decorations awarded to vwoa members in our nation's service

The decorations shown here were awarded to Walter W. Campbell, a graduate of the Gallups Island radio school and tell the story of one "spark" that was repeated many times over. Mr. Campbell's decorations tell a fascinating story.of service to the nation in WW2 and Korea and then returning to sea when we faced an urgent need for experienced seaboard radio operators for the huge fleet of American flag vessels needed to supply our forces in Vietnam nearly two decades later. Mr. Campbell, like so many other maritime operators earned decorations for serving in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, and Middle East. Top row: Merchant Marine Combat Bar (awarded to Mr. Campbell when his ship was torpedoed. The rescue photo is in the frame below) Row 2: Pacific War Zone Medal, Merchant Marine Defense Medal, Atlantic War Zone Medal Row 3: Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal Row 4:World War II Victory Medal Row 5: Merchant Marine Expeditionary Award
The decorations at left were awarded to Merchant Mariners who served in WW II. Leftmost was issued by Great Britain on the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. The pair of medals include the Mariner's Medal awarded to "any seaman who, while serving on a ship between December 7, 1941 and July 25, 1947, was wounded, suffered physical injury, or suffered through dangerous exposure as a result of an act of an enemy of the United States. Rightmost: Victory Medal awarded to all members of crews of Maritime Commission ships serving during WW II.
These four decorations are not from the US government, but many of our members have received them. On the left are two medals issued by Russia to veterans of WW2 on the 50th and 40th anniversary of the end of the war. Many VWOA members served on the harrowing Murmansk run. The third medal from the left is the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal and the rightmost decoration is the New Jersey State Distinguished Service Medal

merchant marine decorations

These are the most frequently awarded decorations to American merchant mariners in WW2. Top row: Merchant Marine Defense Medal, Atlantic War Zone Medal, Mediterranean-Middle East War Zone Medal. Bottom row: Pacific War Zone Medal, WW2 Victory Medal