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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Gallant Ship Award is presented by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to any U.S.-flag or foreign ship “participating in outstanding or gallant action in a marine disaster or other emergency to save life or property at sea.”
The award originates from an executive order...
The Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet (SBRF) is an anchorage of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) located in Suisun Bay, a tidal estuary northeast of San Francisco Bay. Of the original eight fleet sites, it is one of three that is still in operation and the only site serving...
The Beaumont Reserve Fleet (BRF) is an anchorage of the National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF) located on the Neches River in Beaumont, Texas. Originally one of eight NDRF fleet sites scattered across the country, BRF is currently one of three and the only the anchorage on the...