The Forgotten Heroes: The Heroic Story of the United States Merchant Marine

by Brian Herbert

The United States Merchant Marine has a tradition---from the Revolutionary War to the present-day Gulf conflicts---of being in the forefront of every American military action. They have served with distinction in every case. Brian Herbert has chronicled the amazing exploits of these gallant seamen, assembling a fascinating array of data to describe the world of the Merchant Marine in peace and especially in war.

Drawing from historical documents, government records, diaries, and interviews with surviving veterans, Herbert has constructed a brilliant history that details the heroism, self-sacrifice, and grim determination that has been the hallmark of the United States Merchant Marine. He also reveals one of the great injustices of American history---the grave failure of our legislators that has allowed the veterans of the Merchant Marine to become the forgotten heroes of World War II

The civilian fighters of the Merchant Marine performed feats of extraordinary bravery during World War II; they were the lifeline of the entire Allied war effort, delivering troops, materiel, food, fuel, and every essential needed for victory over the Axis enemy. While executing these duties, the Merchant Marine suffered losses so high that the casualty rates were kept secret.

At the war's end, the men and women of every other branch of the service were honored by parades and given medical and educational benefits. But the members of the Merchant Marine, who were so vital to our victory, have received neither the benefits nor the recognition they deserved. New York Times bestselling author Brian Herbert is part of the growing movement across the United States to right this terrible wrong.

The Forgotten Heroes is a history of the unsung heroes of the United States Merchant Marine and a plea for justice for these neglected veterans of World War II.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, World War II, Military Fiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2004

About the author

Brian Patrick Herbert is an American author who lives in Washington state. He is the elder son of science fiction author Frank Patrick Herbert.

Reviews

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author writes about the roll of the Merchant Marine in WW II, telling in particular the story of one Merchant Mariner he know personally. That part of the story was interesting. For example, The crewman and the ship he writes about was in the Mediterranean anchored at Bari, which was devoted by chemical warfare, affecting many men on the ship. The author's primary argument is that despite the Merchant Marine did an important job during the war (carrying a major portion of the supplies to the numerous war zones) and yet after t he war they did not receive the post war benefits that he military did. He point is legitimate, considering that the Merchant Marine lost, proportionately, more men in the war than the other tfour services. However, the book is not that well written. The last third of the book is repetitious, as he keeps cycling back to the countries failure to acknowledge the Merchant Marines' role in helping the US to win the war. (And I agree with his argument because my husband I are docents on a Merchant Marine cargo ship, one of the 2 left of the 2700+ that were launched during the war. And on the other hand, both of our fathers were in the US Navy during the war.) I would have liked to have a more concise telling of the story.

[Terry Misfeldt · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Forgotten Heroes conveys the under appreciated service of America's merchant marine during times of war, especially World War Two when many merchant ships delivering war supplies were sunk by German or Japanese submarines.

Brian Herbert tells of the heroism of these brave sailors and goes overboard in championing their cause to be recognized by our country for their efforts in supplying our troops. Although most merchant mariners were civilians they still wanted to serve their country...and did with honor.

Packed with lots of interesting details, The Forgotten Heroes is worth checking out.

[Craig Merkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of all the parts that had to come together to win WW2 non would have been possible had it not been for the allied merchant fleet which suffered staggering casualties and received short shrift from the government after the war. Denied GI benefits because they weren’t in a uniformed service. ALL of them were volunteers. None were drafted. Even the VFW refused to acknowledge their sacrifices. An enlightening book to say the least. Highly recommended

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, thorough coverage of this topic. The information is both eye-opening and heartbreaking. Well-researched and well-written. Includes photo section.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok read...wasn't the best writing ever but brought good attention to how badly the merchant marines have been treated by our government, despite the combat situations they went through.

[Christina P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for people who love war stories as well as those interested in the merchant marines.