H.R. 3729: Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of World War II Act of 2004

American Merchant Marine Veterans website ^

[Spanky the Yankee]

American Merchant Marine Veterans

During World War II, mariners suffered the highest rate of casualties of any service. After the war, they received no benefits. HR 3729 would provide $1,000 per month to WWII mariners or their widows to help make up for that. See http://www.usmm.org/cd.html

[Spanky the Yankee]

An e-mail or postcard to your congressman could make a big differance to these mariners. These men have been largely forgotten, so much so that they have to PAY for the medals they earned! Many couldn't qualify to serve active duty because of age, etc and found the Merchant Marines as the only way to serve but after the war received no GI benefits. This is something YOU can do for those mariners TODAY!

[jjm2111]

Cool nic and welcome to FR. I've been a merchant mariner, and if I werent' getting mobilized w/ my reserve unit in a few days I'd send a letter.

Bump to the top.

[jerod]

They just started giving them benefits in Canada a couple of years ago.

My uncle was on a British ship called the Roxby returning from England and was killed when it was torpedoed on Nov. 7th, 1942 by U-Boat 613. He didn't get his benefits, but he gave his life and his fellow Merchant Marines deserve to be recognized as much as any soldier who served.

By the way, U-Boat 613 was sunk by the USS Badger about 9 months later, with all hands lost. Thanks to the US Navy for the payback.

My Uncle's Virtual War Memorial

Information on U-boat U-613

[Phlap]

Good luck on getting these men the recognition they richly deserve. Here in Canada the merchant mariners just recently received benefits. My uncle was lost on the S.S. Roxby on November 7, 1942. Once again good luck.

[jerod]

I guess everbody knows that we're brothers now.

[Spanky the Yankee]

Hey jjm2111, I wish you luck & thank you for your service. Here's a sample letter to send, just click on your state (at the website) & it'll give you the fax number for your rep. I know you have a lot to do in the next few days but save for later. Good luck!



Honorable Member of Congress,
[Your Representative]
[local office address: from Blue Pages of phone book]

Honorable ______________,

I urge you to cosponsor H.R. 3729: To amend title 46, United States Code, to provide a monthly monetary benefit to certain individuals who served in the United States Merchant Marine and Army Transport Service during World War II.

These services were part of the World War II Armed Forces who were responsible for the Supply and Logistics that supplied U.S. and Allied Forces.

During World War II, mariners delivered troops and vital supplies to all fronts and took part in all invasions from Normandy to Iwo Jima. It took up to 15 tons of supplies to support one soldier for one year, and so the availability of merchant shipping was the most critical factor in Allied military planning.

Merchant ships faced danger from submarines, mines, armed raiders and destroyers, aircraft, "kamikaze," and the elements. Mariners suffered the highest rate of casualties of any service, with 1 in 26 killed, while the ratio for all other services combined was 1 in 55 killed.

The need for mariners was so desperate, the recruiting age for the official training organization, the U.S. Maritime Service, was dropped to 16 years old.

When he signed the GI Bill in 1944, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated: "I trust Congress will soon provide similar opportunities to members of the merchant marine who have risked their lives time and time again during war for the welfare of their country."

But President Roosevelt died, and Congress failed to pass a similar bill for mariners, because of opposition by powerful lobbying groups who spread irresponsible rumors and lies.

Mariners were denied the following benefits which other services received:

52 weeks unemployment benefit at $20 per week
Free college education, which led to higher earning capacity during their lifetime
Low-interest, low-down-payment home loans
Disability benefits for life (mariners who were totally disabled received a maximum of $7,500)
Veteran Affairs medical benefits for life
Job preferences for veterans
Priority for small business loans
Shopping savings at PX (post exchange)
Mustering out pay
Priority for purchase of surplus government equipment
World War II mariners, many of whom were high school dropouts, never recovered economically from the sacrifices they made for their country.

Mariners were "First to Go and Last to Return," with 240 killed before the attack on Pearl Harbor, and countless numbers killed after V-E and V-J Day due to mines.

Please cosponsor H.R. 3729 which will, in some small measure, make up for these inequalities. Please see http://www.usmm.org/hr3729.html for more information.

Contact: Rep. Bob Filner of California. Please let me know that you have become a cosponsor. Thank you!

Respectfully,
[your name]
[home address]
[telephone]

[Spanky the Yankee]

Thanks guys, the Canadians certainly did their share supplying Europe in WWII. I'm glad they are getting some benefits now too. Here mariners face a similiar situation, they do have VA access but that's about it. This bill will help many long ignored.