A mysterious old photograph

Last week a photograph originally in Mr. Bob Lind’s “Neighbors” column in the Fargo, North Dakota newspaper, The Forum, appeared in an online group about the Merchant Marine of the Second World War. The question in both places was, does anyone recognize the group? No one offered anything definitive. Neighbors ran this photo last year. Kimberly Paulson-Schulman, formerly of […]

U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps

U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps (pre-1942) Yellow-goldenrod thread. Embroidered anchor on wool backing and mohair band. Pre-to-early Second World War era; 1939-1942. From the period following the First World War through the Depression, the U.S. Merchant Shipping industry was in a shambles: once profitable companies faltered and fell, ocean-going trade evaporated and even intercoastal shipping […]

U.S. Naval Reserve Insignia

U.S. Naval Merchant Marine Reserve insignia. Single construction. Eagle stamped brass with gold-plate. 1939-1940. badge: 2-3/4in from tip to tip of wings.   In October 1942, a curious chain of memoranda was passed between the New York State Maritime Academy Superintendent and various U.S. Navy officials. Prompted by Kings Point cadet uniforms having sewn on […]