U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Navy Armed Guard

U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Navy Armed Guard. . , The U.S. Merchant Marine was a fleet of Government owned vessels operated by private shipping companies. The Merchant Marine was responsible for transporting fully 85% of the troops, ammunition and supplies used to support the Allied War Effort during World War II, and is credited with contributing decisively to the ultimate Allied victory. The Merchant Marine suffered more loss of life, by percentage, than any branch of armed service. One in 26 Mariners serving aboard merchant ships in World War II died in the line of duty. The Merchant Marine and the U.S. Navy Armed Guard, which manned the guns on merchant ships, are the truly forgotten heroes of World War II., The men who served the war effort with the U.S. Merchant Marine were all volunteers ranging in age from 16 to 78 years old. No one was drafted into the U.S. Maritime Service. Many of the volunteers were "unfit" for the military due to health or disabilities. They could have stayed home but were eager to help win the war and chose to risk the perils of the sea., Merchant ships faced danger from submarines, surface ships, aircraft, mines and the elements. It is estimated that over 9300 Mariners were killed and over 12,000 were wounded. The U.S. Navy Armed Guard lost over 2,000 men, and 1,100 were wounded. 600 men were captured and held as prisoners of war. Over 863 ships were lost due to enemy action, 31 ships vanishing without a trace., Mariners received pay only while serving aboard ship. If a Mariner's ship was sunk, his pay stopped and he was responsible to find his own way home and at his own expense. When a Mariner returned to his home port, he was often looking for another vessel to go back to sea, sometimes only to lose another ship. These professional sailors never lost faith in their country in time of war. Their efforts continued after the signing of the peace treaty. They stayed until all of our troops were safely home., Returning Mariners did not receive priority for post war jobs or medical care for disabilities. They were not eligible for unemployment compensation or low-cost loans for education, homes or small businesses. They suffered financial repercussions from this lack of benefits and opportunity all of their lives., The U.S. Government finally granted Veteran Status to the Merchant Marine in 1988.