Merchant Marine during World War II

"Going to Sea" at 16 in the summer of 1941, the start of WWII in December 1941, and then, convoys crossing the North Atlantic.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Convoy
• torpedo
• MerchantMarine
• seaman
• seamen
• S.S.U.S.O.
• WWII
• Persian
• Gulf
• Iran
• Iraq
• Murmansk
• run
• storms

[Howard128eM]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, some ships simply vanished.sunk by a torpedo in a remote area of the sea, and perhaps the sub was later sunk, so that no record of the sinking existed. When Navy ships dropped depth charges after detecting a sub below, it was also hard for any seaman not to feel a surge of sympathy for those seamen who manned them, as that too was an often slow but violent way to lose one's life, especially those who were perhaps 17 or 18 or 19, as many of us above were too.

[burt0n540]

Thank you so much for the video. My grandpa was a merchant marine during WW2. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin to this day. I believe he was about 18 or 19 years old when he was off to help with the war. He was on the ship called the "alamo" but unfortunatly it was torpedoed and it sank. His name is Henry fredrick fuller. He was out at sea from 1943-1946. Maybe you know him?

And thank you for everything you've done.

[Howard128eM]

That was the S.S. Alamo Victory. However, it was not torpedoed, so it must have been another ship, probably a Liberty ship, that he was on at the time.

He has to be over 84 years old, as I am (85) now, and getting stiff in the joints, arthritic in the fingers, a huffing and puffing when going up the stairs.

Regards, Howard

PS  What did he sail as (job)?

[admiralglenn]

I am a U.S. Mearchant Marine Officer now. It is very rare to hear any great stories of how Merchant Marines helped with the war effort.  I recently spoke with a man from the VFU. I was amazed to find that the Mercfhant Marines of World War 1and 2 are considered Veterans as well. At least they are given that recognition. Thank you for this video.

[Howard128eM]

Thanks very much. I gave a talk at the Veteran's Building in Solvang, CA today, on the local VFW observance, even though MM vets cannot join the VFW. I acquaint people with what the MM is, and my Veteran's Day talks these past few years have always been well received.

During WWII, we were often referred to as "draft dodgers", but the truth is that guys who could not meet physical requirements for services, might be okay for MM. We had guys as old as 70 on the ships. Are you in N.Y. area?

[Howard128eM]

Today we had our Merchant Marine/Navy Armed Guard luncheon, which we do every two months, and 24 people showed, 15 of them Merchant Seamen from WWII, 84 to 95 years old. I do the hosting duties. We're an animated group, and Jim Higman, at 95, seems the most active, holds a Chief Engineer's License.

Jim North, another MM, was in Convoy PQ 17, which lost 28 out of 35 ships headed to Murmansk, and out of the 7 remaining, only 3 got home. Bill (?) sat on tons of poison gas and ammo. Good guys.

[historynw]

My 94 yoa cousin was a Merchant sailor and baker during WWII he had many hair raising journeys across the north Atlantic and to Murmansk. W/O the Merchant Seaman the war would have been lost.

[llm285306]

I would like to tell you that I have located my father's records for his Merchant Marine service in 1942-1943. My father being from Brooklyn, New York, served on an oil tanker, and he was on a ship torpedoed on February 7, 1942 in the North Atlantic near Northern Ireland. My father was on a liberty ship in 1943. I contacted the Maritime Service by letter and they referred my letter to the right organization who found my father's record. It was a great day to get these records. LJT

[llm285306]

@Howard128eM If you still write, please let me know about these luncheons and how I can write to these men or you about my father who was on a ship hit by a torpedo. LJT

[llm285306]

@coxx5150 I am trying to find records on my father's merchant marine service 1941-1943. Please let me know if you know where I can write. He was from Brooklyn New York and was on a ship hit by a torpedo. I do not know what ship he was. I only know he got off the ship at San Francisco, CA. Please let me know any info you can. LJT

[llm285306]

@hbrecovered Have you tried to get records on your father's service? If so, please tell where you wrote? Thank you. LJT

[llm285306]

@Howard128eM

Please let me know if you worked for United Fruit or when you got your merchant marine certificate were you considered a U. S. serviceman or merely an individual who was to get a job on a compay ship? I am trying to find records about my father who was from Brooklyn NY. I do not know where to write to get any info about his wartime ship work. He was born 1921 and was on ship that was hit by torpedo in 1941-1943. Where are your meetings held. Can I write the group? Thanks. LJT

[llm285306]

@historynw Please tell me if you have any records from your cousin. Also if you know where to write for merchant marine records and info. Thank you. LJT

[llm285306]

My father from Brooklyn, NY was on a merchant marine ship during WWII 1941-1943 which was hit by a torpedo.He departed ship at Mare Island San Francisco, CA I request online Vetrecs for records in his name, but have not received anything yet. Does you know how to get records from WWII? Is it Coast Guard? Do you know how to get records from United Fruit or other companies ships? My father had a passport. Any info would be great. Thank you Howard for the tapes. Laura

[llm285306]

I hope you are doing well. Your video was so special to me, because my father was on a merchant ship during WW2. His ship was hit by a torpedo. I do not know which ship he was on but am sure he went to Sheepshead Bay like you to board ship. He was born in Brooklyn and livd on Henry Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY. My father said he was rescued at sea after the torpedo. I do not know anything about how my father joined the ship and what his status was aboard.. Thank you so much. Laura

[llm285306]

@Howard128eM 

[coxx5150]

absolutly right, merchant sailors have unfortunatly been ignored by history, my grandfather was a merchant marine engineer(joseph patrick Madigan from the bronx NY) and i was always proud to say he was a World War 2 veteran even if the US didnt't recognize it until the 1980s