JUST THE FACTS

JUST THE FACTS

THE AMERICN MERCHANT MARINE

IN THE KOREAN CONFLICT

The privately owned and operated United States merchant marine played a key role and was a valiant participation in American's efforts during the Korean conflict.

The U.S. merchant marine moved 2,600,000 tons of cargo, petroleum products not included, from Continental United States to the Pacific Theater. 80 percent of this cargo was carried in privately operated American-flag vessels.

Merchant ships moved 300 times more cargo than air transports.
Approximately 80 privately-owned vessels were placed into service.
Merchant ships moved 300 times more cargo than air transports.
Approximately 80 privately-owned vessels were placed into service.
130 government-owned vessels were removed from the National Defense Reserve

Fleet. These vessels were manned by American seamen and put into operation by

private American shipping companies.

Foreign flag vessels provided 6 percent of the dry cargo traffic to the war zone.

The redeployment of thousands of U.S. troops and their equipment from Northeast Korea was an overwhelming success due to the efforts of the American merchant ships. These accomplishments received high praise and commendation from Admiral C. T. Joy, Commander of all U.S. Naval Forces in the Far East.

The successful removal of several hundred thousand tons of equipment and supplies by privately-owned American merchant ships resulted in a congratulatory message to A. F. Junker, USN, Commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service for Western Pacific.

A DECLARATION FROM ADMIRAL JOY: "Sincere congratulations on a job well done. Your performance throughout the Korean campaign indicates that your organization is best when the chips are down. Your initiative and your prompt and enthusiastic response to all demands in the successful redeployment of ground forces from Northeast Korea has been outstanding."

"The Merchant Mariners in your command performed silently, but their accomplishments speak loudly. Such teammates are comforting to work with."

CHARLES S. THOMAS, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY DURING THE KOREAN CONFLICT SAID:

" In every war, the Merchant Marine has played a vital, though some-times unpublicized role. The war in Korea is the most recent example. Every fighting man sent to Korea was accompanied by five tons of supplies and it took 64 pounds of supplies and equipment every day to keep him there. Five million passengers, 22,000,000 tons of petroleum products and 52,000,000 tons of dry cargo were transported to, from and within the Korean Theater to support that war".

The Department of Defense Statistics supports Secretary Thomas’ statement. These statistics indicate that 90 percent of all maneuvers were by sea and well over 80 percent were by privately owned ships.