My dad was in the Merchant Marine, but after his ship was torpedoed he quit and went to work with the Corps of Engineers building camps for German P.O.W.s.
> My dad was in the Merchant Marine, but after his ship was torpedoed he quit and went to work with the Corps of Engineers <
Those guys suffered a higher casualty rate than did the Marines. It is a disgrace that they did not receive any veteran recognition until 2019.
https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/merchant-marine-worst-losses-wwii/