On June 15, 1942 the troopship S.S. Cherokee was part of a convoy out of Halifax Nova Scotia. The Cherokee was a fast freighter just down from Iceland carrying 41 army enlisted men, 4 Russian naval officers, and an army air force pilot, all headed for the US. Two torpedoes had hit the S.S. Port Nicholson and she was firing flares. A low boom followed by two huge explosions were seen on the troopship. Two torpedoes had hit her. The troop ship sank almost immediately taking half of her ships crew and the soldiers down with her. Flares and rockets indicated a submarine attack (U-87) on the convoy. The Escanaba came to the position where the SS Cherokee had gone down and to assist with survivors.

Lost At Sea Log: Radio Officer Alonzo Marion Carter USMM

∼Yuma Daily Sun, Tuesday September 29, 1942

Arizonan on 1st Merchant Marine casuality list

Washington, September 29, 1942 (UP)

One person from Arizona was listed as missing today in the first Merchant Marine Casuality list of the war to be issued by the Navy Department.

The casuality list compiled by the United States Coast headquarters reported that the war cost American's Merchant Marine a total of 434 dead and 1921 missing as a persuit of war action in the period from September 27, 1941 to August 1, 1942 inclusive.

Alonzo Marion Carter, radio operator, was the only person from Arizona included on the list. His next of kin is his uncle AG Carter of Tiger.

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Tucson Daily Citizen, Tuesday September 29, 1942

Tiger Radio Man Killed In Action

Washington, September 29, (UP)

Alonzo Marion Carter, radio operator, of Tiger, Ariz. was listed as missing today in the Navy departments 1st Merchant Marine casuality list.

Carter's nearest of kin was given as an uncle, AG Carter of Tiger.

The Navy said that casualities resulted directly from enemy action.