u.s. merchant marine academy insignia: corps of cadets & regiment of midshipmen survey
u.s. merchant marine academy insignia: corps of cadets & regiment of midshipmen survey
The insignia worn by Cadets, Cadet-Midshipmen, and Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point has undergone several changes as the mission and focus of the institution has evolved over time. Some insignia has held over between most periods - the most enduring being the U.S.N.R. pin.
u.s. maritime commission corps of cadets, 1939-41
The above illustrates the full complement of insignia worn by a Cadet in the U.S. Maritime Commission Corps of Cadets, and later as a Cadet-Midshipman under the jurisdiction of the War Shipping Administration.
This grouping was once owned by William E. Montgomery. He was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on March 27, 1918. He graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point in 1943. There, he studied as a cadet, and later cadet-midshipman for a period of 104 weeks - two years. He was in section 84 - Engineering. Immediately after graduation, he did not sail on his license, but joined the U.S. Navy.
4/7/1943 - Commissioned U.S. Naval Reserve - Class EM (Engineer Officer of Merchant Marine Reserve)
9-5-1946 - Separated from service.
He left the Navy as a Lieutenant, having been an Assistant Engineering Officer in the "Tin Can Navy."
Ships served on:
USS McDougal DD-358
USS Leary DD-879
Decorations:
American Theater ribbon
European–African–Middle Eastern Theater ribbon
Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon
Victory ribbon
U.S. Maritime Commission device. Worn on garrison cap and shirt collar.
Corps of Cadets section number. Worn on collar.
Corps of Cadets insignia. Worn on garrison cap and shirt collar.
Corps of Cadets insignia. Symbol of U.S. Maritime Commission and later U.S. Maritime Service. Worn on cuff of Class A blue coat.
U.S.N.R badge.
Tennis bracelet with name, obverse. Bracelets such as these became popular gift to seafarers from their loved ones during the Second World War as they could provide an additional means of identification if the sailor's body was washed ashore.
Tennis bracelet, reverse.
u.s. maritime service corps of cadets - war shipping administration years 1941-45
Corps of Cadets insignia. Worn on garrison cap and shirt collar.
U.S. Merchant Marine identification badge. Replaced the orginal Corps of Cadets insignia and was worn on shirt collars and garrison cap. Known endearingly as a "Manhole Cover."
Corps of Cadets identification plaque. This identifies the wearer as a Cadet-Midshipman 3rd-class.
Company number patch. Blue on grey identifies this patch as worn on the shoulder of the navy-blue undress shirt.
Company number patches. Blue on gray and blue on khaki. Blue on khaki (with blue ring) were worn on khaki work shirts. Company numbers were 1-6 with P eventually appearing for Plebe postwar.
pennsylvannia maritime academy at kings point, spring 1942-september 1942
In the Spring of 1942, all cadets from the Pennsylvania Maritime Academy were transferred to Kings Point. The following insignia were issued to deck cadets which they brought along with them to the newly-established U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.
Above are insignia worn by cadets during their brief sojourn at Kings Point. The cap badge is of the USMCC-type; the anchor cuff device and anchor on shoulder boards are those of a deck cadet. The boards were often passed down from cadet to cadet; note the pre-1941 should board snap buttons.
u.s. merchant marine academy at kings point regiment of midshipmen, 1990s
cuff and collar variations 1940s-1990s
dress uniform collar devices 2018
