WWII, Post-War European Reconstruction, Israel Occupation, Korea and Viet Nam
***
In 1944, the United States Maritime Commission began a valiant construction project to supply more highly advanced cargo ships for the war effort. World War II had come to demand a faster and more versatile cargo carrier fleet than the famous LIBERTY Class of ships which had come to the scene in 1941. The new VICTORY Class could do everything the Liberties or any other cargo ship could do, but better and faster. Where the Liberties averaged a high speed of roughly 10-knots, the Victories could exceed 16-knots of speed, were 14-feet longer, 6-feet wider, about a foot more draft, and did not have any hull design flaws that Liberties became noted for as "Kaiser coffins."
"You can't win without US"!
VICTORY ships carried everything from typewriter ribbons to locomotives, tooth picks to tanks to Allied ports all around the world. They were caught up directly into the midst of every horror of war and battle theater. Unlike there predecessors or counterparts, VICTORY ships could easily be converted into troop transports, hospital ships, repair ships, net tenders, mother ships for landing craft, oilers, tankers, special duty and even mule carriers. They transported troops, munitions, food, medicine, every sort of supply materials, prisoners and even war-brides. Most sailed with cargo holds packed full and their decks loaded with planes, crated aircraft, tanks, trucks, and heavy construction machinery. They sank enemy submarines, shot down attacking aircraft, fended off other ships, and dodged shore batteries; and were in turn torpedoed, bombed, mined, and wrecked in all the seas around the world. Countless crewmen performed acts of bravery and heroism above and beyond their call to duty. The bullets, shells, torpedoes, mines, kamikaze planes, enemy, and prisoner of war camps they faced were all the same as faced by the Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps.
The first VICTORY Class ship was S.S. UNITED STATES VICTORY, launched on 28 February 1944 by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation of Portland, Oregon. In all, 531 VICTORY ships were built and launched into service by the close of WWII.
"We count on their efficiency and their utter devotion to duty as we do our own ... and in all the struggles yet to come, we know that they will never be deterred by any danger, hardship, or privation. When the final victory is ours,there is no organization that will share its credit more deservedly than the Merchant Marine."
- General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces.
On V-E Day, General Eisenhower stated: "The truly heroic man of this war is GI Joe and his counterpart of the Air, Navy, and Merchant Marine."
"They brought us our lifeblood and they paid for it with their blood. ...With us they have shared the heaviest enemy fire. ...At our side they have suffered in bloodshed and in death. ...They have contributed tremendously to our success. I hold no branch in higher esteem than the Merchant Marine Service."
-General Douglas Macarthur, Commander of the War in the Pacific.
"It takes courage to man an ammunition ship after you heard how Nazi bombers blew up seventeen shiploads of ammunition at Bari and not a man was ever found of the crews."
- Bob Hope, Entertainer, National Radio Broadcast, 1944.
Of the brave men and women who volunteered for USMM Service, United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt described theirs as "the biggest, the most difficult and dangerous job ever undertaken. ...As time goes on, there will be greater public understanding of our merchant's fleet record during this war."
___
S.S. LOMA VICTORY was named for the small patriotic Montana community of Loma, situated on the convergence of the Marias and Teton Rivers north of the City of Great Falls. Loma was chosen and designated out of all communities across the state as a Patriotic Community for having the highest ratio of its population in volunteer service during World War II. She was built by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation and launched from Portland, Oregon, on 27 December 1944. The honor of christening her was given to Loma resident Mrs. Benjamin Callison, hers being the family with the most members serving in the war effort: 3 sons, 2 sons-in-law, 1 daughter in the Women's Army Corps and another in a California shipbuilding plant.
The LOMA VICTORY was 455’3” in length, 62’ beam/width, 28’6” draft, and displacement of 7,612 gross tons, 10,750 deadweight tons. Powered by one Allis-Chalmers cross-compound steam turbine with double reduction gears: 8,500-hp for “sea speed” of 16½-knots, maximum “full-ahead speed” of 9,350-hp, capable of up to 18-knots. Her range was 20,000-miles/51-days at full speed. Ship’s complement = 75 crewmen (52 Merchant Marines, 23 Navy Armed Guard). Armament: one 5-inch/.38 DP aft gun, one 3-inch/.50 DP forward gun, and eight 20mm Anti-Aircraft Machine Guns (4 starboard, 4 port side).
The LOMA was one of the elite 141 VC2-S-AP3 VICTORY Class design, which were the fastest of the fast. She first set to sea under the command of Captain C. W. Schmidt, as part of the Pacific 10th Fleet. At the infamous Battle of Okinawa, one of her Armed Navy Guard gun crew received the Battle Engagement Star for shooting down a Japanese kamikaze plane aimed to sink her. While 30 of her sister ships were sunk, along with the S.S. CANADA VICTORY beside her, or incurred serious damages and losses, the LOMA suffered no casualties or damages to speak of. She held this esteemed status throughout her WWII service.
After WWII's end, the LOMA VICTORY continued in service as part of the Reconstruction of Europe. She transported rebuilding supplies to France, England, Turkey and Egypt. She also participated in the occupation of future Israel. Following this, the LOMA was placed in Reserve status in Texas. She was reactived to duty to serve in the Korean War, and again in Viet Nam. After Viet Nam, she was laid-up in the James River Reserve Fleet at Fort Eustis, Virginia. There she remained until 27 May 1988, when after long and faithful service to the United States and the World, the S.S. LOMA VICTORY was sold to Taiwan for scrap.
In 1975, the S.S. LOMA VICTORY Association began as an effort to collect and preserve the history of the LOMA VICTORY, as well as locate and reunite members of her crews. After her scrapping in 1988, preserving the memory of the LOMA VICTORY and her crewmembers, as well as other ships named for Montana cities, personages and the Great State of Montana became a part. The locating and collecting of log books, charts, documents, crew stories, etc. has been ongoing as funds allow; with the ultimate goal being publication of a comprehensive book. Association membership is based on free-will contributions to help fulfill this overall mission of honor and remembrance.
IN MEMORIUM
Compared with their equivalent servicemen of the United States Navy, the United States Military itself determined during WWII that U. S. Merchant Mariners faced much higher risk of being killed, injured or Missing In Action. Post-War statistics reveal that those in Merchant Marine Service experienced over 4-times greater losses than those serving in the Navy. Unarmed or lightly, always minimally armed Merchant Marine ships worked side-by-side with their far more heavily armed and manned Navy counterparts in allthe same war zones. The Merchant Marine Service suffered the highest percentage rate of war zone casualties of ANY service or auxilary during WWII = 4.02%, a ratio of 1 casualty in every 25 men. The very next highest casuality percentage rate, 2.08%, belonged to the U.S. Army. In fatalities alone, Merchant Mariners still top the list with 3.8%, followed by the U.S. Marine Corps with 2.9%. Joining the Merchant Marine became so perilious, that many actually resigned and went into military service thinking it might be more safe.
LEST WE FORGET: 22 May - National Maritime Day
"They that go down to the sea in ships ... These see the works of the LORD, and the wonders in the deep." -Psalm 107: 23-30
+
MONTANA MERCHANT MARINERS
WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTY:
World War II
Joseph Attard, 06-20-1943
Wesley William Barrett (Great Falls), Messman, 06-23-1942 (age: 19)
Earl Charles Lillestol (Anaconda), Able-Body Seaman, 12-10-1944
Frank T. Pinter, 09-13-1945
Rudolph August Rutz (Butte), Chief Engineer, 09-27-1942
Alfred Sangret, 03-16-1944
James Roy Wells (Kalispell), Fireman, 10-19-1942
Charles Allen Wishart, 02-06-1944
SOURCE: American Merchant Marine Veterans Association
A HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINE
The U.S. Merchant Marine has always answered the call to duty in EVERY conflict in which America has been engaged.In fact, as a fighting force, the Merchant Marine predates the creation and operation of all of today’s Federal Armed Forces.
FOUNDING DATES:
19 April 1775 – “The shot heard ‘round the world” Official start of the American
Revolutionary War.
12 June 1775 – American Merchant Marine Service organized in defense of Continental
United States.
14 June 1775 – Continental Army founded by the Continental Congress; but not
actualized until 03 July 1775; later transformed into the U.S. Army.
13 October 1775 – Continental Navy established by Continental Congress; not
actualized until early 1776, then disbanded in 1785.U.S. Navy
established by Congress in 1797.
10 November 1784 – U.S. Marine Corps established.
04 August 1790 – U.S. Coast Guard established.
26 July 1947 – U.S. Air Force established.
In 1775, each colonial province created their own volunteer defensive militias, as well as at the same time enlisted Merchant Marine ships and crews for the same.Soon following the “shot heard ‘round the world,” the Merchant Marine was the first to cross over from colonial provincial to continental to engage in America’s first naval battle by repelling then pursuing and capturing the British warship HMS Margaretta on 12 June 1775.The combined Merchant Marine force then turned the Margaretta and its crew over to the Continental Congress.
The first Continental military force, the Continental Army, was founded by the Continental Congress two days later on 14 June 1775, but was not actually established until 03 July 1775.Following the Continental Congress Declaration of Independence, the Continental Army became the U.S. Army.
The Continental Navy wasn’t declared by Act of Congress until 13 October 1775, but didn’t actually organize and commence until early 1776.Even then, the Continental Navy was comprised primarily of volunteer Merchant Marine ships and crews already serving in defense of America.Through Act of Congress, Merchant Mariners and their ships engaged in more battles, captured more British ships and munitions, and vastly outgunned and outnumbered their “official” Navy counterparts.More Merchant Mariners suffered and died fighting for American Independence that the government “employed” Army and Navy combined.Besides the thousands who died in battle, 11,000 died as official prisoners of war in British captivity.In comparison, General George Washington’s entire Continental Army totaled only 11,000 soldiers.
Merchant Marine seamen and their ships contributed enormously to the very birth of our Nation.But is any of this remembered, recognized, or taught in our schools or history classes?Ever since the Revolutionary War, selfless Merchant Mariners have served, personally sacrificed and proven themselves the same as any other fighting force in EVERY major conflict the United States has ever fought: the War of 1812, Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf War.
The USMM is by law under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, "a naval and military auxiliary in time war or national emergency... and that the United States Navy and the Merchant Marine of the United States should work closely together to promote the maximum integration of the total seapower forces of the United States..." The ships of the USMM were armedwarships, painted "battleship gray." The mariners who served aboard were trained in gunnery and were assigned battle stations alongside their Naval Armed Guard shipmates. Many mariners distinguished themselves in battle with the enemy and were awarded medals for valor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.Under the Merchant Marine Act of 1936, Merchant Mariners' veteran discharges state: "Honorable Discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States of America." "The Merchant Marine Fairness Act of 1988" was sought to reinforce this fact.
The United States Merchant Marine Academy was the only Federal Service Academy whose cadets served in harms way, and therefore is the only Academy authorized to carry a Battle Standard. One hundred and forty-two cadets gave their lives while still in training serving on USMM vessels.
From its very beginning, the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors the United States Merchant Marine equally with the other services. In fact, during Groundbreaking Ceremonies in November 2000, the official song of the USMM, "Heave Ho! My Lads, Heave Ho!," was the first service song played.
Today, in Montana, the Governor of Montana, government officials, Veterans, and grateful citizens gather for the dedication of the “Montana Veterans Memorial” - proclaiming to all to be dedicated “To honor and recognize all Veterans of all branches of Military Service to the United States of America, in peace and in war.”
“All…” EXCEPT for one knowingly singled-out branch of equally deserving Veterans: Those also having served and died for country, patriotism and freedom: the United States Merchant Marine of World War II.
Well over a year ago, the organizer of the “Montana Veterans Memorial” was specifically asked: “Will the U.S. Merchant Marine be equally remembered and honored” in the memorial. He replied with a firm and convincing: “Yes. They were designated Veterans by Congress,” referring to the “Merchant Marine Fairness Act of 1988.” This question was asked prior to the memorial’s Warrior Angel and bronze plaques representing service branches were realized and placed. Today, stands the Warrior Angel as described by the official memorial website: www.montanaveteransmemorial.org - “The Warrior Angel's left arm is extended allowing five Doves of Peace to fly away representing the five branches of the service and in its right hand will be holding five dog tags signifying deceased veterans.” Those “five” being, and the memorial featuring, “bronze plaques for the Army, Navy, USMC, US Air Force and Coast Guard.” So much for the virtue of giving one’s “word of honor.”
Later, when the Great Falls Tribune, "a Pulitzer Prize Winning Newspaper," reported on the installation of the Warrior Angel, the memorial’s lacking in recognition and honor was stunning. The Tribune Editor was contacted and provided resources in an attempt to report this error. Three times over a period of months a reporter was promised to “cover the story.” The reporter NEVER appeared. Three attempts were made to have a Letter to the Editor published. Eventually, the Tribune “accepted” and published the shortest version. Still no reporter follow-up story ever appeared. And nothing has changed.
In the Tribune’s Friday, 26 May 2006 Editorial, the Tribune chose to collaberate and even emphasize the disrespect, if not simply the historical error, that the memorial was dedicated to “all Veterans of all branches.”
From its very beginning, the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. honors the United States Merchant Marine equally with the other services. In fact, during Groundbreaking Ceremonies in November 2000, the official song of the USMM, "Heave Ho! My Lads, Heave Ho!," was the first service song played. Two flagpoles flying the American flag today frame the national's ceremonial entrance. Their bases of granite and bronze are adorned with the "military service" seals of the (1) Army, (2) Navy, (3) Marine Corps, (4) Army Air Corps, (5) Coast Guard, and (6) Merchant Marine.
But today, in Montana, these same Veterans continue to be forgotten and outright cast out. Perhaps the only ones who sympathize, or should, are fellow Veterans of Viet Nam. They weren’t the first or only ones cast aside.
The Montana Veterans Memorial’s official website states that their memorial is to be “known as: A Place of Honor.” More to truth, they and others have proven that in truth, they should be saying theirs is “A Place of Honor for Some.”
