ALTERNATIVE METHODS of RECOGNITION as VETERAN STATUS for US MERCHANT MARINE SEAMEN of WW II
Reference A: USCG Reference Information Paper # 77 of April, 1992
Reference B: CMDT USCG Ltr MVP of 29 September, 1949. Subj: Barge Charles J. Hooper, foundering of
Expedient actions must be taken if we are to recognize the few remaining merchant seamen that have been denied their rightful dues under Public Law 95-202 granting them Veteran status. Some 10,000 merchant seamen are at risk of not being granted veteran status because of two specific actions taken by our government before the above law was enacted. These actions placed these seamen in a position where they are denied veteran status upon application because there are no records to support their claim. With their average age of 86 and leaving us at the rate of 850 per year, expediency is of the utmost importance, if we are to help any of these veterans while they are still alive.
Ref (A) identifies specific criteria required to gain eligibility for status as veterans under the above law. Acceptable forms of documentation to be: (1) Certificate of Discharge (Forms 718A) (2) Continuous Discharge Books (ship‘s deck logbooks) and (3) Company letters showing vessel names and dates of Voyages.
Ref (A) further identifies an action taken that removes item (2) from the list of acceptable documentation as the deck and engine logbooks of vessels operated by the War Shipping Administration were turned over to that agency by ship owners and were destroyed during the 1970s.
Ref (B) Identifies a second action, taken by the Commandant, USCG Order on March 20, 1944 that relieved the masters of tugs, towboats and seagoing barges of the responsibility of submitting reports of seamen shipped and discharged on form 718A, which removes a second, item (1) Certificate of Discharge form 718A from the list of acceptable documentation. (Note, this information has just been discovered and made public via the Privacy Act for the first time)
The third item of acceptable documentation, company letters and papers is highly questionable as ever existing due to the strict requirement of not allowing ship or trip movement to even be spoken; much less written or published. Remember the slogan “Loose lips sink ships”?
Now, since most acceptable forms of documentation have been placed out of reach for theses seamen, alternative methods must replace them. An administrative action can be put into place with little cost as all costs associated with these veterans are included within P.L. 95-202.
This effort is completely bi-partisan and should draw no complaint or discussion from any side. This is a simple straight forward solution and requires little or no research. Both actions are documented and certified by the National Maritime Center as one being part of US merchant seaman Capt. Jack O. Horton’s official personnel folder and the other an official USCG document. This is a simple correction to actions taken by the US Government that placed gaining eligibility to veteran’s status out of reach to some 10,000 seamen well overdue their recognition. We owe them and it is the right thing to do and, very soon, if we are to help anyone still with us.
The enclosed resolution is being offered as a way to achieve this goal. It has already been accepted by 52 counties here in North Carolina and they are requesting immediate action be taken by our federal legislature to provide the needed measures to get this done. Additional counties are forthcoming.
J. Don Horton
104 Riverview Ave, Camden NC 27921; 252 336 5553
PROPOSAL
Committee: ____________________ Principal Author: ___________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Title: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Be It Enacted by the one hundred & eleventh Congress of the United States
1. Preamble: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
2. America in congress assembled; Public Law 95-202 & 105-368 provided veteran status for members
3. of the U.S Merchant Marine who served during WW II between 07 Dec, 1941 and 31 Dec, 1946 and
4. who were able to prove their service. Various actions by governmental personnel have destroyed or
5. caused these documents to be unavailable. These actions prohibit merchant marine veterans of
6. WW II from receiving the recognition and benefits of veteran’s status provided by these laws.
7. Alternative methods to prove service are required, as just compensation, for records lost by
8. government actions.
9. SECTION 1: Records held by the Social Security Administration that denote dates, wages earned and
10. companies employed shall be utilized when USCG forms 718 (any date) or other official data such
11. as ship’s logbook, etc, are not available.
12. SECTION 2: Validated testimony from the veteran or primary next of kin as to employment shall be 13. allowed to determine eligibility; and
14. SECTION 3: Other official documentation offered by the veteran, shall constitute replacement of
15. records that were destroyed or from other actions, causing the required records to be unavailable,
16. that were committed by those responsible for the control and maintenance of veteran records.
17. SECTION 4: For the timeframe between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946, masters of
18. seagoing vessels shall be recognized as agents of the United States authorized to document
19. crew members as it applies to the shipping and discharge of seaman for purposes of employment.
20. SECTION 5: These replacements records shall satisfy all requirements for eligibility of service during
21. the required timeframe 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
22. SECTION 6: This bill will go into effect 91 days after passage.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Petition for Merchant Marine Vets of WW II
Please print ot this petition and sign it and get others in your network to sign and then fax completed forms to each of your senator and your representative. Because of specific actions some 10,000 merchant seamen cannot get their recognition and benefits. There is more info regarding these two actions that prevent their recognition located on this post. Thanks
jdon
PETITION
FOR
Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veterans Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Dear
Public Laws 95-202 and 105-368 bestowed veteran status on US Merchant Marine Seamen of WWII. However, because of two specific government actions some 10,000 merchant seamen have been denied their due recognition. These actions of (1) The USCG relieving Masters of tugs, towboats and seagoing barges of the responsibility submitting reports of seamen shipped and discharged and (2) The National Maritime Administration ordered ship’s logbooks to be destroyed because they were too costly to maintain had removed the two main criteria required by the government to issue official recognition to those seamen. We below named therefore request that immediate action be taken to correct this travesty. The average age of the remaining seamen is above 86 and the population of the US veteran is shrinking at an average of 850 per year. Time is of the essence. Below is a proposal that we wish to be placed into a bill and pressed into action to ensure passage in quick time before we have little to honor. NOTE: No costs are associated with this proposal as funds area already included in above public laws.
Name_________________________________
Street_______________________________
City____________: State_________________
Name_________________________________
Street_______________________________
City____________: State_________________ ______________
Name_________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City________________:State_______________
Dated: Fax To:
Continuation Sheet: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status of M. M. Seamen of WW II
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Dated:
Fax To:
PROPOSAL
Committee: ____________________ Principal Author: ___________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Title: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Be It Enacted by the one hundred & eleventh Congress of the United States
1. Preamble: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
2. America in congress assembled; Public Law 95-202 & 105-368 provided veteran status for members
3. of the U.S Merchant Marine who served during WW II between 07 Dec, 1941 and 31 Dec, 1946 and
4. who were able to prove their service. Various actions by governmental personnel have destroyed or
5. caused these documents to be unavailable. These actions prohibit merchant marine veterans of
6. WW II from receiving the recognition and benefits of veteran’s status provided by these laws.
7. Alternative methods to prove service are required, as just compensation, for records lost by
8. government actions.
9. SECTION 1: Records held by the Social Security Administration that denote dates, wages earned and
10. companies employed shall be utilized when USCG forms 718 (any date) or other official data such
11. as ship’s logbook, etc, are not available.
12. SECTION 2: Validated testimony from the veteran or primary next of kin as to employment shall be 13. allowed to determine eligibility; and
14. SECTION 3: Other official documentation offered by the veteran, shall constitute replacement of
15. records that were destroyed or from other actions causing the required records to be unavailable
16. that were committed by those responsible for the control and maintenance of veteran records.
17. SECTION 4: For the timeframe between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946, masters of
18. seagoing vessels shall be recognized as agents of the United States authorized to document
19. crew members as it applies to the shipping and discharge of seaman for purposes of employment.
20. SECTION 5: These replacements records shall satisfy all requirements for eligibility of service during
21. the required timeframe 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
22. SECTION 6: This bill will go into effect 91 days after passage.
jdon
PETITION
FOR
Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veterans Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Dear
Public Laws 95-202 and 105-368 bestowed veteran status on US Merchant Marine Seamen of WWII. However, because of two specific government actions some 10,000 merchant seamen have been denied their due recognition. These actions of (1) The USCG relieving Masters of tugs, towboats and seagoing barges of the responsibility submitting reports of seamen shipped and discharged and (2) The National Maritime Administration ordered ship’s logbooks to be destroyed because they were too costly to maintain had removed the two main criteria required by the government to issue official recognition to those seamen. We below named therefore request that immediate action be taken to correct this travesty. The average age of the remaining seamen is above 86 and the population of the US veteran is shrinking at an average of 850 per year. Time is of the essence. Below is a proposal that we wish to be placed into a bill and pressed into action to ensure passage in quick time before we have little to honor. NOTE: No costs are associated with this proposal as funds area already included in above public laws.
Name_________________________________
Street_______________________________
City____________: State_________________
Name_________________________________
Street_______________________________
City____________: State_________________ ______________
Name_________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City________________:State_______________
Dated: Fax To:
Continuation Sheet: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status of M. M. Seamen of WW II
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Name_________________________________ Street________________________________
City____________: State_________________ Name________________________________
Street_______________________________ City_________________:State______________
Dated:
Fax To:
PROPOSAL
Committee: ____________________ Principal Author: ___________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Title: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Be It Enacted by the one hundred & eleventh Congress of the United States
1. Preamble: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of
2. America in congress assembled; Public Law 95-202 & 105-368 provided veteran status for members
3. of the U.S Merchant Marine who served during WW II between 07 Dec, 1941 and 31 Dec, 1946 and
4. who were able to prove their service. Various actions by governmental personnel have destroyed or
5. caused these documents to be unavailable. These actions prohibit merchant marine veterans of
6. WW II from receiving the recognition and benefits of veteran’s status provided by these laws.
7. Alternative methods to prove service are required, as just compensation, for records lost by
8. government actions.
9. SECTION 1: Records held by the Social Security Administration that denote dates, wages earned and
10. companies employed shall be utilized when USCG forms 718 (any date) or other official data such
11. as ship’s logbook, etc, are not available.
12. SECTION 2: Validated testimony from the veteran or primary next of kin as to employment shall be 13. allowed to determine eligibility; and
14. SECTION 3: Other official documentation offered by the veteran, shall constitute replacement of
15. records that were destroyed or from other actions causing the required records to be unavailable
16. that were committed by those responsible for the control and maintenance of veteran records.
17. SECTION 4: For the timeframe between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946, masters of
18. seagoing vessels shall be recognized as agents of the United States authorized to document
19. crew members as it applies to the shipping and discharge of seaman for purposes of employment.
20. SECTION 5: These replacements records shall satisfy all requirements for eligibility of service during
21. the required timeframe 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
22. SECTION 6: This bill will go into effect 91 days after passage.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Assistance for US Merchant Marine Veterans of WW II
TO: All Veterans Service Organizations,
As a former member of the US Merchant Marine and the USCG I am reaching out to all Veteran Service Organizations for help. I need assistance from VSOs that support the US Merchant Marine as a veteran. They were Americans that came from all walks of life, multiracial and varied ethnic groups, but they all served with pride and honor; with one thing in mind to serve their country in the best way they could. Partisan politics played no part in their desire to serve and should not play any part in correcting a wrong that has gone on for 60 years. Some of the chartered VSO seem to have forgotten their involvement. Where does your organization stand on this issue? As one veteran to another we are in need of help. We are calling upon you for assistance. Will you help?
We are attempting to gain recognition for some 10,000 Merchant Marine seamen that served on the East coast and probably just as many on the Gulf and West coasts. These merchant marine seamen served on seagoing tugs and barges carrying war materials up and down the East Coast on the Atlantic seaboard. Those seamen worked on obsolete barges, with below standard living conditions and rock bottom pay. These barges have long since been replaced with larger and more modern ships, placing them out of service, as well as the companies owning them, and; with records lost to history. Nevertheless they served and should be recognized, just as much so as the Filipino veterans who just received recognition through the last stimulus package via a 198 Million dollar grant. If we can help others we should be able to help our own.
Research has identified US Government Agency actions that have placed these seamen at high risk of not receiving their due recognition. Public Laws 95-202 and 105-368 gave these seamen US Veterans status for those serving between 07 Dec., 1941 and 31 Dec., 1946, provided they met certain service criteria. Trip discharges and entries in ship’s logbooks were the primary criteria for proof of service. On Mar. 20 of 1944, The CMDT, USCG issued an order to the Masters of tugs, towboats, and seagoing barges that relieved them of the responsibility of issuing shipping and discharge papers to seamen shipped. Additional research from the National Archives and Records Administration brought forth this report: “After WW II, the deck and engineering logbooks of vessels operated by the WSA were turned over to that agency by the ship owners, and were later destroyed, by the Maritime Administration, in the 1970s on the grounds that they were voluminous, costly to house and service, and very seldom used for research”. Without those discharges and ship’s logbooks it makes applying and obtaining a Form DD 214 near impossible. Additional info can be found at www.usmmv.blogspot.com.
Applications being mailed to gain recognition as veterans are repeatedly rejected by the National Maritime Center because they cannot find records (trip discharges and/or logbooks) that show service for the periods required and they accept little else. Alternate methods to prove employment must be provided in order for these seamen to become veterans. This can be accomplished through administrative legislation at no cost.
Will your organization commit to supporting an offering to congress of a proposal (at no cost) leading to legislation that will recognize these seamen and provide veterans’ status for those of the US Merchant Marine? Please send a message to your congressional contacts and request them to support this cause. You can reach me at jdonhorton@embarqmail.com.
Very Respectfully,
James D. Horton
104 Riverview Ave.
Camden NC 27921
PROPOSAL
Committee: ____________________ Principal Author: ___________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Title: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Be It Enacted by the one hundred & eleventh Congress of the United States
1 Preamble: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 2 in congress assembled; Public Law 95-202 & 105-368 provided veteran status for members of the U.S. 3 Merchant Marine who served during WW II between 07 Dec, 1941 and 31 Dec, 1946 and who were 4 able to prove their service. Various actions by governmental personnel have destroyed or caused 5 these documents to be unavailable. These actions prohibit merchant marine veterans of WW II from 6 receiving the recognition and benefits of veteran’s status provided by these laws. Alternative 7 methods to prove service are required, as just compensation, for records lost by government actions.
8 SECTION 1: Records held by the Social Security Administration that denote dates, wages earned and 9 companies employed shall be utilized when USCG forms 718 (any date) or other official data such as 10 ship’s logbook, etc, are not available.
11 SECTION 2: Validated testimony from the veteran as to employment shall be allowed to determine 12 eligibility; and
13 SECTION 3: Other official documentation offered by the veteran, shall constitute replacement of 14 records that were destroyed or from other actions causing the required records to be unavailable 15 that were committed by those responsible for the control and maintenance of veteran records.
16 SECTION 4: For the timeframe between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946, masters of 17 seagoing vessels shall be recognized as agents of the United States authorized to document 18 crew members as it applies to the shipping and discharge of seaman for purposes of employment.
19 SECTION 5: These replacements records shall satisfy all requirements for eligibility of service during 20 the required timeframe 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
21 SECTION 6: This bill will go into effect 91 days after passage.
As a former member of the US Merchant Marine and the USCG I am reaching out to all Veteran Service Organizations for help. I need assistance from VSOs that support the US Merchant Marine as a veteran. They were Americans that came from all walks of life, multiracial and varied ethnic groups, but they all served with pride and honor; with one thing in mind to serve their country in the best way they could. Partisan politics played no part in their desire to serve and should not play any part in correcting a wrong that has gone on for 60 years. Some of the chartered VSO seem to have forgotten their involvement. Where does your organization stand on this issue? As one veteran to another we are in need of help. We are calling upon you for assistance. Will you help?
We are attempting to gain recognition for some 10,000 Merchant Marine seamen that served on the East coast and probably just as many on the Gulf and West coasts. These merchant marine seamen served on seagoing tugs and barges carrying war materials up and down the East Coast on the Atlantic seaboard. Those seamen worked on obsolete barges, with below standard living conditions and rock bottom pay. These barges have long since been replaced with larger and more modern ships, placing them out of service, as well as the companies owning them, and; with records lost to history. Nevertheless they served and should be recognized, just as much so as the Filipino veterans who just received recognition through the last stimulus package via a 198 Million dollar grant. If we can help others we should be able to help our own.
Research has identified US Government Agency actions that have placed these seamen at high risk of not receiving their due recognition. Public Laws 95-202 and 105-368 gave these seamen US Veterans status for those serving between 07 Dec., 1941 and 31 Dec., 1946, provided they met certain service criteria. Trip discharges and entries in ship’s logbooks were the primary criteria for proof of service. On Mar. 20 of 1944, The CMDT, USCG issued an order to the Masters of tugs, towboats, and seagoing barges that relieved them of the responsibility of issuing shipping and discharge papers to seamen shipped. Additional research from the National Archives and Records Administration brought forth this report: “After WW II, the deck and engineering logbooks of vessels operated by the WSA were turned over to that agency by the ship owners, and were later destroyed, by the Maritime Administration, in the 1970s on the grounds that they were voluminous, costly to house and service, and very seldom used for research”. Without those discharges and ship’s logbooks it makes applying and obtaining a Form DD 214 near impossible. Additional info can be found at www.usmmv.blogspot.com.
Applications being mailed to gain recognition as veterans are repeatedly rejected by the National Maritime Center because they cannot find records (trip discharges and/or logbooks) that show service for the periods required and they accept little else. Alternate methods to prove employment must be provided in order for these seamen to become veterans. This can be accomplished through administrative legislation at no cost.
Will your organization commit to supporting an offering to congress of a proposal (at no cost) leading to legislation that will recognize these seamen and provide veterans’ status for those of the US Merchant Marine? Please send a message to your congressional contacts and request them to support this cause. You can reach me at jdonhorton@embarqmail.com.
Very Respectfully,
James D. Horton
104 Riverview Ave.
Camden NC 27921
PROPOSAL
Committee: ____________________ Principal Author: ___________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Title: Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status to Merchant Marine Seamen of WW II
Be It Enacted by the one hundred & eleventh Congress of the United States
1 Preamble: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America 2 in congress assembled; Public Law 95-202 & 105-368 provided veteran status for members of the U.S. 3 Merchant Marine who served during WW II between 07 Dec, 1941 and 31 Dec, 1946 and who were 4 able to prove their service. Various actions by governmental personnel have destroyed or caused 5 these documents to be unavailable. These actions prohibit merchant marine veterans of WW II from 6 receiving the recognition and benefits of veteran’s status provided by these laws. Alternative 7 methods to prove service are required, as just compensation, for records lost by government actions.
8 SECTION 1: Records held by the Social Security Administration that denote dates, wages earned and 9 companies employed shall be utilized when USCG forms 718 (any date) or other official data such as 10 ship’s logbook, etc, are not available.
11 SECTION 2: Validated testimony from the veteran as to employment shall be allowed to determine 12 eligibility; and
13 SECTION 3: Other official documentation offered by the veteran, shall constitute replacement of 14 records that were destroyed or from other actions causing the required records to be unavailable 15 that were committed by those responsible for the control and maintenance of veteran records.
16 SECTION 4: For the timeframe between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946, masters of 17 seagoing vessels shall be recognized as agents of the United States authorized to document 18 crew members as it applies to the shipping and discharge of seaman for purposes of employment.
19 SECTION 5: These replacements records shall satisfy all requirements for eligibility of service during 20 the required timeframe 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
21 SECTION 6: This bill will go into effect 91 days after passage.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Open letter to all Mariners
I am having difficulty getting my family recognized for our services in the Merchant Marine due to lost records by various Agency actions, (USCG, Maritime Administration, VA and the NMC) Records (ship's logbooks) have been destroyed by the Maritime Administration in 1970 and orders were given to masters of tug, towboats and seagoing barges to cease issuing shipping and discharge documents in 1944 by the Commandant, USCG. These exact records are now required to determine eligibility for recognition and the National Maritime Center will not accept other documents such as Social Security Administration records, showing dates worked, companies employed and wages earned. The VA has repeatedly shown that records have gone missing, causing the veteran to lose benefits bestowed on them by Public Laws 95-202 & 105-368. Alternative methods of recognition must be presented to congress and passed into law so that veterans can get what they have earned. We have walked the walk, now congress has got to talk to talk. Below is a proposal that can be printed and passed to each of your senator and respective representative. I have to use a pdf format because I am not able to place in this thread as all data seems to be left side aligned. Please follow the tab. We need help to get this moving. Will you please help to have this proposal presented to the 111th Congress?
26 Jan, 2009
Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Dear Chairman Filner,
The 111th Congress has begun and attention to the veteran must also begin. In the past others have called upon you to assist and now I ask. Veterans are being denied their due recognition because of lost records by Agency actions (the Maritime Administration and the USCG) and not through any fault of the veteran. Information is rampart in nationwide newspapers detailing the actions of the Veterans Administration destroying those records required to prove eligibility for benefits due the veteran. Those incidents have been ongoing ever since the government has maintained the control of such records.
Past actions of government agencies other that the VA (USCG and the Maritime Administration) have contributed to the “loss record syndrome” resulting in a veteran being declared ineligible for benefits. These actions have a particular impact on a small but qualified group of seaman of the Merchant Marine that I wish to bring to mind. The Commandant, USCG issued orders on Dec 20, 1944 to Masters of all tugs, towboats and seagoing barges relieving them of the responsibilities of issuing shipping and discharge papers to all seaman shipping on these vessels. After WWII, the deck and engineering logbooks of vessels operated by the WSA were turned over to that agency by the ship owners and were later destroyed by the Maritime Administration in the 1970s on the grounds that they were voluminous, costly to house and service, and very seldom sued for research. The NMC now uses those same documents to verify eligibility of service to grant veteran status. They will accept nothing else. These actions have caused countless veterans to be denied the VA benefits made available under PLS 95-202 & 105-308. Alternative methods to show eligibility must be provided to the veteran. This can only come about by action of congress that provides this avenue.
An example of this serious is illustrated by one family that had five members serving on these barge and all were denied the due recognition because no record existed to show employment on vessels under the control of the WSA. Their story is well documented on a website http://usmmv.blogspot.com/. If one family has been denied there eligibility due to no records existing to prove their employment, then there is a high probability that many other records have been lost due to the shortsightedness and downright disregard/negligence of government officials for mishandling them throughout the years.
Sponsorship of this proposed document will rectify this loss of records for those still living in a small way and reward them some of the benefits they earned in WW II. This action would give those that lost a loved one during that same time, some solace in knowing this nation has recognized their sacrifice. Cost for this proposal would be negligible as pay and benefits have already been approved under the above mentioned public laws. This proposal will, in a very small way, recognize them as a true veteran. A position highly honored throughout this nation. Pleas offer it to the 111th congress in whatever manner you prefer that will afford the veteran the best opportunity for favorable approval.
Very Respectfully
FAX TO: 202 225-2034
26 Jan, 2009
Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
Dear Chairman Filner,
The 111th Congress has begun and attention to the veteran must also begin. In the past others have called upon you to assist and now I ask. Veterans are being denied their due recognition because of lost records by Agency actions (the Maritime Administration and the USCG) and not through any fault of the veteran. Information is rampart in nationwide newspapers detailing the actions of the Veterans Administration destroying those records required to prove eligibility for benefits due the veteran. Those incidents have been ongoing ever since the government has maintained the control of such records.
Past actions of government agencies other that the VA (USCG and the Maritime Administration) have contributed to the “loss record syndrome” resulting in a veteran being declared ineligible for benefits. These actions have a particular impact on a small but qualified group of seaman of the Merchant Marine that I wish to bring to mind. The Commandant, USCG issued orders on Dec 20, 1944 to Masters of all tugs, towboats and seagoing barges relieving them of the responsibilities of issuing shipping and discharge papers to all seaman shipping on these vessels. After WWII, the deck and engineering logbooks of vessels operated by the WSA were turned over to that agency by the ship owners and were later destroyed by the Maritime Administration in the 1970s on the grounds that they were voluminous, costly to house and service, and very seldom sued for research. The NMC now uses those same documents to verify eligibility of service to grant veteran status. They will accept nothing else. These actions have caused countless veterans to be denied the VA benefits made available under PLS 95-202 & 105-308. Alternative methods to show eligibility must be provided to the veteran. This can only come about by action of congress that provides this avenue.
An example of this serious is illustrated by one family that had five members serving on these barge and all were denied the due recognition because no record existed to show employment on vessels under the control of the WSA. Their story is well documented on a website http://usmmv.blogspot.com/. If one family has been denied there eligibility due to no records existing to prove their employment, then there is a high probability that many other records have been lost due to the shortsightedness and downright disregard/negligence of government officials for mishandling them throughout the years.
Sponsorship of this proposed document will rectify this loss of records for those still living in a small way and reward them some of the benefits they earned in WW II. This action would give those that lost a loved one during that same time, some solace in knowing this nation has recognized their sacrifice. Cost for this proposal would be negligible as pay and benefits have already been approved under the above mentioned public laws. This proposal will, in a very small way, recognize them as a true veteran. A position highly honored throughout this nation. Pleas offer it to the 111th congress in whatever manner you prefer that will afford the veteran the best opportunity for favorable approval.
Very Respectfully
FAX TO: 202 225-2034
PROPOSED
Committee: ____________________ Principal Author: ___________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Bill No: __________ Delegation: _______________________________
Title: To Provide Alternative Methods of Recognition for Veteran Status
Be It Enacted by the one hundred & eleventh Congress of the United States
1 Preamble: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America
2 in congress assembled; Public Law 95-202 & 105-368 provided veteran status for members of the U.S.
3 Merchant Marine who served during WW II between 07 Dec, 1941 and 31 Dec, 1946 and who were
4 able to prove their service. Various actions by governmental personnel have destroyed or caused
5 these documents to be unavailable. These actions prohibit merchant marine veterans of WW II from
6 receiving the recognition and benefits of veteran’s status provided by these laws.Alternative
7 methods to prove their service are required to replace those that have been lost.
8 SECTION 1: Records held by the Social Security Administration that denote dates, wages earned and
9 companies employed shall be utilized when USCG forms 718 (any date) or other official data such as
10 ship’s logbook, etc, are not available.
11 SECTION 2: Validated testimony from the veteran as to employment shall be allowed to determine
12 eligibility; and
13 SECTION 3: Other official documentation offered by the veteran, shall constitute replacement of
14 records that were destroyed or from other actions causing the required records to be unavailable
15 that were committed by those responsible for the control and maintenance of veteran records.
16 SECTION 4: For the timeframe between 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946, masters of
17 seagoing vessels shall be recognized as agents of the United States authorized to document
18 crew members as it applies to the shipping and discharge of seaman for purposes of employment.
19 SECTION 5: These replacements records shall satisfy all requirements for eligibility of service during
20 the required timeframe 07 December, 1941 and 31 December, 1946.
21 SECTION 6: This bill will go into effect 91 days after passage.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
DOT open letter to Merchant Marine Veterans in 1988
Thes letter was supposed to be sent to all Merchant Marine veterans of WW II. I didn't recieve one nor did any of the other four members of my family who served during that time. Research has shown that many others have not recieved one also. If you know of someone who servied does not have his for DD 214 or a family who has not recieved a form DD 1300 for those that were KIA during this time fram please get in tuchj with me and I will try to help. My email is jdonhorton@embarqmail.com
DOT open letter to MM veterans of 1988.pdf
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Survivors from Barges towed by tug "MENOMINEE" sunk 0n 31 mar,1942
Below is a list of survivors from the shelling and/or sinking of three barges and the tug MENOMINEE by the German U-boat 754 on 31 Mar,1942. Research indicates that these seamen may not have received their due recognition as stated in P. L.s 95-202 & 105-368. I would like to contact the next of kin to offer assistance in gaining their due recognition as WW II veterans of the US Merchant Marine , Can anyone help?
BARGE SURVIVOR LIST of 31 Mar 1942
Name : Ontario
Type: Barge
Tonnage: 490 tons
Completed: 1916 @ Chesapeake City MD
Owner: Southern Transportation Co. Inc, Philadelphia PA
Homeport: Philadelpnia. PA
Date of attack : 31 Mar, 1942 @ 0210
Nationality: American
Fate: Damaged by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position: 37.34N, 75.25W - Grid CA 4997- See location on a map -
Complement: 3 (0 dead and 3 survivors).
Convoy: NO. Single tow traveled without was escort and unarmed
Route: Norfolk VA (30 Mar) - Stamford CT
Cargo: Lumber 410,000 board feet
Crew List: HIGGINS, R.E., (Master); EASTON, Jeton & ROGGONS, Onis R.
Name: Alleghaney
Type: Barge
Tonnage: 914 tons
Completed : 1917 @ Chesapeaake City, MD
Owner: Southern Transportation Co. Inc, Philadelphia, PA
Homeport: Philadelphia, PA
Date of attack : 31 Mar, 1942 @0208
Nationality: American
Fate: Sunk by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position : 37.34N, 75.25W - Grid CA 4997- See location on a map
Complement: 3 (0 dead and 3 survivors).
Convoy : NO : Single tow and traveled without excort and unarmed
Route: Norfolk VA (30 Mar) - Stamford CT
Cargo: 1448 tons of coal
Crew List : ANTERON, L.M (Master); McQUAY, Archie; & FARRON, Donald Slagger
Name: Barnegat
Type: Barge
Tonnage: 914 tons
Completed: 1919 @ Elkton, MD
Owner: Southern Transportation Co. Inc, Philadelphia, PA
Homeport: Philadelphia, PA
Date of attack : 31 Mar. 1942 @0208
Nationality: American
Fate: Sunk by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position: 37.34N, 75.25W - Grid CA 4997- See location on a map
Complement : 3 (0 dead and 3 survivors).
Convoy: NO, Single tow and traveled without escort and unarmed
Route : Norfolk VA (30 Mar) - Stamford CT
Cargo: 1511 Tons of coal
Crew List: POTTER, John M, (Master); HIGGINs, Ernest T.; & GOLDEN, Thadius
NOTES ON LOSS
At 02.08 hours on 31 Mar, 1942, the unarmed tug Menominee (Master Leslie F. Haynie) towing three barges at 5 knots, was attacked by U-754 with gunfire about 9.5 miles east-southeast of Metomkin Inlet, Virginia near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. The U-boat was spotted coming from the port bow and fired three rounds at the tug from about 50 feet. One entered the cabin of the master through a window, destroyed the radio equipment and passed through the starboard bulkhead without exploding. The tug immediately cut loose the barges and tried to escape at 11 knots. The U-boat came along the port side of the barges and fired three or four rounds at each barge, then went up the starboard side and down to port side, again firing as it went. The tug was then chased by U-754 and sank immediately after being hit four times. Only seven (7) of a crew of five officers and thirteen (13) crewmen managed to leave the vessel, but only the master, the chief engineer & and one (1) seaman (William Lee Horton,Jr.) reached one of the two rafts and were later rescued by the American motor tanker Northern Sun, transferred to the US Coast Guard motorboat USS CG-4345 near Brown Shoal and landed at Lewes, Delaware. The U-boat then returned to the barges and fired about a dozen more shells, sinking the Allegheny and the Barnegat and damaged the Ontario, which stayed afloat on her load of lumber. The three crewmen from the latter barge had abandoned the vessel and were picked up one mile offshore by the US Coast Guard motor lifeboat USS CG-4063 from the Metomkin Inlet Lifeboat Station. In the meantime, the six men from the other two barges boarded the anchored Ontario and were taken off the by the same motorboat about eleven hours after the attack. All survivors were taken first to the US Coast Guard station at Metomkin Inlet, before going on to the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk, arriving on 1 April.
The Ontario was salvaged and towed to Philadelphia where the cargo of 410´000 board feet of lumber was discharged. Many shell fragments were found in the lumber.
BARGE SURVIVOR LIST of 31 Mar 1942
Name : Ontario
Type: Barge
Tonnage: 490 tons
Completed: 1916 @ Chesapeake City MD
Owner: Southern Transportation Co. Inc, Philadelphia PA
Homeport: Philadelpnia. PA
Date of attack : 31 Mar, 1942 @ 0210
Nationality: American
Fate: Damaged by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position: 37.34N, 75.25W - Grid CA 4997- See location on a map -
Complement: 3 (0 dead and 3 survivors).
Convoy: NO. Single tow traveled without was escort and unarmed
Route: Norfolk VA (30 Mar) - Stamford CT
Cargo: Lumber 410,000 board feet
Crew List: HIGGINS, R.E., (Master); EASTON, Jeton & ROGGONS, Onis R.
Name: Alleghaney
Type: Barge
Tonnage: 914 tons
Completed : 1917 @ Chesapeaake City, MD
Owner: Southern Transportation Co. Inc, Philadelphia, PA
Homeport: Philadelphia, PA
Date of attack : 31 Mar, 1942 @0208
Nationality: American
Fate: Sunk by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position : 37.34N, 75.25W - Grid CA 4997- See location on a map
Complement: 3 (0 dead and 3 survivors).
Convoy : NO : Single tow and traveled without excort and unarmed
Route: Norfolk VA (30 Mar) - Stamford CT
Cargo: 1448 tons of coal
Crew List : ANTERON, L.M (Master); McQUAY, Archie; & FARRON, Donald Slagger
Name: Barnegat
Type: Barge
Tonnage: 914 tons
Completed: 1919 @ Elkton, MD
Owner: Southern Transportation Co. Inc, Philadelphia, PA
Homeport: Philadelphia, PA
Date of attack : 31 Mar. 1942 @0208
Nationality: American
Fate: Sunk by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position: 37.34N, 75.25W - Grid CA 4997- See location on a map
Complement : 3 (0 dead and 3 survivors).
Convoy: NO, Single tow and traveled without escort and unarmed
Route : Norfolk VA (30 Mar) - Stamford CT
Cargo: 1511 Tons of coal
Crew List: POTTER, John M, (Master); HIGGINs, Ernest T.; & GOLDEN, Thadius
NOTES ON LOSS
At 02.08 hours on 31 Mar, 1942, the unarmed tug Menominee (Master Leslie F. Haynie) towing three barges at 5 knots, was attacked by U-754 with gunfire about 9.5 miles east-southeast of Metomkin Inlet, Virginia near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. The U-boat was spotted coming from the port bow and fired three rounds at the tug from about 50 feet. One entered the cabin of the master through a window, destroyed the radio equipment and passed through the starboard bulkhead without exploding. The tug immediately cut loose the barges and tried to escape at 11 knots. The U-boat came along the port side of the barges and fired three or four rounds at each barge, then went up the starboard side and down to port side, again firing as it went. The tug was then chased by U-754 and sank immediately after being hit four times. Only seven (7) of a crew of five officers and thirteen (13) crewmen managed to leave the vessel, but only the master, the chief engineer & and one (1) seaman (William Lee Horton,Jr.) reached one of the two rafts and were later rescued by the American motor tanker Northern Sun, transferred to the US Coast Guard motorboat USS CG-4345 near Brown Shoal and landed at Lewes, Delaware. The U-boat then returned to the barges and fired about a dozen more shells, sinking the Allegheny and the Barnegat and damaged the Ontario, which stayed afloat on her load of lumber. The three crewmen from the latter barge had abandoned the vessel and were picked up one mile offshore by the US Coast Guard motor lifeboat USS CG-4063 from the Metomkin Inlet Lifeboat Station. In the meantime, the six men from the other two barges boarded the anchored Ontario and were taken off the by the same motorboat about eleven hours after the attack. All survivors were taken first to the US Coast Guard station at Metomkin Inlet, before going on to the Naval Operating Base at Norfolk, arriving on 1 April.
The Ontario was salvaged and towed to Philadelphia where the cargo of 410´000 board feet of lumber was discharged. Many shell fragments were found in the lumber.
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