Col.: AMMM 1946.039.0001
Emerging victoriously from an extremely battered convoy, numbering many sunken ships, SS WILLIAM MOULTRIE arrived at the scheduled north Russian Port and discharged her vitally needed cargo. Expert maneuvering and coordinated gun control during the highly concentrated submarine and bombing attacks over a period of one week prevented crew casualties and brought the series of actions to a successful conclusion.
The stark courage of her heroic crew in defeating a relentless enemy caused her name to be perpetuated as a Gallant Ship.
There are two original Citation and Medallion plaques known: one at Land Hall at the United States Merchant Marine Academy and another at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship Museum. Judging by the construction of both, both plaques are not affixed to the original boards.
The Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship Museum has a meaningful display of the SS William Moultrie Gallant Ship Citation and Plaque including a painting of the Gallant as well as ship articles – with all the merchant seamen who signed on the ship at the time of her qualifying action. All below photos are courtesy Seafarers International Union
Many thanks are due to Dr. Joshua Smith and Mr. Clayton Harper at AMMM for locating and photographing the example at Land Hall; and Mr. Jordan P. Biscardo at the Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship for the same.