This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Michael Morton (Mike), DC1
to remember
Morton, Marion Ellis (Bus), SK2c.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town Miami County, OH
Last Address Troy, Ohio
Casualty Date Jul 30, 1945
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Torpedoed
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Maple Hill Cemetery - Tipp City, Ohio
Wall/Plot Coordinates (memorial marker)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
On 30 July 1945, after delivering parts for the first atomic bomb to the United States air base at Tinian, the ship was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-58. She sank in 12 minutes. Of 1,196 crewmen aboard, approximately 300 went down with the ship. The remaining 900 faced exposure, dehydration, and shark attacks while floating with few lifeboats and almost no food or water. Only 317 of the 900 survived.
SK2 Morton was among the men listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 8554783
SK2 Morton is the great uncle of Michael Morton DC1 who created this profile.
South Dakota Class Battleship: Displacement 35,000 Tons, Dimensions, 680' (oa) x 108' 2" x 36' 2" (Max). Armament 9 x 16"/45 20 x 5"/38AA, 12 x 1.1" 12 x 0.5", 3 AC. Armor, 12 1/4" Belt, 18" Turrets, 1 1/2" +6" +1/3" Decks, 15" Conning Tower. Machinery, 130,000 SHP; Westinghouse Geared Turbines, 4 screws. Speed, 27 Knots, Crew 1793.
Operational and Building Data: Laid down by Newport News, Shipbuilding, Newport News VA., November 20 1939. Launched November 21 1941. Commissioned April 30 1942. Decommissioned September 11 1947. Stricken June 1 1962.
Fate: Sold, October 23 1963 and broken up for scrap.
