American War Veterans Insulted... Not Worth a $20.00 Service Medal
by Ian A. Millar, Trident Archives CuratorIn 1988 when the American merchant seamen of World War II were granted veteran's status, Congress charged the Maritime Administration with having medals designed and struck to go with the service ribbons already awarded for WWII service. To those of us who had family in the Merchant Marine during those trying years, this appeared as a possible tribute and belated thanks for a job well done.
For years we have witnessed the insults and shabby treatment accorded the American merchant seaman by his country. It truly seemed that at last a small ray of sunshine was to penetrate the long-standing national effort to castigate the merchant seaman for serving his country. But we should have realized that such was not possible, such a tribute to brave men and women could not be done when there still existed one last opportunity to kick these veterans in the teeth.
Oh, yes, the medals are a reality; but in that reality lies what may be one of the greatest insults ever hurled at American war veterans. The medals must be purchased at the cost of $20 each! No other veteran had to purchase their original award of war medals. Thousands of medals were struck and awarded for Desert Storm veterans, and none of those veterans had to "buy" their medal.
The callousness of our leaders in Washington to permit such a travesty on those WWII merchant seamen further fortifies the fact that the current leadership has lost all touch with reality. One can only guess the outcry that would have taken place had the government imposed this fee on medals awarded to all veterans. An interesting scenario is that of the bereaved widow who has just received her late husband's Purple Heart and with it a bill for $20. Now, that would cause an outcry. But we find it's OK to treat the merchant seaman in this manner. Why?
Dennis A. Roland was a 2nd officer aboard the MS Sawokla during WWII, when the ship was attacked by the German raider, HSK Michel. Roland was wounded, captured and in due course, handed over to the Japanese. Like hundreds of others, he slaved on the "Death Railroad," suffered from disease and mistreatment by his captors. Roland gave his all for his country and survived. Some years ago he passed away: if his family would like the medals he earned during the war, they may have them for $20 each.
During World War II, another friend of mine, Winthrop Haskell, served aboard the SS Alcoa Cadet in convoy PQ-15 to North Russia. His ship was later mined and lost in Kola Inlet, but not before he and hundreds of other seamen were bombed, torpedoed and dumped into the cold Arctic Ocean. Haskell was among the lucky ones, he made it back. Many did not.
In the same convoy were men of the U.S. Navy who served in the Naval Armed Guard. They were a truly heroic group, and they were accorded the honors of a grateful nation and awarded medals for war service, free of charge. Now over 50 years later, Haskell may at last obtain his medals, but they will cost him $20 each. Certainly what Haskell and his fellow merchant seamen went through to qualify for their medals is more than worth the medal's price tag.
Chief Engineer Rudolph A. Rutz was serving aboard the new Liberty ship SS Stephen Hopkins when it came upon the German raider HSK Stier in the South Atlantic. In the battle that followed the Hopkins was reduced to a mass of burning tangled steel, yet she damaged the German warship to the point that it had to be scuttled. In that battle, Rutz gave his life for his country. He was last seen amidst the hail of enemy shellfire helping put lifejackets on the wounded. The Navy gunners and merchant seamen fought side by side until there was nothing left. The last five rounds that were fired from the sinking Hopkins were fired by Edwin O'Hara, an engineering cadet from Kings Point. The survivors of the Navy gun crew and the other's next of kin received the Navy campaign medals due them at no charge. If the next of kin of those lost in the merchant crew would like medals paid for in their relatives blood long ago, they may have them-by paying $20 for each one.
It is pathetic that we have such callous government leaders who stand for this insult to brave Americans. We have leaders who worry about problems in Russia, problems in South America and problems in the Third World. Yet those same leaders ignore the merchant seamen who gave their all and made it possible for them to live in freedom. Over 6,000 merchant seamen were killed in action in WWII. As a group they suffered a higher percentage of casualties than the Army or the Navy. When a veteran's life and service to his country is not worth a $20 medal, then perhaps it's time for us, as a nation, to rethink our priorities and values.
Source:
We Came from All Over, We Went Everywhere, History of Gallups Island, Its Veterans and Their Role in Our Freedom, Turner Publishing Company, PO Box 3101 412 Broadway, Paducah, Kentucky, 42002