Official Correspondence Outlining Exemption of Merchant Marine Personnel from the Selective Service Act (Draft) During World War II

Memorandum Deputy Director Selective Service to State Selective Service Directors, March 15, 1941

Bureau of Navigation to National Director of Selective Service, August 11, 1941

Director of Selective Service to Chief of the Bureau of Navigation, August 27, 1941

Manpower Division Selective Service to Director of Maritime Personnel, United States Maritime Commission, August 27, 1941

Director Division of Maritime Personnel, United States Maritime Commission to Chief Manpower Division, Selective Service System, September 13, 1941

Director of Selective Service to Chief of the Bureau of Navigation Navy Department, September 15, 1941

Active Duty Orders, U. S. Maritime Service, March 14, 1945


NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
21st Street and C Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

March 15, 1941

MEMORANDUM TO ALL STATE DIRECTORS (I-23)

SUBJECT: CLASSIFICATION OF SEAMEN (III)
There have been many questions addressed to National Headquarters regarding the classification of seamen. These questions are typified by the following:

1. Is the Merchant Marine an activity essential to the national interest, in the sense that a serious interruption or delay in inch activity is likely to impede the national defense program, within the meaning of Paragraph 352 b?

2. Is there a present or anticipated national shortage of qualified Merchant Marine personnel?

3. When is a a "necessary man" within the provisions of Paragraph 351?

With respect to the first question, it is believed to be a matter of common knowledge that our Merchant Marine is an essential activity, and that in time of emergency it bears a direct relation to the national defense. It is further believed to be a matter of common knowledge that the United States is engaged in in extensive expansion of the Merchant Marine at this time because of the existence of emergency conditions.

With respect to the second question, the United States Maritime Commission anticipates a growing shortage of certain skilled personnel as a result of the expanding shipbuilding program which may become acute within the next six months.

The third question -- "When is a seamen a 'necessary man' "? -- depends almost entirely upon the three conditions of Paragraph 351:

"a. He is, or but for a seasonal or temporary interruption would be, engaged in such activity.

"b. He cannot be replaced satisfactorily because of a shortage of persons with his qualifications or skill in such activity.

"c. His removal would cause a material loan of effectiveness in such activity."

The Naval Occupational Advisor to National Headquarters and the Director of the Division of Maritime Personnel of the United States Maritime Commission, in a joint study of the general factors involved in applying these conditions to specific cases or occupational deferment of seamen, have made the following statements:

"It is anticipated that national shortages will occur in the engine department of merchant vessels, in the grades of firemen and higher ratings; in the deck department, in the grades involving able seamen and higher ratings, which includes boatswains and quartermasters; in the steward's department, it is anticipated also that a shortage of chief stewards, marina cooks and bakers may result. The anticipated shortages also include licensed officers and radio operators.

"Both labor and management in the industry are in accord that such classifications an wipers, ordinary seamen, mess men and mess boys would not normally meet the requirements of Paragraph 351 (b) and (c) of the Regulations and, consequently, these classifications are excluded from consideration in this study."

The Naval Occupational Advisor and the Director of the Division of Maritime Personnel of the United States Maritime Commission are of the opinion that even though a seamen comes within one of the groups wherein shortages are contemplated, he is not a necessary man unless such registrant shall have actually worked at sea for not less than an average of eight months per year in the last two years. Local boards can secure such information from discharge papers or, if the registrant is not able to locate such papers, from an affidavit of the registrant, specifying the vessels and voyages made, which information can be checked with the Bureau of Marine Inspection, Department of Commerce, or with shipping articles or articles of enrollment.

Where seamen are deferred, they shall be placed in Class II-A. The period of deferment in Class II-A may not exceed six months but such deferment may be renewed from time to time if the local board finds that such continuance is justified under the Regulations.

In applying these broad provisions there must be no deviation from the clear statutory prohibition against group deferments. The local board has full authority and responsibility for deciding whether or not a registrant is a necessary man and whether he should be selected or deferred. It must consider all of the evidence submitted in connection with each individual case and must decide each case on it particular facts.

The statements of the Naval Occupational Advisor and the Director of Maritime Personnel of the United States Maritime Commission are transmitted to State Directors as the most authoritative official information available from governmental agencies on the subject of potential shortages among seamen. National Headquarters has compiled no information of its own on the subject.

Sincerely yours,

Lewis B. Hershey
Deputy Director


Nav-1613-mh

Prepared August 11, 1941
From: The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation.

To: The National Director of Selective Service.
21st and C Streets, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Subject: Selective Service Deferment of Merchant Marine Personnel.

Reference:

(a) National Headquarters Selective Service Memorandum to all State Directors (1-23)
re: Classification of Seamen (III) dated March 15, 1941.

Enclosure:

(A) Comll mLtr to CNO, MBII/LL/P14-6 (2) A16:Wn
Serial V204, of April 4, 1941.

(B) CNO 1st end, to BuNav, Op-30B2-EP F16-6(2) (410404) Serial 131330, of April 11, 1941.

(C) Copy of reference (a).

(D) BuNav 2nd end, to CNO of April 23, 1941.

(E) CNO 3rd end, to Comll, Op-30B2-BP P14-6(2) (410404) Serial 166830, of May 2, 1941.

(F) Comll 4th end. to CNO, ND11/11/P14-6(l)(7) A16-Ln Serial V517, of July 29, 1941.

(G) CNO 5th end, to BuNav, Po-30B2-BP Pl4-6(2) (410404) Serial 419030, of August 6, 1941.

  1. The enclosures listed above are forwarded herewith for the information of the Director of Selective Service.
  2. It is desired to point out the urgent necessity for the further conservation of qualified Merchant Marine personnel.
  3. It is respectfully requested that appropriate action be taken and all papers returned to this Bureau.

    C. W. NIMITZ
    Copy to:
    CNO

 


August 27, 1941

The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
Navy Department
Washington, D.C.

Dear Admiral Nimitz:

Receipt of the file relative to suggestions of the Bureau of Navigation and the Eleventh Naval District in the classification of necessary men employed in the merchant marine is acknowledged.

This matter is being given careful consideration in conjunction with the United States Maritime Commission and will be further reported to you upon conclusion of the conferences now in progress.

Sincerely yours,

LEWIS B. HERSHEY
Director

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August 27, 1941

11-8.27-27

Mr. Daniel S. Ring
Director of Maritime Personnel
United States Maritime Commission
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mr. Ring:

The enclosed file comprising suggestions of the Bureau of Navigation and the Eleventh Naval District relative to the classification of seamen is transmitted to you for comment. The Navy Department feels a further clarification of the deferment policy of essential merchant marine personnel necessary to the national health, safety and interest would be beneficial.

It will be noted that this action was inaugurated April 4 in the office of the Commandant of the Eleventh Naval District, San Diego, California. On March 15 this Headquarters transmitted to the State Directors the attached memorandum. It is assumed that at the time this action was initiated by the Commandant of the Eleventh Naval District, this memorandum had not been received.

It is requested that consideration be given to the suggestions contained in the file and the opinion of the Maritime Commission as to the necessity for their inclusion in a supplementary memorandum. Any further comment you may care to make relative to the administration of the act with regard to the deferment of necessary men in the merchant marine will be appreciated.

Please return the enclosed file with your report.

For the Director:

GEORGE H. BAKER
Major, Specialist Chief
Manpower Division

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United States Maritime Commission
Washington

September 13, 1941

Major George H. Baker
Chief, Manpower Division
Selective Service System
21st Street and C Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

I have your letter of August 27, 1941 and enclosed file containing suggestions of the Bureau of Navigation and the Eleventh Naval District relative to the classification of seamen under the Selective Service Act. It is noted that initial action was taken on April 4, 1941.

Prior to the issuance of the memorandum dated March 15, 1941, this Division consulted and advised with representatives of all branches of maritime labor organizations. They approved the proposed classification in general terms.

Immediately after the circulation of the memorandum such organizations notified the Maritime Commission that the situation as regarded the induction of seamen had improved materially.

within the past few weeks, this Division had had conferences with the representatives of these organizations on other matters, but during the time spent together, no criticism of the existing status was raised.

Accordingly, it is felt that no changes in the memorandum are called for at this time. The file is returned herewith.

Very truly yours,

(s) DANIEL S. RING
Director
Division of Maritime Personnel


September 15, 1941

11-9.15-27

The Chief of the Bureau of Navigation
Navy Department
Washington, D.C.

Subject: Classification of seamen

Dear Admiral Nimitz:

Further reference is made to my letter of August 27 relative to the classification of merchant marine personnel.

Please find enclosed a communication from the Director of Maritime Personnel of the United States Maritime Commission in which it is stated that proper consideration is being given in the deferment of essential employees in the merchant marine, the Director of Maritime Personnel recommends that no changes be accomplished relative to existing policy and covering memoranda.

If you feel that the findings of the United States Maritime Commission are not conclusive, I shall be glad to assist the Bureau of Navigation in further investigation.

The file is returned herewith.

Sincerely yours,

LEWIS B. HERSHEY

Director

Enclosure 9

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War Shipping Administration
Training Organization
United States Maritime Service
Enrolling Office
5114 West Sixth Street
Los Angeles, 14, California

Date MAR 14 1945

[Name]
[Address]

ACTIVE DUTY ORDERS

You are hereby ordered to report at this office on TUESDAY,

MAR 20 1945 , at 7:00 A.M. for assignment to the U.S. Maritime Service Training Station, Avalon, California.

Failure to report promptly at 7:00 A.M. as scheduled will constitute grounds for your immediate disenrollment from the Maritime Service.

Should you receive notice to report for induction, or ordered to report for a preinduction physical examination before assignment to training, contact this office immediately.

If you reach your 18th birthday before you are sent to training, you must report to your draft board and register. Bring your registration card with you when you report at this office on the above date.

Verify receipt of these orders by contacting this office by phone, wire, or in person immediately upon receipt of these orders. DO NOT WIRE OR PHONE COLLECT.

J. F. GRUNDEEN, LIEUT. (JG) USMS
Enrolling Officer

Phone:
MUtual 8735
VAdike 6811


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03/27/03