The Story

A bronze plaque on the memorial states, “The United States Merchant Marine has faithfully served our country in times of war and peace hauling cargo to every corner of the world. This Memorial is dedicated to those brave men and women of all races, creeds and colors who answered that call to serve.” The United States Merchant Marine refers to either United States civilian mariners, or to U.S. civilian and federally owned merchant vessels. Both the civilian mariners, and the merchant vessels, are managed by a combination of the government and private sectors, and engage in commerce or transportation of goods and services in and out of the navigable waters of the United States. The Merchant Marine primarily transports cargo and passengers during peacetime; in times of war, the Merchant Marine can be an auxiliary to the United States Navy, and can be called upon to deliver military personnel and materiel for the military. Merchant Marine officers may also be commissioned as military officers by the Department of Defense. This is commonly achieved by commissioning unlimited tonnage Merchant Marine officers as Strategic Sealift Officers in the Naval Reserves.

Merchant mariners move cargo and passengers between nations and within the United States, and operate and maintain deep-sea merchant ships, tugboats, towboats, ferries, dredges, excursion vessels, charter boats and other waterborne craft on the oceans, the Great Lakes, rivers, canals, harbors, and other waterways.

As of 31 December 2016, the United States merchant fleet had 175 privately owned, oceangoing, self-propelled vessels of 1,000 gross register tons and above that carry cargo from port to port or more.[8] Nearly 800 American-owned ships are flagged in other nations.

The federal government maintains fleets of merchant ships via organizations such as Military Sealift Command (part of the US Navy) and the National Defense Reserve Fleet, which is managed by the United States Maritime Administration. In 2004, the federal government employed approximately 5% of all American water transportation workers.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, various laws fundamentally changed the course of American merchant shipping. These laws put an end to common practices such as flogging and shanghaiing, and increased shipboard safety and living standards. The United States Merchant Marine is also governed by more than 25 (as of 17 February 2017) international conventions to promote safety and prevent pollution.

The progress and commercial success of the United States of America closely parallels the historic greatness of the American Merchant Marine. It is the same Merchant Marine who supplied our first Navy, manned by John Paul Jones, John Barry and many others, who played a significant role in the American Revolution. History records that many merchantmen, commissioned as privateers and naval vessels, were instrumental in defeating the British at their own game. Many of our early leaders were from American shipping families. The contributions of the American Merchant Mariner during the American Revolution, the War of 1812, World Wars I and II, Korean War, Vietnam War and other conflicts, should be made known to all Americans. The casualty percentage of the U.S. Merchant Mariner during World War II was higher than any of the U.S. Armed forces.

American Merchant Mariners have faithfully served their country in times of war and peace, transporting life and cargo to every corner of the world. They have helped to win wars and to maintain peace by providing necessary materials, food and supplies to assist many nations in rebuilding their countries and economies.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower said on Maritime Day in 1945: “The officers and men of the Merchant Marine, by their devotion to duty in the face of enemy action, as well as natural danger of the sea, have brought us the tool to finish the job. Their contribution to final victory will long be remembered.” On National Maritime Day, May 22, 1989 our Committee dedicated the American Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial, not long after the Committee started a fund drive to erect the first National Merchant Marine Veterans Wall of Honor. On National Maritime Day, May 22, 2003 the five Walls of Honor were dedicated. These Memorials are the largest and most significant in the nation honoring American Merchant Mariners. The Committee still needs support to maintain and make improvements on the Memorials.