REMARKS AS PREPARED BY

MARITIME ADMINISTRATOR REAR ADM. (RET) ANN PHILLIPS

AT 35th Annual American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) Convention 

Video Greeting 

Good morning Merchant Mariners! 

On behalf of the Maritime Administration and the Department of Transportation, I am honored to send you my best wishes!    

I wish my schedule had allowed me to be with you in person, but, let me thank you for your invitation and for the opportunity to honor the many contributions and sacrifices of our nation’s merchant mariners. 

During the Second World War, more than 240,000 Americans served in the merchant marine and, as you well know, they suffered a casualty rate higher than that of any military branch.  

At great peril, the U.S. Merchant Marine delivered the weapons and supplies our Armed Forces used to topple tyranny. 

As the United States and our allies fought across the globe, merchant mariners delivered the arsenal our soldiers, marines, and sailors used to fight and win.  

But performance of this essential mission came at great risk. 

With reverence and gratitude, we remember the nearly 6,000 merchant mariners who were lost, the 12,000 who were wounded, and the hundreds more made Prisoners of War during World War II.   

Included in these numbers are 142 midshipmen from the United States Merchant Marine Academy who died while sailing as cadets.   

We also honor the merchant mariners who carried cargoes to Korea, Vietnam, and to the Persian Gulf to support our military in Iraq and Afghanistan.   

And let me also give a special commendation to the last surviving officer of the SS MEREDITH VICTORY, Burley Smith.  Thank you for your service!  

We are inspired by the example of every merchant mariner and blessed by the liberty and freedom you preserved through your service. 

We also join you in celebrating the service of American merchant mariners who are at sea today, moving vital cargoes and supporting our economic strength. 

Finally, let me thank you, CAPTAIN DiMattia (Dru) for all of your work on behalf of our veterans—and for all that you and the American Merchant Marine Veterans did to support the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate the merchant mariners of World War II. 

Thank you all for your service and best wishes for a wonderful convention! 

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