EUGENE REID SENYOHL was born, according to Minnesota birth records, on 22 Aug 1909. The 1910 US census for Beltrami County, MN recorded Eugene as being 8 months old. Since the census counting began on 01 Apr 1910, Eugene appears to have been born in Aug 1909. Other records confirm he was born in Black Duck, Beltrami, Minnesota on 22 Aug 1909 to James Benjamin “Ben” and Mabel Elizabeth (West) Senyohl. His parents were natives of Minnesota and Sterling, Johnson, Nebraska respectively. Ben and Mabel married on 07 Jan 1905 in Funkley, Beltrami, MN. The Pioneer newspaper in Bemidji, MN published this article on 07 Jan 1905; James Ben Senyohl of this city and Miss Mable E. West of Sterling, Nebraska, were united in marriage this afternoon and will depart for their future home at Funkley this evening.

Eugene had three siblings; eldest brother James Elmer (Dec 1905-Feb 1908), older sister Genevieve “Jean” Blanche Ray (1907-2001) and younger brother George Lawrence Senyohl (1911-1989). James was born in Hennepin county, MN, but the others were native to Beltrami County. Ben Senyohl was employed at times as a woodman and day laborer. He purchased a farm by 1910, but by about 1917 he and his wife divorced. The last record for James was the 1920 US Census in Duluth, MN where he worked as a cook in a hotel. A sister and brother also lived in Duluth.

After her divorce from Ben, Mabel moved her family to Minneapolis, Hennepin, MN where they were enumerated in the 1920 census. Several years later Mabel moved with her children (except Eugene) to Seattle, Washington. Eugene remained behind in Minnesota. On 01 Nov 1924, he went to work as a helper for farmer, Thomas Anderson. Eugene was paid four dollars a week and included room and board. Eugene left his employer in March 1925 after being summoned by his mother to come home to Seattle.

After arriving in Seattle, Eugene worked some odd jobs when he could find them. The family needed income so Mabel decided her son should enlist in the US Navy. However, his birthday was on 22 Aug 1909 making him only 16 years old in the fall of 1925, not old enough to enlist. Apparently, that was not an obstacle because on 10 Oct 1925, Eugene completed an application to enlist at the Navy Recruiting Station (NRS), Seattle, WA. He claimed his date and place of birth was 22 Aug 1908 in Black Duck, Beltrami, MN; his parents were divorced; of his parents only his mother was living. His age was recorded as 17 years, 2 months old, just over the legal age to enlist (not really). He was accepted for enlistment on 17 Oct 1925.

On 18 Nov 1925, Mabel Senyohl swore to the accuracy of her son’s enlistment application information, and she gave her consent for him to enlist. Under 21, Eugene was to serve under a minority contract until a day before his 21st birthday (17 Nov 1929). His service number was NSN: 385-40-86. His beginning pay was $21.00 per month and his initial rank was Apprentice Seaman (AS). After taking the oath of allegiance on 18 Nov 1925, AS Senyohl boarded the train for his trip to the Naval Training Station, San Diego, CA for about 12 weeks of recruit training.

After he graduated from recruit training in Feb 1926, AS Senyohl was assigned to the destroyer tender, USS Argonne (AD-10). Senyohl advanced quickly through the non-rated ranks; advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) in March 1926 then to Seaman First Class (S1) on 01 Nov 1926. In the spring of 1927, S1c Senyohl advanced in rate to Yeoman Third Class (Y3c) on 11 May 1927 (Yeoman rating in the US Navy is the office and paperwork administration expert).

Y3c Senyohl was honorably discharged early at the convenience of the government (COG) on 28 May 1929 while still on board Argonne. His home address was 117 Lakeside Ave., Seattle, WA (home of his mother). His monthly pay was $60.00. The following day, Senyohl enlisted for four more years. Wednesday, 21 Aug 1929, marked the end of Eugene’s minority enlistment contract. August, 1929 also marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

In April 1930, Senyohl asked to be assigned to shore duty. He received orders to transfer from Argonne and report for duty to the Naval Air Station (NAS), San Diego. The following year, he advanced in rate to Yeoman Second Class (Y2c) on 11 July 1931.

About three weeks later on 22 Aug 1931 in Orange county, CA, Eugene married Gladys Elizabeth Lawry who was a native of Kittery Point, Maine. Their marriage was short lived as Eugene obtained a Mexican divorce from Gladys (she married George Goodwin Fernald in May 1941) in the spring of 1932. In April 1932, Eugene’s mother, Mabel, and his brother, George, moved from Seattle to San Diego. It was on that date that Eugene requested commuted because he was “maintaining a home for mother and brother in San Diego.” On Saturday, 15 Oct 1932, he married Leona M. “Lena” Clifford who was also born in Maine. Y2c Senyohl was honorably discharged on 09 Mar 1933 on board the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38) in San Pedro, CA. On 10 Mar 1933, Senyohl reenlisted in San Pedro, CA. He was retained on board Pennsylvania as a member of the Admiral’s staff. He was to serve four more years. His current pay was $79.20 per month. He was awarded the first of three Good Conduct Medals on 04 Apr 1933 (there is only one medal issued. Each subsequent award is shown as a bronze star on the Good Conduct ribbon).

By 1934, Mabel had relocated to Los Angeles, CA from San Diego. Her daughter in law had moved to Honolulu where Eugene was now stationed. The following year, Senyohl advanced in rate to Yeoman First Class (Y1c) on 16 Aug 1935. Later that year, the Navy department received a letter dated 19 Feb 1935 from a Miss Florence Trites of Vassalboro, Maine voicing concern that she had not heard from her very good friend, Leona Clifford, in over a year. Leona was married to Y2c Eugene Reid Senyohl. The Navy department responded in a letter dated 03 Jan 1936 with the current address in Honolulu of her friend. Florence was a native of Moncton, Westmoreland, New Brunswick, Canada. Y1c Senyohl was honorably discharged at the end of his enlistment on board the submarine tender, USS Beaver (AS-5) in Pearl Harbor. His monthly pay was $96.60.

He reenlisted for another four years on 10 Mar 1937 at Pearl Harbor. He received his second Good Conduct Medal on 3 Apr 1937. Later that year Senyohl transferred from Beaver to duty at the submarine base at Pearl Harbor on 01 Dec 1937. He was still stationed at the submarine base when on 16 May 1939 he was appointed Chief Yeoman (acting appointment). On 08 Sep 1939, he transferred to the heavy cruiser, USS Chester, (CA-27) for further transfer to the heavy cruiser, USS Northampton (CA-26) and duty with the embarked Flag staff. Chief Senyohl reported for duty 03 Oct 1939.

Northampton operated primarily in the Pacific where she was homeported at San Pedro and later at Pearl Harbor. After the mandatory year as a Chief Yeoman (AA), Chief Senyohl was appointed Chief Yeoman, permanent appointment (PA) on 16 Jun 1940. Chief Senyohl’s marriage to Lena ended in divorce in Hawaii on 30 Dec 1940. She claimed cruel treatment as the reason for the divorce. The following day, Chief Senyohl married Mrs Gladys Jean (Jones) Moore (see note at end) in Kaneohe, Oahu, HI.

Chief Senyohl extended his enlistment for three more years on 10 March 1941. He received his third Good Conduct Medal on 28 Mar 1941. As the year of 1941 moved closer to it’s conclusion, tensions between the United States and Japan had escalated to the point of inevitable war. On 06 Nov 1941, Chief Senyohl transferred from Northampton to the Receiving Ship in Pearl Harbor for further transfer to the Naval Station, Samoa for duty. The following day those orders were cancelled and Senyohl returned to Northampton for duty. On 27 Nov 1941, Chief Senyohl received a new set of orders to transfer to the Receiving Ship again only this time it was for further transfer to Asiatic Station (ASTA) in Manila, Philippines. The following day he transferred to the ship that was to transport him to Manila; USS Republic (AP-33). After refueling, Republic got underway on 29 Nov 1941. Not long after getting underway, she joined eight other ships that comprised convoy #4003. She was the flagship. The convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy for its escort ship, the heavy cruiser, USS Pensacola (CA-24) (also seen by the US Army as the "Republic Convoy"), included the gunboat, USS Niagara (PG-52), US Navy transport USS Chaumont (AP-5), the US Army transport USAT Willard A Holbrook and USAT Meigs; the US Merchant ships S.S. Admiral Halstead and S.S. Coast Farmer, and the Dutch merchant ship MS Bloemfontein. Originally the convoy was bound for the Philippines to bolster their defenses.

On board the convoy were 2600 US Army Air Forces personnel. On the Bloemfontein were eighteen crated Curtiss P-40 pursuit planes of the 35th Pursuit Group (PG), US Army Air Force, while forty-eight pursuit pilots of the 35th PG were embarked on the Republic and thirty-nine newly graduated, but as yet unassigned pilots were on board the Holbrook. The presence of these planes and pilots would impact the destiny of the seaplane tender, USS Langley (AV-3), and the USS Edsall (DD-219). After war broke out on 07 Dec, and Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, the convoy was diverted first to Suva, Fiji Islands.

The convoy got underway from Suva on the 16th bound for Brisbane, Australia. Pensacola entered the harbor at Brisbane on 22 Dec 1941 and moored at Newstead Wharf. On 25 Dec 1941, Chief Senyohl was transferred to Chaumont. On the afternoon of 28 Dec, Pensacola, along with transports Chaumont and USAT Willard A. Holbrook, got underway.

On 2 Jan 1942, the Dutch ship MS Bloemfontein joined the convoy. The following morning (03 Jan 42) the convoy made passage through the Torres Strait above Cape York in far North Queensland, Australia. There they were joined by the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and several destroyers. Houston relieved Pensacola as the convoy heavy escort, and with her destroyers and convoy ships proceeded to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Pensacola returned to Brisbane. On 10 Jan 1942, Chief Senyohl transferred from Chaumont to the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) for assignment. He was assigned to duty onboard the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) later that day.

Previously, Peary had made a daring escape from Manila on 26 Dec 1941. She was bombed along her 2100 mile route by enemy and friendly forces. She anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make her battle ready and seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. She assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942 and she steamed with Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for a submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel. Her luck was about to run out.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin came under heavy attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. Peary sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing until the last enemy plane left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. Chief Senyohl was rescued from the water suffering from extensive burns. He was brought to the Australian hospital ship, H.M.A. Manunda where his wounds were tended to. Unfortunately, his wounds proved fatal. At 1900 hours on 22 Feb 1942, Chief Senyohl died. The following day, 23 Feb at 10 AM, his remains were committed to the sea during a burial ceremony. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942 and was carried in that status until 22 July 1942 when the Navy Department received word confirming his death from the Navy Liaison in Australia.

Chief Senyohl was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), and the WWII Victory Medal. He is eligible for the US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively). During his service he earned three Good Conduct Medals.

-----------------------------

Chief Senyohl’s family also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Eugene Reid SENYOHL, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 22 February 1943. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

----------------------

Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

------------------------------

Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

-------------------------

Note: Gladys was a native of Trent, Spokane, WA who was born 29 Aug 1898 to Charles B. and Jane “Jennie (Scott) Jones. Gladys had been married to Edward Archie Church (16 Apr 1917), and Urban R. Moore (bef., 25 Jun 1927). He died on 18 May 1933 in Seattle, WA. While in Seattle she became a business woman.

15 Feb 40 – Mrs Gladys Senyohl opens first store featuring the Mode O’ Day clothing line for women as owner/operator. She has exclusive rights to sell the merchandise in Hawaii. She operated a successful Mode O’ Day shop on Market Street in SF. She handled Mode O’ Day merchandise for the past five and a half years, and is one of the first individual owners of a Mode O’ Day shop. In Seattle, she was buyer for a large ready to wear department store for seven and a half years. Later in 1942, she was required to leave the Hawaiian Islands because of the war. In 1946, she sued the US Government for damages due to her forced shop closure.

The Mode O’ Day corporation is one of the foremost and largest manufacturers of dresses and lingerie, supplying 345 stores throughout the mainland.

13 Jan 47 – Private relief bill for Gladys Senyohl for $100,000.00 for loss of income and personal and business effects when she was forced to evacuate from the territory.

7 Jun 50 – Gladys Senyohl McCarthy sued US Government for losses to her business after forced evacuation from Hawaii in 1942. Bill passed in US Congress to pay her $5,000.00.

On 28 Sep 1946, Mrs Gladys Senyohl married Ltcol Edward August McCarthy who saw action in the Pacific. He died in 1955. Gladys died in Arizona in 1963 (According to cemetery records), and she was buried in the Punch bowl cemetery in Honolulu with her second husband.

-----------------------------------

Primary Sources:

1) Senyohl, Eugene Reid, Chief Yeoman, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. 2023.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

4) Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour: Browse location. www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 20 November 2021. URL may not function now.

5) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

6) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42: Needham, Mass.: The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226Peary_wilde.pdf

7) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

8) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports.

10) Winslow, W.G., The Fleet The Gods Forgot: The U.S. Asiatic Fleet In World War II, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, Maryland. 1982.

11) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

12) Numerous newspaper articles

--------------------------------

Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_Peary_memorial.htm

Bio #434 compiled on 11 Nov 2023 by Gerry Lawton

Military Hall of Honor ID#161884

---------------------------

Name Senyohl

Birth Date 22 Aug 1909

Birth Place Beltrami, Minnesota, USA

Father's Surname Senyohl

Mother's Maiden Name West

Certificate Number 1909-01188

Source: Web: Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1900-1934 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Wounded during 19 Feb 42 attack. died on board hospital ship three days later and buried at sea on 23 Feb 42.

According to Eugene's initial USN enlistment application and other documents found in his service record, Eugene's mother swore that her son's birthday was 22 Aug 1908 in Black Duck, MN. However the Minnesota birth data contradicts that date. The state said he was born 22 Aug 1909. That means Eugene illegally enlisted in the US Navy. Minimum age was 17 years old. He was 16. There was no state birth documentation obtained so it was her word that the date was correct. What was her motivation to lie? Get her son into service and start earning some money; learn a trade; keep him out of trouble? In any case, this isn't the first time I've seen a single mother fudge the birth date. According to the Beltrami County, MN census of 1910, Eugene was 8 months old. This census was taken on 01 Apr 1910. According to that information, Eugene was born about August 1909.