Comments on: WWII Merchant Mariners Get Long-Deserved Recognition As Combat 51��

By: Gail Barker

Gail Barker — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:38:14 +0000

My father was supposedly in the Merchant Marines. We never got /had any information about it ….other than he was brought home when his father was killed. Is there somewhere I can do research to try and find out about his service?

I never even knew who/what the merchant marines were bc it was always such a protected secret in my family.

By: Karen Nelson Valdez

Karen Nelson Valdez — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 21:48:26 +0000

In reply to John R. Finegan.

Valdez1014@gmail.com

By: Janis

Janis — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:51:37 +0000

In reply to Darlene Lichtenberger. You may request your father's DD-214 (discharge papers) from the website below Any medals will be listed there. Good luck! https://www.va.gov/records/get-military-service-records/

By: Darlene Lichtenberger

Darlene Lichtenberger — Tue, 25 Jun 2024 19:40:50 +0000

My father served during WWII in the Merchant Marines. I would like to know if he received a medal. Or if Medals were awarded to servicemen even after they died. His name:
James Hurbert Garns from Ohio

By: Jeanette

Jeanette — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 05:32:16 +0000

My Uncle Allen E. Danchak was the Chief Mate on the Gurney E. Newlin Steam tanker, attacked on 28 Oct, 1942. Their ship was sunk and many were rescued.
Unfortunately, the second ship he was on was also sunk and all souls perished.
We have always wondered if he and his crew were memorialized anywhere.
We have the letter sent to his mother with the info on his passing but nothing else.
I would love to be able to honor him at any memorial.
May he rest in peace.

By: John R. Finegan

John R. Finegan — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 16:17:48 +0000

Good afternoon,
My father trainer at what is now the USMMA (King’s Point) in 1940. He was commissioned as a LT JG and sailed the North Atlantic under the Lend Lease policy. He was also commissioned in the US Navy. He saw action in the Mediterranean as well as the MidEast. Under this new designation, would I as his son be able to apply for his Gold Medal (bronze version), and if so, how? Thank you in advance. John R. Finegan, Southbury, CT

By: Michael Cox McKague

Michael Cox McKague — Sun, 05 Mar 2023 15:18:22 +0000

In reply to Juergen H Thode. Jerr/Juergen: You and I were in Team 96, IV Corps in early 1968 during and after Tet. Amazing we’re still able to reconnect. I have a goofy picture of you driving a Saigon cyclo with your devilish and funny grin. Always wanted to find you and SFC Ernest Toby. Mike Garcia and Dale Boatman are still productive and good people. Our DSA, Colonel John FP Hill was buried at Arlington in 2011. Never met a more caring and honorable military or civilian leader. You need your cyclo picture….your family would B love it. Best wishes, Mike Cox McKague

By: Lynn Decker Enyart

Lynn Decker Enyart — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 20:29:33 +0000

My Dad was in the Merchant Marines during WWII but he was not notified of the recognition. Who can we contact? He is alive and well – turning 95 in Jan. He joined young. Thank you!!

By: Mark Ingram

Mark Ingram — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 18:34:26 +0000

Thank you for covering this important information! As a Navy vet, I, like others, had wondered why the WWII Merchant Mariners were not considered ‘veterans’ of WWII. My father, Oscar Louie Ingram, attended the Merchant Marine academy during WWII, and served as an officer oboard the E. A. Peden as a Jr. Engineer. I was very surprised when I saw the 1950 census where he listed himself as not being a veteran. I had previously assumed they were considered veterans. I am so glad this has been corrected. Unfortunately, my Dad died in 1980, so never knew this!

By: Michele E McEntire

Michele E McEntire — Sun, 17 Jul 2022 20:00:18 +0000

Is there a way to find men still living that were on my dad’s ships?

Comments on: WWII Merchant Mariners Get Long-Deserved Recognition As Combat 51������