The Second World War cemented American overseas relationships and brought about new alliances. Allies, both new and old, grateful for the heroic work American Merchant Mariners endeavored on their behalf, have awarded them awards and decorations both during and after the Second World War. In present Maritime Administration publications, only those ribbons from the Philippines and a Soviet commemorative medal are mentioned. Please click on the country name below to be taken to various sub-pages detailing the various awards.
This page is under construction and endeavors to record the honors bestowed upon the American Merchant Mariner. If you have any information about Allied awards given to members of the American Merchant Marine, please do contact me.
Allies with Gov’ts in Exile Poland (1) Czechoslovakia (-) Norway (2) Netherlands (-) Belgium (1) Luxembourg (-) Free France (4 +letter) Ethiopia (-) Greece (-) Yugoslavia (1) Philippines (2)
Other Allies The Republic of China (Taiwan) (1) India (-) Canada (-) Australia (-) New Zealand (-) South Africa (-) Brazil (-) Mongolia (-) Mexico (-)
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Highlights
Free France (French Republic)
America’s oldest ally was and is France; and it is in France that saw the Normandy landings and the initial Allied push to end the war in Europe. Beginning in 2010, France began honoring those American Merchant Mariners who participated in the Normandy landings with the country’s Legion of Honor (Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur).
Norway
The crew of SS Henry Bacon earned the gratitude of the Kingdom of Norway for their selfless devotion to save their precious cargo of Norwegian refugees – to them went the War Medal (Krigsmedalje). Decades later, a Norwegian group has awarded American Merchant Mariners a pendant medal known as the “Convoy Cup.”
Commonwealth of the Philippines (Republic of the Philippines)
In the years following the Second World War, American Merchant Mariners were granted the right to wear ribbons (and not subsequent medals) of the Commonwealth and later Republic of the Philippines.
Soviet Union (Russian Federation)
Through the good offices of Ian Millar, the U.S.S.R. granted American merchant seamen a commemorative medal as given to Soviet military veterans for their vital role in supplying the country with much-needed supplies over Arctic convoy routes on the dreaded Murmansk Run. However, during the Second World War precious few medals were granted to American Merchant Marines for their heroism.
The Seamen’s Service Flag and Lapel Button of the American Merchant Marine
Background
When Congress passed the Service Flag Act of 1942 (Public Law 750), authorizing the familiar blue-star banner for families of military personnel, it left unaddressed an entire body of Americans who were dying in even greater proportion at sea – American Merchant Mariners. By mid-1942, the War Shipping Administration (WSA) had organized more than 4,000 vessels and over 200,000 seamen under its control; losses on the North Atlantic and Arctic routes were staggering. Yet the families of these men had no lawful symbol by which to show their service and sacrifice. However, a major shipping company, the United States Lines, acted first, honored the seamen in its employ with a striking banner at its termnal in Manhattan. It was a disgrace that the WSA needed to remedy.
The War Department hesitated to extend the 1942 act to cover civilians under WSA, fearing dilution of the military flag’s authority. The WSA, in turn, asked Congress to legislate a separate emblem that would carry official sanction but a distinct appearance. From this bureaucratic correspondence came one of the least-remembered acts of wartime recognition: the Seamen’s Service Flag and its companion Lapel Button, both authorized in 1943.
Legislation
On 5 April 1943, Representative Schuyler Otis Bland of Virginia—longtime chairman of the House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries—introduced H.R. 2281, “To authorize the issue of suitable insignia and service flags to seamen serving in the American Merchant Marine.” The bill sought to bring parity of symbol, not of rank, acknowledging the mariner’s peril without militarizing his status.
The measure moved swiftly. With little debate in the House and minor amendments in the Senate, it became Public Law 78-52 on 10 May 1943 (57 Stat. 81-82). Its first section provided:
“The War Shipping Administration is authorized to issue suitable insignia and medals to seamen serving in the American Merchant Marine during the war period, and to approve a seamen’s service flag and a seamen’s service lapel button for the immediate family of any such seaman.”
The Senate Commerce Committee added a safeguard clause: any design resembling the Armed Forces’ flag must receive the Secretary of War’s consent. The purpose was not control but coordination to ensure that the new emblem would stand beside, not beneath, the military services in visual dignity.
On 25 September 1943, the details appeared in the Federal Register (Vol. 8, No. 187, p. 13070) as “Service Insignia and Service Flag for the American Merchant Marine.” The order established three related symbols:
The Merchant Marine Service Emblem (for seamen themselves);
The Seamen’s Service Flag (for their families); and
The Seamen’s Service Lapel Button (a miniature personal version of the flag).
The Seamen’s Service Flag
The Seamen’s Service Flag adopted a form both familiar and reversed. Where the Armed Forces’ banner bore a red border enclosing a white field with a blue star, the mariners’ flag was entirely blue with white stars, a symbolic inversion that signified equal honor in a different sphere. Each star represented a member of the immediate family “serving in the American Merchant Marine during the war period.” The flag’s proportions were those of the military design, but its color and absence of red marked it as civilian, peaceful, and oceanic.
The official language specifies:
“The Seamen’s Service Flag shall be of blue bunting, the hoist one and two-thirds times the fly, with one or more white stars corresponding to the number of seamen from the immediate family. In the upper hoist quarter, a white silhouette of a merchant vessel shall appear, and around the border a continuous golden rope terminating in a figure-of-eight knot on the fly.”
Crucially, the same regulation continues:
“If the seaman represented is killed or dies while serving, the white star shall have superimposed thereon a smaller gold star so that the white forms a border.”
The WSA circulated the approved pattern to its training stations and district offices late in 1943. Families could obtain the flag by application through a mariner’s operating company or local WSA office, providing proof of relationship and service. In contrast to the military’s mass-produced blue-star banners, production numbers for the Merchant Marine version were small. Surviving examples are typically silk or rayon, with a gold-stitched merchant-vessel silhouette above one or more white stars appliquéd on navy-blue ground.
Contemporary press releases framed the flag as “a symbol of faithful service in the war’s most perilous field.” Households from Portland to New Orleans hung it beside the better-known military banners, though its blue field was easily mistaken for a state or club pennant. A gold-star variant, signifying death in service, was mentioned in legislation but appears never to have been or produced in numbers.
By the war’s end, fewer than ten thousand flags had been issued. The WSA’s authority expired with demobilization in November 1946, and no agency succeeded it in maintaining the program. As a result, the Seamen’s Service Flag faded from post-war public memory almost as quickly as the ships themselves disappeared from convoy duty.
The Seamen’s Service Lapel Button
Paired with the window flag was a small emblem meant for personal wear—the Seamen’s Service Lapel Button. It fulfilled the same social role for merchant seamen’s families that the blue star pin played for soldiers’ and sailors’ kin. The Federal Register text described it only as “a type to be approved by the War Shipping Administration,” leaving form to the designers.
Design
The approved design featured a gilt-bronze laurel wreath surrounding a rectangular navy-blue enamel tablet, bordered with a rope pattern. In the center of the tablet, a white star rises above the silhouette of a cargo vessel in gold relief. The ship is depicted with its bow and stern in balance, showcasing a single stack and bridgehouse that unmistakably resemble those of the wartime Liberty ship. The symbolism in the design is clear: the star represents service, the ship signifies the fleet that provided the nation’s lifeline, and the wreath symbolizes honor.
The badge measured approximately ⅞ inch by 1 inch, fitted with a simple horizontal safety clasp. Most examples are unmarked, but known manufacturers include Whitehead & Hoag Co. (Newark, NJ) and Green Duck Co. (Chicago, IL), firms already under government contract for military insignia. Each employed vitreous enamel over struck bronze, producing a rich translucent blue that has darkened with age.
Issuance
Eligible recipients were defined as “immediate family members”—parents, spouses, siblings, or children—of any mariner serving under WSA control. Applications were submitted to district WSA offices and verified against ship-assignment rosters. The buttons were presented in small pasteboard boxes printed with “American Merchant Marine in Service,” often accompanied by a leaflet explaining the symbol’s meaning and the obligation “to wear it with pride and prayer.”
In cases of death, the Federal Register again provided explicit authorization:
“When the seaman is killed or dies while serving, the star upon the button shall be gold in color.”
Gold-star lapel buttons were therefore legitimate issue items—contrary to many post-war assumptions that they were unofficial. Surviving specimens confirm the existence of both blue-star and gold-star versions, struck and enameled to identical pattern except for the color of the star.
The button was worn on civilian dress from late 1943 until the cessation of hostilities. By 1947, with the WSA dissolved and mariners returning to peacetime trade, distribution ended. The lapel button quietly disappeared from jewelry counters and remembrance ceremonies alike, its purpose fulfilled yet unrecorded.
Aftermath and Legacy
With the demobilization order of 8 November 1946, the WSA ceased all awards and insignia programs. Production of the Seamen’s Service Flag and Lapel Button ended, and the remaining stock was transferred to the U.S. Maritime Commission for disposal. Unlike the Merchant Marine Service Emblem, which persisted in academy use, the family symbols vanished quietly from public display.
Yet they remain the first—and only—wartime emblems legislated specifically for the families of Merchant Mariners. Both flag and pin gave civilian households a sanctioned form of acknowledgment, binding them to the same language of stars and gold that the nation used for its uniformed dead. Though rare today, these pieces embody the moment Congress recognized that the Merchant Marine was, in every sense but uniform, a service of war.
While the military blue-star banner often takes the spotlight, the Seamen’s Service Flag and Lapel Button symbolize an important moment in recognizing America’s civilian sailors during wartime. They marked the first acknowledgment by Congress that the families of merchant seamen deserved the same right to display a symbol of pride as those of the armed forces. The design of these emblems – deep blue and maritime – reflects the labor of the ocean rather than the glory of the battlefield.
Today, surviving examples are scarce. The fragile silk of the flags has often perished; the enamel on the lapel pins chips easily.
Yet their symbolic lineage endures. Every later effort to grant veterans’ status to Merchant Mariners – from the 1977 Public Law 95-202 to the 1988 Public Law 105-368 – invokes, implicitly, the recognition first codified in 1943. The blue field and white star remain the quiet heraldry of those who served without uniform, whose families waited at windows for ships that never returned.
The Merchant Marine “Pyramid of Honor” came to be in 1942 with the award of Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal; however, this medal was not originally construed as the pinnacle of a system of Merchant Marine awards and decorations, rather a wartime decoration particular to the Second World War. Thus, federal awards and decorations created for members of the American Merchant Marine may be grouped into three phases: Early War (1942-1943), Late War (1944-1946), and Recognition (1988). Otherwise, ribbons and a medal were granted for Merchant Marine participation in the Korean conflict, for service in Vietnamese waters, and later for the Gulf War. The last medal created was a general honorific awarded by the head of the Federal agency responsible for overseeing United States maritime policy and interests.
It is important to note wartime awards were specific to civilians on ships chartered by the U. S. Government with the War Shipping Administration as General Agent, and civilian mariners with the U. S. Army. Although the American Merchant Marine counts its members among individuals working in fisheries, on (railroad) ferries, barges, lakes, and other brown-water and Intracoastal locations, the strict definition for awards and decorations between 1942 and 1946 meant blue-water seamen, only. Postwar, with the government taking a less active role in shipping, awards fell by the wayside until a renovation in interest came in the late 1980s.
As a discussion point, the American Merchant Marine is an idea, not an agency, nor a quasi-governmental organization. American ships have been subsidized by the Federal government, both in their construction and management, but shipping companies (for the most part), have been private concerns and their employees, private citizens. People who worked on these ships are civilians. An interesting situation grew during the Second World War: all ocean-going American ships – subsidized or not – were pressed into wartime service. Merchant seamen remained on these ships and served in support of the war effort. They became auxiliaries to the military, but not uniformed members of the Armed Services; some officers, who had U.S. Naval Reserve commissions were taken by the U.S. Navy to serve on Naval vessels, but most remained with their ships. To honor the sacrifices endured by these individuals, first the U.S. Maritime Commission, and then the War Shipping Administration – as authorized by U.S. Congress – created a series of personal decorations and unit awards during and immediately after the war for merchant seamen. These initial awards were modeled using the military medal vocabulary at the time – an early attempt at creating a merit medal for unlicensed was recast becoming instead a medal for wounds like the “Purple Heart.” In later years, successor Federal agencies created additional awards for merchant seamen (later called Merchant Mariners) to further honor the unique role they played in times of crisis. Often, these awards have a military analogue as shown in the chart below. The newest creations: the “Outstanding Achievement Medal,” deviates from the military model, and underscores the civilian nature of the American Merchant Marine; its awards span humanitarian activities to industry accomplishment. Thus far, Merchant Mariners are the only group of civilians honored by the United States government who have such an elaborate Pyramid of Honor.
Merchant Mariners are legislated as veterans – medals did not make them as such, their sacrifices under fire did.
Advisors to independent tankermen’s unions – John Collins and Agnes Collins – testimony before Congress in 1942 was instrumental in capturing Congressional attention to the plight of the merchant seaman, and in turn brought about both government-sponsored welfare for the families of merchant seamen and a system of honors for the seamen themselves. The idea of government-sponsored social welfare for beached seamen was an alien concept in the 1940s since the government expected private charitable organizations and shipping companies to pick up the task. An honors system for civilian merchant seamen, as outlined by Mr. Collins was a topsy-turvy idea – merchant seamen were not considered on a par with man-of-war sailors in the eyes of most Americans. And yet, in terms of both, the government did eventually institute relief programs, and took the Collins’ suggestions – almost to the letter – in how to award merchant seamen for their contributions in the Second World War. Out of these efforts came the rest of the wartime decorations; an initial group legislated for in 1943, a second in 1944, and finally the Victory Medal in 1946.
After decades of lobbying and failed bills, H.R. 550, referred to as “Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2019,” was approved on 19 December 2019, granting American Merchant Mariners the highest honor bestowed by Congress.
Earlier this week the Congressional Gold Medal for World War II Merchant Mariners arrived in my mailbox. I was tapped to participate in the Design Committee in mid-2020; it was the greatest of honors to be involved in the committee to help guide the designers in crafting the medal – and even more an honor to assist in the celebration of America’s unsung heroes of the Second World War after all these years. Indeed, Merchant Mariners were belatedly given veteran’s status in 1988; however, their recognition took place at the Capitol, underlying the key role they played in winning the war.
In terms of the design itself, we on the Committee had been going back and forth over various designs without actually having any trial strikes or maquettes – holding the final result in my hand was pretty neat. I should mention, that the figures are a broad representation of a ship’s crew. I am really glad the Lundeberg Stetson was included – it is a nod to the unions; since, without their tacit cooperation, we would not have had anyone running the ships through the gauntlet. I had lots to say about the importance of the unions and officer’s cap and coat in our meetings – I am glad my suggestions were followed-up upon.
Apply for or purchase a Congressional Gold Medal Duplicate
A duplicate medal may be applied for or purchased; all medals available to veterans, their families, or the general public are struck in matte bronze. It is important to note Congressional Gold Medals awarded to groups are not an individual honor, group members do not receive their own gold medal – rather, a bronze medal. There is no limit to the number of medals an individual may purchase.
Application
The Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020 authorizes the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to award duplicates of the medal to individuals who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, were members of the United States Merchant Marine, or other related services – namely the Army Transport Service (ATS) or Navy Transport Service (NTS). If a qualified individual is no longer available to receive their medal, MARAD is authorized to issue a smaller duplicate of the medal to the next of kin.
To request a medal, MARAD asks that veterans or their family members or survivors submit (follow the bolded links for example documents – in the event you don’t know what you’re looking for):
Mariner’s Full Name
A copy of the Merchant Mariner’s DD Form 214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active duty” with continuation sheet if provided (the DD Form 214 is required to verify Merchant Marine service on vessels during World War II – see the information below on how to file the DD-214);
A summary, if available, of World War II sailing history to include the theater(s) of operation and ports of discharge; and
Inquires, along with the required documents, can be emailed to Katrina McRae at the Office of Sealift Support: katrina.mcrae@dot.gov
N.B.: I suspect the “duplicate” as noted above to be the 3-inch medal, and the “smaller duplicate” to be the 1.5-inch medal. The image above is of the 3-inch medal.
Purchase
The medal may be purchased from the United States Mint. The orders are dispatched from the US Mint’s fulfillment center in Memphis, Tennessee; depending upon the destination address, medals may be received anywhere from four to fourteen days after processing if using standard shipping.
The US Mint offers the medal in two sizes: 1.5-inches or 3-inches in diameter. Although the mintage of either medal has not been published, using numbers from previous years (2017-2020), the US Mint struck an average of 3,780 3-inch medals, and 2,560 1.5-inch medals. Once all stocks are depleted, medals are not re-struck. The price (as of this writing) for each is $20.00 and $160.00, respectively.
Merchant Mariners of the Second World War may gain veteran’s status if they both prove their wartime service and if they hold an Honorable Discharge. Just like their uniformed peers, a discharge other than honorable invalidates a mariner from receiving veteran’s benefits – including receiving a duplicate of the Congressional Gold Medal. The key to this status is having a DD-214.
The DD-214 holds all pertinent information regarding a Merchant Mariner’s wartime service, including their positions aboard ships, vessels sailed, training stations attended, any decorations awarded, as well as the type of discharge they may hold. Unless they were kicked out of the industry or banned from War Shipping Administration ships – or did not skip out of training – most mariners served honorably.
As a note, for families of deceased veterans, the DD-214 allows for them to petition the United States Maritime Administration for replacement or missing wartime decorations awarded to their kin as well as a duplicate Congressional Gold Medal.
The US Coast Guard published a short Frequently Asked Questions document regarding the application process as well as information on what to provide in applying for a deceased relative. The document is here: https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/faq/WWII_veteran_faq.pdf
Many thanks are due to Sheila Sova of AMMV regarding the DD-214 application process.
Providing for a medal for service in the merchant marine during the present war [S. 2236]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the United States Maritime Commission is authorized and directed to procure a medal and suitable appurtenances of appropriate design, including an honorable discharge lapel button, to be awarded to (1) each person who served honorably in a war zone as an officer or member of the crew of vessels owned by or operated by or for the account of the Maritime Commission or the War Shipping Administration for thirty days during the period beginning December 7, 1941, and ending with September 3, 1945; and (2) each person who is entitled to receive a certificate of substantially continuous service pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 87, Seventy-eighth Congress, approved June 23, 1943 (57 Stat. 162). The medal may be awarded posthumously and, when so awarded, shall be presented to such representative of the deceased as shall be prescribed in the applicable regulations. Awards under this Act shall be made pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Maritime Commission.
SEC. 2. The Maritime Commission is authorized to expend out of any funds available for expenditure by the Maritime Commission such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 3. The manufacture, sale, possession, or display of any insignia, decoration, medal, award, or device, or the ribbon, button, or rosette thereof, or any colorable imitation of any insignia, decoration, medal, award, or device, provided for in this Act, is prohibited, except as authorized under such Act or any rule or regulation issued pursuant thereto. Whoever violates any provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $250 or by imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
Establishing Certain Awards for the Merchant Marine [Federal Register Doc. 44 13133; Filed, August 29, 1944; 2:38 p.m.]
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President and as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:
1. (a) The Administrator of the War Shipping Administration, hereinafter referred to as the Administrator, is hereby authorized to issue a citation as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction to any United States ship or to any foreign ship operated by or for the account of the United States Maritime Commission or the War Shipping Administration which, subsequent to September 8, 1939, or during the present war has served or shall serve in outstanding action against attack or in gallant action in marine disasters or other emergencies at sea.
(b) The Administrator shall award a plaque to any ship so cited; and a replica of such plaque shall be preserved, under such regulations as the Administrator may prescribe, as a permanent historical record.
(c) The Administrator shall also award an appropriate citation ribbon bar to the master and each person serving on board such ship at the time of the action for which citation is made, as public evidence of such honor and distinction: Provided, That whenever such master or person would be entitled hereunder to the award of an additional citation ribbon, a suitable device shall be awarded, in lieu thereof, to be attached to the ribbon originally awarded.
2. (a) There is hereby established the Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal, with accompanying ribbon and appurtenances, for award by the Admin-istrator, under such regulations as he shall prescribe, to any master, officer, or member of the crew of any United States ship, or any foreign ship operated by or for the account of the United States Maritime Commission or the War Shipping Administration who, subsequent to September 8, 1939, or during the present war has been or shall be officially commended by the Administrator for conduct or service of a meritorious character but not of such an outstanding character as would warrant an award of the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal established pursuant to the act of April 11, 1942, ch. 241, 56 Stat. 217.
(b) No more than one Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal shall he awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding commendation justifying such an award a suitable device may be awarded to be worn with the medal and ribbon.
3. The Administrator is hereby authorized, until two years after the termination of the present war, to provide and issue, under such regulations as he may prescribe, a distinctive service ribbon bar to each master, officer, or member of the crew of any United States ship who shall have served at any time during the period beginning September 8, 1939, and ending December 6, 1941.
4. In case any person who is entitled to an award under this order dies before the award can be made to him, the award may be made to such representative of the deceased as the Administrator may deem proper.
5. The design of the plaque, medal, and ribbons herein authorized, shall not duplicate the design of any medals or ribbons awarded by the War or Navy Department. 6. The Administrator may delegate his authority hereunder and issue such other regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the provisions of this order.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The White House, August 29, 1944.
The original period of the award was from 7 December 1941 to 25 July 1947; the award was reactivated by Public Law 759, 84th Congress, effective 24 July 1956.
Establishing Certain Awards for the Merchant Marine [Federal Register Doc. 44 13133; Filed, August 29, 1944; 2:38 p.m.]
By virtue of the authority vested in me as President and as Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:
1. (a) The Administrator of the War Shipping Administration, hereinafter referred to as the Administrator, is hereby authorized to issue a citation as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction to any United States ship or to any foreign ship operated by or for the account of the United States Maritime Commission or the War Shipping Administration which, subsequent to September 8, 1939, or during the present war has served or shall serve in outstanding action against attack or in gallant action in marine disasters or other emergencies at sea.
(b) The Administrator shall award a plaque to any ship so cited; and a replica of such plaque shall be preserved, under such regulations as the Administrator may prescribe, as a permanent historical record.
(c) The Administrator shall also award an appropriate citation ribbon bar to the master and each person serving on board such ship at the time of the action for which citation is made, as public evidence of such honor and distinction: Provided, That whenever such master or person would be entitled hereunder to the award of an additional citation ribbon, a suitable device shall be awarded, in lieu thereof, to be attached to the ribbon originally awarded.
2. (a) There is hereby established the Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal, with accompanying ribbon and appurtenances, for award by the Admin-istrator, under such regulations as he shall prescribe, to any master, officer, or member of the crew of any United States ship, or any foreign ship operated by or for the account of the United States Maritime Commission or the War Shipping Administration who, subsequent to September 8, 1939, or during the present war has been or shall be officially commended by the Administrator for conduct or service of a meritorious character but not of such an outstanding character as would warrant an award of the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal established pursuant to the act of April 11, 1942, ch. 241, 56 Stat. 217.
(b) No more than one Merchant Marine Meritorious Service Medal shall he awarded to any one person, but for each succeeding commendation justifying such an award a suitable device may be awarded to be worn with the medal and ribbon.
3. The Administrator is hereby authorized, until two years after the termination of the present war, to provide and issue, under such regulations as he may prescribe, a distinctive service ribbon bar to each master, officer, or member of the crew of any United States ship who shall have served at any time during the period beginning September 8, 1939, and ending December 6, 1941.
4. In case any person who is entitled to an award under this order dies before the award can be made to him, the award may be made to such representative of the deceased as the Administrator may deem proper.
5. The design of the plaque, medal, and ribbons herein authorized, shall not duplicate the design of any medals or ribbons awarded by the War or Navy Department. 6. The Administrator may delegate his authority hereunder and issue such other regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the provisions of this order.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
The White House, August 29, 1944.
The original period of the award was from 3 September 1939 to 25 July 1947; the award was reactivated by Public Law 759, 84th Congress, effective 24 July 1956.
To provide for the issuance of devices in recognition of the services of merchant sailors [H. R. 2281]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Administrator, War Shipping Administration, is hereby authorized to provide and issue
(a) a seamen’s service insignia of appropriate design to any person who, at any time during the period (hereinafter referred to as the war period) beginning December 7, 1941, and ending with the termination of the present war, serves on any vessel in the American merchant marine, and
(b) a seamen’s war zone insignia or device of appropriate design to any person who, at any time during the war period, serves on any vessel in the American merchant marine while sailing in any war or combat zone.
SEC. 2. The Administrator is authorized to provide and issue aseamen’s honor bar to any person who, at any time during the war period, serves on any vessel in the American merchant marine which, at the time of such service, is attacked or damaged by an instrumentality of war. The Administrator is further authorized to provide and issue a star (to be attached to such bar) to any such person who is forced to abandon such vessel when so attacked or damaged, with an additional star for each such abandonment.
SEC. 3. The Administrator is authorized to provide and award a medal of appropriate design and a ribbon, together with a rosette or other device to be worn in lieu thereof, to any person, who while serving on any vessel in the American merchant marine during the war period, is wounded, suffers physical injury, or suffers through dangerous exposure as a result of an act of an enemy of the United States.
SEC. 4. The Administrator shall prescribe appropriate conditions of eligibility for the issuance or award of insignia or medals under this Act. Not more than one insignia or medal of each type provided herein shall be issued or awarded to any one person, but. for each succeeding service of any person sufficient to justify the award of a medal under section 3 of this Act, the Administrator may award a suitable bar, emblem, or insignia to be worn with the medal. In case any person who performs service sufficient to justify the award of a medal under section 3 dies before the award can be made to him, the award may be made and the medal presented to such representative of the deceased as the Administrator deems proper. No award of any insignia, medal, or device shall be made hereunder after two years after the termination of the present war.
SEC. 5. The Administrator is authorized to approve a design for a seamen’s service flag which may be displayed, and a design for a service lapel button which may be worn, by members of the immediate family, of a person serving in the American merchant marine during the war period. In approving any design under this section, the Administrator may approve the design approved by the Secretary of War under the provisions of the Act of Congress approved October 17, 1942 (Public Law 750, Seventy-seventh Congress), but only if the Secretary of War shall consent thereto and the Administrator shall approve for use in connection therewith a distinctive insignia or other device designating service in the American merchant marine. The Administrator, upon approval of the design for such service flag and service lapel button, shall cause notice of such approval and a description of the flag and button to be published in the Federal Register.
SEC. 6. (a) The Administrator is authorized to prescribe such rules and regulations as may be appropriate to carry out the provisions of this Act.
(b) The Administrator is authorized to expend out of any funds available for expenditure by the War Shipping Administration such sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
Approved May 10, 1943
Further legislation determined that the award’s eligibility period was from 7 December 1941 to 25 July 1947.
In the early years of the Second World War, despite industrial output destined for the United States’ future allied and increased military readiness, it found itself woefully unprepared for the realities of fighting and the logistics involved in conducting a global war. Aside from the steady capitulation of American territories in the Pacific and decimation of colonial outposts, the first individuals to face the brunt of the Axis’ wrath after the United States’ declaration of war were merchant seamen. Their ships were sunk with impunity, and the federal government was compelled to honor the heroism of the everyman who comprised the ships’ crews.
Legislation
Public Law 77-524
77th Congress
JOINT RESOLUTION
To provide decorations for outstanding conduct or service by persons serving in the American merchant marine. Apr. 11, 1942 [H. J. Res. 263]
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the United States Maritime Commission is hereby authorized and directed, under such rules and regulations as it may prescribe, to provide and award a medal of such material and design and with such devices and inscriptions as the Commission may deem suitable to each person who in the American merchant marine, on or after September 3, 1939, has distinguished himself or during the war distinguishes himself by outstanding conduct or service in the line of duty. Such medals shall be presented with appropriate ceremony as specified by the Commission.
SEC. 2. There may be issued with each medal a rosette or other device to be worn in lieu of the medal. Not more than one medal shall be issued hereunder to any person, but for each succeeding instance sufficient to justify the award of a medal to such person the Commission may award a suitable bar or other emblem or insignia to be worn with the medal and the corresponding rosette or other device. In case any person who so distinguishes himself as to justify the award of a medal or decoration hereunder dies before the award can be made to him, the award may be made and the medal or decoration presented to such representative of the deceased as the Commission deems proper.
Approved, April 11, 1942.
The original period of the award was from 3 September 1939 to 25 July 1947; the award was reactivated by Public Law 759, 84th Congress, effective 24 July 1956.
