Born: April 14, 1922 Merchant Seaman, U.S. Merchant Marine Service# Z-116251
MERCHANT SHIP – SS JUNIPERO SERRA (LIBERTY CARGO SHIP)
Home or Place of Enlistment: Carey, Idaho Died: September 1, 1943 (Non-combat related accident) Buried: Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
The merchant marine is collectively those non-naval ships that carry cargo or passengers or provide maritime services, and the civilian crewmen and officers who sail those ships. During World War II the ships and men of the United States merchant marine transported across the oceans of the world the vast quantities of war materiel, supplies, equipment, and troops needed to fight and win that war. The men of the U.S. merchant marine were civilian volunteers who nonetheless died proportionally in numbers that rivaled or exceeded any branch of the uniformed military.
On March 13, 2020, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded collectively to the United States Merchant Mariners of World War II, in recognition of their dedicated and vital service during the war.