[Wolverine]

We who sailed in the ships were paid civilian-scale wages, which inspired understandable envy among soldiers and sailors. In return, merchant seamen forwent all veterans' benefits for 50 postwar years, until recently when they were officially recognized as veterans, just in time for an American flag at burial, even if not in Arlington.

[Oatka]

We who sailed in the ships were paid civilian-scale wages, which inspired understandable envy among soldiers and sailors.

Back in the 50s I worked with a vet who served as an Armed Guard (manned the deck guns on these merchants) on the runs to Russia.

He said that right in the middle of attacks by U-boats and Condors (bombers), the shop steward would be running about, counting how many bombs were dropped near the ship: "A near miss, that's another $50, there's a wake (torpedo), that's $100" and so on. Apparently their contract included bonuses for being shot at.

When the crew got paid, they'd pass the hat and give the AGs a share of the bonuses. He said that most guys were pretty generous but some "had fish hooks in their pockets and wouldn't contribute a dime."

I had never heard of either practice, so this might be an Urban Legend, but the vet had no reason to lie.