[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1626-E1627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE TO THE U.S. MERCHANT MARINE IN WORLD WAR II

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 17, 1996

  Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, December 7, 1996, marks the 55th anniversary 
of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. One group of Americans who 
sacrificed enormously in support of the war effort haven't enjoyed the 
same recognition accorded to members of the big five Services at the 
time, of course, there were fewer services than exist today. The 
merchant marine, those brave Americans who protected shipping during 
the war, earned the respect of their countrymen as a result of their 
participation in some of the most treacherous missions undertaken by 
U.S. forces.
  During the War, some 6,795 merchant seamen, out of a total of 
250,000, lost their lives at sea in defense of this Nation. In tribute 
to merchant marine seamen, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the 
Record the following remarks prepared by Sollie Hakam, a member of the 
U.S. merchant marine veterans World War II. The U.S. merchant marine 
has earned this Nation's gratitude:

       The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, 
     found the U.S. Merchant Marine totally unprepared for the 
     task it was called on to undertake. In order to supply our 
     troops and allies around the world, ship yards on both the 
     East and West Coasts went on a crash building program. They 
     turned out Liberty and Victory ships, Oil Tankers, Troop 
     Carriers and many other types of vessels necessary to carry 
     supplies and arms to our fighting forces around the world. A 
     total of approximately 6,000 ships were built and manned by 
     250,000 merchant seamen.
       At the height of World War II, 15,000,000 women and men 
     were in the armed forces of the United States. They were 
     located on all five continents, North America, South America, 
     Europe, Asia and Australia.
       As our troops were landing on the shores and beaches around 
     the world, they did not find accommodations to house them or 
     restaurants to feed them. Right behind them, however, was an 
     armada and Army Engineers to set up housing and eating 
     facilities.

[[Page E1627]]

     In short, care of and for our troops. Also on these merchant 
     ships were supplies and arms to complete the job of winning 
     the war.
       It staggers the mind to think of 674 ships being sunk by 
     enemy torpedoes and gun fire! 6,795 merchant seamen lost 
     their lives, not to mention those lost by the Navy Armed 
     Guard, who also sailed on those merchant ships. They all lie 
     in watery graves.
       Our organization, the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of 
     WWII, was formed to honor these men and insure the world does 
     not forget them or the lessons of WWII. The Lane Victory ship 
     is a living memorial to them.
       Many generals and admirals have given high praise to the 
     Merchant Marine branch of the armed forces for a job well 
     done.
       We Merchant Marine survivors of WWII can stand tall and 
     proud for the contributions we made to bring WWII to a close!

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