From FAG Contributor: 47281148
The USS Houston (CA-30) was under the command of Captain Albert Harold Rooks when she was sunk on 01 Mar 1942 (Memorial# 8173510). Capt Rooks was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on board Houston from 4 to 27 Feb 1942.
I've written a bio of BM1 Abrahamson from official navy records. I would appreciate it if you would consider adding it to his memorial page. Thanks in advance and best regards, Gerry (G47).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chester enlisted in the US Navy (NSN: 299-59-88) prior to 1930 as an Apprentice Seaman (AS). He was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL where he received basic training. Chester reenlisted in the US Navy on 4 Feb 1938 in San Diego, CA. BM2 Abrahamson reported on board USS Melville (AD-2) on 17 Feb 1938 for duty. He transferred to the hospital ship, USS Relief (AH-1), on 15 Mar 1939 for medical treatment. He returned to duty on board the Melville on 15 May 1939. Abrahamson was advanced in rate to Boatswains Mate First Class (BM1) on 16 Feb 1940. On 17 Jun 1940, Abrahamson extended his enlistment by three years. The same day he was detached from the Melville and transferred to the USS Houston (CA-30) in Pearl Harbor, HI for duty. He reported on board Houston the same day.
On 24 August 1940, Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to Mare Island Navy Yard in California. She arrived there on 30 August 1940. Following her modernization and overhaul at Mare Island, Houston got underway on 15 October 1940 and made two brief stops at California ports before arriving back in Pearl Harbor on 24 October 1940. Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to join the Asiatic Fleet on 3 Nov 1940. After a brief stop in Guam, Houston continued on to the Philippine Islands arriving at Manila on 19 Nov where she became the flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet.
As the prospects of hostilities with Japan increased, so did the operational tempo of Houston. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and begun hostilities. Later that day, Houston got underway from the Philippines with other fleet units enroute to Surabaya, Java arriving there on 17 Dec. Houston then departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec where she arrived on 28 Dec 1941. She then joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force at Surabaya. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway).
Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the USS Houston's 01 Mar 1942 muster report (compiled several years later), Petty Officer Abrahamson was reported missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead in Oct 1945.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, the American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
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US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class, Chester E. Abrahamson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Illinois
Service # 2995988
Awards: Purple Heart Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal,
Captain: Commander W. M. Haynsworth Jr. MIA/KIA
Ship: USS HOUSTON CA-30,
Mission: Battle of Sunda Strait
Mission Date: 27-Feb-42
Location: the Java Sea
Cause: torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma
Crew: Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
CA-30, Crew
Leo C. Abate
Chester E. Abrahamson
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Richard L. Adams Jr.
Bruce Adkins
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Henry A Allen Jr. POW
The USS Houston (CA-30) was under the command of Captain Albert Harold Rooks when she was sunk on 01 Mar 1942 (Memorial# 8173510). Capt Rooks was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on board Houston from 4 to 27 Feb 1942.
I've written a bio of BM1 Abrahamson from official navy records. I would appreciate it if you would consider adding it to his memorial page. Thanks in advance and best regards, Gerry (G47).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chester enlisted in the US Navy (NSN: 299-59-88) prior to 1930 as an Apprentice Seaman (AS). He was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL where he received basic training. Chester reenlisted in the US Navy on 4 Feb 1938 in San Diego, CA. BM2 Abrahamson reported on board USS Melville (AD-2) on 17 Feb 1938 for duty. He transferred to the hospital ship, USS Relief (AH-1), on 15 Mar 1939 for medical treatment. He returned to duty on board the Melville on 15 May 1939. Abrahamson was advanced in rate to Boatswains Mate First Class (BM1) on 16 Feb 1940. On 17 Jun 1940, Abrahamson extended his enlistment by three years. The same day he was detached from the Melville and transferred to the USS Houston (CA-30) in Pearl Harbor, HI for duty. He reported on board Houston the same day.
On 24 August 1940, Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to Mare Island Navy Yard in California. She arrived there on 30 August 1940. Following her modernization and overhaul at Mare Island, Houston got underway on 15 October 1940 and made two brief stops at California ports before arriving back in Pearl Harbor on 24 October 1940. Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to join the Asiatic Fleet on 3 Nov 1940. After a brief stop in Guam, Houston continued on to the Philippine Islands arriving at Manila on 19 Nov where she became the flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet.
As the prospects of hostilities with Japan increased, so did the operational tempo of Houston. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and begun hostilities. Later that day, Houston got underway from the Philippines with other fleet units enroute to Surabaya, Java arriving there on 17 Dec. Houston then departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec where she arrived on 28 Dec 1941. She then joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force at Surabaya. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway).
Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the USS Houston's 01 Mar 1942 muster report (compiled several years later), Petty Officer Abrahamson was reported missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead in Oct 1945.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, the American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class, Chester E. Abrahamson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Illinois
Service # 2995988
Awards: Purple Heart Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal,
Captain: Commander W. M. Haynsworth Jr. MIA/KIA
Ship: USS HOUSTON CA-30,
Mission: Battle of Sunda Strait
Mission Date: 27-Feb-42
Location: the Java Sea
Cause: torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma
Crew: Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
CA-30, Crew
Leo C. Abate
Chester E. Abrahamson
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Richard L. Adams Jr.
Bruce Adkins
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Henry A Allen Jr. POW
From FAG Contributor: 47281148
The USS Houston (CA-30) was under the command of Captain Albert Harold Rooks when she was sunk on 01 Mar 1942 (Memorial# 8173510). Capt Rooks was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on board Houston from 4 to 27 Feb 1942.
I've written a bio of BM1 Abrahamson from official navy records. I would appreciate it if you would consider adding it to his memorial page. Thanks in advance and best regards, Gerry (G47).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chester enlisted in the US Navy (NSN: 299-59-88) prior to 1930 as an Apprentice Seaman (AS). He was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL where he received basic training. Chester reenlisted in the US Navy on 4 Feb 1938 in San Diego, CA. BM2 Abrahamson reported on board USS Melville (AD-2) on 17 Feb 1938 for duty. He transferred to the hospital ship, USS Relief (AH-1), on 15 Mar 1939 for medical treatment. He returned to duty on board the Melville on 15 May 1939. Abrahamson was advanced in rate to Boatswains Mate First Class (BM1) on 16 Feb 1940. On 17 Jun 1940, Abrahamson extended his enlistment by three years. The same day he was detached from the Melville and transferred to the USS Houston (CA-30) in Pearl Harbor, HI for duty. He reported on board Houston the same day.
On 24 August 1940, Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to Mare Island Navy Yard in California. She arrived there on 30 August 1940. Following her modernization and overhaul at Mare Island, Houston got underway on 15 October 1940 and made two brief stops at California ports before arriving back in Pearl Harbor on 24 October 1940. Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to join the Asiatic Fleet on 3 Nov 1940. After a brief stop in Guam, Houston continued on to the Philippine Islands arriving at Manila on 19 Nov where she became the flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet.
As the prospects of hostilities with Japan increased, so did the operational tempo of Houston. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and begun hostilities. Later that day, Houston got underway from the Philippines with other fleet units enroute to Surabaya, Java arriving there on 17 Dec. Houston then departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec where she arrived on 28 Dec 1941. She then joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force at Surabaya. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway).
Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the USS Houston's 01 Mar 1942 muster report (compiled several years later), Petty Officer Abrahamson was reported missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead in Oct 1945.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, the American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class, Chester E. Abrahamson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Illinois
Service # 2995988
Awards: Purple Heart Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal,
Captain: Commander W. M. Haynsworth Jr. MIA/KIA
Ship: USS HOUSTON CA-30,
Mission: Battle of Sunda Strait
Mission Date: 27-Feb-42
Location: the Java Sea
Cause: torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma
Crew: Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
CA-30, Crew
Leo C. Abate
Chester E. Abrahamson
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Richard L. Adams Jr.
Bruce Adkins
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Henry A Allen Jr. POW
The USS Houston (CA-30) was under the command of Captain Albert Harold Rooks when she was sunk on 01 Mar 1942 (Memorial# 8173510). Capt Rooks was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions on board Houston from 4 to 27 Feb 1942.
I've written a bio of BM1 Abrahamson from official navy records. I would appreciate it if you would consider adding it to his memorial page. Thanks in advance and best regards, Gerry (G47).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chester enlisted in the US Navy (NSN: 299-59-88) prior to 1930 as an Apprentice Seaman (AS). He was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS) Great Lakes, IL where he received basic training. Chester reenlisted in the US Navy on 4 Feb 1938 in San Diego, CA. BM2 Abrahamson reported on board USS Melville (AD-2) on 17 Feb 1938 for duty. He transferred to the hospital ship, USS Relief (AH-1), on 15 Mar 1939 for medical treatment. He returned to duty on board the Melville on 15 May 1939. Abrahamson was advanced in rate to Boatswains Mate First Class (BM1) on 16 Feb 1940. On 17 Jun 1940, Abrahamson extended his enlistment by three years. The same day he was detached from the Melville and transferred to the USS Houston (CA-30) in Pearl Harbor, HI for duty. He reported on board Houston the same day.
On 24 August 1940, Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to Mare Island Navy Yard in California. She arrived there on 30 August 1940. Following her modernization and overhaul at Mare Island, Houston got underway on 15 October 1940 and made two brief stops at California ports before arriving back in Pearl Harbor on 24 October 1940. Houston departed Pearl Harbor underway to join the Asiatic Fleet on 3 Nov 1940. After a brief stop in Guam, Houston continued on to the Philippine Islands arriving at Manila on 19 Nov where she became the flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet.
As the prospects of hostilities with Japan increased, so did the operational tempo of Houston. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) Houston received a message indicating that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor and begun hostilities. Later that day, Houston got underway from the Philippines with other fleet units enroute to Surabaya, Java arriving there on 17 Dec. Houston then departed for Darwin, Australia on 20 Dec where she arrived on 28 Dec 1941. She then joined the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) naval force at Surabaya. Houston was underway again providing escort services on 12 Jan 1942. Houston did not see combat action until 4 Feb in the Battle of Makassar Strait when Japanese land based attack aircraft began bombing the ABDA force. For the next several weeks, Houston was engaged in frequent combat. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma (Mikuma was sunk and the Mogami heavily damaged several months later in the Battle of Midway).
Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
According to the USS Houston's 01 Mar 1942 muster report (compiled several years later), Petty Officer Abrahamson was reported missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead in Oct 1945.
He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, the American Defense Service Medal with "Fleet" Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two battle stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may also be eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive 07 Dec 1941).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class, Chester E. Abrahamson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Illinois
Service # 2995988
Awards: Purple Heart Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal,
Captain: Commander W. M. Haynsworth Jr. MIA/KIA
Ship: USS HOUSTON CA-30,
Mission: Battle of Sunda Strait
Mission Date: 27-Feb-42
Location: the Java Sea
Cause: torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma
Crew: Houston lost almost 700 crewmen. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 77 died in captivity.
CA-30, Crew
Leo C. Abate
Chester E. Abrahamson
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Richard L. Adams Jr.
Bruce Adkins
Russell E. Abrams
Charles B. Adams
Henry A Allen Jr. POW
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Illinois.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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