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Question
Can you tell me where I can find information about how WWII Merchant Mariners were subject to the UCMJ? Thank you.
Lisa,
The Merchant Marines was operated by the Maritime Administration, one of the agencies of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Just like the Coast Guard, during wartime it came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, then called the War Department. Nowadays, it would come under the Department of Homeland Security.
I would say your best source of information would come from the Schuyler Otis Bland Library at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. It has over 180,000 volumes, some of which are on-line.
As you research it, be advised that the UCMJ didn't exist until AFTER WWII.
The military justice system operated under the Articles of War for about 150 years until about 1950 or 1951 when the Uniform Code of Military Justice went into effect. So you'll need to look at the Articles of War.
Good luck in your research,
Colonel H
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Answers by Expert:
MARK A. HOWELL
Expertise
All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.
Experience
Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.
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Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc.,
Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member,
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Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History.
Two books submitted for publication.
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Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude)
Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude)
Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV
Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV
Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
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Legion of Merit
Defense MSM
MSM x 5
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