In their own words

Meet several merchant mariners who sailed on cargo vessels, including Liberty ships, during World War II. Each survived the perils of wartime service. Hear their stories, in their own words.

Sam Casarez

Sam Casarez describes his experiences as a junior engineer aboard a Liberty ship during World War II. PDF icon Transcript

William Flury

William Flury describes the sinking of the Liberty ship SS Jean Nicolet by a Japanese sub in the Indian Ocean on July 2, 1944. Thirty merchant mariners, 19 members of the Navy Armed Guard, and 26 passengers were killed in this attack. PDF icon Transcript

Alan Harvie and John “Sarge” Ransome

Alan Harvie and “Sarge” Ransome describe the sinking of the SS Honomu by a German U-boat in the North Atlantic on July 5, 1942. Twelve members of the crew and a British gunner were killed. PDF icon Transcript

Spud Campbell

Spud Campbell describes the sinking of the Liberty ship SS Henry Bacon by German aircraft on February 23, 1945. Sixteen merchant mariners and twelve members of the Navy Armed Guard were killed in this attack. PDF icon Transcript

Allied tanker sinking in the Atlantic Ocean after being torpedoed by a German submarine, 1942

Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration

American cargo ship exploding after being hit by German aircraft in the invasion of Sicily, 1943

Courtesy of the Library of Congress