WWII Merchant Mariners Refused Memorial Day Benefits

SS John W. Brown, one of two surviving operational Liberty ships, photographed in 2000

As America memorializes its fallen service men and women this weekend, the estimated 10,000 surviving World War II U.S. merchant marines continue their battle with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress to collect benefits they were promised but have been denied for decades, including burials in the country’s 120 national cemeteries.

The International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots, the world’s oldest preeminent professional merchant marine union, implores Senators returning to Washington after the Memorial Day recess to expedite passage of The World War II Merchant Marine Service Act. It is a provision of H.R. 4435 -- the National Defense Authorization Act, which was approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday, May 22, 2014.

The provision is authored by North Carolina Democratic Congressman G. K. Butterfield who has pursued legislation for three years that empowers World War II U.S. Merchant Mariners with eligibility for veterans’ status and benefits.  The bill now heads to the Senate.

In October, 2013, the Merchant Marine Act was passed as part of H. R. 2189, a bill to improve the processing of disability claims by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Act was drowning in the Senate without action since it was sent to the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, according to MM&P. Eventually, it failed.

“Amidst the current uproar and active investigation of the entire Veterans Affairs Department, the Act has received little attention,”  says Captain James Staples, MM&P’s Senior Advisor. “Now that it is a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act there is renewed hope for passage.”

He continues, “These last remaining WWII merchant heroes who dodged Hitler’s Nazi U-Boat torpedoes and Japanese Kamikaze missions, while delivering supplies to U.S. troops, may all be gone before they receive the benefits they rightfully earned, if the matter continues to tread water in committee.”

Staples is a 35-year deep ocean vessel captain and amongst the world’s foremost maritime industry experts often appearing on national news channels and in major daily newspapers. “In 1977 passage of the GI Bill Improvement Act deemed WWII merchant mariners as combat veterans entitled to healthcare and disability benefits, presentation of medals and ribbons and flagged-draped casket and 21 gun salute funerals.”

Congressman’s Three Year Effort For Passage

According to Congressman Butterfield, “The 2014 bill makes it easier for World War II merchant marine veterans to qualify for VA benefits. While the 1977 Act recognized WWII merchant mariners as combat veterans, the criteria for benefit qualifications, including documentation of actual service, were difficult to meet. The 2014 Act reduces the amount of documentation necessary to prove World War II service to Homeland Security officials.”

According to the Congressman, “These required documents were either lost, stolen or never issued during the 1942 recruitment rush that included youngsters, seniors, women and even partially disabled mariners that did not qualify for the armed forces but did meet merchant marine standards.”

During World War II, thousands of Americans stepped forward to serve as an extension of our armed forces when our nation was in great need,” says Butterfield.  “These brave men and women for far too long have been denied the proper recognition of their service.  With the help of my colleagues, I hope the Senate passes this bill so these fine Americans can finally receive the distinctions they deserve."

If the Act passes the Senate, these veterans, many 85 or more years-old, might still be able to enjoy the few benefits they can actually use, which even includes such minor privileges as retail and travel discounts for veterans, according to Staples.

World War II Merchant Mariners

From 1941 to 1945, American private industry-owned cargo, vehicle transport and tanker vessels transported armaments, fuel, supplies and troops to the European and Pacific theaters. These so-called Liberty ships were lightly armed, voyaged in convoys, sometimes with destroyer escorts; they were easy enemy prey, especially when a solo ship wandered -off course in fog or was unable to maintain speed, according to Staples, a 35 year veteran ship captain and president of OceanRiver Maritime Consulting.

“Among the most widely publicized attacks that terrorized many Americans was the July 8, 1942  sinking of the Tanker MS J. A. Moffett. It was attacked by Nazi U-571 off the coast of the Florida Keys while heading to a Port Arthur, Texas refinery, returning from delivering fuel to the Port of Baltimore,” recalls Staples.

According to the now-defunct U.S. War Department, There were more than 3,000 merchant marine Liberty Ships. More than 200,000 merchant mariners serving during World War II. More than 9,000 merchant marine men and women were killed in action. More than 15,000 were seriously injured.

World War II Recruiting

While the Army, Air Corps, Coast Guard, Navy and Marines had physical and age requirements for enlistees and recruits, the U.S. Maritime Service did not.

People eager to serve but unqualified for the armed forces found solace in the U.S. Merchant Marine Service. It officially accepted 16 year old boys; unofficially accepted youngsters and even senior citizens, including retired ship masters in their 70's. Often overwhelmed Navy recruiters intentionally denied qualified candidates; insuring plenty of merchant mariners.

Hollywood popularized the Merchant Marine in 1943 with the release of "Action on the North Atlantic" starring Humphrey Bogart. Enlistments increased substantially.