Steven Kuykendall: “The merchant marines have served this country since the birth of our Nation. Many people do not think of that. They are…”

“The merchant marines have served this country since the birth of our Nation. Many people do not think of that. They are most frequently remembered as the World War II veterans because of the great significance they played in that conflict. However, beginning as early as 1775, the merchant marine was actually the first military force we used to defeat the British Navy with. During that time period, they became our first Navy: merchant vessels with guns on them. They brought critical supplies to fight for our independence. If we go on to the next century in the 1800s, between 1812, the War of 1812, and the first World War, they participated in not only that War of 1812, but also the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and delivered doughboys to Europe and their supplies to go with them. In 1936, the Merchant Marine Act was passed by Congress which established the United States merchant marine 'as a naval or military auxiliary in time of war or national emergency.' From 1941 to 1946, during World War II, merchant marines took part in all invasions. Merchant marine casualties were the highest in any service: 1 in 29. One in 29 people that served became a casualty.”