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General

Legacy ID
16

SS MEREDITH VICTORY

For actions on December 22, 1950

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

At the height of the epoch-making evacuation of Hungnam, Korea, by the United Nations Forces in December, 1950, the MEREDITH VICTORY was requested to assist in the removal of Korean civilians trapped and...

SS JAPAN BEAR

For actions on January 13, 1965

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

During the early morning of January 13, 1965, the JAPAN BEAR received an SOS from the Chinese Nationalist Ship Grand, immediately altered course and raced to intercept the distressed vessel. Late...

SS DOLLY TURMAN

For actions on October 26, 1961

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

Responding to a distress call on October 26, 1961, from the Japanese Ship SS FUKUZAN MARU foundering in mountainous seas on the edge of a typhoon, the DOLLY TURMAN raced to her aid. With the...

A Landmark Liberty Ship

The SS Booker T. Washington

The Liberty ship Booker T. Washington was the first major U.S. oceangoing vessel to be named after an African-American.

The Booker T. Washington was built by the California Shipbuilding Corp. at Terminal Island, Los Angeles. Launched in 1942, the Liberty ship was...

SS COTTON STATE

For actions on February 7, 1965

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

During the early afternoon of February 7, 1965, the COTTON STATE received an SOS from the Greek Ship GRAMMATIKI, immediately altered course and raced to intercept the distressed vessel. Late that night in heavy...

MV WEISSENBURG

For actions on May 7, 1965

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

On May 7, 1965, while transiting the Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron, the German ship WEISSENBURG responded to an SOS from the American ship SS CEDARVILLE, sinking rapidly after a collision in heavy...

MV MATHILDE BOLTEN

For actions on December 20, 1964

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

Responding to a distress call on December 20, 1964, from the SS SMITH VOYAGER, foundering and breaking up in heavy seas fifteen miles away, the MATHILDE BOLTEN changed course and raced to her aid. Rendezvous was...

MV KHIAN STAR

For actions on December 26, 1969

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

On December 26, 1969, while en route to Yokohama, Japan, in the North Pacific Ocean, the Greek ship KHIAN STAR responded to an SOS from the American SS BADGER STATE, stating their cargo of bombs had broken loose...

The First African-American Shipmaster

Captain Hugh Mulzac

 

When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, it faced a shortage of merchant mariners. With supplies in desperate needs overseas a massive sealift would require not only a huge fleet of cargo ships, but the seafarers to sail them. This opened the...

FIRE BOAT FIREFIGHTER

For actions on June 2, 1973

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

In New York Harbor, June 2, 1973, the C/V SEA WITCH rammed the SS ESSO BRUSSELS, touching off explosions and fires. New York City FIREFIGHTER, first fireboat to arrive on scene, concentrated her monitors on knocking...