In Peace and War - The Merchant Marine
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Honoring Merchant Mariners on Veterans Day (Arlington, VA. 2023)
For the first time in the history of Veterans Day, the U.S. Merchant Marine were invited to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, following the national ceremony at the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. Earlier in 2023, AMMV represented our WWII Merchant Marine in a similar event on Memorial Day. This level of participation did not come by accident; rather, it was the relentless work of advocates such as AMMV Government Affairs Committee member Pat Cotter, and AMMV National President Capt. Dru DiMattia. Gathering for a reception at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel on November 10 were Captain Dru DiMattia (AMMV President), Captain Chris Edyvean (AMMV National Secretary), Dennis Ng (AMMV Region # 3 VP), Wendy Coble (U.S. Maritime Administration Historian), Dr. June Klees (Bay College/Civics Corp), Courtney Pecquex (International Trade Federation), Mark Gallagher (MEBA Contracts Representative), Roland “Rex” Rexha (MEBA Secretary/Treasurer), Marco Cannistraro (MEBA Director/Special Projects & Communications), Bob Vint (MEBA, retired), Mark DeLatch (MEBA engineer), and Ross Rowlinson (USA Warrior Stories & Rowlinson Media Group). WWII Merchant Marine veterans present for the reception and the ensuing day’s events were WWII mariners Charles A. Mills (with granddaughter Veda Handy), Howard Pfeifer (with wife Nancy), Capt. Pete Kurkimilis (with son Steve), and Dave Yoho (with wife Carole). Also joining the group was the Color Guard contingent for the following day, made up of SIU Unlicensed Apprentices Orlando Quirantes, Xavier Roberts, Emma Digennaro, and Caleb Estrada of Class # 901, with their Commandant, John Romer (Seafarers International Union-affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education).
Additional Interviews form Veterans Day 2023 Washington D.C.
David Yoho - Veterans Day 2023, Washington D.C.
Dennis Ng: AMMV NJ Chapter President
Pete Kurkimilis - Veterans Day 2023
WWII Merchant Mariners honored on Memorial Day 2023
David Yoho, a world-famous motivation speaker, served in the Engine Department during WWII, having trained at Sheepshead Bay. When the war ended (V-J Day), he was just shy of his 17th birthday. Dave is one of our youngest WWII Mariners at 95 years of age. He continues his relentless advocacy of our common cause gaining recognition for his Greatest Generation of Mariners. Dave created a motto, which is often echoed “Hell No We Won’t Go Away.” On May 18, 2022, Dave was presented his Congressional Gold Medal in the Statuary Hall of the Capitol building by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He presented the Speaker of the House, amongst other Congressional Representatives and Maritime Stakeholders, his magnificent acceptance speech of the collective Congressional Gold Medal. He was interviewed by PBS and Capital Concerts in preparation for this year’s Memorial Day Concert to take place on May 28, 2023.
In honor National Maritime Day, May 22nd, USA Warrior Stories Florida producer Ross Rowlinson has been spearheading efforts in Vero Beach, Florida in creating a long overdue memorial to the WWII U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans.
WWII Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial Unveiling Ceremony
The City of Vero Beach, Florida Celebrated National Maritime Day 2023 with a combination Unveiling of a new WWII Merchant Marine Veterans Memorial on their Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary. They also enjoyed many local and visiting WWII veterans and Merchant Mariners to witness 100 year old WWII Mariner Mr. Floyd York receive his copy of the Congressional Gold Medal from the local Congressional Rep. Bill Posey's office.
In Peace and War - The United States Merchant Marine
In 2022 the President of American Merchant Marine Veterans Inc., Anthony DiMattia (Capt. U.S.M.M. Ret.) invited us to the Kingspoint Merchant Marine Academy where we met with Josh Smith, a Kingspoint academy maritime history professor and the director of the Maritime Museum.
We hope this interview helps us all to understand the U.S. Merchant Marine better and explains some of the reasons why the U.S. Merchant Marine of WWII deserve being honored after all these years of being in the shadow’s and almost forgotten.
We would like to thank the Kingspoint Merchant Marine Academy and especially Professor Josh Smith for allowing us to share this project.
Personal Stories from those who served
Ed “BIG JOHN” Laughton
Pete Kurkimilis - USMM
Walter Broll - USMM
Floyd York - USMM
George T. Worsham - USMM
James Sciple - USMM
Jack Laub - USMM
George Koch - USMM
Thomas L Cavallo - USMM
H.J Burley Smith - USMM
Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in honor of the Merchant Mariners of WWII
The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded on May 18th, 2022 to the U.S. merchant mariners of World War II, who played crucial roles in the country's war effort.
Two of the World War II mariners — Charles Mills, 101, of Baltimore, Maryland, and Dave Yoho, 94, of Vienna, Virginia — attended the ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.
The Congressional Gold Medal is currently displayed at the American Merchant Marine Museum in Kings Point, New York.
FDR speech, WWII Merchant Mariners William H. Pruitt and Dave Yoho
WWII Merchant Mariners William H. Pruitt and Dave Yoho and President Franklin D. Roosevelt talk about the importance of the Merchant Marine Service during WWII.
HOW TO APPLY FOR CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL DUPLICATE:
The Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020 authorizes 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. If a qualified individual is no longer available to receive their medal, the Maritime Administration is authorized to issue a smaller duplicate of the medal to the next of kin
To request a medal, we ask that veterans or their family members or survivors submit
(1) Mariner’s Full Name
(2) 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);
(3) A summary, if available, of World War II sailing history to include the theater(s) of operation and ports of discharge; and
(4) Book number or United States Maritime Service (USMS) number if available.
Inquires, along with the required documents, can be emailed to Katrina McRae at the Office of Sealift Support: katrina.mcrae@dot.gov
Also the medals can be purchased straight out as they are now available at the US Mint! Go to website
Performed and Remastered by Madeliene Wolczko, 2nd Mate - U.S. Merchant Mariner.
For more information on the AMMV (American Merchant Marine Veterans) visit https://ammv.us/
