S.S. W.D. Anderson ~ WW II

Merchant Marine Flag

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

( Photo courtesy of The Mariners Museum, Newport News, VA )

ribbon line

" Special Thanks go to " TWO " Remarkable Websites " :

" usmm.org "

~ AND ~

" uboat.net "

Please visit these great websites for more by
clicking above !

Thursday,
May 5, 2022

         The steam tanker " S.S. W.D. Anderson " was a World War II Liberty ship built by the Moore Shipbuilding Company, Oakland California, and completed in September, 1921.   The ship was Powered by Oil-fired steam, was 500 feet long and had a Gross Tonnage of 10,227 and Net Tonnage of 6,552 tons.   It was built for the Southern Pacific Company and was first named the " Tamiahua ".   It was purchased by the Atlantic Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1936 and was renamed the " S.S. W.D. Anderson ".
         On February 22, 1942, while enroute from Corpus Christi, Texas to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with a load of crude oil, the unescorted and unarmed " W.D. Anderson " was torpedoed by " German U-504 " about 12 miles northeast of Jupiter Light, Florida.
         The first explosion caused the ship to burst into flames and almost immediately a second explosion occured.   One of the crew members ( see below ), out of the ship's complement of 36, was able to jump overboard right after the first explosion.   He was the only survivor of this sinking.   " 8 " officers and " 27 " crewmen were lost as the ship soon sank.

The ship Master/Captain of the " S.S. W.D. Anderson " was:
" Albert Benjamin Walters "
who went down with his ship !

The only survivor was:
" Frank Leonard Terry "
He serviced as a Wiper on the Ship!

         The following below list was created in the memory of those who " GAVE THEIR ALL " on the " S.S. W.D. Anderson ".   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.

MM     =  Awarded the " Mariner's Medal "
               ( Awarded for being wounded, Missing or Killed In Action )
MM *   =  Awarded the " Combat Bar ( Ribbon ) "
               ( Awarded to those who served under combat conditions )
MM **  =  Awarded the " Combat Star "
                ( Awarded to those who are forced to abandon ship when attacked or damaged )
PMM   =  Awarded the " Mariner's Prisoner of War Medal "
               ( Awarded to Mariner's held as prisoners of war during World War II )

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.
An " n/a " in the " Photo, Awards, or Notes Area " means that they are not available for that Mariner, Soldier or Sailor .....
Cenotaph  =  A memorial stone only  ~  " OR "  ~  Remains not recovered  ~  " OR "  ~  Interred somewhere unknown.

Quick Link by first letter of Last Name
( 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 Notes ~ ( Only If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State / Country Cause of Death Date Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial Click on " Yes "
Aguinaldo, Robert MM * ~ Off Florida ~ n/a*	Steward	*" Ship's Crew "* Merchant Marine	Pennsylvania " Missing In Action " February 22, 1942	*" Not Found "*	" Yes " Cenotaph

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

  Bachman,  Frederick J.
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Carey,  Halton Ralph
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
          " Family Link Included "
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Delaware
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Castro,  Apolonio Ramos
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Cook " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Cotton,  James Thomas, Jr.
          MM ** ~ Off Florida  ~  n/a
          " Family Link Included "
Radio
Officer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Georgia
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Cox,  Jeff D.
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Mississippi
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Crawford,  Joseph Wilbur, Jr.
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
          " Family Link Included "
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Cullinan,  Thomas
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Deck
Maintenance
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Dyczkowski,  John Leon
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " E "  ~  " There Were None Lost ! "

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

  Ferry,  Bernard John
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Deck
Maintenance
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Illinois
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Franklin,  Billie Joseph
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
          " Family Link Included "
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Alabama
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 Cornelius Chapel
Cemetery
Buhl, AL " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Glacklin,  John Joseph
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Third
Mate " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Heir,  Alfred William
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Wiper " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Missouri
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Iseminger,  Alva John
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Deck
Maintenance
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Jensen,  Neil
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Kabat,  Cyril
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
          " Family Link Included "
Deck
Maintenance
Man " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Illinois
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Kalima,  William Kole
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New Jersey
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Kline,  Harvey William
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
          " Family Link Included "
Chief Mate " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 Zion Gosherts
Church Cemetery
Lebanon, PA " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Lamb,  Frederick Edward
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine North Carolina
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Liles,  Burwell Earnest
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
          " Family Link Included "
Third
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Madelaine,  Leon
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine New York
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Marsh,  Walter Currell
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
          " Family Link Included "
Fireman /
Watertender " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Virginia
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 Morattico Baptist
Church Cemetery
Kilmarnock, VA " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Matinog,  Alexandro
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Messman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  McDonald,  Russell Lee
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Mehl,  William John
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Ordinary
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Meisner,  Julian Robert
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Chief
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Melin,  Carl Albert
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
Second
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Molchan,  Joseph Peter
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

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

Last Names starting with " P "  ~  " There Were None Lost ! "

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

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

  Robbins,  Raymond Lawson
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
          " Family Link Included "
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Virginia
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 White Stone
UM Church Cemetery
White Stone, VA " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Robertson,  John Clifton
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Oiler " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Virginia
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

  Samuelson,  Carl Siegfried
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
First
Engineer " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Sanderson,  David Robert
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Pumpman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Smith,  Charles Eugene
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~ n/a
Able-Bodied
Seaman " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine North Carolina
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 " Not Found " " Yes "
Cenotaph

  Stitsel,  Mahlon Erman
          MM ** ~ Off Florida  ~
          " Family Link Included "
His brother,
" Elvin Edward Stitsel "
also died in WW II !
Second
Mate " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Pennsylvania
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 Riverside
Cemetery
Defiance, OH " Yes "
Cenotaph

Last Names starting with " T "  ~  " There Were None Lost ! "

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

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

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

  Walters,  Albert Benjamin, Jr.
          MM ** ~ Off Florida ~
          " Family Link Included "
Master /
Captain " Ship's Crew "
Merchant Marine Kansas
" Missing In Action "
February 22, 1942 Milford
Cemetery
Milford, KS " Yes "
Cenotaph

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

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

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

Email any questions or comments to:

Russ Pickett

( russpickde@comcast.net )