Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimbuna
One story I recall my father telling me was about his voyage to Murmansk. This convoy sailed without any escort because of their need in another theatre (invasion of Sicily iirc). Less than a third made the return journey safely and in recognition of the fact (my father and all who took part received a war bonus of £50) every officer was awarded a medal and one was set aside for the entire crew, lots were drawn to see who the recipient would be....absolutely shocking in my estimation  |
The lot of the merchant seaman in regards for proper recognition and compensation has been a poor one, indeed. I am saddened to see it extended to seamen in other countries. As recently as the Vietnam War, this has still held true. My father was a crewmember on the S>S. Mayaguez when she was taken by the Cambodians at the end of the Vietnam War. She was the last ship out of Saigon when it fell to the NVA and Cong. She was also carrying containers loaded with items removed from the American Embassy and other US offices and a "Mr. Smith", probably a CIA operative was taken aboard to "keep an eye" on the containers (the crew were ordered not to speak to or acknowledge the presence of the "guard"). The containers were offloaded at a port before the Mayaguez sailed past Cambodia in international waters. She was attacked and taken by small gunboats and the crew was transported to the Cambodian mainland and then to an island offshore. The US government then organized a rescue effort to take back the ship and recover the crew, resulting in the loss of 41 dead [3 MIA and presumed dead] and fifty wounded:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...QyIPgm8lT9bISw
After the rescue, the crew of the Mayaguez were offered, by the shipping line, immediate air transport home or the option to remain with ship and continue the voyage. My father, and a good number of the crew opted to remain, although I sense they were more motivated by the extra pay they would receive for serving in a combat zone, as the area around and about Indochina was designated...
My father received a personal letter from the White House, as did each of the other crew members, thanking them for their bravery. The letter was personally signed by President Gerald Ford (signed it as "Jerry Ford"). This letter became one of my father's prized possessions...
Regarding the lack of proper due, I thought you might be interested in this item:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/oregonatw...ns_of_the.html
<O>