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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...