Posted on May 17, 2022
TUESDAY, MAY 17, 2022 AT 10:00 AM
WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, World War II Merchant Mariners – the supply line to American and allied forces during WWII – will be presented with the Congressional Gold Medal in Statuary Hall by congressional leaders.
Due to Capitol Hill protocols, media access will be limited for this ceremony; however, World War II Merchant Mariners will be touring the World War II Memorial on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at 10:00 AM and will be available for media interviews. These men – an estimated 11 participating Gold Medal recipients – will be representing the less than 1,500 World War II Merchant Mariners remaining nationwide.
WWII Merchant Mariners were killed at a higher rate than any branch of the American military in the War, often having no protection from enemy forces. Merchant Mariners enabled the U.S. and its allies to overcome all odds and defeat the German U-Boats that were hampering the passage of supplies and assets needed to win World War II. With Memorial Day just a few weeks away, this is an opportunity to interview these heroes to learn about the hardships these men endured.
WHAT: Congressional Gold Medal Recipients – World War II Merchant Mariners – Media Availability
VISUALS: The men will be at the 17th Street entrance of the WWII Memorial with the Lincoln Memorial serving as the backdrop. Longer-form interview requests can be submitted to the media contact: travis@nahigianstrategies.com
WHO: The event is hosted by the American Merchant Marine Veterans
The following Congressional Medal Recipients will be available for media (on behalf of their fellow Merchant Marines who are not able to travel to Washington DC) :
- Merchant Mariner Dave Yoho – 95-year-old Dave Yoho served in the Engine Department during WWII, having trained at Sheepshead Bay. When the War ended (V-J Day), he was just shy of his 17th birthday.
- Merchant Mariner Charles Mills -101-year-old Charles Mills began his maritime career in 1937 when he climbed the gangway of the S/S Carlton (a ship that would later be lost in PQ-17). Mills sailed throughout WWII and was a charter member of the National Maritime Union (NMU). Mills would come ashore and serve as an NMU official for four decades. He has participated in all four AMMV “Storm the Hill” events and remains active in organizational activities.
LOCATION: World War II Memorial – 1750 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024
ABOUT THE WORLD WAR II MERCHANT MARINERS:
- There were 243,000 mariners that served in the war. 9,521 perished while serving – a higher proportion of those killed than any branch of the US military.
- Roughly four percent of those who served were killed, a higher casualty rate than that of any of the American military services during World War II.
- Merchant Mariners experienced some of the earliest action of the war due to German submarines attacking British merchant ships in the Atlantic, disrupting supply chains to America’s allies.
The American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) is a not-for-profit, pro-American organization established to gain recognition for what the AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE has accomplished for our country in war and peace. Our key purpose is to celebrate the accomplishments of the American flagged Merchant Marine and to assist the veterans of the American Merchant Marine, and all veterans of the military of the United States, and their families, by providing counseling to veterans, and their widows and orphans, to assist them in legal, financial, and emotional matters resulting in connection with service to our country, and to provide information regarding benefits and services available to them.
