "    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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 On The Ship ! "    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             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 On The Ship ! "    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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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.             n/a  ~  MM **  ~  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 On The Ship ! " Last Names starting with " X "  ~  " There Were None On The Ship ! " Last Names starting with " Y "  ~  " There Were None On The Ship ! "    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  ~  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 )