One of the benefits of working in the National Museum of American History is sometimes you run into your own history. The first time I stepped in to our electricity exhibit I saw fans and toasters that I recognized from my parents’ basement. Our soon to be reinstalled Taking America to Lunch exhibit of lunch boxes brought me back to the school cafeteria, as it does for so many people.
Poster, U.S. Merchant Marine War Shipping Administration, 1942.
My most recent encounter occurred when I took a pre-opening tour of On the Water, a new exhibit about our country’s maritime history. Towards the end is a section about the Merchant Marines, an often overlooked branch of the military. My Dad was in the Merchant Marines during World War II, and as the exhibit says, “though not part of the navy, these ships delivered troops, supplies and equipment that won the war.”
My dad was one of those vets who did not talk much about his service until very late in life. Even then he just had a couple of favorite stories, particularly one about watching a torpedo soar under their ship because they had just off-loaded their cargo, so the ship was higher in the water than the Germans had calculated. Luckily my Dad was able to visit the WWII Memorial and bask in the glory that he and so many others deserved. But the Merchant Marines were not as featured as the Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force and Marines. That is why I was so pleasantly surprised to see this section of the exhibit. To recognize the photo of exactly the type of Liberty Ship he served on. To learn he was one of 6,000 officers commissioned at the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point. To read about how crucial their role was.
Seeing it all so beautifully displayed and explained made me very happy and proud, and sad that he is not able to see it himself. That is why I will make sure my daughters see the exhibit, so the next generation can continue the personal history. And that is why I encourage others to visit the American History Museum. Even though it is a large Museum, it can be a very personal place. Who knows what treasure you will find?
Kathy Sklar is the business program manager at the National Museum of American History.
Merchant Marines were heroes and should always be remembered as such! Thanks to all that served.
Posted by: Scott | December 01, 2010 at 07:01 AM
During my 20s I worked with a "ship-based" mercy relief group. From the West Coast of Africa, to South America, the Caribbean and the States, we would always pull into port next to vessels from around the world and their commerce. Much love and respect to those that earn their living on the sea.
Posted by: Jake Collins | November 02, 2010 at 12:54 AM
Thanks for the information. My grandfather was also in the Merchant Marines. I guess if he served during certain dates, he would be considered a WWII Veteran. We'll have to check into this to see if he's has been granted veteran status.
Posted by: | October 04, 2010 at 06:49 AM
No doubt that the Merchant Marines were heroes and should always be remembered as such!
Posted by: chat odaları | September 28, 2010 at 05:00 AM
I love the design and style of those posters like the one depicted above. U.S. Merchant Marine War Shipping Administration, 1942.
Posted by: sohbet odaları | September 28, 2010 at 04:58 AM
My father was a Merchant Marine during WWII. He left from San Francisco aboard ship(?name) and went to Pago Pago,New Guinea Leyte,Manila and Luzon.Came home on Frances Parker.How can I find out the names of ships or ANY info?
Char
Posted by: Charlotte Reiter | September 03, 2010 at 07:03 PM
It is astonishing in this day and age how so many people under value the jobs any of our service men and women do. It brings great sadness to me to see that any of the people who fought for us to live the lives we live today are undervalued or underapreciated. Im personally based in the UK but I am taking a trip to Washington in early 2011. Since reading this article I will now make sure to visit the museum
Liam
Posted by: Liam | September 02, 2010 at 05:07 AM
I love the design and style of those posters like the one depicted above. U.S. Merchant Marine War Shipping Administration, 1942.
A lot of the armed forces at the time between 1939-1945 had some great recruitement posters. I think that sort of style is coming back in fashion. We have noticed in England (UK) that it is being used more in promting tourism.
Posted by: | August 29, 2010 at 05:02 AM
I have to go see this I am a young merchant marine and i enjoy doing my job and i want to learn all i can of what the merchant marines have done for this country i know there is a merchant marine memorial in washington dc but i can not wait to take a trip down there and to the smithsonian to salute my fallen brothers and get a tattoo to remember all them lost at sea
Posted by: jesse mctamney | March 23, 2010 at 01:28 AM
My father-in-law worked in the advertising office in New York City for the Merchant Marines. I wish there was some way of finding out more about what he did there. I love the posted you have here -- I wonder if he worked on that.
Posted by: Midwestern Chick | March 21, 2010 at 03:22 PM
My Grandfather served in World War II and fought in the Philippines and now the ironic thing is I'm living here now for my company. When I go places I aways think "I wonder did my grandfather stand on this beach or maybe he was on this same road 60 years ago". Being here I have learned what a big part of the war this country played as well as other Asian battles against Japan. Nonetheless, this is a great article please keep em coming. Thanks!
Posted by: Zachary Williamson | December 04, 2009 at 11:07 AM
My father was also a Merchant Mariner. His ship, the Lake Osweya, was sunk in Feb 1942. All we were ever told was that the ship was "lost" and all aboard were "presumed dead." We never knew ANYTHING, until recent years when we found the details posted on the internet. As a child I watched the war movies that were so popular - but there was never any mention of the Merchant Marine. I can only recall one movie that featured a Merchant Seaman. I did not realize until I was grown (and then some) just what the role of the Merchant Marine was in the war effort.
Yes, these Mariners were indeed an integral part of the war - without them there wouldn't have been a war except for the one fought on our own shores!! To all of our veterans, and most expecially to the few veteran Merchant Mariners who still survive - I salute you on this Veteran's Day. Thank you.
Posted by: Patricia O'Neal | November 11, 2009 at 12:51 PM
My father was also in the Merchant Marines at age 17. While undergoing chemo he wrote in a diary and talked about some places he went while in the service. A small town boy who went to Liverpool, England, Tokyo, Japan and Sydney, Australia to name some places. He was also drafted into the Army and served in the Philippines durning WWII. I am lucky to have 2 photos of him in his Merchant Marine uniforms. I never could understand if he was in the Merchant Marines how they could draft him, now I see why this was. This is a great place to see what other people know of the great men of the Merchant Marines.
Posted by: Bonnie Swanson | September 13, 2009 at 12:17 PM
No doubt that the Merchant Marines were heroes and should always be remembered as such!
Posted by: Forex | September 12, 2009 at 07:03 PM
My Dad was in the Merchant Marines during WWII. If they served between very specific dates and on specific duties, they are considered WWII Veterans. I will email this blog to him so he can see that there are some who recognize the huge contributions made by these men.
Posted by: Kathi Desko | September 09, 2009 at 11:39 AM
Thanks for the information. My father was also in the Merchant Marines and it was a shock to me as I grew old enough to understand that he was NOT a veteran. We were so happy when the Merchant Marines were given veteran status. I also blogged on it this Memorial Day - http://lindamwatson.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/remembering-those-who-served/
I hope to get to Museum and see the exhibit.
Posted by: Linda Watson | June 04, 2009 at 04:11 PM
Allison Tara Sundaram commented at my place about my grandfather who was a Merchant Marine. She told me about this exhibit and said, "Your grandfather sounds like he would have been quite the man to meet."
Well, one can decide that for oneself. He's 83 years old, of sound mind and lives in Wurtsboro, NY.
Posted by: Christina | June 04, 2009 at 03:49 PM
Great stories and pictures. Will make it a point to visit the Museum and see this, but please do not refer to the men as "Merchant Marines". We were Merchant Seamen or Mariners. Civilians doing what our nation needed and still waiting for some benefits and acknowledgement as "Veterans".
Posted by: Barry | May 29, 2009 at 02:55 PM