An estimated 250,000 merchant mariners risked their lives delivering supplies, weapons and soldiers during World War II, but are only recently being recognized. Congress passed the Merchant Mariners of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2020, to collectively honor their courage and contributions to the war effort. 2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the WWII Allied victory.

Locally, their acts of heroism and sacrifice were acknowledged on National Maritime Day with the unveiling of a new World War II Merchant Marine Memorial on Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary.

“We are a county that loves our veterans, all of them. Today we have very special veterans,” said County Commissioner Laura Moss, referencing six Merchant Mariners in attendance who had served in World War II.

“The Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest honor bestowed by the United States Congress, honors these men whose dedication, heroism and public service have created a lasting impact on our American history,” said Rob Medina, director of Community and Military Relations for Congressman Bill Posey.

“On March 14, 2020, legislation was signed into law authorizing the Congressional Gold Medal for the American Merchant Mariners whose honorable deeds placed and had a critical role in World War II. Today, we have such a unique opportunity and blessing to recognize one of our own Merchant Mariners of World War II,” he added, before presenting a bronze replica of the medal, which is on display at the American Merchant Marine Museum, to Floyd York. The other five in attendance, along with all other surviving WWII Mariners, will also receive a replica.

“The island is dedicated to those that died in the service of our country,” said John Michael Matthews, VMIS committee chair. “The Merchant Mariners died at an amazingly high rate.

The purpose of this monument is to stop and remember them and tell their story.”

“This project is so important; it’s almost 80 years in the making,” said event organizer Michael Hyde, who with Ross Rowlinson and Richard Martucci each proudly served as Merchant Mariners.

“It wasn’t until 1988 when President Ronald Reagan granted full veteran status to the Mariners of the Merchant Marine of World War II. Here we are on our beautiful Memorial Island in 2023, and we’ve done it. Now the Merchant Mariners of World War II and their families and loved ones have a place to come and pray, focus and remember,” said Hyde.

Hyde said Merchant Mariners have continued to play an integral part in subsequent wars, including Korea, Vietnam and the Middle East, and has assisted in other ways as well.

“We evacuated almost 750,000 people the morning of 9/11 off Manhattan Island. We’re still there. We’re still doing our thing,” said Hyde.

The Merchant Mariners provided the crucial link in the supply chain between the “manufacturing army here at home and the fighting forces overseas,” explained Capt. Dru DiMattia, American Merchant Marine Veterans Association president, noting that they have assisted with pandemic-related supply chain issues and with gas and oil shortages caused by malware attacks that shut down pipelines.

Fittingly, the unveiling was replete with full honors, including Hyde playing the bagpipes, the Placing of the Wreath, Posting the Colors, and a Rifle Salute by the Sebastian Area Veterans Honor Guard, concluding with Duke Scales playing “Taps.”

Keynote speaker Thomas F. McCaffery, a Mariner, researcher and author, called the Merchant Mariners the “quiet backbone of our nation’s economy in peacetime” and the “bridge of ships keeping our military forces in the fight during wartime.”

Noting the dedication was to “establish a daily reminder of the importance of our nation’s Merchant Marine,” McCaffery said. “By dedicating this memorial together, we leave a signpost for others to see and ponder their sacrifice and, above all, their courage and hopefully remember why we have and need the Merchant Marine today.”

We decided to run the photo of Col. Martin Zickert despite his recent passing because he was such a vital part of the Veterans Community.

Photos by Joshua Kodis