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Our Unsung Hero

by on ‎05-24-2016 01:03 PM

During a recent trip to Washington DC, we visited the WWII Memorial.  I knew I had to find the plaque honoring the Merchant Marines who helped win the war, because one of them was my Dad…..

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My Dad rarely spoke of his service in WWII.  But when he got older and we would be driving in the car back from the beach, I encouraged him to tell me his story.  I honor my Dad and all who served as we observe Memorial Day, and wanted to share part of his story with you.

 

My father entered the Merchant Marines after high school on the School Ship Annapolis in Philadelphia. He loved his days at sea! We used call him the ancient Mariner because he could navigate by the stars, tell weather by the clouds, and often would get a faraway look in his eyes as he gazed out to sea.  My Dad traveled around the world, to China, the Philippines, Japan, Panama, Cuba, the list goes on and on.  One of the ships he served on was the SS Capillo. Memorial Day 2.jpg

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When the war was threatening, he was called to Washington DC to work for the War Department, as he had so much experience in map making for sea going ships.  But when war was declared he was accepted into the Army Air Corps.  He went into training as a navigator on fighter planes, expecting to be called into active duty as soon as the training was complete.

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He received word that on December 26, 1941 the SS Capillo, his former ship, was bombed.  Many of his friends were captured as prisoners of war, and were part of the dreaded Bataan March. Some of his ship mates died as prisoners of war.

 

Dad knew that the Merchant Marine ships were used to transport ammunition for the troops.  Because of his experience as an officer, he was ordered to report immediately back to the Merchant Marines.  This was hard for my Dad as he was thrilled to be part of the Army Air Corp., but whatever was needed for the war effort was what he would do.

 

My father continued to serve on the ships until the war was over.  The Merchant Marines had a greater percentage of war death than any US service branch: one in twenty six.  After the war President Roosevelt called the Merchant Marines the “Fourth arm of defense.”  These are facts and figures I learned after my Father passed away on December 7, 2008, Pearl Harbor Day.  He was never one to brag about himself, so I think it is time I honor his sacrifice, his bravery and his humble attitude, and of those who served with him.  He is my unsung hero!

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