The civilian Merchant Marine crews put their lives on the line as much as any soldier did. It’s a shame they didn’t get due recognition for that until long after the war ended (1988).
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-01-30-mn-10163-story.html
Sorry, no sympathy here. Worked with a USN vet who served as the Armed Guard on the merchants ships. The gun crew got $70 a month, exposed to all kind of danger from aircraft and shell fire from surfaced subs while the merchant crew headed below decks - except for the shop steward.
Said it was the damndest thing he ever saw - right in the middle off an attack, the shop steward is running about yelling "Torpedo! That's $100! Bomb! That's $50!" and so on. He was adding up the extra pay the crew got.
After the voyage was over, the crew passed the hat for the Navy crews. Sometimes they got good bucks, sometimes they didn't.