Have you heard of the S.S. Jean Nicolet? This is a good example of what Allied Merchant Marines faced in WW2.

SN Greg Wright — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:05:30 -0400

This is one of the more egregious examples.

"The Liberty ship SS Jean Nicolet was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine on July 2, 1944, off Ceylon (Sri Lanka). She had 41 merchant crew, 28 Naval Armed Guard, and 31 passengers. All survived the explosion. They were taken aboard the sub and their lifeboats and rafts were sunk. With their hands tied behind their backs they were forced to sit on deck. Japanese sailors massacred many with bayonets and rifle butts. Thirty survivors were still on deck with their hands tied when a British plane appeared. The sub crash-dived, washing the survivors into the sea. Only 23 were rescued."

http://www.armed-guard.com/ag87.html

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 12:07 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:07:43 -0400

SN Greg Wright, thanks for sharing. My grandfather was a Merchant Marine during that timeframe, I will have to find out what ships he sailed on.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Aug 16 at 2015 12:21 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:21:48 -0400

SN Greg Wright I really like the posts you have brought to our attention on the Merchant Marines. I've enjoyed them and continue to learn more about them each time. Thanks for sharing

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2015 3:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 15:46:57 -0400

This a good read on the MM's in Vietnam before and during, and after the war.

http://www.usmm.org/vietnam.html

U.S. Merchant Marine in Vietnam

American Merchant Marine in Vietnam War, including role and casualties suffered by chartered merchant and Military Sea Transportation Service seamen

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 16 at 2015 5:14 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 17:14:54 -0400

Suicide was too easy for that Japanese sub commander. They should have peeled him like an orange. The Japanese were not noted for their treatment or respect of anyone captured, but this murderer was demonic. Thank you for honoring the crew by keeping their memory alive.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 17 at 2015 2:29 AM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 02:29:25 -0400

Thanks for sharing Shipmate! I have heard of a lot of the losses the Merchant Marines suffered. I used to read a lot about WWII Naval history and luckily these men's sacrifices were documented in most of the texts that I read.

Still, it's always refreshing (if that's the right word to chose) to reread about it.

Response by MCPO David Mattingly made Sep 20 at 2015 8:36 PM

MCPO David Mattingly — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 20:36:15 -0400

This is a story I posted Friday POW/MIA Day about the SS Jean Nicolet. https://medium.com/the-spyglass/pow-mia-day-28b6d9344ca By the way my Grandfather in law is Captain Nilsson

POW/MIA DAY — The Spyglass

“America has long stood tall as a beacon of freedom thanks to the women and men of our Armed Forces who safeguard our co…

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 27 at 2015 9:44 AM

SGT Scott Bell — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 09:44:15 -0400

thanks for sharing.

Response by Joseph Nollar made Aug 16 at 2018 5:14 PM

Joseph Nollar — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 17:14:52 -0400

My great uncle Donald Branch Ferguson (ca 1944). Born 12/18/15. Declared MIA 7/2/44 and presumed dead 3/6/45. He was a US Army officer headed to Burma as a passenger on the S.S. Jean Nicolet. May he and all those lost in this atrocity rest in eternal peace.