merchant navy medals ww2

Consequently, it did not transition from a ribbon to a full medal until after World War II had ended. Their working practices in 1939 had changed little in hundreds of years. and Noto, a Sheepshead Bay graduate, received the decoration. 2 Reviews. Maud Elizabeth Stean of the Canadian Merchant Navy, who died on 14 August 1944, aged 28, and one or two women sailed as "engineer officers". The Chief Engineer had to hold a First Class Certificate in Steam and would have had considerable sea-going experience, he was responsible for the main and subsidiary machinery. James was very impaired by this sinking and did not go to sea again until October 1942. 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]. World War II Merchant Mariners Honored with Congressional Gold Medal a Mention-in-Despatches; the silver oak leaf, a King's Commendation Now posted to HMS Hilary a headquarters ship during the invasion of Sicily. Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. This page is not available in other languages. the ship was carrying "contraband" and a prize crew sailed A substantial number of documented cases of U-boat men aiding survivors are however proven and are clearly reported in Admiralty files (Adm 199 series at the National Archives, London). [16][17], In May 1941, "Emergency Work (Merchant Navy) Order, Notice No. The author John Slader survived three sinkings and was not unusual amongst seamen. List of military awards and decorations of World War II James served on cruise ships between the wars and was on the Arandora Star sailing the Pacific for much of the 1930s. At other times seamen might receive one of the grades of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire awards often presented for diligent work in the office by conscientious civil servants or the altruism of members of charitable organizations. [65], It is difficult to estimate the total number of merchant seamen who lost their lives during World War II because the government of the time did not grant them the automatic right of commemoration by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Atlantic War Zone Merchant Marine. Merchant Marine personnel only when direct combat with the enemy Read tagging guidelines. wounds received in a bombed theater in Antwerp. Our price is lower than the manufacturer's "minimum advertised price." Master Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal - Wikipedia See the Laconia Incident.[82]. ", Navy Merchant Marine Emblem, Medals and Ribbons - usmm.org I will send an electric copy of any papers I have for Thomas. WWII War Medal 1939-1945 - Merchant Navy II to Present, James G. Thompson, fountain Inn, SC: Medals of America Mason brought his tanker to Malta burning, due to leaking fuel, after being torpedoed by an Italian submarine which blew a hole 28 feet by 24 feet in her hull, after being bombed by Italian and German bombers, including the infamous JU 87 Stuka, during which they shot down a Stuka which crashed on the deck of Ohio, being machine gunned by enemy aircraft and attacked by Italian motor torpedo boats. , this can be seen on the right of the medal roll. with high explosives and armed only with two light machine guns, they Commander USMS Why use this guide? Led by Able Seaman Alfred Fry, a merchant seaman, an attempt was made to set the ship on fire and take her over. [81], Assistance to survivors reduced dramatically after the bombing attack by a USN B-24 maritime patrol aircraft on U-156 (under Werner Hartenstein) which had broadcast on open radio frequencies for assistance and was flying Red Cross flags after rescuing survivors of the liner Laconia and towing a chain of lifeboats towards land aided by U-506 and U-507. Seagoing cowboys use cargo ships with added cages and horse stalls to take livestock to war-torn nations. N. Y. thought it a strange coincidence that he, a 4F, should receive the torpedoed and sunk after a successful delivery. Very fine. Boxed group of WW2 medals to merchant navy with Atlantic star 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. Ship: Unknown [46] 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. Location: Anzio, De Puey, James Some of the ghosts merchant ships used were damaged and others were deemed too old. [73][74], Lifeboats not rescued might make voyages of considerable distances. Medals Awarded to Mariners During World War II, Navy Cross Merchant Navy awards | WW2Talk CHARLES UNDERHILL. Many seamen came from British port towns and cities and followed their fathers and uncles to sea, often sailing with family members. A trial took place post-war the commander and his officers were shot. Gunnery courses were held regularly in the major ports such as Liverpool, Bristol and Newcastle, with Naval and Royal Marine instructors and certificates awarded to those seamen who completed them and so were able to return fire if attacked. James was now in poor health and is hospitalized and would die in 1971 due to war service. wil be meticulous in forwarding recommendations for awards to Merchant Hauffman is Cited," New York Times, Jan. 25, 1946, Merchant Masters with a proven track record often remained with a company for many years and could expect to become wealthy. Merchant Navy campaign medal records 1939-1945; Add a tag. Visit us in Kew Pay for research This is a guide to locating records of merchant seamen in service since the end of the First World War, including records from the Second World War, and up to the. "Exceptionally meritorious and corrections to these lists. "Gallantry and intrepidity in action, such gallantry and service To make a Normandy breakwater Harbor, called Mulberry harbour, 33 merchant ships were sunk 1,000 yards from shore. @ comcast.net. a graduate of Howard Lake, Minn., high school. The National World War II Memorial has an engraving of it in one of the two pavilions. There were also one from Fiji, a West Indian, a Chinese and a Liverpudlian. Gives a picture of Noel, he joined the Piolt Service during 1943 aged 17. Medals come with postal box addresed to Cyril, copy CR10 papers starting in 1941 this lits all the ships Cyril served on untill 1956. as may be considered appropriate. Lt. Gen. Alexander A. Vandegrift, U. S. Marine Corps Commandant[55], At its peak, about 130 companies served as ship operators for the War Shipping Administration. On the [20][21] Merchant Navy ship sunk or captured by Imperial Japan caused 609 crewmen to be captured as prisoners of war, many died in prison. Although the World War I Victory Medal included clasps, the World War II Victory Medal did not. If the seaman held a Discharge Book (a Continuous Certificate of Discharge) which was effectively an ongoing record of their career at sea, the same details would be entered into that book. As these ships already had experienced crews, the merchant seamen were asked to sign a T.124 agreement to serve alongside the Royal Navy in naval uniform as members of Naval Auxiliary Personnel subject to naval discipline. (d) All naval commanders, [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. who qualified for both the Pacific Star and the Burma Star would During the Second World War Merchant Navy ships carrying valuable cargoes were at just as much risk as Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships. Seamen lived in dark, confined, damp, poorly ventilated and often rusty dormitory accommodation with wooden board bunks three or more high, without running water and lacking heating. Hopefully my dad will be able to help me with one as he . Location: Anzio, Prior to entering the merchant Database of World War II medals issued to merchant seamen. The box is addressed to Mr W M Finlay, 20 Ferrier St, Leith, Edinburgh. [108], Summary table of awards (at right) per John Slader. [29] By the end of the war over 11,000 ships were under the control of the War Shipping Administration. mariners entitled to wear the purple heart, possibly the only one, Shepperd Such commanders, if serving directly [77] The Merchant Navy operated in the Pacific War and European war. Conditions. day. When a seaman paid off at the end of their engagement they would receive in addition to their pay, a detailed payslip showing hours worked at basic and overtime rates and monies paid in subs during the voyage or while in port. an armed enemy.". They "signed on" to sail aboard a ship for a voyage or succession of voyages and after being "paid off" at the end of that time were free to either sign on for a further engagement if they were required, or to take unpaid "leave" before "signing on" aboard another ship or otherwise to settle and work ashore. The British Merchant Navy of World War II, previously known as the "Merchant Service" or "Mercantile Marine" comprised the merchant shipping registered in Great Britain and independently operated by British commercial shipping companies. Considerable resentment was felt by seamen after learning that seamen of the U.S. Very few merchant seamen were taken prisoner aboard German or Italian submarines due to the limited space available. This resulted in the deaths of 805 people. H.M.C.S. The pay of merchant seamen was poor when compared to the pay received by a factory worker or building site worker ashore. These were sent to ports to await the signature of the veteran, as to the accuracy of the information, and then returned to the RGSS. Roll of Honour - Merchant Navy - World War 2 Medals Awarded medal normally following on some time later, after it had been The rainbow on each side of the ribbon is a miniature of the pattern used in the World War I Victory Medal.[2]. 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"). The deck crew consisted of UK resident Indians, one man was from Burma (Myanmar). The Trimmers were the men who spent their lives in the ship's bunkers (the hold which held the coal) and were responsible for loading barrows of coal with which they ran across planks of wood to the stokehold to maintain the piles of coal beside the men feeding the furnaces. Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze to the Secretary of the Navy. Between 1944 and 1946, 531 Victory ships were built, with some to the US Navy and 414 to the Merchant Navy. [72], Some convoys were accompanied by "Rescue Ships" which literally steamed with the convoy to stop and rescue surviving merchant seamen from the water. Sailors serving in two military ships in 1914. James was now in poor health and is hospitalized and would die in 1971 due to war service. Several ocean liners were "taken up from trade" by the Royal Navy to act as armed merchant cruisers (AMCs), after having basic armament fitted. 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. 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. If a qualified individual has passed, MARAD is authorized to issue medals to the next of kin. under an officer authorized to make awards, will submit recommendations Jervis Bay was lost but had bought sufficient time for the convoy to escape annihilation.[23]. The Merchant Navy operated in the Pacific War and European war. General Quarters! Now serving on. but WW2 medals are still being issued. [1][2] American steamship companies chartered ships from the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration to meet the demand. The system will continue to bid in $1.00 dollar increments until your maximum bid of $120 dollars is exceeded. be awarded the first Star earned. [7], Two brothers, Ken and Ray Lewis from Cardiff, were killed sailing together aboard the SSFiscus aged 14 and 15 years respectively when it was sunk by U-99. The front of the medal shows a woman standing on the ocean's surface holding a trident in her right hand and an olive branch in her left hand. eMedals proudly ships worldwide, see our shipping information. [32][33], At the end of the war, the US Merchant Navy was given the task of helping bring Troops and for some their war brides home, called Operation Magic Carpet. The British Merchant Navy was the largest in the world and required more crew than Great Britain had merchant seamen, as a result large numbers of Indian, Chinese and West African seamen were engaged to crew ships which regularly traded from Great Britain to ports in those areas. Shepperd, 22, 3433 Garfield Avenue [Minneapolis], home Thursday from Allied Powers [ edit] Australia [ edit] Atlantic Star Air Crew Europe Star Arctic Star Africa Star Pacific Star Burma Star Italy Star France and Germany Star Defence Medal to whom this authority is delegated are authorized to award these naval He advised adjustments to his war deaths figure to 28,230, but did not account for an estimated 4,537 men missing aboard small vessels in the Far East. For a more general article on the subject, see, World War II Maritime Commission ship designs, United States naval ship classes of World War II, Benefits to Merchant Seamen: Hearings Before the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 1945, page 63, Maritime history of the United States during World War II, American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial, Onboard a Liberty Ship, 1940s US Navy, WWII, List of United States Merchant Navy Film and TV shows, Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park, Mystic Steamship, a Division of Eastern Gas and Fuel Associates, Merchants & Miners Transportation Company, American Trading & Production Corporation, Pan American Petroleum and Transport Company, History of the United States Merchant Marine, Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine, United States home front during World War II, youtube How A Cargo Ship Helped Win WW2: The Liberty Ship Story, Recipients of Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal, ibiblio.org United States Maritime Commission, "American Merchant Marine in World War 2", UN Navy, Beans, Bullets, and Black Oil, The Story of Fleet Logistics Afloat in the Pacific During World War II, "Supplying Victory: The History of Merchant Marine in World War II", "American Merchant Marine Ships at Normandy in June 1944", "U.S. armed forces' oldest medal. Database of World War II medals issued to merchant seamen | The service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility." The Firemen were the men who stood watches in the stokehold feeding tons of coal into the furnaces beneath the boilers to keep up a head of steam. Showing page 1 of 2 (13 items) AN ULTRA RARE & DESIRABLE 1914-15 TRIO: 1694.ACT, A.B. also be awarded to merchant seamen are the Navy Cross, the Distinguished the ship to Norway, Soviet Union, and back to Norway, where Norwegian Cross training with the ship's crew to cover roles was often completed. aerial and shore bombardment. "Heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. Reporting to him was a second engineer who would always hold a First Class Certificate in Steam and would be gaining the experience required to permit him to seek a chief's post. Several trials were held post-war and any of the Japanese Naval officers who had survived were tried for their crimes. Official list of Purple Heart medals awarded by Army on January 14, 1944 [34] Some of the US Merchant Navy continued in post-war relief efforts and general cargo shipping to help nations around the world recover from the devastating war. [31], The first mate (also called a chief officer on ocean liners) had considerable experience at sea, usually held a Master Mariner's certificate and was gaining experience to allow him to seek employment as a master. in the Royal Navy under T124X system and was on board when the ship was hit by German bombs off North Africa. Merchant Navy campaign medal records 1914-1918 - The National Archives His skill, fine judgment and devotion to duty were of [4][30][31], Many World War 2 surplus merchant ships were removed from the National Defense Reserve Fleet and put into action to support the Korean War and Vietnam War. 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. Eight See SSBritish Chivalry for the fate of the crew although even after a determined effort to kill survivors 38 seamen managed to stay alive for 37 more days in open boats until they were rescued. Roll of Honour - Merchant Navy - World War 2 Medals Awarded World War 2 Medals Awarded (Extract from The National Archives - Merchant Seamen Medals) Eight medals were awarded to British merchant seamen who served in World War Two and who met the qualifications for each medal. 2 You must hold Power of Attorney if you are applying for the person detailed in Section 1. We place some essential cookies on your device to make this website work. Several captured merchant seamen were killed as prisoners of war aboard U-boats, when they were sunk by Allied anti-submarine escorts. Why use this guide? Other terms may be found on certain entries: Ribbons were usually issued at the port by the Mercantile Marine Office; the medal normally followed on some time later after it had been produced by the Mint. As hostilities during the Second World War ended on 2 September 1945, there may be cases of service members who had enlisted, entered officer candidate school, or had been a cadet or midshipman at the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. To make a Normandy breakwater Harbor, called Mulberry harbour, 33 merchant ships were sunk 1,000 yards from shore. If another auction participant places a bid for $125 dollars, the auction lot price will display $121 dollars having exceeded your previously submitted maximum bid by $1.00 dollar. [87][88], The 4,900 Merchant seamen taken prisoner by the Germans were generally held at a prisoner of war camp known as MILAG (Marine Internierten Lager) inside Sandbostel Internment Camp near Bremen in Germany. Baron Dechmont,[84] were both lost aboard U-507 when it was sunk and Captain G H Moss of the SS. 1550 the twenty-two- year-old seaman watched and listened to the gunfire around There were ONLY 350 R.C.N. Use this guide to find out: how. Discharged from the merchant The Merchant Navy operated Troopships, both passenger ships and cargo ships converted to troopships. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. British merchant seamen of World War II - Wikipedia Published. Some of the ghosts merchant ships used were damaged and others were deemed too old. [20] She returned to the U. S. eMedals proudly ships worldwide, see our shipping information. Star would be awarded the first Star earned, with a Clasp. Approaching 50 died when their ships were attacked and sunk during World War II. to receive certain Army decorations according to a recent letter sent [1] [2] The World War I Victory Medal is the corresponding medal from World War I . The medal was awarded to all full-time personnel of the Armed Forces and Merchant Marines for serving for 28 days between 03 September 1939 and 02 September 1945. unharmed.]. Survivors of ships sunk in Arctic waters did not fare as well as those in the North Atlantic. At the conclusion of World War 2 an initial medal assessment was carried out and medal papers were raised including details of a seamans service. United States for wartime services only, and then only under exceptional [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." The submariners would right up-turned life boats, provide food and drink and often give the best course to steer to land. who qualified for both the France & Germany Star and the Atlantic Location: North Atlantic Despite wartime propaganda which fostered the concept of German U-boats surfacing to machine gun helpless survivors, building a myth, this was not correct. ), or vital convoys such as Arctic Convoys PQ 17 and PQ 18 and the Operation Pedestal Malta Convoy. SS City Of Flint recommendations for awards to Merchant Marine personnel of such medals Dee Member. [12], 1. [On October 9, [29], During the war, many ships were armed with old artillery pieces and small arms; later, light 20mm cannon. Members experienced in research to help you find out about friends and relatives who served. From this point onwards the "MoWT" decided upon the route sailed and the cargo carried by every ship. MN crew of SS Criton, plus a token prize crew, held in Conakry, Timbuktu and Kankan. PDF Medals Application Form for Merchant Navy - GOV.UK 1939-1945 Star. The World War I Victory Medal is the corresponding medal from World War I. The British Merchant Navy of World War II, previously known as the "Merchant Service" or "Mercantile Marine" comprised the merchant shipping registered in Great Britain and independently operated by British commercial shipping companies. The second mate (second officer) reporting to the first mate usually held a First Mate certificate and sometimes also a Master Mariner's certificate. Military Medals | USAMM | World War II "The Emperor's Irish Slaves" Shooting survivors, Japanese War Crimes at Sea the Ascot massacre, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_merchant_seamen_of_World_War_II&oldid=1158425943, This page was last edited on 4 June 2023, at 01:16. If another auction participant places a bid of $110 dollars, the system will subsequently place a bid of $111 dollars on your behalf. SS Coast Farmer. 0% Buyer's Premium. this page on the Internet or in published material please notify usmm.org Paul Many thanks for that info, I will have to contact my Uncles to find out if they did apply for their medals. Maritime Murmurs [Avalon USMSTS Newsletter], September 9, 1944 Navy and Marine Corps Medal - Wikipedia "The roof," said Merchant seamen crewed the ships of the British Merchant Navy which kept the United Kingdom supplied with raw materials, arms, ammunition, fuel, food and all of the necessities of a nation at war throughout World War II literally enabling the country to defend itself. the day the Germans made their break-through around Belgium, December Traditionally it was a very open society, almost free of distinctions of class, race, religion, age or colour. For the medal awarded to U.S. military personnel, see, Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal front side, Merchant Marine World War II Victory Ribbon, Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal, World War II Victory Medal (United States), Awards and decorations of the United States government, Awards and Decorations of the United States Maritime Administration, Awards and decorations of the United States Merchant Marine, Awards and decorations of the United States military, piecesofhistory.com Merchant Marine World War II Victory Medal, Code of Federal Regulations: Title 46 Shipping; PART 350SEAMEN'S SERVICE AWARDS, Collections Online: Merchant Marine Victory Medal, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Merchant_Marine_World_War_II_Victory_Medal&oldid=1152407610, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 30 April 2023, at 01:58. This resulted in the deaths of 805 people. The carpenter and boatswain, who held Warrant Officer status, ate separately. The engineroom crew were mainly South Shields resident Somali Arabs. A seaman taking his final discharge from the Merchant Navy at the end of the war was not released until approval could be gained unless it was a discharge due to him being unfit to sail any longer. to that officer. Korean Service-Merchant Marine. Casey served on the ship Ajax for supplying the North African Invasion in 1942. The following rate of Buyer's Premium will be added to the Hammer Price of each Lot that you purchase: Twenty-Two Percent (22%) of the Hammer Price. If the current auction price is $100 dollars and you place a maximum bid of $120 dollars, the system will bid $101 dollars on your behalf. action under fire and outstanding devotion to duty," in landing [33] The crew of any ship was arranged by a department system. Seamen were aged from fourteen through to their late seventies. Merchant Navy medals application form (MSF 4408) - GOV.UK [78][79][80] Some U-boat commanders, such as Wilhelm Schulz of U-124 and Karl-Friedrich Merten of U-68, were recognized for several humanitarian acts. Noel was born in 1926 at Burry Port, South Wales. circumstances with the express approval of the President in each case. [4][5], The bronze medal is 1 .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}12 inches in width. made a 1,000 mile voyage from Australia to the Philippines and were Gary Cooper in "The Plainsman. Once they signed a T124x agreement, they had no choice but to continue to serve. All would usually have completed an apprenticeship ashore in heavy engineering, often in power stations or similar and after going to sea would have gained a Second Class Certificate in Steam. Lifeboats were often up-turned in heavy seas and had to be righted before survivors could get inside them. You need to sign in to tag. . Battle Report (The Atlantic War), Cdr. 7. an Army captain told him, he was going to receive the Purple Heart for of ammunition, gasoline and other vital supplies "during a terrific [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.
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