Comments on: Merchant Marine, U.S. Army, and U.S. Navy – Harold Wellington

By: Noreen Goss

Noreen Goss — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 19:15:30 +0000

Thank you for posting this photo. My father sailed to Italy on the John Erickson. I’ve been told that hey sailed from Liverpool 26 Oct 43, landed in Naples on 6 Nov. He was a Canadian, under 5th Div HQ in a small group called the Divisional Maintenance Area (DMA). To this day, what their role was in support of the 5th in unclear.

By: m davis

m davis — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 00:35:34 +0000

My grandfather, Norman Franklin Knowlton, served in the Merchant Marines during WW II I believe from 1937 – 1945. He once told me about the time he was asked to steer the ship through the Suez Canal because the captain was sick and the next one lost his glasses. He said that is when he knew he could “do something”. He also told me that on D day he was on a ship that had just dropped off supplies in England. Thanks for all who served.

By: Frederic Eitelbach

Frederic Eitelbach — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 20:34:46 +0000

In reply to Richard Smith. Thank you for telling your story. My dad was Lt. Cornel in the merchant marines. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific in WW II and Korea. His ship was torpedoed three times. The merchant marines are the truly unsung heroes. His name was Warren Chester Eitelbach.

By: Richard Smith

Richard Smith — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 20:27:53 +0000

Great story Sir. I also was a BT Snipe in the Navy during the ’70s. Traveled some of the same miles as you. Thank You for ALL of your Service.