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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 of February 3, 1964, rendezvous was made with the stricken vessel. The Master of the President Wilson, acting as an On-Scene Commander, placed other arriving vessels in strategic positions about the distressed...
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 miles to the aid of the stricken ship. In thick fog the Western Pioneer felt her way dangerously close to the rocky shore in search of the disabled ship. When the splintered hulk was located an her crew was...
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 during the Korean War. He sailed as a cadet-in-training aboard the Liberty Ship...
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 away to the side of the stricken ship. Holding a position close to the sinking vessel, and by her very presence giving courage to passengers and crew clinging to the wreck, she launched thirteen lifeboats,...
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 with a forty-five degree list when the CEDAR MILLS picked up her distress call. Against strong winds and mountainous seas, she fought through to the other ship’s assistance, succeeded in...
For actions on September 12, 1942
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
During a long voyage to north Russia, SS NATHANIEL 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 out-maneuvered and out-fought the enemy, finally discharging her vital cargo at the designated port. After effecting temporary repairs to her battered hull and rigging, she took part in the...
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 The Narrows and sent a MAYDAY to commercial vessels in the area to proceed to the scene and assist. En route, all hands were called on deck and emergency equipment was readied. Burning oil...
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 first vessels to arrive on scene, the GRACE MCALLISTER searched for survivors as the fire grew in intensity. Anticipating explosions and falling debris, the Master maneuvered the tug windward of...
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 Tug’s work boat was launched with a recue party of five men who fought their way through treacherous surf and then climbed for two miles over jagged rocks and a high cliff to reach the ODUNA...
For actions on January 14, 1970
Gallant Ship Award Citation:
On late afternoon January 14, 1970, the PRESIDENT JACKSON having lost all radio antennas before dawn in full storm winds and mountainous seas, reestablished HF communications through a jury-rigged antenna and immediately received a U.S. Coast Guard AMVER distress message to aid the sinking Schooner TINA MARIA DONCINE approximately 120 miles NNE of Bermuda. Fighting winds of 55-60 knots and mountainous...