Your question requires a multi-part answer.
First, the Purple Heart is a decoration reserved for members of the United States armed forces. Since merchant mariners are civilians and were not and are not considered to be members of the military, the Purple Heart is not available to merchant sailors. In World War II, with mariners dying and being injured in large numbers, the Congress in 1943 addressed this dilemma by establishing a decoration known as the Mariner's Medal. Awarded only to members of the United States merchant marine, the Mariner's Medal recognizes seamen who were killed or wounded as a direct result of conflict against an opposing armed force. Some 6,635 Mariner's Medals were awarded for service in World War II but have not been awarded since.
Under current law, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation is authorized to award various merchant marine decorations, and to provide replacement decorations at cost. Department of Transportation regulations specify that replacement decorations may be issued upon written request made to the Office of Maritime Labor, Training and Safety. (See U.S. Code of Regulations, Title 46, Part 350, Section 350.5 at http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2012-title46-vol8/pdf/CFR-2012-title46-vol8-sec350-5.pdf.)
The Office of Maritime Labor, Training and Safety is part of the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD). The following street address should be sufficient:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Maritime Administration
Office of Maritime Labor, Training and Safety
West Building
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590
You may also wish to send an e-mail to Patricia Thomas (patricia.thomas@dot.gov) for information.
It will likely be necessary to provide identifying information about the deceased mariner, so be prepared to offer whatever information you have. Ms. Thomas (above) may be able to explain what information is necessary.
You may wish to obtain the service record of the mariner killed in combat during World War II, either for your own information or to ascertain information that may be necessary for you to produce in requesting a replacement medal. Service records of merchant mariners killed during World War II are available through:
Archives I Reference Unit (NWCT1R)
National Archives and Records Administration
7th & Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20408
E-mail: archives1reference@nara.gov
Good luck.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com
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