During World War II, the USS Growler (SS-215), was a submarine in service with the US Navy. She was built in Groton, Connecticut, launched on November 2, 1941, and commissioned on March 20, 1942.

USS Growler went on 11 war patrols. On October 20, 1944 Growler left Fremantle, Australia with two other submarines, USS Hake and Hardhead as a part of a search and attack group. In the early morning of November 8, Growler made radar contact with an enemy target group and reported it to Hardhead. After about an hour had passed, the crews of Hake and Hardhead heard two distant explosions, possibly from a torpedo. Soon after, Hardhead heard three distant depth charges explode. Hardhead and Hake were both attacked throughout the day, but survived the attacks. The two submarines had no further contact with Growler after this attack. 

In all, 90 officers and men onboard USS Growler (SS-215) died in this attack. Growler was likely sunk by Japanese vessels by torpedo or depth charge explosions. The USS Growler and her crew received eight battle stars in World War II.

Ferdinand Edison Dawson died aboard the USS Growler. He was born on October 24, 1919 in Weyerhauser, Rusk County, Wisconsin to Frank and Frieda (Maier) Dawson.

From the 1930 US Census, the Dawson family lived in Decatur, Macon County, Illinois. The household included father Frank, mother Freda, daughter Frances, and sons Carlyle, and Ferdinand. Father Frank was an owner of a retail grocery store. 

From the 1940 U.S. Census, father Frank and mother Freda lived in Wausaukee, Marinette County, Wisconsin. All their children were on their own and living elsewhere.

Ferdinand E. Dawson enlisted for service with the US Navy on January 23, 1940 in Chicago, Illinois.

In 1944, Ferdinand E. Dawson and his wife Virginia resided in New London, Connecticut according to the City Directory. Ferdinand was in the US Navy. {Note: His wife was Virginia Rose Drennan.}

On the August 31, 1944 US Navy Muster Roll, EM1c Ferdinand Edison Dawson was stationed aboard the USS Bluegill (SS 242). 

From the February 13, 1945 Belleville News Democrat, (Belleville, Ill.) a “missing” notice was posted which stated “Electrician’s Mate First Class Ferdinand E. Dawson, in an undisclosed theater; husband of Mrs. Virginia R. Dawson… East St. Louis.”

From the December 26, 1945 Belleville News Democrat, (Belleville, Ill.) under the “Casualty Listings” and “Killed” section it states “Electrician’s Mate First Class Ferdinand E. Dawson in the Pacific area, previously reported missing in action, now listed as dead...”

Electrician’s Mate First Class, Petty Officer First Class, Ferdinand Edison Dawson was declared dead while missing in action and was lost at sea in the South China Sea. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

Dawson is listed on National Archives WWII casualty list for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard personnel for the state of Illinois.

Dawson was listed on the Green County, Wisconsin Veterans Service List as his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Dawson, lived in Monticello in Green County in 1945. From his father’s 1968 obituary it stated, “Mr. Dawson was born in Markle, Ind., but spent most of his life in Wisconsin. He lived 15 years in Monroe, 27 in Monticello, and the last year and a half in Madison.”

EM 1c Dawson is memorialized at the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery at Fort Bonifacio in Manila, Philippines.

Thank you, Electrician’s Mate 1c Ferdinand Edison Dawson, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.