Merchant mariners played vital role
Published 1:20 am Tuesday, May 27, 2008
By Staff
Served on the supply lines for armed forces
By CLAUD HODGES
Senior Reporter
Some may not realize how important members of the U.S. Merchant Marine are to any war effort.
Their ships don’t just cruise the waters effortlessly without a thought of becoming a part of a conflict.
However, he said one of the supply ships that he was a crewman on was hit once while on one of its cruises.
Moore, who is from the Burbage Crossroads area of Beaufort County, said that was a harrowing experience.
He served mostly on freighters and tankers that hauled ammunition and fuel.
He said those were items that were welcomed by the men and women in service that they were delivering goods to.
Joseph Griffin, another merchant mariner at Monday’s service, said the Merchant Marine was the point for supplies.
Griffin, of Washington, said the vessels he served on primarily delivered oil, food and ammunition.
Griffin, a Vietnam merchant mariner, said the Merchant Marine did not have escorts during the time of his service.
Frank Varga, another merchant mariner at Monday’s event, was given a strong ovation for his service in the Merchant Marine.