Merchant mariners who live in Pennsylvania and served during World War II could receive a one-time $500 bonus if one state legislator has his way.A published report says State Representative John Maher (R) planned to reintroduce a bill that would pay the bonus to all surviving Pennsylvania merchant mariners who served during World War II. Any state resident who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine in active duty or training status between Dec. 7, 1941 and Aug. 15, 1945 would be eligible to receive the bonus.
Maher intended to present the measure for its second consideration last month when the legislature reconvened. As of press time for the Seafarers LOG, no information on the status of the proposal was available.
The original bill, introduced last March by Maher, passed in the Pennsylvania House 195-0, according to news reports, but died in the Senate during the same month when the state’s legislative session ended. The legislation was sent to the Pennsylvania State Senate’s military and veterans affairs committee—chaired by state Sen. Robert Tomlinson, a Republican from Bensalem—following its approval by the House. Sources close to Tomlinson indicated that the bill arrived Nov. 19 and on the brink of the legislative session’s conclusion.
Maher put the cost of the bonus between $400,000 and $500,000—a tab he hoped would be liquidated by an emergency state liquor tax. The Upper St. Clair Republican also expressed his disappointment that the legislation initially was not approved by the Senate and said acknowledgment for these veterans is long overdue. He pointed out that smaller and smaller numbers of World War II-vintage merchant mariners remain with us each passing month.
The merchant marine complements the armed forces during wartime by delivering troops and materials to destinations around the globe. During World War II, merchant mariners ferried ammunition, troops, bombs, airplanes and fuel. They did not receive veteran status, however until 1988—some not until 1998. Because of this shortcoming, merchant mariners did not receive the bonuses or other benefits bestowed those who had served in the military services at the end of the war.
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