the merchant marine monument
The
Merchant Marine monument is meant to initiate a
greater public understanding of those who delivered
materials across every ocean during the most
difficult and dangerous of times.
The Merchant Marine lost a higher percentage of its
members than any branch of military service during
World War II. Merchant Mariners were responsible for
providing supplies to the troops during the war
including everything from tanks and ammunition to
food and medical supplies.
Over 1,500 U.S. ships were sunk in World War II.
These men suffered the highest U.S. casualty rate of
the war, with one in every 26 dying. The U.S. Marine
Corps was next, with one of every 34 dying. Most
mariner dead were blown to death, incinerated, froze
or starved to death in prison camps.
Over 12,000 were wounded and 700 were prisoners of
war.
Of the 250,000 Merchant Mariners who served, many
were too young for the armed forces, too old, or
declared physically unfit. Many had one eye, one
leg, yet honored the call to serve their nation.
Veteran status was never granted until 1988 by
Congress, even though more than 500 Merchant
mariners are buried in our national cemeteries in
the fields of France.
The monument was dedicated on August 15, 2010 and
was one of the first in the state dedicated to the
men and women who served with the Merchant Marine.