Wonder how you get one for deceased Maritime Service mariners? It’s just a medal but it’s all they got in spite of the promises made. I’d like to get one for my mom, she wants to put it by my late Dad’s discharge papers from the USMS.
Not sure Maritime Service members qualify, I think he would to have been merchant marine, but, if eligible, you can get one for you deceased father.
https://ammv.us/?fbclid=IwAR2GqO86Iu-ZL0bzyHxFeiHJhWtsFRFJ7Brhbd_Ttlvq1dn9u1hLmxWy96E
And the following is cut and pasted from Sheila Sova’s FB page:
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL? Feel free to share this message with anyone you wish to.
FAQs: Congressional Gold Medal for WWII US Merchant Mariners Act 2020
What we know at this time….
In order to qualify for the Congressional Gold Medal for the WWII US Merchant Mariners, you must have a DD-214. Family members of deceased mariners will be allowed to purchase a replica bronze medal on behalf of their family member.
- What does “collective medal” mean?
One Gold Medal will be presented collectively to the entire group of WWII USMM and housed in the American Merchant Marine Museum in Kings Point NY. The veterans will each apply and purchase a replica bronze medal at a cost of about $54 (this was the cost for the Filipino Scouts and the Chinese American who both recently one a collective Congressional Gold Medal).
Now enacted, the U.S. Mint and the American Merchant Marine Veterans organization (AMMV) will work together to design the final medal. Generally the medal design process takes about 6-8 months.
- Who is Eligible to Receive the Congressional Gold Medal?
Any Merchant Marine Veteran who served:
· Honorably at any time from December 7th1941 to December 31st 1946*.
·American merchant marine in oceangoing service during the period of armed conflict, December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945, and who meet the following qualifications:
·employed by the War Shipping Administration or Office of Defense Transportation (or their agents) as a merchant seaman documented by the U.S. Coast Guard or the Department of Commerce (Merchant Mariner’s Document/Certificate of Service) or as a civil servant employed by the U.S. Army Transport Service (later redesignated U.S. Army Transportation Corps, Water Division) or the Naval Transportation Service; and
·served satisfactorily as a crew member during the period of armed conflict, December 7, 1941, to August 15, 1945, aboard · merchant vessels in oceangoing—that is, foreign, intercoastal, or coastwise—service (per 46 U.S.C. §§10301 and 10501) and further to include near foreign voyages between the United States and Canada, Mexico, or the West Indies via ocean routes, or · public vessels in oceangoing service or foreign waters
- Will each eligible veteran receive a Congressional Gold Medal?
Only one Congressional Gold Medal will be minted and house at the Kings Point Merchant Marine Museum. The cost associated with the purchase of the bronze replica are beyond the scope of the government’s responsibility.
- Are veterans expected to pay for the bronze replica of the CGM?
Medal replicas presented to eligible veterans and if deceased, a family member can purchase the CGM in their honor. (Perhaps a funding site will be set up for donations so that each veteran will receive their medals free of cost). In accordance with the law, bronze replicas of the US Merchant Marine Congressional Gold Medal will be available for sale to the general public (scheduled for mid-2021). Bronze replicas and other CGMs are also available as the law allows for purchase via the US Mint’s online catalog.
- Are families of deceased veterans eligible to receive a bronze replica of the CGM?
Yes, the closest surviving relative of the deceased veteran may receive a bronze duplicate of the CGM on behalf of the Veteran. However, it is the deceased veteran, not the next of kin who is the awardee of the CGM under Public Law 115-337
Applying for the Congressional Gold Medal
- How and when do I apply for this bronze replica?
There is no time frame of when the application process or the medals will be complete. Usually a veterans group will set up along with the government a registration process. The AMMV will keep you up to date on the progression of the process on their website (ammv.us). At this time there is not any application process in place. It is TBD at a later date.
Each group in the past has received their medals approximately 8-10 months after winning the medal. The Filipino Scouts WWII won the medal in Dec.2016 and were awarded their medals in October of 2017. The Chinese American WWII Veterans won in Dec. 2018 and were to accept their medals in the fall of 2019. However the ceremony has been changed to Spring of 2020 (now cancelled) in Washington D.C. It is usually a three day program hosted by the government including tours, dinners and ceremony.
- What if I cannot go to D.C. for the ceremony?
To ensure that all veterans receive their medals, there will be several regional ceremonies across the country. The current winners of the CGM have 12 regional ceremonies planned throughout the year 2020 in almost every section of the country. Your local congressman or senator may also want to become involved if the veteran cannot make it to any ceremony.
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- What kind of information is required to qualify for the CGM?
The veteran’s military service can be verified by the following documentation:
a. Submission of Honorable Discharge or Separation Papers (DD-214)
b. Other forms of verification can be used but we will not post these yet until we receive the form from Congress.
c. Documents must be scanned and uploaded. Do not mail in anything or send original copies. If you do not own or have access to a scanner, please go to any of the following to scan documents:
I. University or college library
II. Public library
III. Retail outlets such as Kinko’s/FedEx, UPS Stores, Office Depot, Office Max
IV. Neighbor or family member
Make sure you have a copy of the DD-214.
- How do I get my relative’s DD-214? (Three options available)
Option #1. The easiest way is to contact your congressman. Don’t know who it is? Click here: Find My Congressman Your congressperson has access to all records and can get them more easily. Your congressperson should be very happy to get the DD214 and the medals can be presented directly to the veteran or the family members. Make sure to get a photo and have the local newspaper come to the ceremony.
Option #2. If you do not wish to go through your congressperson, you can always apply through the mail. The following website has every detail that you need to send in. USMM WWII Veteran Status Info http://www.usmm.org/contact.html#contact2
Application for Merchant Marine Veteran Status DD214
Mariners in “ocean-going service” during World War II have Veteran Status. They may be entitled to a gravestone, flag for their coffin, and burial in a National Cemetery. Check with the Veterans Administration for medical and other benefits. Mariner or survivor should complete the following steps and mail to the proper address:
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Complete Form DD2168. Supply as much information as possible. You can download Application DD Form 2168 The Coast Guard address on the back of the form is not valid. Correct address is below. You can get this form on the website in Option #3.
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Include photocopies of discharges, identification, and other supporting documents.
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You will need the mariner’s signature or a certified death certificate. The Coast Guard will issue documents for a person listed as an official casualty without a death certificate.
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No fee required if service was between December 7, 1941 and August 14, 1945.
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Include check or money order for $30 payable to US Treasury if seeking veteran status for the period from August 15, 1945 through December 31, 1946.
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Where to Mail Application:
U.S. Merchant Marine Veteran Status
(service Dec. 7, 1941 - Aug. 15, 1945)
U.S. Merchant Marine Veteran Status
(service Aug. 15, 1945 - Dec. 31, 1946)
USCG-National Maritime Center (NMC)
ATTN: WWII
100 Forbes Drive
Martinsburg, WV 25404
U.S. Bank Government Lockbox
1005 Convention Plaza
Attn: Government Lockbox, 979119
St. Louis, MO 63101
Option #3. There is also an online website to apply for the DD-214 at the US Coast Guard website. USCG This link is also located on the website usmm.org that is given in Option #2. Scroll down to the bottom right corner where you will see the online information below with WWII Requests.
- How can I get my relative’s medals from WWII?
Simply call Deveeda or email her asking what paperwork is needed for getting the medals. The DD-214 should have the list of medals on the bottom of the form. She will ask you to send in the documentation necessary to receive the medals to the address below.
Deveeda.Midgette@dot.gov Phone: 202-366-2354
Deveeda E. Midgette
Maritime Administration
Mar-630, W25-313
1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E.
Washington, CD 20590
If you have any other questions feel free to email or call our office in Darien CT.
National Headquarters
American Merchant Marine Veterans, Inc.
Lynn Kelly – National Office Administrator
P.O. Box 2024
Darien, CT 06820-2024
Phone: (475) 470-9200
Email: ammermarvets@gmail.com
Merchant Marine Records and Contact Information
https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Pr…
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Thanks for the info, I’ll get started on this. As was the fashion then he trained to be a merchant marine at the Maritime Service school, went on to sail the North Atlantic during the first of the war and the Pacific at the last. Returned to Maritime Service briefly to teach. He qualifies.