Before They Were Famous

This listing includes some prominent figures who have played major roles in shaping the United States the maritime industry and African-American History:

SS MARCUS DALY

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...

A Story of High Seas Heroism

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...

SS SAMUEL PARKER

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...

SS WILLIAM MOULTRIE

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...

SS CAPE ANN

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 CAPE ANN raced fifteen miles through dangerously thick fog to the...

SS Adoniram Judson

For actions on October 24 – 29 1944

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

In October 1944, the SS ADONIRAM JUDSON, first United States merchant ship to dock at Tacloban, Island of Leyte, during the initial invasion of the Philippines, provided the principal air cover for the landing...

SS STEPHEN HOPKINS

For actions on September 27, 1942

Gallant Ship Award Citation:

Two enemy raiders suddenly appeared out of the morning mist to attack her. Heavy guns of one raider pounded her hull, and machine gun fire from the other sprayed her decks at close quarters. The lightly armored...

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...