American Merchant Marine Labor
Title
American Merchant Marine Labor
Description
During the Second World War American Labor rallied to the cause in support of the Allied fight against the Axis. Merchant Marine union members were on the front lines ferrying men and materiel to the front or wherever required. They had their own argot and proud traditions.
Collection Items
Cap (Khaki), National Organization Masters, Mates, and Pilots unionman
Ca. 1944. Manu: cap, Gus Kroesen, San Francisco; cap badge, Vanguard. The cap in context may be found here:
http://ianewatts.org/nommp-not-ussb
http://ianewatts.org/nommp-not-ussb
Certificate of Membership, National Maritime Union
Ca. 1940. Certificate of Membership of Julia Serafin in National Maritime Union. Ms. Serafin was a Waitress and joined the Union in1936; it appears she left in 1940.
Ephemera, Mess Pass to T. W. Fitzgerald
Circa 1944. United States Army Forces Mess Guest Pass to T. W. Fitzgerald, Master of the New Zealand ship M/V Tamatea. On the back of the card are the contacts:Captain J. B. Baker of the 29th Marines (Reinf), Kokumbona (Guadalcanal)Mr. Denlay USSCo…
Pamphlet, Heroes Today, Tramps Tomorrow?
Pamphlet published in 1943 by the National Maritime Union to call attention to the fact Amercian merchant seaman were without Social Security and adequate financial protections during the Second World War. William Gropper illustrated the pamphlet.