Wartime Memos: U.S. Merchant Marine an Armed Force
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, stated in correspondence between Admiral Emory S. Land, Chairman of the Maritime Commission and Head of the War Shipping Administration, and Robert P. Patterson, Acting Secretary of War, that the U.S. Merchant Marine was an Armed Force.
When Robert P. Patterson, Acting Secretary of War, asked in the March 4, 1943 Memo, "Is it your desire that, for the purpose of awarding decorations, the War Department consider officers and members of the crews of ships of the Merchant Marine as members of the armed forces?" the President answered, "Yes."
UNITED STATES MARITIME COMMISSION
WASHINGTONOFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN February 3, 1943
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:In connection with your memorandum of October 16, 1942 to the War Department and the Navy Department, it is my understanding that in reference (a) you directed in part as follows:
"I do not want any awards of medals or ribbons of any kind given to any civilian anywhere without my personal approval."
It is our understanding that the foregoing does not apply to members of the Merchant Marine service, who, we feel are part of the armed services although not uniformed.
We have been recently advised that General Eisenhower wishes to bestow military medals on men of the Merchant Marine and wishes us to recommend cases to him. It is the belief of the Maritime Commission and the War Shipping Administration that such action would not only be proper but very helpful to the morale of our Merchant Marine personnel.
Knowing of your great interest in the personnel of the Merchant Marine we feel that you did not intend to include Merchant Marine personnel in the class of "civilians" indicated above.
If our understanding is correct, there is enclosed herewith a proposed memorandum to be sent by you to the Secretary of the War and the Secretary of the Navy eliminating Merchant Marine personnel from the prohibition contained in reference (a).
[s] Jerry Land
E. S. Land
ChairmanEnclosure
FORM 3106
UNITED STATES MARITIME COMMISSION
February 3, 1943
TO: Stephen Early
FROM: E. S. LandDear Steve:
Will you please be good enough to handle
this "with the Chief" for me.[s] Jerry Land
[Note: Stephen Early was Press Secretary to FDR]
(605 - Admiral Land)
(606 - The Secretary of War)
(607 - The Secretary of the Navy)
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTONFebruary 16, 1943
MEMORANDUM FOR ADMIRAL LAND
Dear Jerry:
I have no objection to the conferring of medals on the recommendation of people like General Eisenhower in the case of Merchant Marine personnel --- provided it is understood that this applies only to the officers and crew of operating ships.F.D.R.
Copy to Secretary of War
Secretary of the Navy
3-4-43
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT:Subject: Awards of decorations to members of the Merchant Marine.
Reference is made to your memorandum to Admiral Land, dated February 16, 1943, in which you stated I have no objection to the conferring of medals on the recommendation of people like General Eisenhower in the case of Merchant Marine personnel."
This does not broaden authority now exercised by the various overseas commanders because Army officers are authorized to "recommend" the awards of any of our decorations. However, certain field commanders like General Eisenhower are authorized to make certain awards in the name of the president to members of the armed forces under their command. They are not authorized to make any awards to civilians without reference to the War Department for the action of the President.
Is it your desire that, for the purpose of awarding decorations, the War Department consider officers and members of the crews of ships of the Merchant Marine as members of the armed forces?
(Signed) ROBERT P. PATTERSON
ACTING Secretary of War
[hand-written] R.P.P.
Yes
FDR
3-4-43
Note: Apparently, Robert P. Patterson, Secretary of War; James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy; General Omar Bradley [who was under Gen. Eisenhower]; [and the Congress] either did not remember, forgot, ignored, or did not know of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's statement and intention that the U.S. Merchant Marine was an Armed Force when they testified before Congress on the Seamen's Bill of Rights legislation in 1945 and 1947 when they testified as noted below:
House of Representatives, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
Hearings on HR 476, Seamen's Bill of Rights, Tuesday, February 18, 1947. The proposed legislation is similar to H. R. 2346, Seventy-ninth Congress, upon which the War Departrnent rendered a report... October 17, 1945, recommending that the proposed legislation be not favorably considered. TheWar Departrnent is, of course, aware that the contribution of the merchant marine in the present war was immeasurable... The civilian status of the merchant marine has been preserved during the present war....
Robert P. Patterson, Secretary of War [Acting Secretary of War in 1943]Report of the Navy Department on Seamen's Bill of Rights HR 2346, October 17, 1945.
House of Representatives, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, The extent to which such benefits may be initially provide is relatively unimportant in comparison with the question of whether civilian war service should be recognized as an equivalent of military service... the Navy Department recommends against enactment of the proposed bills. James Forrestal, Secretary of the NavyReport of the Veteran's Administration, October 12, 1945
House of Representatives, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
Hearings on HR 2346, Veteran's Administration. The bill... defines "maritime war service" as civilian service. Members of the merchant marine are paid according to a relatively high standard in comparison to other civilian workers... the Veteran's Administration is unable to recommend favorable consideration...
Omar N. Bradley, General, United States Army, Administrator
Franklin D. Roosevelt Radio Message to the Fighting Men of the Merchant Marine, Christmas 1943
BAMS [Broadcast Allied Merchant Ships] from the President of the United States-251503Z [The original message used the word "STOP" rather than periods, since it was sent in Morse Code.]
A message from the President to the men of the American Merchant Marine as we celebrate this Christmas we must all extend our greetings to the peoples of the United Nations. In their leaders I met open minded men of great vision forecasting a lasting peace and a future of peace and good will toward men. Today we have overseas almost twice the number of armed men that we had a year ago.
We have handed the men of the Merchant Marine the great job of furnishing these men with supplies with food and munitions with planes and tanks with guns and more men to bring closer our victory. As fighting men you of the Merchant Marine are scattered throughout the world far from families and friends on this Christmas Day. The great plans made at the recent conferences will speed the day when you can again be with them. I bring to the people of our nation and to it's proud sons in the Merchant Marine the purposeful intentions of Churchill Stallin [sic] Chiang Kai Shek and the nations they represent that we will fight together until ultimate victory.
The pressure of our united attack is constantly increasing on every front. That pressure will engulf our common enemy. The steel walls of Hitlers and Hirohitos brutal empires will draw tight about their throats. Our plans are made and we are united. Hitler is listening and he would like to know when we are launch the attack that will seal his doom. So I cannot tell you but those plans are set and they will be carried out. A truly great American will lead that attack our own General Eisenhowser [sic] and back of him in a powerful united effort are the full resources of all our nations combined to render a crushing defeat to those who gained what they have through force. We will defeat them.
Those who have been enslaved will be freed even those who have through force been brought under the grinding heel of their own leaders. Three fourths of all the peoples of the earth are joined in a common cause of freedom loving people. We will be strong united strength for freedom not for enslavement there will be no slaves in our free world nor will the aggressor arise again to enslave his fellow men. It will be peace even if we must resort to force to maintain that peace on earth and good will toward men.
On behalf of your friends your loved ones and the people of the United States yes and of the United Nations I send you this greeting. Our hearts are with you as you travel the wide deep oceans. May Gods blessing and comfort guide you and keep us strong in our faith that we fight for a better day for all mankind.
Franklin D Roosevelt
251503Z ARSource: Daniel Traverso, stationed on the SS Edwin W. Moore in Convoy GUS 25 in the Mediterranean between Malta and Gibraltar on Dec. 25, 1943. Courtesy of his son, Daniel Traverso.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt Speeches & Statements
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