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)