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 service corps of cadets - war shipping administration years 1941-45

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