[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 17, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E650]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF THE UNITED STATES MERCHANT MARINERS AND THEIR 
                CONTRIBUTIONS TO VICTORY IN WORLD WAR II

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                            HON. MIKE KELLY

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 17, 2017

  Mr. KELLY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the United 
States Merchant Mariners and their vital contributions to the victory 
of the Allies in World War II. This year, 72 years after our victory in 
that war, is a fitting time to recognize the contributions of our 
merchant mariners to the war effort.
  There were more than 250,000 men serving in the Merchant Marine 
during WWII, all volunteers. They had the distinction of being the only 
non-segregated service. The Merchant Marine was critical to the mission 
of our military service members around the world during the war.
  Many of the important contributions of the Merchant Marine are not 
well known, including the fact that they had the highest rate of 
casualties in the Armed Services. More than 700 merchant ships were 
sunk and more than 8,000 U.S. merchant mariners were killed during the 
war. The losses suffered are even more remarkable given that the U.S. 
Merchant Marine was not considered a military branch and was composed 
of volunteers classified by the government as civilians. Every invasion 
during the war involved the Merchant Marine. They suffered tremendous 
casualties during the Battle of the Atlantic, the Murmansk Run, D-Day, 
and as an integral part of every island invasion in the Pacific 
Theater. As we come close to Memorial Day, it is fitting to pause and 
remember their heroism and sacrifice.
  The United States built nearly 6,000 merchant vessels and naval 
auxiliaries in 16 shipyards with over 650,000 workers. This was an 
economic and military feat of enormous scale. As part of a government 
effort to encourage more American participation in the war effort, 
ships were named after famous American counties and cities. 150 
colleges and universities also had victory class merchant ships named 
for them. Many of these institutions of higher education supported 
important military training programs on their campuses. I am proud that 
13 of these victory class ships were named for institutions in 
Pennsylvania, including three in the third district: Allegheny College, 
Grove City College, and Westminster College.
  I am sure all my colleagues join me in taking great pride in the 
history of the United States Merchant Marine and the special place in 
our nation's history associated with their ships and the men who sailed 
them. They have helped preserve our freedom and they deserve our 
gratitude.

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