Should he be buried there?

Question

My grandfather was part of the maritime, which was part of the Merchant Marines. The maritime is no longer around, at least that's what I've heard, but he was a part of it in the 40s. He never went overseas because they had needed him as a teacher. But my question is should he be allowed to be buried in one of the national cemeraries since he had been a part of the military?

Reason for asking by the way is because the family is trying to still get him into one and I was just wondering.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, there has been a long-standing resistance to this idea by the various veterans' organizations such as the American Legion, the VFW, Amvets and others. The Merchant Marine was not considered a military service. Part of that was/is caused by the fact that the Armed Guard was paid better than the regular Armed Forces were - yes, it's petty jealousy. Those members of the Merchant Marine you're thinking of were the Armed Guard - they were men who manned the weapons placed on merchant vessels during the Second World War and were charged with the responsibility of fighting off attacks by elements of enemy air, surface and undersea forces. Although for the first two and a half years of the war, they had a higher percentage of men killed in such fights than did the regular Armed Forces, they have never been granted veteran's status.
I think that's wrong, and I'm a member of the American Legion and the VFW and the Marine Corps League! (Vietnam Veterans of America, too) I do what I can from the inside to convince my fellow vets to right this egregious injustice, but it's a hard road to travel, my friend. Maybe someday these heroes will be accorded the recognition they deserve.

Answer 2

Your grandfather was a brave man. Yes, the Merchant Marines are still in business and are part of the Teamsters Union too.

My brother was on the LNG Aries for 2 years 1986 1987 1988

There are a whole bunch of ships named for Merchant Marines Maritime Industry..

I think your grandfather is part of the merchant seamen and
military is very different.

Your grandfather bravely delivered materials from ship but
did he actually fight in the war, go thru bootcamp, was he stationed to fight for the United States Army.

I think that is different. My brother will not be buried anywhere special for the time he served. My father was a veteran and just got a flag draped over his coffin at the funeral.

Answer 3

Absolutely!! These areas are for people who served our country, it doesn' t matter in what capacity. He still sacrificed just in a different way. The merchant marines provided a valuable service. All current soldiers, and veterans deserve all the respect and services available to them( and some services that should be.) There are plenty of services within the military that were not combat or even overseas but they still contributed, that's my opinion. However, I don't know how the military rules and regulations views it.

Answer 4

Merchant Marines are not a part of the military. Because of the they are not offered any VA benifits. So in short, no military burial.

Answer 5

He can be buried at a National Cemetery if he was a Merchant Marine. Follow this search there is a lot of info on this. Arlington Cemetery even allows Merchant's.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=national+cemeteries+merchant+marines&btnG=Search

Answer 6

Cremation. the considered my physique decaying slowly at the same time as being eaten by potential of maggots is frightening, besides the fact that if i'm lifeless. Plus, the considered being buried alive scares me greater effective than being burnt alive (i'm claustrophobic).

Answer 7

NO!!! He has to have served in a military unit and be honorably discharged from the military before he can be buried in a military cemetary.

Answer 8

Obviously no !