Conditions. . "Capt. ", Atkinson, William the SS City Of Flint in the North Atlantic. and brought the beams and walls tumbling down. for Brave Conduct. a graduate of Howard Lake, Minn., high school. Gallant Ship Citation Bar. H.M.C.S. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Several ocean liners were "taken up from trade" by the Royal Navy to act as armed merchant cruisers (AMCs), after having basic armament fitted. (c) Major naval commanders World War II United States Merchant Navy was the largest civilian Navy in the world, which operated during World War II. Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Paul Reed, Oct 3, 2004. . You need to sign in to tag. James was now in poor health and is hospitalized and would die in 1971 due to war service. Your maximum bid should be the highest amount you're willing to pay for an item. We'll Deliver: Early History of the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Over Seas: U.S. Army Seamen Medals). [56], A review of a typical crew sailing aboard a typical British coal burning general cargo steamer in May 1940 revealed:- What are these records? The pay of merchant seamen was poor when compared to the pay received by a factory worker or building site worker ashore. decorations on the spot as is now done for naval personnel. See the Royal Navy ratings paid search guide for records of medals issued to Royal Naval Reserve personnel. Portland to be transported back to Germany. This page was last edited on 10 June 2023, at 22:17. A count of the Merchant Navy casualties who are commemorated by the "CWGC", gives the figures below and a total of 36,749 dead. in the Royal Navy under T124X system and was on board when the ship was hit by German bombs off North Africa. rose on the ribbon bar signifies the award of a bar. Their working practices in 1939 had changed little in hundreds of years. Location: Anzio, Prior to entering the merchant Unlike the Armed Services in which every wartime death by whatever means was recorded and commemorated, the seamen of the Merchant Navy could only be remembered if their death could be proven to be attributable to enemy action. in hospitals in Antwerp, Paris, England, Boston and Chicago. General Quarters! Walter Karig, New York: Farrar The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism by the United States Department of the Navy to members of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.The medal was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942, and is authorized under 10 U.S.C. The camaraderie of 1000's of ex Merchant Seamen who use the site for recreation & nostalgia. made a 1,000 mile voyage from Australia to the Philippines and were It may be worn by all merchant seamen who served as members of the crews of U.S. merchant ships from September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. publication of Alameda U.S. Maritime Service Officer Training School, Jervis Bay was lost but had bought sufficient time for the convoy to escape annihilation.[23]. The deaths of 2,713 Naval and DEMS gunners and 1,222 gunners of the Maritime Regiment Royal Artillery are commemorated separately amongst the Armed Forces casualties. Traditionally, women sailed as "merchant seamen" aboard ocean liners and larger passenger carrying vessels, usually as chief stewardesses, stewardesses or assistant stewardesses but also working in the laundries and in nursing (as nursing sisters), in child care roles and as assistants in the on-board shops until the reduction in passenger traffic removed all but a tiny number. The reverse side shows an anchor inside a rope circle, around which is wound a ribbon marked "FIRMITAS", "ADVERSARIA", and "SUPERAT" (Latin for "The strength to overcome an adversary"). [67] Writing in 1968, Vice-Admiral Schofield quoted an estimate of 32,952 deaths of British merchant seamen from enemy action,[68] and Gabe Thomas, former "Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen" in his own book stated the casualty total was 32,076 dead by enemy action, he stated that was a 27 percent casualty rate. unharmed.]. Details of individual: First name (or initial) Last name Discharge book number (try searching with and without the full stop) Types of medals Nine types of medals were awarded to British. Your entered maximum bid will not be disclosed to the seller or other auction participants at any point. Also reporting to him was a Chief Cook (senior Petty Officer status), with his Assistants and a Galley Boy, one of his assistants was usually a baker. Merchant Marine Emblem, Medals and Ribbons - usmm.org Others broke out from their prison camps, on journeys to or from hospitals, or from railways while being transported between camps. The engineroom crew were mainly South Shields resident Somali Arabs. in aerial flight, in connection with military or naval operations against [1] [2] Institution [ edit] Able Seamen were the ship's seamen with sea-going experience, the highest-ranking amongst them were the "quarter masters" who stood watches on the bridge to steer the ship. Merchant Navy operated special ships like: Type L6, called Lakers, Type P1 small Passenger ships, Type P2 Passenger, Type R, refrigerated cargo ships, Type B Barges and Type V Tugboats. eMedals proudly ships worldwide, see our shipping information. "Gallantry and intrepidity in action, such gallantry and service The 144,857 strong Navy Armed Guards also operated the radio, semaphore-signal flags, and the signal lamp. Those vessels carried cargo to and from the country and those of the Commonwealth to sustain its war effort. Details You can apply for a merchant navy medal if you were a member of the merchant navy and you served in a vessel used to support the UK armed forces meet the eligibility requirements. Large numbers of wounded or exhausted survivors did not manage this and died in the sea which could be covered in thick oil, which was sometimes burning. Towing USS Pasig, Bordeaux, Richard J. The records are arranged alphabetically, thereby preserving their original administrative format. Use this guide to find out how and where to locate records of medal entitlements and honours for merchant seamen. $ 12.95. "More than 30 Years Later Academy POW is Decorated," See also, similar role:- Empire ship, Fort ship, Park ship, Ocean ship. It was a gray, foggy, bleak Such commanders, if serving directly and Executive Orders re medals; Purple Heart Award to Cadet Scruggs, Sources: Their is a lot of copy papers for James with these medals. Baron Dechmont,[84] were both lost aboard U-507 when it was sunk and Captain G H Moss of the SS. 1 U.S. If you see substantial portions of These can be seen in the image carousel. World War I R.N. & Mercantile Marine Medals ( Groups & Singles ) Some The 1939-1945 Star was also awarded to recipients of a gallantry medal, with no . PDF Medals Application Form for Merchant Navy - GOV.UK Gunners varied in number with the armament and could be as few as one or two or as many as 30 men.[30]. Gibson, Charles Dana and Gibson, E. Kay. NAVY DEPARTMENT BULLETIN CUMULATIVE EDITION; 31 DEC. 1943 43-1391 --- Navy Awards to Merchant Marine Personnel . [35] [73][74], Lifeboats not rescued might make voyages of considerable distances. Description. The World War I Victory Medal is the corresponding medal from World War I. Several trials were held post-war and any of the Japanese Naval officers who had survived were tried for their crimes. The Mercantile Marine War Medal was instituted by the Board of Trade and approved by the King to reward the war service of the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine who, while only trained as peacetime mariners, continued to serve while running the risk of being attacked at sea during the war. He and his crew volunteered Marine Corps Medal Food were usually coarse and poor as refrigeration was not usually available aboard ship for crew provisions. The Seagoing cowboys did United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation work from 1945 to 1947. The medal was designed by Thomas H. Jones and approved by the Secretary of War on 5 February 1946. I will send an electric copy of any papers I have for James along with the papers. [119] of the Merchant Navy who had ships sunk beneath him on three occasions before he was lost and received the award three times, on 23 October 1942,[120] 27 August 1943,[121] and finally Posthumously on 22 June 1945,[122] in addition to an Order of the British Empire (Officer) Civil Division on 2 June 1944.[123]. These can be seen in the image carousel. Many seamen came from British port towns and cities and followed their fathers and uncles to sea, often sailing with family members. In World War II the title Merchant Navy came into normal usage and with Royal approval, a small silver buttonhole badge was produced for the non-uniformed merchant seamen from January 1940 bearing the letters "MN".[13]. Despite wartime propaganda which fostered the concept of German U-boats surfacing to machine gun helpless survivors, building a myth, this was not correct. Army and Navy On a long voyage, food became the centre of attention for the crew and a cook unable to produce food which was considered acceptable would very quickly become seriously unpopular.[44]. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Lifeboats were often up-turned in heavy seas and had to be righted before survivors could get inside them. marine in 1942, Hauffman was captain of the Staten Island ferry. The deck crew ate together and the engine-room crew ate by themselves. His skill, fine judgment and devotion to duty were of to carry vital war material to the beleaguered forces on Bataan. Papers relating to applications for war medals, in particular World War 2 Campaign Stars are in BT 386. [102][103], On other occasions in the Far East, survivors were brought aboard the Japanese submarine or warship to be shot or beheaded by sword. The largest ocean liners serving as troopships during World War II could have a crew of up to 700 men and women to cater for the thousands of soldiers being carried aboard. Merchant Marine in World War II - A Little-Known Story", "Mariners and Armed Guard Together at the Guns", "Clarification of Gun duties and training of Merchant Marine Mariners aboard ship", American Merchant Marine Heroes and their Gallant Ships in World War II, "Quotes about American Merchant Marine from Presidents, Military and National Leaders", usmm.org Merchant Marine POW's and MIA's, by Captain George W. Duffy, usmm.org Women Mariners in World War II, 5 killed, American Merchant Marine Prisoners of War or Civilian Internees during World War II, "Liberty Ships and Victory Ships, America's Lifeline in War (Teaching with Historic Places) (U.S. National Park Service)", "Liberty Ships built by the United States Maritime Commission in World War II", "American Merchant Marine Ships Participating in Korean War", "Seagoing Cowboys notes (CPS), Swarthmore College Peace Collection", "seagoingcowboys.com, The UNRRA Years, shipments by date", "Seagoing cowboy obituaries The Seagoing Cowboys", "The USN Mothball Fleet - Storing up for a rainy day", "World War II Merchant Marine Memorial Finally Gets a Head", "The American Merchant Mariner's Memorial NEEDS YOUR HELP NOW", "IJN Submarine I-8: Tabular Record of Movement", "Steamship Company Operators of American Flag Ships during World War II", greatlakesvesselhistory.com, SS Selwyn Eddy, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=World_War_II_United_States_Merchant_Navy&oldid=1152737715, Short description with empty Wikidata description, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 2 May 2023, at 00:31. SHIERS SEAMAN MERCHANT NAVY). (d) All naval commanders, Medals and box to THOMAS OCEAN FREDERICK CUTLER. However the U-boat was sunk in action shortly afterwards and as such nothing could be proven. History Date: 1946-2002 Held by: The National Archives, Kew: Legal status: Public Record(s) . This was because campaign medals were awarded instead. James was now in poor health and is hospitalized and would die in 1971 due to war service. According to Admiral H. K. Hewitt, commander of naval forces Showing page 1 of 2 (13 items) AN ULTRA RARE & DESIRABLE 1914-15 TRIO: 1694.ACT, A.B. The medal is a bronze disc suspended from a ribbon with wide red edges and a red center flanked by narrow stripes of yellow, green, blue, and white. [15], Until May 1941, merchant seamen sailing aboard British vessels that were attacked and sunk by enemy action received no pay from the moment the ship capsized. World War II Victory Medal - Wikipedia The decoration is awarded to officers and men of the U.S. In a circle around the edge of the reverse side are the words "UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE 1941-1945".[3]. [35][36][37][38] Many merchant ships were placed in the Reserve Fleet after the war, some were sold, many scrapped and a few became museum ships. A Clasp would be worn to signify City Merchant Sailor Given Awards Navy decorations which can a hospital in Chicago, was able to tell friends how he was presented the He In doing this, they sustained a considerably greater casualty rate than almost every other branch of the armed services and suffered great hardship. Mercantile Marine War Medal - Wikipedia A diesel-engined motor tanker averaged a crew of 44 and a small coastal collier might only have a crew of a dozen. Currency Converter. James was very impaired by this sinking and did not go to sea again until October 1942. A refrigerated cargo liner, such as a diesel motor vessel trading between South America and England carrying a relatively small number of passengers, but also a refrigerated cargo such as meat, would additionally require a "Ship's Surgeon" and "Refrigeration Engineers" and could have a crew of 60 to 160. Some were sailing under aliases to escape family problems, legal issues or simply because they wished to begin new lives. Campaign medals - Merchant Navy Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. This list of military awards and decorations of World War II is an index to articles on notable military awards presented by the combatants during World War II . Military Medals | USAMM | World War II The youngest merchant seamen were invariably "Boy" ratings, Deck Boys, Galley Boys, Mess Room Boys, Stewards Boys or Cabin Boys and were typically 14 or 15 years of age. [8][4][9] Most ships had armament for self defense, most ships had deck guns manned by United States Navy Armed Guard from the US Navy Troops. Purple Heart. A . to the Secretary of the Navy. 1550 Mr Gabe Thomas, the former Registrar General of Shipping and Seaman (Great Britain) stated that "27 percent of merchant seamen died through enemy action".[4]. Admiralty Movement Books record the movements of vessels in use as armed merchant cruisers or commissioned for other types of service, including vessels such as trawlers, in use as patrol vessels or minesweepers. the highest order and in accordance with the best tradition of the Naval of Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox. In March 1946 Sir William Elderton (statistical advisor to the Ministry of War Transport), reported 34,018 deaths aboard British registered vessels or ashore abroad. SS Hilary A. Herbert Merchant Marine who served aboard American-flagged merchant ships for at least 30 days between December 7, 1941, and September 2, 1945.. Design. Decorations, Medals and Insignia of the United States Navy: World War to whom this authority is delegated are authorized to award these naval usmm.org @ comcast.net, Navy Plans Award for Merchant to that officer. 1938-1956, C. Bradford Mitchell, Kings Point, New York: U.S. [18] Merchant Navy crews were killed at a rate of 1 in 26 (US Navy rate was 1 in 114). British merchant seamen, and Fleet Air Arm pilots and navigators, RCAF, and RN personnel were held prisoner in West- and North Africa. Mediterranean M.E.-Merchant Marine. The deck officers came from northern Scotland, South Wales, Portsmouth and Liverpool. The majority of seamen manning ships of the British Merchant Navy were British. 3 of 3 Got it War Medal 1939-1945 - Veterans Affairs Canada [93][94][95][96], In the Far East, any merchant seamen held by the Japanese in prison camps fared as poorly as the other prisoners of war, particularly those held at Penang, Java or in the Japanese homeland where deaths due to disease or starvation were not unusual.[97]. Noto, whose home is in Brooklyn, Last Now posted to HMS Hilary a headquarters ship during the invasion of Sicily. The Merchant Navy operated Troopships, both passenger ships and cargo ships converted to troopships. The senior engineroom ratings were the donkeyman and the greaser (petty officers), in addition to heading the "black gang", (engine room ratings), the former was responsible for the ship's auxiliary power and for maintenance of cargo handling derricks, the latter ensured correct lubrication of all necessary parts of the engines and keeping the Firemen and Trimmers in order. Available seamen seeking engagement would be appraised, their paperwork examined and they might be engaged if they were considered to be efficient and not a known trouble maker. War Medal 1939-1945 | ADF Members & Families | Defence be construed as covering normal overseas convoys. Paul Reed, Oct 14, 2004 #13. day. Medal, as appropriate. seamen serving with the Army are eligible to receive the Distinguished [39][40][41][42], "The men and ships of the Merchant Marine have participated in every landing operation by the United States Marine Corps from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima -- and we know they will be at hand with supplies and equipment when American amphibious forces hit the beaches of Japan itself." Updates to the database should become available periodically as the RSS sends them. 1939-1945 Star. In order to obtain a Second Mate's certificate (known as a "ticket"), a seaman would have had to have gained several years sea-time experience either as an Apprentice (a Cadet) or as an Able Seaman, no matter what his background or educational qualifications, either route involved living and working with seamen. "Exceptionally meritorious is involved, or in case of especially meritorious service under combat Masters with a proven track record often remained with a company for many years and could expect to become wealthy. Cross. & Rinehart, 1946 Unlike midshipmen in the Royal Navy, the apprentice worked with the able Seamen, messing with them and sleeping in the seamens' accommodation. They were often able to progress on the basis of being requested by a master who had just gained his own command. [89] Sir William Elderton, in his report for the Ministry of War Transport on 25 November 1946, recorded that 4,633 merchant seamen of Britain and the Commonwealth were captured and held prisoner in the European theatre,[90] One prisoner of war, First Radio Officer Walter Skett, was shot and killed by a German camp guard while attempting to escape from his prison camp. seamen must have served in a definite capacity with the Navy since December A merchant seaman could qualify after 6 months' service with at least one voyage in an operational area. an enemy. [34], Ships often carried apprentices who were indentured to the shipping company for a period of four years to learn the trade of seaman with a view to becoming mates. [12], 1. single oak leaf emblem attached to the War Medal ribbon denotes It was normal for a master to take his wife to sea with him if they decided that the voyage included ports which she wished to visit. [3][4] Over 200 US Merchant ships took part in the D-day Normandy landings. Mariner Medals | MARAD - Transportation [2], The medal is a bronze disc suspended from a ribbon with wide red edges and a red center flanked by narrow stripes of yellow, green, blue, and white. [24], After the foundation of the Ministry of War Transport and the introduction of the Merchant Navy Reserve Pool continuity of employment was ensured and this served as a clearing house for available labour. Members experienced in research to help you find out about friends and relatives who served. MV Watch Hill In wartime every ocean going ship had a "radio officer" and sometimes he had assistants; but in wartime the need to maintain a constant radio watch necessitated three radio officers instead of one. The World War II Victory Medal was established by an Act of Congress on 6 July 1945 (Public Law 135, 79th Congress) and promulgated by Section V, War Department Bulletin 12, 1945. Most of the merchant seamen taken prisoner were seized by German "Raiders"- heavily armed merchant ships disguised as neutral or friendly vessels which would capture Allied merchant vessels and seize their cargo for the Axis powers. Williams son was lied at sea in 1940 age 17 years, The medals come with a cd with copy crew list of ships served during WW2 and copy papers of Williams service for C.O.M.N.O (Combined Operations Merchant Navy Office) for service during the invasion of Europe, 1944 and CR1 & CR2 cards, If you whant to pay by bank transfer, let me know at. SS Coast Farmer. CHARLES UNDERHILL. under the wreckage, lapsing into unconsciousness several times, until Source: Neptune, A circular, silver medal, 1.42 inches in diameter. Survivors of ships sunk in Arctic waters did not fare as well as those in the North Atlantic. WWII Collectable Medals 1939-1945, German Collectable Military Medals Postage and returns View estimated postage costs, delivery windows and return policies at a glance. Marine Academy Alumni Association, 1977 Add to cart. Small Craft Service List. During the war 3.1 million tons of US merchant ships were sunk in 733 ships. In reply to a question in the House of Commons the then Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, cited 30,189 deaths by enemy action and it was acknowledged that 5,264 seamen were still listed as missing, this was to update a previously quoted total of 30,248 killed and 4,654 missing. The Cross of Merit (Netherlands) - Dutch Medals WW2 - Netherlands The World War II Victory Medal was first issued as a service ribbon, referred to as the Victory Ribbon., The Congressional authorization for the medal specified that it was to be awarded to any member of the United States military, including members of the armed forces of the Government of the Philippine Islands, who served on active duty, or as a reservist, between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. Following the sinking of the British merchant ship Behar in March 1944, prisoners were taken by the Japanese Navy who beheaded 69 of them in what became known as the Behar massacre.[104]. Captain F H Fenn of the SS. These records have been selected on the basis they reflect the economic, social and demographic condition of the UK, as documented by the state's dealings with individuals, communities and organisations outside its own formal boundaries (2.2.2.1 of PRO's acquisition policy). Dee Member. Merchant Navy Medal Rolls. [20] There were ONLY 350 R.C.N. It was recognized in Parliament that insufficient recognition was available for the seamen of the Merchant Navy and raised unsuccessfully in the House of Commons on 8 September, 29 September and 7 October 1942 for the institution of a Merchant Navy Cross for Gallantry. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1943[17], Merchant Navy at its peak had over 215,000 men operating the Merchant Navy ships. He was responsible to the master for the cargo, ensuring everything was properly stowed and discharged at the correct port. However, in a 1938 survey, it was found that 27 percent were either from India or China and another 5 percent were British domiciled Arabs, Indians, Chinese, West Africans or West Indians mainly resident in major UK ports such as Cardiff, Liverpool or South Shields. Gary Cooper in "The Plainsman. (b) In such cases, Navy awards You may quote material on this web page as long as you cite American The merchant seamen involved were charged with "Mutiny" by German authorities, many received long prison sentences and Fry was sentenced to death, although badly beaten and with his health broken, he did survive.