During World War II, the Merchant Marine became an auxiliary to the United States Navy and delivered military personnel and war materials. Ships sailed through minefields and dodged submarines and bombers to deliver invaluable cargo everywhere from Arctic Russia to the Persian Gulf. Working sometimes without escort and with only modest firepower aboard, these slow moving cargo ships were easy pickings for German and Japanese warships. The men who served with the Merchant Marine during World War II, hauling precious cargo around the world, pulled the most dangerous duty during that war. Mariners died at a rate of one in 26, which was the highest rate of casualties of any service. But veterans’ status and benefits were denied to the Mariners until 1988. 

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the GI Bill into law on June 22, 1944, the Merchant Marine were excluded from benefits. Public opinion was overwhelmingly in support of extending benefits, with proponents stating that those delivering the goods of war deserved just as much as those who fought in the war. They risked their lives for the country and went through more danger than members of the armed forces in helping the war effort. Opponents argued that merchant mariners were not a recognized branch of the military and did not receive formal training. They could come and go as they pleased and were not entitled to benefits because they were never called on to fight. Mariners made out well financially in comparison to army cadets, which fueled resentment when mariners petitioned to be included in GI benefits. Whereas cadets were paid around $50 a month, mariners earned $87-100 per month, with a $100 bonus per month while in war zones. The argument went on for decades. 

My grandfather joined the Merchant Marine in 1937 but did not serve as one until 1943. He was listed as a wiper and ordinary seaman and sailed on the Atlantic ocean while the Jaeger family was living in Port Arthur. He wrote letters to my grandmother about conditions on the ship and the places where the ship docked. He wrote mostly about missing her and the kids and how much he looked forward to returning home. I don’t think he ever knew he had received veteran status in 1988, when President Ronald Reagan signed Public Law 95-202 into law. The law made certain World War II-era Merchant Marine seamen were eligible for active duty status and benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, including GI Bill benefits. I only found this out by accident, when I began reading about the Merchant Marine. The local VA office connected me with the National Archive to get grandpa’s service record. The record was limited to just his enrollment paperwork from August 1937 and did not include the statement of service. The archivist I spoke with said she was unable to locate it. So for the time being, the only records I have are the letters he wrote while he was gone and stories from my mom.

Working through genealogy has made me realize the importance of locating and getting information from older relatives while they are still around to provide it. I wish I had been able to talk to my grandfather about sailing on the ships. I would like to know about his experiences on the seas. So much is lost to us if we don’t take the time and opportunity to listen.

References:

https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/merchant-marine-world-war-ii

https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-times-merchant-marine-1/138128808/