Loading...
RES 95-15 MAY 22, 1995 NATIONAL MARITIME DAYRESOLUTION NO. 95-15 A RESOLUTION of the City of Bainbridge island, Washington, proclaiming May 22, 1995, as "National Maritime Day". WHEREAS, in peace and in conflict, ships and seafarers have held a special place in our nation's history; and WHEREAS, we as a people and as a nation owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served us; and WHEREAS, during World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 5700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and over 800 ships being sunk or damaged while providing every imaginable range of supplies to the troops; and WHEREAS, every minute of every day, this nation continues to benefit from the dedication, loyalty and work of the American Merchant Marine; and WHEREAS, on May 22, 1819, the American steam vessel, S.S. Savannah, sailed from Savannah, Georgia, to Liverpool, England, commencing the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean using steam propulsion; and WHEREAS, by a joint Congressional resolution passed in 1933, May 22, was designated as "National Maritine Day"; NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet West, Mayor of the City of Bainbridge Island, join Governor Mike Lowry in acknowledging this day and I proclaim May 22, 1995, as: NATIONAL MARITIME DAY on Bainbridge Island, and I urge all citizens to join me in giving honor and appreciation to the members of the American Merchant Marine. PASSED by the City Council this 4tll~ay of May , 1995. APPROVED by the Mayor this 8tlday of May , 1995. JANET K. WEST, Mayor CITY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL SUBJECT AGENDA ITEM National Maritime Day Resolutions DATE BILL NO. 5-4-95 AB 4010 EXPENDITURE REQ. Fund Source A'H'ACHMENTS: AMOUNT IN CURRENT BUDGET $ N/A The attached Maritime Day". SUMMARY STATEMENT resolution proclaims May 29, 1995, as "National Approve. RECOMMI{NDATION RECEIVED FEB I 5 ly, 5 onora e ayor an Council City of Bainbridge Island Bainbridge Island, Wa. Dear Members, 472 E1 Camino Dr. Sequim, Wa. 9838~ (360) 683-1550 Feb.10,1995 I would like to make a special request of you at this time, it is about the men who served in our Merchant Marines, many of which still reside on your island to-day. They served during World War II along with the more than 250,000 others who may have at the time been either too young,too old or otherwise not fit for military ser- vice but still able to be of useful service to it'~ citizenz.These men sailed the ships that carried most of the materials that were need- ed to win the war. Many went down with their ships while those who remained endured all the elements end obstructions in their way. That service stood greater losses of both men and ships than any other branch of service,yet for what they did our Government took some 43 years to grant them the honor of being designated as a Vet- eran of the conflict. It wasn't until Jan.19,1988 that they were granted Veterans' Status. That is those who were still amonst us.A good amount of them had already passed from us never knowing of it. The law that was approved reads in part."THOSE WHO SERVED ON OCEAN GOING VESSELS FROM DEC. 7,1941 THRU AUG.15,1945 AND APPLY FOR THIS STATUS" By that time many had departed from us. Last year the 50th anniversity of the landing at Normandy, France I wrote to all our Governors seeking a message from them on the actions of these men. Gov. Lowry then as well as again this year has issued a Proclamation designating May 22nd as "NATIONAL MARITIME DAY" in washington State. Several others had also laST YEAR. This year I have once a- gain written to all our Governors requesting that they on behalf of all Citizens throughout America issue a likeable on in unison that all people in every State take note of what these dedicated men did for there country. I have also requested a simular document from elected officals in many places and areas. From Mayors and Coun- cils and County Commissinors as well. Please join with all Governing bodies in saluting these brave men and boys who saw the need and did what they believed had to be done for the freedoms which we all ~y enjoy to-day. Should you honor my request and issue such a document please foward a copy to me that I can put it into circulation along with all the rest I recieve and if possible PLEASE announce it to the News Media in your area. On behalf of all those who served I wish to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS AMERICA the greatest land of all. I eagerly ~wait your reply. ours ru , WHEREAS, in peace and in conflict, ships and seafarers have held a special place in our nation's history; and ItqtEREA& we as a people and as a nation oxve a debt of gratitude to all who have served us: _~nd WHEREAS, during World War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 6700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war, and over 800 ships being sunk or damaged while providing every imaginable range of supplies to the troops; and WHEREAS, every minute of every day, this nation continues to benefit from the dedica- tion, loyalty and work of the American Merchant Marine; and WHEREAS, on May 22, 1819 the American steam vessel, S.S. Savannah, sailed from Savannah, Georgia, to Liverpool, England, commencing the first successful crossing of the Atlantic Ocean using steam propulsion; and WHEREAS, by a joint Congressional resolution passed in 1933, May 22 Was designated as National Maritime Day; NOW, TitEREFORE, I, Mike Lowry, govemor of the state of Was. hington, do hereby proclaim May 22, 1995, as National Maritime Day in Washington State, and I urge all citizens to join me in recognition, honor and appreciation of the members of the American Merchant Marine. Signed this 2nd day of February, 1995, -.... .~,., ... ..~. ,:.. ;: _- Gove~L~~ . ~..,~ PROCLAMATION NATIONAL MARITIME DAY WHEREAS, in peace and in conflict, ships and seafarers have held a special place in our nation ' s history; and we as a people and as a nation owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served us; and WHEREAS, WHEREAS, during xNorld War II more than 250,000 members of the American Merchant Marine served their country, with more than 5700 giving their lives, hundreds being detained as prisoners of war and over 800 ships being sunk or damaged while providing every imaginable range of supplies to the troops; and every minute of every day, this nation continues to benefit from the dedication, loyalty and work of the American Merchant Marine; and WHEREAS, on May 22. 1819 the American steam vessel, S.S. Savannah, sailed from Savannah..c~. ~,rgia, to Liverpool, England, commencing the first successful crossing ~;, .;i~ Atlantic Ocean using steam propulsion; and WHEREAS, by a joint C; ,-~t, ressional resolution passed in 1933, May 22 was designated ~'~ ]{ational Maritime Day; ~T-;.,~,¥, THEREFORE, I, Joan Sargent, Mayor of the City of Port Angeles, join Governor Mike Lowry acknowledging this day and I proclaim May 22, 1995 as NATIONAL M;dllTIME DAY in Port Angeles, and I urge all citizens to join me in giving honor and appreciation to the members of the American Merchant Marine. May 2, 1995 ?ORT MAN CITY OF PORT ANGELES 321 EAST FIFTH ST., P.O. BOX 1150 PORT ANGELES, WASHINGTON 98362 PHONE (:~J3~ST-0411 February 7, 1995 Mr. Harold Schmidt 472 El Camino Drive Sequim, Washington 98382 , · j/L Dear Mr. Schmidt:' i:L' ~' Enclosed you will find the original proclamation for 1995. When you come to the City. Council meeting on May 2, 1995 to hear it read and receive it from Mayor Sargent, you will be receiving a copy at that time. Good luck in you endeavors to reach and get a response from all the governors. If anyone has the fortitude to accomplish this task, you do! Sincerely, Sam Martin Exec. Admin. Assist. Enclosure United States of Amedca 0 3 ' .. CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION ~ ~:. · .,',;~ ': ...' . - '~"'W~H~GTON, ~D~DAY' ~ ~ 19~ House of Representatives MERCHANT MARINE HEROES OF :, WORLD WAR H KGN. JACK FIELDS "conceived to create two artificial harbors · · ': ' : ~ called Mulberries~ One of ~eSe harbors OF TEXAS "'~;: would be established in the' American IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES . .. -:sector Of Omaha Beach and th~ SeCond WedneSday,"]une 8, 1994' ""'6ne in the British sector at Arr0manches.' ...... ':;~ ' 'Inaddi~ontothe'twoarfifici~i~a MRi FIELDS ofTexa,~ M/. Speaker, · brealcwaterwastobecousractedforUtah Irisetodaytopaym'b~tetothe~ 'Beach.- The breakwater wOUld 'be whoservedinourmachantmarineduring 'fashionedbyplaCingasc~esofblaC~ World War H, and in partiodnr, those ' in a line and then scutding ~in order individuals involved in support of the D-. day, invasion '6f N~lyZ ....... " citizens and pe6ple. arCmn~d fhe W0rid have joined in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-day invasion of Normandy. 'We have celebrated ~e heroism of the m~n and women from the Army, Navy, Marine 'Corps, and the formerAirCorpsaswerelived theexploits of the Allied efforts to establish a fooffiold in Europe from which to hunch the effort to put an end to the Nazi tyranny that was strangling Europe. An integral part of the successful invasion was the continuous supply of material and reinforcements, as well as the constant flow of troops from England across the ChanneL Aspartoftheoverall plan for Operation Overlord. which was the code word for the planning and carrying out of the invasion, the military leaden recognized the need for a way to discharge enormous mounts of supplies and equipment over the beaches until a functioning port facility was captured by the Allied forces. To enable the continuous supply of the Allied forces after D-day, a plan was to form a protective barrierbehind which Allied Vessels cbUld discharge their cargo and safely disembark troops into landing craft Approximately lSblockships wen to be placed at Omaha Beach, seven at Utah Beach, and an additional 40 to 50 along British-held beaches. Ovcr l.000 memhant seamen were needed to prepare ~e ships and to move them into position off the coast of Normandy. Althoughbarelyopemtional, each blockship sailed under its own power, manned by 30 to 40 merchant seam~n2 While crossing the English Channel and positioning the blockships for the scuttling, the ships and their crews came under enemy fire from Nazi planes and shore batteries. The f'u'st blockship was sunk at Omaha Beach on D-day plus 1. Mter a severe storm disrupted the activity for several days, the scuttling proceeded and ultimately the harbors and the related breakwaters were put in place. The service performed by the merchant seamen was essential to the success of the invasion because without the artificial harbors being in place it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to ultimately land all of the troops, equipment, and supplies that were needed. And time was of the essence in order to not jeopardize the invasion itself. In addition to the heroic efforts of the seamentohelpfashionatemporaryharbor facility, merchant seamen were involved in many other events accompanying the D-day invasion itseft. It is worth note that as part of the commemorafive ceremonies last week, there was one vessel involved in the ceremonies that is the only surviving ship still 0Igrational that was part of the 5,000-Ship armada that stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-day. This vessel is the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a h'berty ship !annched on June 19, 1943. The O°Brien, which was named after the first United States naval officer to engage a British warship during our War -' for Independence, had been involved in the Battle of the Atlantic as pan of the convoy efforts to supply the Allied forces in tlie.yea,-s piio,' to D-day. Gve,- the, course of the Battle of Normandy, the ]eremiahO'Brien~ l 1 crossings from England to the Normandy beaches carrying troops, ammunition, weapons, and other military equipment In fact, over a period of time, merchant marine crews nicknamed the English Channel the 'Liberty Way' because so many United States h'berty ships were used to wansport the exltdpment and supplies to the Allied forces in Europe. At the S0th anniversary celebration on Monday,June 6th, PresidentClinton paid tribute to those merchant mariners who were involved in the invasion of Normandy. The President boarded the O'Brien which was anchored off Portsmouth, England, less than 5 miles from where it was exactly 50 years ago ready to participate in Operation.Ov. edord. Merchant mariners were finally afforded full recognition of their efforts in the invasion. The story of the American merchant seamen did not start with the D-day invasion. however. In September 1940, the United States Congress authorized the Govemment to provide Britain with a number of World War I vintage warships. In March 1941, President Franklin D. Roosev'el~. sigr~l -'-he L~id-Lea~ Act was to providemilitary supporttoBritain. Over the next 3 years, the U.ni'ted State, s became increasingly .. inv0.1ved in supplying the w.ar.~ effo~.in E~ -all of which was transported lby .m~e. rchant ships manned by American seafarers, During the course of th~ Battle of the Atlantic, the United States merchant marine repeatedly challenged G.e4'msn .U- boats and air aaacks and-me weacherous North Atlantic sess to keep open the lifelines from America to G.tT-at Britain. and the Soviet union,+ Mac than. 2.500 AmericanandotherAlliedmetchantsh.ips were sunk, In the United States over 2,700 Liberty ships were built during the war, with an average time of construction of 58 days per ship. These ships were expected to be lost to enemy .action and were of a simple, utilitarian design that enabled them to be built in an assembly line process. Liberty shipswerebuiltata production army here at home. and the cost of about $2 million each. link between them -- the United States During the Course of World War II. merchant marine." approximately .250,000 officers and General Eisenhower also recognized crewmen made up the U.S. merchant marine. Over 6,800 merchant seamen werekilledbyenemyactionorwarrelated collisions and fires aboard ship. The casualty rate for merchant seamen was exceeded only by that ofthe Marine Corps. Thousands of seamen werg injured during surface and air attacks during the course of the war. Many were forced into lifeboats and liferafts and endured the and strafing by Nazi aircraft while hoping and waiting for rescue. An editorial in the New York Times during 'the war p6ignandy deraibed'the ',' role of.our merchant mariners: ,Each week they are pulled or washed up out of the sea. after incredible hardships. or after death amid vast stretches of flaming oil Quietly. when their wounds are healed. their long thirst or hanger satisfied.` the survivors slip out of port once again.", The head of the War Shipping Administrafion..Vice Admiral E. S. Land, summarized the role of the United States merchant marine in a relxxt U} President Truman: "The United States was a member of a fighting team of united nations that won the greatest war in history. There were three major phyers who represented the United S tales on that team: Our fighting forces overseas. the the conm'bution of the American merchant seamen to the successful D-day invasion. He saick "Every man in this Allied command ~is quick to express his admiration for the loyalty. courage, and fortitude of the officers and men of the merchant marine. When final victory is ours, there is no organization that will share its credit mac deservedly than the merchant marine." Ln 19!~, L~.ese forgo"~.n patriots of World War H were recognized for their invaluable contn'bu tion by Federal Judge Louis Oberdorfer. In his decision, the judge stated that those who served in the merchant marine during World War II dgservcd to be granted wJerans' status. Regrettably, when implementing that · decision, our Government arbitrarily excluded a small group of worthy Americans. It is my hope that this year - - the 50th anniversax7 of Normandy -- we will finally gran~ vewnns' stams to all Americans who served during the World War II period which is December 7,194 1 to Dcccmber 31, 1946. IVlr. Speaker, I am proud, and hono~ to salute our American heroes who served in the merchant me during World War II. The sons, and daughters, of these heroes Continue the proud heritage' of their fathers today. ,_.._../ HIGHEST W. %1;- II CASUALTIES ..Mere. bets of the U. S..',.lerchan: 3larine ser,;ing aboard U. S. cargo ships and tankers dur:~ng \'C,". W. II suffered agreate: percentage of war reh~d deaths than did the nanions re.gu!~r ~.rm. ed forces com, bined. Se~,'ice AlVa' COAST GUARD TOTAL: MERCi-L~.NT .',L-~RINES Tot. a[ Number 1 :car Who 5e.",'ed , C:e.q~hs of ii .2~8.'.X0 154.874 4.ie5.-'.,5,6 55.958 (:69,108 '--- .... 2a:.i.0% 57-'. i6J6t.667 '~3:,t59 1.76% 215.,300 6595 Ee:ng Killed i in i in -..17 : in 57 i hn 52 ( on cssional 103' Unit,gi Statos PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION o! knstica WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 1994 House of Representatives MERCHANT MARINE HEROES OF WORLD WAR H KGN. JACK FIELDS OFTEXAS - IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, June 8, 1994 MR. FIELDS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tn'bute to the Americans whoservedinourmerchantmarineduring World War II, and in particular, those individuals involved in suFlx~ of the D- day. invasion of Normandy. citizensandpeoplearoundthewoddhave joined in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-day invasion of Normandy. We have celebrated the heroism of the men and women from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the former Air Corps as we re lived the exploits of the Alliedefforts to establish a foothold in Europe from which to launch the effort to pot an end to the Nazi tyranny that was strangling Europe. An integral part of the successful invasion was the continuous supply of material and reinforcements, as well as the constant flow of troops from England across the Channel As part of the overall plan for Operation Overlord, which was the code word for the planning and carrying out of the invasion, the military leaders recognized the need for a way to discharge enormous mounts of supplies and equipment over the beaches until a functioning port facility was captured by the Allied forces. To enable the contin uous supply of the Allied forces after D-day, a plan was · 'conceived to create two artificial harbors called Mulberries. One of these harbors would be established in the American "sector of Omaha Beach and the second ~ne in the British sector at Arromanches. in addition to the two artificial harbors, a breakwaterwastobeconslructedforUtah 'Beach. The breakwater would be fashioned by plac ins a series orb lockships in a line and then scuttling them in order to form a protective bartiff behind which Allied vessels could discharge their cargo and safely disembark troops into landing crafL Approximately 15 blockships were to be placed at Omaha Beach, seven at Utah Beach, and an additional 40 to 50 along British-held beaches. Over 1,000 merchant seamen were needed to prepare the ships and to move them into position off the coast of Normandy. Although barely operational, each blockship sailed under its own power, manned by 30 to 40 merchant seamera2 While crossing the English Channel and positioninS the blockships for the scuttling, the ships and their crews cane under enemy fire from Nazi planes and shore batteries. The first blockship was sunk at Omaha Beach on D-day plus 1. Mter a severe storm disrupted the activity for several days, the scuttling proceeded and ultimately the harbors and the related breakwaters were put in place. The service perfcmned by the merchant seamen wasessentialtothesuccessofthe invasion because without the artificial harbors being in place it would have been difficult, if not impcnsible, to ultimately land all of the tn~ps, equipment, and supplies that were needed. And time was of the essence in order to not jeopardize the invasion itself. In addition to the heroic efforts of the seamen to help fashion a temtxrary harbor facility, merchant seamen were involved in many od~en' events accompanying the D-day invasion itseft. It is worth note that as pan of the commemorative ceremonies last week, there was one vessel involved in the ceremonies that is the only surviving ship still operational that was part of the 5,000-ship armada that stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-day. This vessel is the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a h'berty ship launched on June 19, 1943. The O'Brien, which was named after the first United States naval officer to engage a British warship during our War for Independence, had been involved in the Battle of the Atlantic as part of the convoy efforts to supply the Allied forces in ate years pdo,' to D-day. Gver course of the Battle of Normandy, the JeremiahO°Brienra~ 11 crossings from England to the Normandy beaches carrying troops, ammunition, weapons, and other military equipmenL In fact, over a period of time, merchant marine crews nicknamed the English Channel the 'Libe, tty Way' because so many United States h'berty ships were used to transport the equipment and supplies to the Allied forces in Europe. At the 50th anniversary celebration on Monday,June 6th, President Clinton paid tribute to those merchant mariners who were involved in the invasion of Normandy. The President boarded the O'Brien which was anchored off Portsmouth, England, less than 5 miles from where it was exactly 50 years ago ready ~ participate in Operation Ove, rlord. Merchant mariners were finally afforded full recognition of their efforts in the invasion. The story of the American merchant seamen did not start with the D-day invasion, however. In September 1940, the United States Congress authorized the Government to provide Britain with a number of World War I v in tage warships. In March 1941, President Franklin D. Roose~l~ signed :he Lend-Lease Act h",a was to provide military supporttoBritain. Over the next 3 years, the United States became increasingly involved in supplying the war effort in Europe -- all of which was transporw. d by merchant ships manned by American seafarers. During the course of the Battle of the Atlantic, the United States merchant marine repeatedly challenged German U- boats and air a,~ks and the treacherous North Atlantic seas to keep open the lifelines from America to Great Britain and the Soviet Union. More than 2,500 American and other Allied merchant ships were sunk. In the United States over 2,700 Liberty ships were built during the war, with an average time of construction of 58 days per ship. These ships were expected to be lost to enemy action and were of a simple, utilitarian design that enabled them to be built in an assembly line process. Liberty ships were built at a cost of about $2 million each. During the Course of W~ld War H, approximately 250,000 officers and crewmen made up the U.S. merchant marine. Over 6,800 merchant seamen were killed by enemy action or war related collisions and fires aboard ship. The casualty rate fo~ merchant seamen was exceeded only by thatof the Marine Corps. Thousands of seamen were injured during surface and air attacks during the course of the war. Many were forced into lifeboats and liferafts and endured the ravages of the e',e, men:s, sMrk and suafing by Nazi aircraftwhilehoping and waiting for rescue. An editorial in the New York Times during the war poignan~y described' the role of our merchant mariners: "Each week they are pulled or washed up out of the sea, after incredible hardships, or after death amid vast stretches of flaming oil. Quietly, when their wounds are healed, their long thirst or hunger satisfied, the survivors slip out of port once again." The head of the War Shipping Administration, Vic~ Admiral E. S. Land, summarized the role of the United States merchant marine in a report to President Truman: "The United States was a member of a fighting team of united nations that won the greatest war in history. There were three major players who represented the United States on that team: Our fighting forces overseas, the production army here at home, and the link between them -- the UnitEd States merchant marine." General Eisenhower also recognized the contribution of the American merchant seamen to the successful D-day invasion. He said: "Every man in this Allied command is quick to express his admiration for the loyalty, courage, and fortitude of the officers and men of the merchant marine. When final victory is ours, there is no organization that will share its credit more deservedly than the merchant marine." In 1986, these forgon~--n l~u'iots of World War II were recognized for their invaluable contribution by Federal Judge Louis Oberdorfer. In his decision, the judge stated that those who served in the merchant marine during Wo~d War II deserved to be granted veterans' status. Regrettably, when implementing that decision, our Government arbitrarily excluded a small group of worthy Americans. It is my hope that this year - - the 50th anniversary of Normandy -- we will fanally grant veterans' stares to all Americans who served during the Wo~d War II period which is December 7, 194 1 to Deccmber 31, 1946. Mr. Speaker, I am proud, and honored, to salute our American heroes who served in the merchant marine during World War II. The sons, and daughters, of these heroes continue the proud heritage of their fathers today.