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For actions on June 6, 1942.
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
When about 500 miles off the coast of Brazil she was attacked by a heavily armed raider which came up close on her in a heavy squall. Though armed with only a 4″ rifle aft and a 3″ antiaircraft gun the ship tried to...
For actions on January 5, 1967
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
During the morning of January 5, 1967, the PRESIDENT McKINLEY received an SOS from the Chinese Ship KWONG SHUN, immediately altered course and raced to aid the distressed vessel. Early the next morning, in heavy...
On May 22, 1819, the SS Savannah left its home port of Savannah, Georgia on its way to Liverpool, England. The ship “put to sea with steam and sails” and reached Liverpool in 29 days and four hours, becoming the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. While...
For actions on March 29, 1963
Gallant Ship Award citation:
During the morning of March 29, 1963, the PHILIPPINE MAIL sighted the Chinese ship HAI ZIANG foundering in mountainous seas with a 45 degree list. Although the winds were of gale strength and the seas six...
For Actions on July 25, 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 PRIVATE WILLIAM H. THOMAS raced to the scene of the...
This listing includes some prominent figures who have played major roles in shaping the United States the maritime industry and African-American History:
...For actions on December 5, 1944
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
In October 1944, the SS MARCUS DALY was one of the first United States merchant ships to dock at Tacloban, Island of Leyte, during the initial invasion of the Philippines. For six days and nights her guns, manned...
William Tillman faced a brutal choice: slavery or death.
He was steward and cook onboard the merchant schooner S.J. Waring, about 300 tons, bound for Montevideo, Uruguay with an assorted cargo. Three days out from port, July 7, 1861, and one hundred fifty...
For actions on July 19, 1943
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
For six months, beginning in February 1943, SS SAMUEL PARKER was in continuous service in the Mediterranean transporting troops and material which contributed immeasurably to the successes of the North African...
For actions on September 12, 1942
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
Emerging victoriously from an extremely battered convoy, numbering many sunken ships, SS WILLIAM MOULTRIE arrived at the scheduled north Russian Port and discharged her vitally needed cargo. Expert maneuvering...