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© Lefteris Papaulakis/AdobeStock ship Hyder Ally, and he captured the Black Prince before it was sold to the to the future generals. In 2016, in a visit

British Man of War Monk. Barney was Continental Navy and renamed the Al- to a maritime museum, several West eventually given command of Monk and fred. Of course, their naval careers are Point Cadets asked a retired Master- was later commissioned into the Conti- well documented, but it is the fact they Mariner in attendance what seemed like nental Navy. Notably, Joshua Barney, were mariners frst, which bears men- a natural question, as most people who was a Merchant Mariner frst; and a hero tioning. Like all who serve in the Navy are not aware of the Merchant Marine

Merchant Mariner at that in capturing from Admiral to Seaman is a sailor; ask, they asked, “What is the Merchant

British warship. Interestingly enough, similarly all who serve in our Merchant Marine and what do they do?” The re- the two men who share the moniker, Marine, from Master to Ordinary Sea- tired Master quite nicely explained some “The Father of American Navy,” were man, is a mariner. of the facts of the U.S. Merchant Mari- both Merchant Mariners. It may be a “When fnal victory is ours there is ner sacrifces in WWII and even quoted surprise, but none other than John Paul no organization that will share its credit a few of West Point’s most distinguished

Jones and John Barry, were both Mer- more deservedly than the Merchant Ma- alumni concerning the Merchant Ma- chant Mariners frst before they were rine.” One of the greatest generals in his- rine. After which the West Point cadets

Naval Offcers. John Paul Jones was tory as well as the future 34th President were clearly moved by this and prob- frst a Merchant Mariner and was Mas- of the United States, acknowledged the ably had a newfound respect for the ter and Commander of the British brig absolute critical contribution of the U.S. U.S. Merchant Marine along with their

John prior to immigrating to the Colo- Merchant Marine in the winning of the service and sacrifce. In this fashion, nial United States and joining the then WWII. Just as General MacArthur had it requires mentioning WWII and the fedgling Continental Navy. John Barry done so, General Eisenhower put the sacrifces of our U.S. Merchant Marine, immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland as Merchant Marine on equal footing with for that is where they made their mark. a Second Offcer, rising to the rank of all other services. Wistfully, the accom- Speaking purely in numbers, our U.S.

Captain and was eventually the frst and plishments of our glorious Merchant Merchant Marine lost more lives by per- only Master of the U.S. Merchant Ship Marine are not readily known, not even centage than any other service. One of www.marinelink.com 57