SS VIRGINIA DARE

For actions on September 9 – 21, 1942.

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

For seventeen days SS VIRGINIA DARE, loaded with high explosives, was en route to and in a north Russian port where her vital cargo was discharged, throughout this period she repelled countless enemy bomb...

SS PRESIDENT WILSON

For actions on February 3, 1964

Gallant Ship Award citation:

“Responding to a distress call from the Liberian Vessel AGIA ERINI L., foundering and breaking up in heavy seas, the PRESIDENT WILSON changed course and raced to her aid. Early in the morning...

MV WESTERN PIONEER

For actions on August 25, 1959

Gallant Ship Award citation:

“Responding to a distress call from the Canadian fishing ship, QUEEN KATHLEEN, grounded and breaking up on the rocks of Cape Lutke, Alaska, on August 26, 1959, the WESTERN PIONEER raced forty-five...

First African-American Graduate of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

The first African-American Graduate of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Joseph B. Williams Sr., was born in Annapolis, Md. He graduated from Hampton Institute in 1942 and from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1944. He served in the Navy during World War II and again...

SS ÎLE DE FRANCE

For actions on July 26, 1956 Gallant Ship Award citation:

“Responding unhesitatingly to an SOS from the sinking ANDREA DORIA off Nantucket Island in the North Atlantic on the night of July 25, 1956, the ÎLE de FRANCE altered course and raced from many miles...

SS CEDAR MILLS

For actions on December 1, 1943.

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

In December 1943, SS CEDAR MILLS and her French destroyer escort were caught in a violent cyclone and became widely separated. The destroyer, short of fuel and unable to maneuver, was in a sinking condition...

SS NATHANAEL GREENE

For actions on September 12, 1942

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

During a long voyage to north Russia, SS NATHANAEL GREENE was under incessant and violent attack by enemy planes and submarines. In most gallant fashion, and in spite of many crew casualties, she consistently...

TUG TEXACO FIRE CHIEF

For actions on June 2, 1973

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

At 0040, June 2, 1973, responding to a radio report that two ships had collided and were on fire at an anchorage in the Port of New York, the Tug TEXACO FIRE CHIEF alerted the U.S. Coast Guard that she was approaching...

Tug Grace McAllister

For actions on June 2, 1973

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

About midnight, June 2, 1973, the Tug GRACE MCALLISTER received a message that the C/V SEA WITCH was about to ram a loaded tanker in New York Harbor. Immediately, a drifting mass of flames was sighted. One of the...

TUG ADELINE FOSS

For actions on November 26, 1965

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

Responding to a distress call on November 26, 1965, from the SS ODUNA which had run aground during a storm, the ADELINE FOSS raced to her aid. Heavy snow squalls and mountainous seas prevented rescue by sea. The...