World War II Honoree

Arthur Abrahamson

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Denver, Colorado

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veteran

He was killed with the loss of 89 Officers and men onboard USS SWORDFISH (SS-193) most likely on 12 January 1945 near 29-25N, 141-07E, Near Yaku Island off Kyushu, Japan. Cause Unknown. Decorations: Purple Heart. USS SWORDFISH, under the command of Commander K. E. Montross, left Pearl Harbor on 22 December 1944, to carry on her thirteenth patrol in the vicinity of Nansei Shoto. She topped off with fuel at Midway on 26 December and left that day for her area. In addition to her regular patrol, SWORDFISH was to conduct photographic reconnaissance of Okinawa, for preparation of the Okinawa Campaign. On 2 January, SWORDFISH was ordered to delay carrying out her assigned tasks in order to keep her clear of the Nansei Shoto area until completion of carrier based air strikes which were scheduled. She was directed to patrol the general vicinity of 30° 00'N, 132° 00'E until further orders were received. In the last communication received from SWORDFISH, she acknowledged receipt of these orders on 3 January. On 9 January 1945, SWORDFISH was directed to proceed to the vicinity of Okinawa to carry out her special mission. It was estimated that the task would not take more than seven days after arrival on station, which she should have reached on 11 January. Upon completion of her mission, SWORDFISH was to proceed to Saipan, or to Midway if she was unable to transmit by radio. Since neither place had seen her by 15 February, and repeated attempts to raise her by radio had failed, she was reported as presumed lost on that date.