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Article: The straight facts about the merchant marine.(Commentary)(Editorials)(Letters)
- Article from:
- The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
- Article date:
- December 15, 1997
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1997 News World Communications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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I was in the merchant marine for 15 years, including the period in question regarding M. Larry Lawrence, and I have never seen such a demonstration of ignorance by those who are supposed to have investigated the circumstances of his alleged service in the merchant marine.
First, consider the tombstone in Arlington National Cemetery. Directly under Mr. Lawrence's name is the designation "S1C." Presumably, that means seaman first class (a U.S. Navy rank). There is no such rank in the merchant marine. The only designations for unlicensed deck personnel are ordinary seaman or AB (able-bodied seaman), except for bosun, carpenter and deck engineer. (I am ...