86 Alva Roberts Cowan, Born Newbern, Tennessee

86 Alva Roberts Cowan, Born Newbern, Tennessee

Alva Roberts Cowan

*Photo Needed

Rank/Rate:    Chief Pharmacist’s Mate

Service Number:    295 13 19

Birth Date:    February 19, 1908

From:    Newport, Rhode Island

Decorations:    Purple Heart, Prisoner of War Medal

Ship:    USS Canopus (AS-9)

Date of Death:    December 15, 1944

Location:    Aboard the Hellship Oryoku Maru

Circumstances:    Died when Oryoku Maru, transporting Allied Prisoners of War from the Philippines to Japan, was sunk by US Navy planes from the USS Hornet

Remarks:    Alva was born in Newbern, Tennessee.  Information courtesy of Paul W. Wittmer.

NavSource, Submarine Photo Archive for the USS CANOPUS (AS-9)

On Eternal Patrol list of men lost on the USS Canopus (AS-9)

Find a Grave Memorial: CPhM Alva Roberts Cowan Sr (Manila American Cemetery and Memorial)

Return to Lost Tennessean Roster


Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association

Perpetuating the memories of submariners who didn’t come home

Chairman: Mike Anderson (SK2(SS)USN) | President: Patrick Ryan (YNC(SS), LCDR USN)

The TSMA is a nonprofit memorial association registered as a 501(c) tax exempt organization and is registered with the Tennessee Secretary of State to receive charitable donations. Please make the TSMA one of the charities that you support.  You can make a donation here or send a check made to: Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association, c/o 309 Church Street, #107, Nashville, TN 37201.

Here’s our nonprofit (501(c)3) designation letter [link]

Here’s our State of Tennessee registration to solicit charitable donations [link]

Thank you for your help commemorating the Tennesseans who gave their lives as American Submariners in the service of the United States Navy.

Tennessee Submarine Memorial Association

c/o 309 Church Street, #107 Nashville, TN 37201