World War II Honoree

John D. Murphy

Branch of Service

U.S. Merchant Marine

Hometown

Paden, Mississippi

Honored By

Patricia Ann Fite

Relationship

Niece

SERVED FROM NOVEMBER 1944 TO DECEMBER 1946. REPORTED FOR TRAINING AT SHEEPSHEAD BAY, NEW YORK, THEN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA FOR MARITIME TRAINING SCHOOL. SERVED ABOARD THE SS STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. WENT TO BARI, ITALY. WENT TO THE SS SARAH J HALE; LOADED COAL OUT OF GALVESTON, TEXAS AND BROUGHT IT TO LE HAVRE, FRANCE. REPORTED TO SS MARYVILLE VICTORY, LOADED UP P-51 AND P-38 AIRCRAFT AND WENT TO CALCUTTA, INDIA THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL. CAME BACK THROUGH CASABLANCA AND PICKED UP PLANES HEADED TO BALTIMORE. SERVED ABOARD THE MATTHEW THORNTON OUT OF MOBILE, ALABAMA AND THE JAMES A. DRAIN OUT OF NEW ORLEANS. FIRST FOUR SHIPS WERE LIBERTY SHIPS AND AFTER GERMANY SURRENDERED THEY WERE CALLED VICTORY SHIPS. MADE ELEVEN TRIPS BRINGING TROOPS HOME FROM MARSEILLES, FRANCE.